Thu Noon News Script

Thu 02-FEB-2012 Noon News Script

1} LOANS12_VO

Good afternoon, I'm Roger Garrity. Vermont's two senators are fighting to keep the cost of going to college from soaring even higher. Many students already face huge financial hurdles to attend college -- many graduating with crippling debt. And now the interest rate on federal Stafford education loans is about to double. A 2007 law that slashed the rate from 6-point-8 percent to 3-point-4 percent will expire this summer -- unless Congress acts. Senator's Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders introduced legislation yesterday that will keep the lower rate in place.

2} MILITARY12_VO

Congressman Peter Welch is leading an effort to stop Republicans from rolling back cuts in defense spending. The Pentagon is slated to lose 500-billion dollars in funding. The automatic cuts are a result of the failure of Congress to negotiate a debt reduction package last Fall. There are equally large cuts pending for entitlement programs. But now Republicans are looking to reduce the impact on the military -- arguing it will compromise national security. But Welch says "a deal is a deal." He and 126 other Democrats have written to the president urging him to veto any bill that reduces the scheduled defense cuts.

3} MISSIONAM_VO

Members of the Vermont Air National Guard will depart for Hawaii today. The guard and several F-16 jets will support air defense training for the Hawaii Air National Guard. The 200 Vermonters will spend 17 days in Hawaii and will act as aggressor aircraft during training exercises.

4} HEALTH10X_VO

Vermont business owners spoke out last night about the state's health care reform law. They told lawmakers they're concerned about what options will be open to them -- when the federally required health care exchange goes into effect NEXT year. Many at Wednesday's meeting said they hope to have multiple plan options - including lower cost plans with high deductibles.

5} CARE10X_SOTVO

((7:52 - 7:56 - I think they'll be happy with the plans that are offered as long as they're their plans.)) ((27:59 - 28:03 "if the exchange is better employers will choose it)) ((50:56 - 51:02 Ayer there's still a lot of misperceptions a lot of misinformation out there)) The Exchange goes into effect next year -- with the goal of converting to a full single-payer healthcare system in 20-17. It is still not clear how much all this will cost - or where the money will come from.

6} SNOWBOARDAM_VO

If you want to stay safe on the slopes -- a new study shows you might want to stick to skiing rather than snowboarding. Burlington doctor Robert Johnson analyzed injury reports at Sugarbush Resort from 1988 through 2006. According to his study -- a slightly larger percentage of snowboarders were injured during that time period than skiers -- but skiers often suffered more serious injuries. 17 percent of all skiing injuries were ACL sprains. Wrist injuries accounted for 28 percent of all snowboarding injuries. The results of the study are published in the American Journal of Sports medicine.

7} MOUNTSNOWAM_VO

A southern Vermont ski resort is suing NBC. Mount Snow wants the network to pay the resort two million dollars. The ski area says the network improperly cancelled the 2011 winter Dew Tour and moved it to Killington. According to the Rutland Herald -- Mount snow claims it had a contract to host the snowboarding and skiing competition through 2011. This is the second year the event was held in Killington.

8} DOCKUM_WHITE

A big crowd is expected tonight in Bennington for a meeting about an elementary school teacher accused of possessing child porn. John Dockum is on paid leave from Monument Elementary. Police say a family member found inappropriate pictures of young children on the 5th grade teacher's school computer. Tonight's meeting for parents will run from six to seven at the school.

9} ATTEMPTEDAM_FONT

Burlington police are looking for a man who tried to rob a convenience store customer. Police say this man accosted a man in the parking lot of the Simon's Convenience store in Burlington at around 5:30 yesterday evening. The man allegedly demanded the victim's wallet and claimed he had a gun, though no weapon was shown. The victim was not seriously hurt. Police say the man is in his 50s, with a stocky build and wearing a brown Carhartt coat. Call police if you have any information.

10} BATHSALTS12_VO

Federal agents busted a Montreal woman trying to smuggle bath salts into Vermont from Canada. Bath salts are among a group of new synthetic stimulants that have become popular around the country. Vermont has not seen a lot of problems with the drugs -- but the state just moved to make them illegal to use and possess. On Sunday, U-S Customs and Border Protection agents detained 23-year-old Ann Gagnon-Lucier at the North Troy port of entry. Agents say she was carrying 45 grams of bath salts. She was arrested by state police and cited into court.

11} PIGS11_VO

And more concerns about the growing number of wild pigs on the loose in northern New York. Environmentalists say the feral pigs are damaging corn crops throughout the region. One farmer even reported damages of 20-thousand dollars. In some cases -- Hunters are taking matters into their own hands and shooting pigs. And wildlife officials are also trapping others. The department of Environmental Conservation is urging residents to report any sightings of the feral pigs.

12} FORECAST

Today: Groundhog Day! A few sunny breaks Highs: 27 to 34 Wind: N 5 to 15 mph Tonight: Partly cloudy Lows: 5 to 15 Wind: Light Friday: Increasing clouds Chance for a few snow showers late Highs: 25 to 32 Wind: SSW 5 to 15 mph Extended: Saturday: Partly sunny Lows: 10 to 20 Highs: 20s Sunday: Mostly cloudy Snow showers, mainly early Lows: 10 to 20 Highs: 25 to 35 Monday: Mostly sunny Lows: 15 to 25 Highs: 30s Hyper-Extended: Tuesday: Mix of sun & clouds Chance for snow showers Lows: 15 to 25 Highs: 30s Wednesday: Partly cloudy Lows: 5 to 15 Highs: 20s

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