Wednesday October 17, 2012 WASHINGTON (AP) -- The outlook for the U.S. economy brightened a little Tuesday after reports that consumer prices stayed tame and homebuilder confidence rose to the highest level in six years. A third report showed factory output grew only modestly in September, a reminder that the economy is still weak.   Full Story

Wednesday October 17, 2012 Peter Funt The precocious talking baby in E-Trade commercials offers sage advice about state-run lotteries: "Your chances of winning," he tells a delusional adult friend, "are the same as the odds of you being mauled by a polar bear and a regular bear on the same day.   Full Story

Wednesday October 17, 2012 DAWSON RASPUZZI Staff Writer BENNINGTON -- Child nutrition was a serious concern during a nine-day teachers' strike in Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union last October. Half of the students in the supervisory union come from low-income families and rely on free meals from the schools, but with classes coming to an unexpected closure for two   Full Story

Wednesday October 17, 2012 NEAL P. GOSWAMI Staff Writer BENNINGTON -- A 10-acre parcel on the eastern edge of town has been sold to a limited liability corporation and may be developed into a solar park. According to town records, Bennington Solar Park, LLC, purchased the property to the east of the Papa Pete's restaurant on Route 9 on Monday for $150,000.   Full Story

Wednesday October 17, 2012 AUSTIN DANFORTH Assistant Sports Editor BENNINGTON -- Senior Marc Brandmeyer wasted no time turning the Marble Valley League cross country championships into a last-hurrah victory lap. Sophomore Jazmine Hollister, on the comeback trail from a broken ankle, charged to the finish unaware how important her finish, sixth on her own team, would mean to   Full Story

Wednesday October 17, 2012 DreamWorks Animation SKG founders donate $90M LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The founders of the studio behind "Shrek," "Madagascar" and "Kung Fu Panda" are donating $90 million to a Hollywood charity that offers support to seniors and health services for members of the entertainment industry.   Full Story