News

Studying the origins of life can have some benefits.  Scientists have been able to search for clues to beginnings of life down to the cellular level. And then they narrowed the search down even further.

Today on the Best Of Our Knowledge, our Astrobiology series continues with a look at the study of our DNA with this molecular biochemistry...and how this study has resulted in some new and unexpected advances in medicine.

We'll also spend an academic minute studying another type of DNA...the building blocks of flowers.

The Vermont Senate has passed a bill that would require labels to identify genetically modified ingredients, starting in 2016.

The vote Tuesday was 26 to 2.

The Burlington Free Press reports that the bill still needs approval from the Vermont House. The house previously passed a slightly different version of a food labeling bill.

Senate President Pro Tempore John Campbell says people have a right to know what's in their food. Campbell, a Democrat from Quechee, believes the Senate has done its best to ensure the bill will be legally defensible.

BOSTON (AP) — Police have blown up two unattended backpacks found near the Boston Marathon's finish line. They say they've taken a man into custody in connection with them.

The Vermont Senate Government Operations committee was scheduled Tuesday afternoon to take up a proposal to require statewide standards for police using electronic stun guns.

About 70 people traveled to Beacon Hill Tuesday advocating for the restoration of healthcare services in the Northern Berkshires.

Thousands of Massachusetts residents are being surveyed as part of multi-year, multi-million dollar research project on the social and economic impacts of introducing casino gambling to the state.

The members of the UMass Amherst led research team say initial results will be reported to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission in September. These findings will be the baseline that will be used to measure changes in problem gambling, domestic violence, housing prices and a host of other socio-economic factors as casinos open over the next one to three years.

A conference at Landmark College earlier this month focused on the socioeconomic ramifications of Vermont Yankee’s closure and how lessons learned here — and previous nuclear plant closures — could aid other communities facing future nuclear plant shutdowns.

Schenectady is throwing a parade for Union College's Division I national champion men's hockey team. 

WHAT:          Union Championship Parade to celebrate 2014 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Champions

WHEN:          Thursday, April 17

                        4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

PARADE

A Vermont couple will sell their farm to the state's largest electric utility for $1.3 million in order to settle a lawsuit over the ownership of land along the boundary of Green Mountain Power's 21-turbine industrial wind project.

National environmental groups are trying to focus the spotlight on Governor Andrew Cuomo over the issue of the growing international oil distribution center, located just blocks from the state capitol, at the Port of Albany.