Ben & Jerry’s

back GMO bill

MONTPELIER — Vermont-based ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s has come out in support of state legislation requiring labeling of products containing genetically modified organisms, and says it will stop using such products by the end of this year.

The company, a subsidiary of international food conglomerate Unilever, said 26 of its ice cream flavors — ranging from Cherry Garcia to Mint Chocolate Cookie — already come without GMOs.

The company’s stance is winning praise from groups supporting GMO labeling, including Rural Vermont and the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

Legislation to require labeling of products with GMOs failed to win passage last year, but backers are trying again this year.



McKibben to speak

at Statehouse

MONTPELIER — Environmental activist Bill McKibben will speak to the Vermont Legislature about climate change and how it relates to the state.

House Speaker Shap Smith said Friday he’s invited McKibben to speak Wednesday afternoon.

Vermont Public Radio said McKibben’s been supporting a campaign to get resolutions on town meeting day ballots that oppose the shipment of tar-sands oil across northeastern sections of the state.

Smith’s office said it prioritizes climate change as one of the most important challenges facing the state.



Hearing set on death with dignity

MONTPELIER — A big crowd is expected at a public hearing this week at the Vermont Statehouse on legislation that would allow physicians to prescribe a lethal dose of medications to terminally ill patients who wish to take their own lives.

It’s an issue that has come up repeatedly in recent years. Backers say the current makeup of the Legislature and support from Gov. Peter Shumlin give what’s variously called death with dignity and physician-assisted suicide the best chance it’s had yet of passing this year.

Four legislative committees will be on hand in the main House chamber to take testimony from the public from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

— The Associated Press