Vermont is still dealing with a winter storm. Many schools are closed today. There’s a significant amount of new federal money available to improve rural broadband across the state. The Vermont Telecommunications Authority has taken the initial steps to secure what it hopes will be a long term grant to expand fiber optic service. The union representing bus drivers for the Chittenden Country Transportation Authority have rejected a deal worked out over the weekend to end a planned strike. A controversial, super-potent new painkiller has received Food and Drug Administration approval and could be available this month.