The Vermont National Guard says 450 of its employees are being furloughed as part of the federal government shutdown. The Vermont Department of Labor says its workers are ready to assist any federal employees who may be eligible for unemployment benefits as a result of being furloughed from their jobs without pay. There’s concern a proposed international trade agreement could force Vermont to roll back regulations controlling the sale and marketing of tobacco products. A state commission is looking at ways to influence deliberations over the treaty.