With the PolitickerVT.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Vermont's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

Symington unveils second part of energy plan

Democratic gubernatorial candidate and House Speaker Gaye Symington this morning unveiled more details of her energy policy, "Roadmap to Energy Independence," which focuses heavily on developing and utilizing wind power technology in the near future. (PolitickerVT.com, Megan Stewart)

Link: http://www.politickervt.com/meganstewart/1418/symington-unveils-second-p...

Sanders hosts Obama barbecues in Bennington, Middlebury

MONTPELIER – As part of his effort to win independent voters over to Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign, Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont, himself an independent, will host two barbecues and rallies this Saturday in Vermont.

Sanders caucuses with Democrats in the U.S. Senate, but has always maintained some distance from the party. But the issues in this year's presidential election are too important to ignore, Sanders said Wednesday. (Times Argus, Louis Porter)

Link: http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080807/NEWS02/808...

Delegation pitches for FEMA help

While water levels were on the rise across the state Tuesday, Vermont's congressional delegation made a request to President George Bush for federal assistance to help the state with the accumulating damages caused by severe rain and wind storms.

The request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration would make the state eligible for Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance to aid in the relief efforts. (Rutland Herald, Dawson Raspuzzi)

Link: http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080807/NEWS01/...

Douglas, Northeast governors press for release of LIHEAP funds

Waterbury - Gov. Jim Douglas and other Northeast governors are urging the president to release $120 million in contingency funds for a low-income heating assistance program. (WCAX)

Link: http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=8796734

City proposal may remedy costs of abandoned parcels

Rutland City is looking at ways to get money out of abandoned private properties that are costing taxpayers to maintain.

In the midst of a declining housing market that's piling up with foreclosed properties on a national scale, Rutland's municipality is already dealing with the after-effects of landlords who cut and run from their losses, Mayor Christopher Louras said. (Rutland Herald, Brent Curtis)

Link: http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080807/NEWS04/...

Search begins for ed. commissioner

MONTPELIER – The Vermont State Board of Education is conducting a national search for a Commissioner of Education, the department announced Wednesday.

The previous commissioner, Richard Cate, departed in June. Chief Financial Officer Bill Talbott is acting commissioner. (Times Argus, Staff)

Link: http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080807/NEWS02/808...