WTSA News For Your Wednesday, July 27th:
The Green Mountain Care Board kicks off the formal process of annually approving hospital budgets this week. Michael Del Trecco, from the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health systems is hoping the proposed budget submissions are approved. Del Trecco says nearly every industry—from health care to education to law enforcement to the trades—is struggling to fill needed job openings and manage soaring inflation. Services are suffering as a result. Hospitals are managing within a delivery system that does not have the appropriate resources to care for mental health patients or long-term care patients.
Secretary of State Jim Condos says Vermont’s August 9 Statewide Primary Election is only two weeks away and he wants voters to formulate their voting plan. Those planning to return their ballot by mail are encouraged to get their voted ballot in the mail stream no later than Friday, July 29 to ensure ample time for it to be delivered to the Town Clerk before Election Day. Vermonters can also vote early, or return an early ballot, in person at their Clerk’s office any day before Election Day on August 9, during normal business hours. Secure drop boxes are available in many towns for voters to conveniently return their ballot packages.
The Brattleboro Literary Festival is gearing up for the 21st annual festival to be held in person with over 60 authors in downtown Brattleboro. Organizers have gone virtual for the past two years, plus held monthly virtual gatherings. Community assistance is needed to keep the festival free! Organizers want to also show the events online, plus have recordings available for later viewing. The all-volunteer organization wants to hire the technical expertise needed to create a hybrid event.
Safety officials from New England are announcing a region-wide anti-speeding enforcement and social norming campaign called “Slow Down New England”. Slow Down New England” is part of a national anti-speeding campaign on behalf of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration targeting the rise of drivers exceeding speed limits, a trend that is being reported throughout the country. New Hampshire State Police Capt. Chris Vetter, who serves as Commander of the state’s Office of Highway Safety, said that throughout his 20 years of service, it has become “an everyday occurrence” to witness cars travelling over 100 mph on interstates.
New Hampshire has filed new lawsuits against major pharmacy chains over their alleged role in promoting opioid abuse. Attorney General John Formella filed a civil lawsuit claiming the retail chains today against several retail pharmacy chains including CVS Health Corporation; NeighborCare of New Hampshire, LLC; Rite Aid Corporation; Maxi Drug North, Inc. And Walgreens. The complaint follows prior suits filed against opioid distributors Cardinal Health and McKesson, and suits against opioid manufacturers Purdue Pharma and their owners, the Sackler Family, Johnson & Johnson and Mallinckrodt.
The Vermont Democratic primary for Congress would not be close if the election was held today, according to a new political poll from the University of New Hampshire. The poll shows that 63% of likely Democratic voters support Becca Balint in the U.S. House race while Just 21% say they’d vote for Molly Gray. The poll shows Vermont Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint with a 42-percentage point lead over Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray. As of now, 63% of likely Democratic voters would vote for Balint, 21% would vote for Gray, 2% would vote for physician Louis Meyers, and 13% are undecided.
Federal prosecutors say a Vermont man charged with killing his mother at sea in 2016 in a plot to inherit millions should remain held pending trial because he poses a flight risk and danger to others. The prosecutors filed a motion in federal court Friday, opposing Nathan Carman’s request to be released. Carman was charged in May with killing his mother during a fishing trip in which his boat sank. He was found floating in a raft and rescued days later. Prosecutors also accuse Carman of killing his grandfather in Windsor, Connecticut, in 2013 but he has not been charged. He has pleaded not guilty to his mother’s death.
LOTTERY NUMBERS:
TRI STATE PICK 3 8-0-6
TRI STATE PICK 4 6-8-2-3
LUCKY FOR LIFE 5-7-16-38-44 LUCKY BALL 9
MEGA MILLIONS 7-29-60-63-66 MEGA BALL 15
MASS CASH 9-12-17-24-26
WTSA SPORTS:
Rookie Nolan Jones hit a three-run homer to lead Cleveland past Boston on Tuesday night, 8-3. The teams play again tonight, Nathan Eovaldi on the mound for Boston, first pitch is at 7:10.
The Mets scored 4 runs in the 1st inning on their way to a 6-3 win over the Yankees last night. The teams play again this evening, Domingo Germain on the mound for the Yankees, first pitch is at 7pm.