NEW YORK (AP) -- The Democrat who came within 50,000 votes of unseating billionaire New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is open to running again and said he’s not bitter that many in his party deserted his campaign when it seemed like a long shot. William Thompson Jr. said in an interview with The Associated Press that he isn’t ruling out any option for his next move, including a   Full Story

JOHNSON (AP) -- The animal laboratory at Johnson State College is closed and the professor who ran the lab is on leave and facing criminal charges. WCAX-TV says that in August another college staff member detected stench coming from the lab. Inside, dozens of animals were found dead while others were malnourished.   Full Story

MONTPELIER (AP) -- A panel considering the governor's proposal to consolidate the University of Vermont with the five state colleges has recommended against merging the institutions. In a draft report released Thursday, the 5-member task force concluded that UVM and the five Vermont state colleges can continue to work together to become more efficient and offer better programs.   Full Story

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- New Hampshire officials hope homeowners will check to see if the destructive Asian longhorned beetle has crossed state lines from Massachusetts and set up residence in their trees. New Hampshire accepted a $75,000 federal grant Wednesday to use in the effort to keep the beetle out -- or to eradicate it quickly if spotted.   Full Story

Uncertainty grows on Vermont Yankee future MONTPELIER (AP) -- A key Vermont lawmaker says he thinks there’s still a possibility the Legislature will vote this coming session on whether to extend the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant’s license. That word from Rep. Tony Klein, chairman of the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee, comes after Vermont Yankee’s owners   Full Story

NEW YORK (AP) -- Billionaire Michael Bloomberg won a third term as New York mayor Tuesday in a closer-than-expected race against a Democratic challenger who stoked voter resentment over the way Bloomberg changed term-limits law so he could stay in office. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Bloomberg, the richest man in New York and founder of the financial information company Bloomberg   Full Story

BOSTON (AP) -- Minority candidates made history in Massachusetts mayoral elections Tuesday, while it was a mixed result for many long-term incumbents. In Lawrence, state Rep. William Lantigua became the first Latino to be elected mayor in state history, defeating city councilor David Abdoo. Incumbent Mayor Michael Sullivan was barred from running again due to term limits.   Full Story

ADAMS, Mass. -- Veteran Adams Police Officer Alan C. Vigiard, 45, was arrested last week and charged with possession of child pornography. He has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation, authorities said Monday. According to state police reports, Vigiard, who is married with two children, allegedly downloaded and viewed child pornography in the Adams Police Department   Full Story

MONTPELIER (AP) -- Vermont’s legislative leaders want to launch a study of New England’s energy markets. Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin and House Speaker Shap Smith have asked two committees to look at projections for electricity supply and pricing around the region. They say the study is needed because Vermont’s current power purchase agreements with Hydro-Quebec   Full Story

MONTPELIER (AP) -- A Vermont Natural Resources plan to allow limited use of all-terrain vehicles on public trails was met Tuesday with vociferous objections from legislators and others who said the proposal was not adequately aired before legislators and could do damage to state lands. The Legislature’s Administrative Rules Committee grilled Natural Resources Secretary Jonathan Wood   Full Story

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Like scores of other New York lawmakers who note that their jobs, with a $79,500 base salary, are considered part-time, former Senate Republican leader Joe Bruno did outside work for people with an interest in the state government. That premise will be tested like never before in the Republican’s political corruption trial, begun Monday, in which much of   Full Story

MONTPELIER (AP) -- A Vermont slaughterhouse ordered closed Friday for alleged inhumane treatment of baby calves had its operating license suspended three times earlier this year for similar conduct. U.S. Department of Agriculture records show Bushway Packing Inc. of Grand Isle was shut down for a day in May, again in June and again in July after an inspector cited it for inhumane treatment of   Full Story

HYDE PARK (AP) -- Jury selection is set to begin in the case of an Essex police officer charged with shooting and killing a neighbor’s dog while off duty. Thirty-five-year-old Michael Wootton of Waterville has pleaded not guilty to a cruelty to animals for shooting the 80-pound mixed-breed after it attacked his 20 pound dog.   Full Story

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- Bolstered by out-of-state money and volunteers, both sides jockeyed Monday to boost turnout for a Maine referendum that could give gay-rights activists in the U.S. their first victory at the ballot box on the deeply divisive issue of same-sex marriage. The state’s voters will decide Tuesday whether to repeal a law that would allow gay marriage.   Full Story

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- The bouncing mega-meatball record has landed in the East Coast. Matthew Mitnitsky, owner of Nonni’s Italian Eatery in Concord, said Sunday that a 222.5-pound meatball was authenticated as the world’s largest after being weighed by state weights and measures officials.   Full Story