NRC faults Vermont Yankee plant for repair to cooling tower

MONTPELIER, Vt. - The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission is scolding the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant for an inadequate fix after the partial collapse of one of its cooling towers.

And it said Friday it had found a new problem during inspections of sagging in the cooling towers that came nearly a year after the partial collapse of one of them.

State targets funds from tax cheats

ALBANY, N.Y. - The U.S. financial meltdown is creating brighter job prospects for at least one occupation: tax collector. Several states - including Massachusetts, New York, California and Illinois - are beefing up tax enforcement and collection efforts as they face widening budget deficits.

UPDATED: Connecticut high court rules same-sex couples can marry

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut's Supreme Court ruled Friday that gay couples have the right to marry, making the state the third behind Massachusetts and California to legalize such unions through the courts.

New council established to promote creative businesses in Massachusetts

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts has established a Creative Economy Council to examine and promote policies for dealing with industries centered on creating intellectual property products.

They include the visual and performing arts, film, digital media, design, advertising, architecture and tourism.

Economic plunge costs Vermont Yankee decommissioning fund 10 percent of value

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The decommissioning trust fund for the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant has taken a hit on Wall Street, dropping by 10 percent or more than $40 million in the past month, officials said.

Feds will hold public hearing on condition of Vermont Yankee cooling towers

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (AP) - Federal regulators will hold a public meeting next week to discuss the condition of Vermont Yankee's cooling towers, after more leaks were discovered in recent months.

Neil Sheehan, a spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said NRC and plant officials will be available to answer questions at Tuesday's meeting at the Latchis Theater in Brattleboro.

State treasurer delays $750 million bond sale

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts Treasurer Timothy Cahill says credit markets remain so uncertain that he's decided against trying to sell $750 million worth of bonds to pay state bills.

The state had been scheduled to sell them Tuesday, but Cahill decided against it. He did not set a replacement date.

Patrick wants turnpike changes, other cuts as state's revenues sag

BOSTON (AP) - Gov. Deval Patrick said Thursday he wants to merge the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority with other transportation agencies in a series of steps aimed at restructuring state finances amid sagging tax collections.

Massachusetts AG appeals NRC ruling on Vermont Yankee spent fuel pools

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The Massachusetts attorney general is appealing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's rejection of concerns about possible accidents or sabotage involving the spent radioactive fuel pools at the Pilgrim and Vermont Yankee nuclear plants.

State deal could open rail tracks to Western Mass for commuter service

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts is planning to pay $100 million to buy train tracks from a private company that it is hoped will eventually improve commuter rail service to western Massachusetts and the South Coast.

Massachusetts to get $13 million from carbon auction, will be used for aid

BOSTON (AP) - Gov. Deval Patrick will use the $13.3 million that Massachusetts earned from selling greenhouse gas emissions allowances to help individuals and local officials deal with soaring energy costs this winter.

A watery weekend hits region

Today will be the second wet day in a predicted weekend of heavy downpours that could bring as much as 6 inches of rain to the area, according to the National Weather Service.