Senator Sanders

Sanders for President? He says there's a 1 percent chance he'll run in 2016 as a way to force the country's prospective leaders into a debate over the share of wealth going to America's top 1 percent. “I worry very much that those issues are not being discussed,” Sanders told WCAX-TV. "That is the most important domestic issue that we have got to talk about." Sanders cited a lack of jobs for young adults and a rising percentage of the country slipping into poverty, but said he'll only run if no one else is willing to champion those issues. LINK, VIDEO

Food Labels The Grocery Manufacturers Association is working with members of Congress on legislation to block state laws requiring the labeling of biotech ingredients. The federal legislation would leave it to the Food and Drug Administration to determine what appears on food labels, based on health, safety and nutrition concerns. The Senate soundly defeated two years in a row an amendment proposed by Sen. Sanders intended to smooth the way for states to impose biotech labeling requirements, Congressional Quarterly reported. LINK 

Jobs Sen. Sanders said “real unemployment” in the U.S. in October was nearly 14 percent, according to Labor Department figures released on Friday that count those who gave up looking for jobs and those forced to settle for pat-time work. On The Thom Hartmann Program, Sanders once again called for Congress to create millions of jobs putting people to work rebuilding crumbling roads, bridges, water systems and other infrastructure projects. AUDIO

Community Health Centers Sen. Sanders said new community health centers to be opened with some of the $11 billion authorized by a provision he put into the Affordable Care Act will provide primary care for more than 1 million new patients. On The Thom Hartmann Program on Friday, Sanders welcomed the release earlier in the week of $150 million for 236 new centers across the country. He called health centers a “bright spot” in the U.S. health care system. AUDIO  

World

Typhoon Haiyan One of the strongest storms on record has killed more than 100 people and injured another 100 in the central Philippines as it wiped away buildings and leveled seaside homes before sweeping west toward Vietnam on Saturday, still packing destructive winds, CBS News reported. LINK 

National

Minimum Wage Senate Democratic leaders are looking to win support from moderate Democrats for a minimum wage increase by attaching small-business tax breaks to the measure. Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Tom Harkin said he was working with party leaders to try to build consensus for his proposal to raise the current pay standard from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour over two years, Congressional Quarterly reported. LINK

Food Stamp Cuts For millions of poor Americans who rely on food stamps, reductions that began this month present awful choices. One gallon of milk for the kids instead of two. No fresh broccoli for dinner or snacks to take to school. And for many, it will mean turning to a food pantry or a soup kitchen by the middle of the month. The reduction in benefits has affected more than 47 million people. It is the largest wholesale cut in the program since Congress passed the first Food Stamps Act in 1964 and touches about one in every seven Americans, The New York Times reported. LINK

Vermont

Rx Labels Vermont's senior U.S. senator is joining congressional colleagues in welcoming the Food and Drug Administration's release of proposed rules to ensure generic prescription drug makers improve their labels. Leahy joined several Senate and House members last year in urging the FDA to adopt the rules on warning labels on generic drugs. The agency followed through on Friday, AP reported. LINK

Governor Appoints Ryerson to House Gov. Peter Shumlin's appointment Friday of Marjorie Ryerson of Randolph to fill a Vermont House seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Larry Townsend brings the Legislature to a milestone: the first time the majority party in one of its chambers has been majority-female, AP reported. LINK

Springfield Biomass Project Dealt Blow In a major blow to a proposed North Springfield biomass electric generating plant, a hearing officer for the Vermont Public Service Board recommended that the project be denied a state certificate of public good, the Rutland Herald reported. LINK