Wed Noon News Script

Wed 01-FEB-2012 Noon News Script

1} BREACH12_VO

Some New York utilities customers may have had their information compromised. A letter sent to New York State Electric and Gas customers says an independent software development firm allowed unauthorized access to customer information last month, including social security numbers, dates of birth, and possibly even bank account numbers. The letter says there is no evidence that the data was misused or that the access was malicious, but NYSEG is working with law enforcement. They are also offering a year of free credit monitoring to customers as a precaution. Customers must enroll for that by the end of April.

2} FRAUD_WHITE

State police are warning Vermonters to be on the lookout for fraudulent calls. An elderly woman said she received a call from a man claiming to work for the U.S. Embassy, who told her she needed to wire money internationally to help a family member in trouble. Police say the phone number was traced to a cell phone in Quebec. If you receive one of these calls -- contact state police.

3} POSTAL11_VO

Senator Bernie Sanders says the US Postal Service needs a new business model. Sanders is pushing Congress to help ease financial pressure on the US Postal service - hoping that will help avoid 200-thousand layoffs -- and the closure of thousands of mail facilities across the country - including the mail center in White River Junction. The USPS says the Internet has cut demand -- and that first class mail is down 20 percent.

4} SANDERS11_SOTVO

((at 0152, Sen. Bernie Sanders/I-Vermont: Get them involved in the digital age - not run away from it. Get them involved - expand what they can do both with state and local government as well as what they can do with the private sector.)) Sanders' postal service bill would allow workers to make copies - notarize documents - and sell hunting licenses. He also wants retirement funding regulations on the postal service to be reduced - so they would be more in line with other businesses.

5} DRUGS_WHITE

Police busted a drug dealer in Colchester last night -- who police say had a list showing the price of each drug she was selling. Police say 34 year old raven peres was busted at the Days Inn with close to 10 grams of heroin, 10 grams of crack cocaine, and 15 grams of powder cocaine. The connecticut woman told police she was given the drugs to sell. She will be in court today to face charges.

6} HEALTHCAREAM_FONT

Vermont businesses can weigh in tonight on Governor Shumlin's health care reform plan. Two legislative committees will hold a joint hearing from five to seven in room 11 at the statehouse. The plan moves vermont toward a single payer system -- and also establishes a health care exchange where employers can shop for insurance.

7} SUPERFUNDAM_VO

Voters in Lowell and Eden will have quite a decision to make this town meeting day -- what to do about the old asbestos mines. For years the state has been exploring getting the mine included on the Federal Superfund cleanup list. That would require local approval from the towns of Eden and Lowell that lie at the mountains foot. If that happens the federal government would foot the bill for the cleanup -- paving way for a biomass plant to come to the area. If approved by voters in March, the Governor would likely make a formal request to the EPA to begin the superfund process.

8} CONTRACT_WHITE

Teachers in the Rutland Southwest Supervisory Union are at impasse with school boards -- over a new contract. The district includes teachers in Poultney, Middletown Springs, Wells, and Tinmouth. Teachers have now gone 82 weeks -- or nearly two years -- without a contract. The two sides are at odds over pay and health care contributions. A negotiation session is scheduled for today.

9} LSC11_FONTVO

Lyndon State College has narrowed its list of presidential finalists -- down to two. Joe Bertolino and Mike Sonntag have accepted invitations to return to campus on February 15th -- for final interviews with the Board of Trustees. The next college president replaces Carol Moore -- who retired last summer -- after 13 years at the school. Steve Gold has been acting as interim president since she left.

10} DEATH12_VO

A locally-organized race that draws extreme athletes from across the globe is finding a niche in a new season here in Vermont. The summer race has become so popular that organizers decided to establish a winter death race. They say their event is meant to break you -- both mentally and physically. The race's many challenges take strength, intellect and some scheming to finish.... and most participants do not make it to the finish. Organizers say the summer race is the flagship event and is tougher to complete, but the winter event will be a great warm up for the athletes.

11} RACE12_SOTVO

(("We still have a month before the race so we are hoping we get some good snow storms but we do have backup plans we still have the mountains we still have cold water so we will have a great course.")) The race takes place in Pittsfield on March 2nd -- and this year, the theme is BETRAYAL.

12} SUPER10X_VO

Super Sunday is just days away. And with two local fan favorites going head to head -- Vermont businesses are hoping the Giant-Patriots rivalry translates into some super sales. 90 million pounds of wings are expected to be consumed nationwide. Pizza and sandwiches are equally popular. Restaurants and bars are getting their specials ready.

13} BOWL10X_SOTVO

((20:44:37 - :41 "we order extra everything to make sure we have enough on hand")) ((20:43:42 - :48 - West all year long, the biggest games we've seen on Sundays have been when the Pats are playing, and when the Giants were playing)) Too much Superbowl celebrating can be dangerous though. Insurance numbers show only St. Patricks day sees more alcohol-related crashes.

14} FORECAST

Today: Scattered rain showers Highs: 42 to 48 Wind: S 5 to 15 mph Tonight: Rain showers, ending as snow showers Lows: 20 to 27 Wind: SW to NW 5 to 15 mph Thursday: Groundhog Day! AM clouds Then partly sunny Highs: 28 to 35 Wind: N 5 to 15 mph Extended: Friday: Partly sunny Lows: 5 to 15 Highs: 25 to 35 Saturday: Partly sunny Lows: 10 to 20 Highs: 25 to 35 Sunday: Partly sunny Lows: 10 to 20 Highs: 25 to 35 Hyper-Extended: Monday: Partly cloudy Lows: 10 to 20 Highs: 30s Tuesday: Partly cloudy Lows: 15 to 25 Highs: 30s

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