Pat Bradley

Six hundred cyclists are heading to New Hampshire to compete in the annual Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb.

Saturday's race is a grueling 7.6 mile climb up the highest mountain in the northeastern United States. The men's record stands at 49 minutes, 24 seconds. The women's is 58 minutes, 14 seconds.

The race is so popular with hardcore cyclists that registration was filled within four days of opening in February. Riders pay a $350 entry fee and raise donations for the Tin Mountain Conservation Center in Albany, N.H.

Vermont general fund state revenues for July came in at a more than 6 percent better clip this year than in July of 2011, but fell slightly short of the forecast.

The general fund took in more than $92 million for the month, which lagged behind the forecast issued by two economists working for the state by a bit less than 1 percent.

A lawyer for a group that promotes the rights of gays and lesbians says a pastor's conviction in Vermont reinforces the rights of same-sex parents.

Kenneth Miller, a Virginia pastor, was convicted Tuesday for helping a woman flee the country with her daughter in 2009 so she wouldn't have to share custody with her ex-partner, who lives in Vermont.

Gregory Nevins of Lambda Legal says an acquittal could have been a "green light" for people fighting same-sex custody battles to move to states that would support their positions.

A northeastern songbird may be headed to endangered species status.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says a rare songbird that breeds atop mountains in the Adirondacks and northern New England may need protection as an endangered species.

The Bicknell's Thrush, which overwinters in the Caribbean, has one of the most limited breeding and wintering ranges of any bird in North America. It nests at high elevations in New York, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

The Center for Biological Diversity in Richmond, Vt. launched the endangered petition.  Northeast Conservation Advocate Mollie Matteson.

Governor Peter Shumlin plans over four days to visit 22 Vermont communities impacted by Tropical Storm Irene to mark the anniversary of the storm.

Shumlin on Tuesday announced events that will be held to celebrate Vermont's recovery from the flooding on Aug. 28, 2011, and to acknowledge that more work needs to be done.

A free statewide event will be held on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph, with music, storm videos, artwork and photography.

Vermont Democratic and Republican leaders are in a war of words over the impending visit to the state of New Hampshire Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte for a party fundraiser.

The Vermont Republican Party announced Ayotte's visit, set for midday Wednesday at the Woodstock Inn, calling her "a dynamic senator with a great message."

Democrats responded by circulating a letter calling Ayotte "extreme anti-choice," saying she's against same-sex marriage, legalized abortions and funding for Planned Parenthood.

New York’s Health Commissioner was in northern New York on Monday to announce a federal grant that will help a health clinic in a small town expand and treat more patients.

Rallies are being held to celebrate the anniversary of Social Security and call on Congress to protect its benefits.  A group of individuals in Plattsburgh were  in front of the Social Security office on Monday to highlight the importance of the federal program and express their concerns about the Republican vice presidential selection.

The two Democrats vying for their party's nomination for Vermont attorney general are voicing disagreement over whether a tax on soft drinks is a good idea.

Attorney General William Sorrell has supported such a tax, saying obesity is starting to vie with tobacco among preventable threats to Vermonters' health.

Chittenden County State's Attorney T.J. Donovan says he opposes a soda tax, arguing that it would fall disproportionately on working-class Vermonters.