Midday Magazine on WAMC

Vermont has received conditional federal approval for its plan to create a consumer-friendly health insurance exchange.

Vermont is among a number of  states that have received word from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that they are compliant with regulations, and have appropriately outlined timelines that will allow them to have a health exchange running by October 1.

Political observers widely expect Massachusetts Senator John Kerry to be confirmed as the nation’s next Secretary of State, leaving an interim Senate term to be filled in his wake. What they didn’t expect was the about-face this week by now retired Democratic Congressman Barney Frank, who announced that he would be interested in filling Kerry’s seat in the run-up to a special election. WAMC’s Ian Pickus spoke about Frank’s next act with Glen Johnson, who covers politics for The Boston Globe.

Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick yesterday signed a bill into law that would provide housing rights and protections for victims of violence and domestic abuse. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard has more…

Yesterday, the Governor joined state officials, advocates, and Lt. Gov. Tim Murray in signing “An Act Relative to Housing Rights for Victims of Domestic Violence, Rape, Sexual Assalut, and Stalking.” The bill, which was first introduced 2005, expands housing rights for victims of abuse.

A bill that would provide funding for the removal and replacement of aging dams across Massachusetts has passed the state legislature and is now awaiting final approval by Governor Deval Patrick. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas reports…

Advocates from a variety of backgrounds including those representing cities and towns, conservationists, and public safety are now awaiting Gov. Patrick’s signature on a bill that would create a special fund to remove, replace, and remediate aging infrastructure from interior to coastal Massachusetts.

The latest round of the flu virus has local emergency rooms and urgent care centers seeing patients in record numbers - Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports...

After accepting the recommendations of a panel appointed to study how public schools in New York can be improved, Governor Andrew Cuomo made it clear that not all schools are created equal, and they cannot be treated as such. The governor says schools in the poor, high-needs areas of New York must also provide student support in social services. Tim Kremer, the executive director of the New York State School Boards Association, agrees with the governor but has concerns about where the money will come from. He spoke today with WAMC’s Brian Shields.

For the second straight year, January has been dubbed “Falafel Awareness Month” by one regional restaurant. WAMC’s Alan Chartock spoke with Justin Goldman, general manager of Park Falafel and Pizza in Hudson, New York, to find out why.

The shootings of schoolchildren and teachers in Connecticut and firefighters in Western New York have added to one community's worries about safety in public buildings. Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports armed guards will be stationed at a motor vehicles office in Schoharie County.

The Vermont House Appropriations Committee began hearings this week a mid-year budget adjustment.

Although the full Vermont Legislature does not convene until next week, the House Appropriations committee is working on a bill that would make any necessary changes to the existing state budget. Committee Chair Martha Heath says because the session begins late this year, the House speaker felt she should begin hearings early.