WTSA News For Wednesday, August 21st:
Vermont has joined New York, Connecticut, and New York City in a lawsuit filed against the Department of Homeland Security. Attorney General T J Donovan says the states object to a new federal rule that aims to deny green cards and visas to immigrants that use, or have used, government assistance programs. The rule change expands the current “public charge” policies by allowing DHS to consider if an individual has received public assistance—or is likely to seek public assistance—in the form of Medicaid, 3 Squares Vermont, and Section 8 housing benefits when considering the individual’s entry into the country or application for a green card.
Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy and two US Senate colleagues have requested that the U.S. Government Accountability Office review the Border Patrol’s use of interior immigration checkpoints as part of their border security mission. Leahy question’s it’s compliance with the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects the right of Americans to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures. Two-thirds of Americans live within 100 miles of the Northern, Southern and maritime borders of the United States, and could be stopped and searched within that “border zone.”
Registration is now open for the Connecticut River Conservancy’s Source to Sea Cleanup. This annual event, now in its 23rd year, has grown into one of the largest river cleanups in the country. The Conservancy invites volunteers to continue the tradition of getting dirty for cleaner rivers on Friday & Saturday, September 27 & 28.
Green Mountain Power is holding test drive events around the state, as they encourage customers to consider purchasing an electric vehicle. The utility is promoting EVs as less expensive to ‘fuel up’ and needing less maintenance. According to G M P,, charging up an EV is like paying $1.50 a gallon of gas. GMP customers can qualify for up to $2,500 in GMP rebates, and since the new incentives launched in March, more than 300 customers have made the switch to driving electric. Events are being held in Rutland today, and Montpelier on August 28.
An operating room at the Vermont Veterans Hospital in White River has been reopened, two months after it was damaged by flooding. The operating room was damaged June 28th by a sprinkler problem, and the V A took the opportunity to speed up a planned upgrade.. The newly remodeled O R was put in use beginning Monday.
LOTTERY NUMBERS:
TRI STATE PICK 3 2-1-6
TRI STATE PICK 4 0-5-1-3
LUCKY FOR LIFE 8-17-26-28-40 LUCKY BALL 10
MEGA MILLIONS 8-14-25-51-63 MEGA BALL 4
MASS CASH 1-10-22-24-28
WTSA SPORTS:
The Patriots have informed veteran punter Ryan Allen that they are releasing him, a league source confirms. This means that fifth-round pick Jake Bailey, of Stanford, has won the job. Despite a strong performance in Super Bowl LIII, Allen was viewed to have longer odds to keep the job he’s held since 2013, because the Patriots traded up to select Bailey.