LISA RATHKE

Associated Press Writer
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Hunger on the rise in Vermont

A federal government report ranking Vermont the sixth hungriest state in the country may come as a surprise to many, but officials say they have seen signs the problem is growing in Vermont.

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Federal immigration officials target Vermont farms

Federal immigration officials are cracking down on Vermont dairy farmers as part of a national effort, asking them to provide records to prove their workers are legal.

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AP NewsBreak: Panel rejects Vt. college merger

A panel considering the governor's proposal to consolidate the University of Vermont with the five state colleges has recommended against merging the institutions.

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Feds: Smooth global swindler is nabbed at border

A smooth-talking, globe-trotting serial swindler who is wanted in Nevada on a burglary charge has been arrested after crossing illegally from Canada to Vermont, federal authorities said.

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Man pleads guilty in Vt. in border child porn case

A Vermont man pleaded guilty Friday to charges he had child pornography on his laptop computer when he entered the United States from Quebec nearly three years ago.

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Swine flu: Fair officials fret over pigs' health

No sow and piglets in the children's barnyard at this year's Caledonia County Fair. No baby pig chases, either.

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A police chief's troubles pain tight-knit Vt. town

In the smallest city in a tiny state where participation in government is expected and faith in public officials runs deep, the charges of embezzlement and drug possession facing the police chief are forcing townsfolk to examine their capacity to forgive.

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Field-to-plate: Vt. college students try farming

Devin Lyons typically starts his days this summer cooking breakfast with fresh eggs from the farm's chicken coop. Then, depending on the weather, he and a dozen other college students might cut hay in the field using a team of oxen, turn compost or weed vegetable beds.

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Field-to-plate: Vt. college students try farming

Devin Lyons typically starts his days this summer cooking breakfast with fresh eggs from the farm's chicken coop. Then, depending on the weather, he and a dozen other college students might cut hay in the field using a team of oxen, turn compost or weed vegetable beds.

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Vt. farmers cut cows' emissions by altering diets

Vermont dairy farmers Tim Maikshilo and Kristen Dellert, mindful of shrinking their carbon footprint, have changed their cows' diet to reduce the amount of gas the animals burp — dairy cows' contribution to global warming.

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Vermont village schoolhouse closes after 208 years

The aged maple floorboards are scuffed and creaky, worn thin and smooth by thousands of youngsters over the years in the Hancock Village School. Banks of tall windows, a dozen panes over a dozen panes each, flood a pair of classrooms with sunlight.

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Gay marriage supporters watch historic vote in Vt

A sign planted outside the Vermont capitol read, "Let Love Win." For gays and lesbians seeking the right to marry, it did.

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Volunteers help salamanders avoid roadway massacre

The black salamander with yellow spots sat on the roadside in the dark, ready to make a go of it.

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In Vermont, new life for a real bridge to nowhere

A bridge to nowhere will soon become a bridge to somewhere. Sort of.

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Vermont moves closer to legalizing gay marriage

Nine years after becoming the first state to permit civil unions, Vermont moved a step toward legalizing gay marriage Friday.

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A Christmas-time tradition that's for the birds

It's a Christmas time tradition dating to 1900, and it has nothing to do with Jesus or Santa. It's literally for the birds.

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Growers cheery as winter farmers' markets swell

The snow might be piling up in Vermont, but farmers are still selling their produce. This winter, they have more venues.

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Vermont commission holds off on milk surcharge

A panel looking for ways to help Vermont dairy farmers is holding off on adding a surcharge on milk sold in the state, opting instead to continue studying the plan.

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Vermont tries to match up farmers with food buyers

Vegetable grower Joe Buley, hoping to improve his life, has turned to a matchmaker. Not for his love life — for his veggies.

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Vermont mountain draws hawk watchers

This time of year, there's bound to be someone sitting on top of Putney Mountain.

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Vermont town to honor former slave's life

A former slave whose memoir is among the only ones known to describe abduction from Africa is about to get a historical marker in the small Vermont town where he ended up settling.

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Shortage of large animal vets taxes farmers

This summer, Steve Sanford had to tell 106 dairy farmers in rural northern Vermont he could no longer treat their cows.

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Colorful study probes climate change, fall foliage

Could climate change dull the blazing palette of New England's fall foliage? The answer could have serious implications for one of the region's signature attractions, which draws thousands of "leaf peepers" every autumn.

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Wheelchair accessible trail opens in Vermont

The first wheelchair-accessible section of the Appalachian Trail in Vermont, a 900-foot boardwalk and path through flood plain and forest, opened to the public Saturday after three years of construction.

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Wheelchair-accessible mountain trail opens in Vt.

This isn't just any wheelchair-accessible path — it's part of the Appalachian Trail.

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