Font Resize
N.H. Rep. Bass says Akin should quit Senate race
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- New Hampshire Congressman Charlie Bass says a Missouri congressman who made controversial comments about abortion and rape should not run for the Senate.
Republican Rep. Todd Akin has apologized for his televised comments that women’s bodies are able to prevent pregnancies if they are victims of "a legitimate rape." But he has refused to heed calls to abandon his bid for the Senate.
Bass, a fellow Republican, said Akin’s remarks lack reason, compassion or a demonstrated understanding of a reprehensible act of violence against women.
Bass said Akin should step down from the Missouri Senate race because he has proven that he does not have the temperament or judgment to continue.
Missouri law sets a deadline to exit the Nov. 6 election at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Casino plan in works for Springfield, Mass.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- Casino giant MGM Resorts International planned to formally unveil its plans for a "major entertainment complex" in Springfield, adding to the expected competition for the sole resort casino license in western Massachusetts.
The Las Vegas-based firm scheduled a formal announcement for Wednesday at the MassMutual Convention Center. No details were provided in advance, but MGM said architectural renderings of the project would be released and a tour given of the proposed
Western Massachusetts appears to be attracting the most vigorous competition for any of the three regional casino licenses allowed under the gambling law signed by Gov. Deval Patrick last year.
Other suitors include Ameristar Casinos, which in January purchased for $16 million a former industrial site off Interstate 91 in Springfield, and Mohegan Sun, which hopes to develop a resort casino in the town of Palmer.
Former teacher sent to prison for sex assault
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- A former New Hampshire middle school teacher who pleaded guilty to having sex with a former student has been sentenced to 7-1/2 to 15 years in prison.
According to reports, 35-year-old Andrew Lalos pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated felonious sex assault on the student in 2004 and 2005.
Prosecutors say Lalos was supervising the 16-year-old girl who was an intern at the middle school when he forced her to have sex with him in his office.
The assaults continued into the following year.
Lalos told the judge Tuesday that he suffered a lapse in judgment. A prosecutor countered that Lalos has shown no remorse for his actions.
Police say the woman came forward and reported Lalos’s conduct last year.
Vt. woman breaks Long Trail record
MONTPELIER (AP) -- A Vermont woman has broken the women’s record for running the 273-mile Long Trail.
Nikki Kimball, who grew up in Chittenden but now lives in Montana, completed the trail from North Troy to Williamstown, Mass., on Saturday in five days, seven hours and 42 minutes. The previous women’s record was more than seven days.
Kimball was on track to beat the men’s record on Friday but stormy weather slowed her down as she ran through the night.
Kimball is an ultra-runner who has won major races ranging from 30 to over 100 miles, according to reports.
Merger may lead to higher rate for co-op
MONTPELIER (AP) -- The merger of Vermont’s two largest utilities may cause rates to rise slightly for another one.
Central Vermont Public Service Corp. and Green Mountain Power want to impose a new, single transmission rate for the electricity it carries on its lines for other companies.
Vermont Public Radio reports that could mean a 1.25 percent increase in rates for Washington Electric Co-op. Manager Avram Patt says Washington doesn’t believe it should be paying for increases caused simply by the merger itself.
Green Mountain Power said it would cut rates for its own customers by .4 percent. Patt says the merger will have the opposite effect on the 10,500 member co-op.
A GMP spokeswoman says the company hasn’t filed for new transmission rates since 1996.
Forestry officials ask to keep an eye on pests
BRENTWOOD, N.H. (AP) -- Forestry and environmental officials are asking New Hampshire residents to be on the lookout for signs for tree-destroying insects.
At the top of the list are the Asian longhorned beetle and the emerald ash borer. Neither has been found in the state -- and officials want to keep it that way.
The beetle has been found in Massachusetts and the borer has killed millions of ash trees in the Midwest.
A website has been started called nhbugs.org where residents can upload photos of the insects.
Karen Bennett, a forestry specialist with UNH Cooperative Extension said people should examine their trees and take photos of suspected insects.
