Here's what's happening in Vermont news and politics this week. Lots doing in the Statehouse, as the Legislature careens toward the finish line. Got a submission for next week's calendar? Email by Friday to submit.

Monday, April 29

• Congressman Peter Welch is in the Middle East this week. Details are being withheld for security reasons, but the rep departed Sunday with fellow members of the House National Security, Homeland Defense and Foreign Operations Subcommittee (or, as the kids refer to it, NSHDAFOS) for a trip that includes Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey.
• At 11:30 a.m., the Burlington City Council's charter- change committee takes up the dormant assault-weapons-ban proposal. In city hall, conference room 10.
• At noon, the Senate holds a "token" session. You sure that's not, "tokin'" session? I'm looking at you, Sen. Zuckerman.
• The University of Vermont is holding public forums with candidates seeking Jane Knodell's old job of UVM provost. First one is today at 3:30 p.m. in Billings Library. Full list.

Tuesday, April 30

• At 8 a.m., the House Government Operations Committee takes up campaign-finance reform. Paging Peter Galbraith...
• S.77, the doctor-assisted death with digni-cide bill, is on the House calendar for a second reading today and for a third reading on Wednesday. Meanwhile, House committees are considering amendments to the bill.
• Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger has scheduled a bunch of press conferences this week — but he's not saying why. First one's today at 11:30 a.m., in the mayor's office.
• At 2:30 p.m., the House Transportation Committee takes up S.38, the migrant worker driver's- license bill that provoked some arguably racist testimony last week.

Wednesday, May 1

• Starting at 9 a.m. today, the House Health Care Committee hears from Shumlin administration health-reform architects Robin Lunge and Anya Rader Wallack.
• Weinberger press conference at 1 p.m. Location TBD. 

Thursday, May 2

• At 7:10 a.m., Lt. Gov. Phil Scott and Sen. Dick Mazza (D-Grand Isle) are on "Charlie, Ernie & Lisa," WVMT 620 AM.
• At 7:30 a.m., the Burlington Business Association is holding a breakfast forum on health care reform to explain what the heck is gonna happen under Vermont's health care reform. In the McLure Lobby at Fletcher Allen Health Care.
• Starting at 9 a.m. today, the House Judiciary Committee takes testimony on the GMO labeling bill, H.112.
• At 10 a.m., Gov. Peter Shumlin holds a press conference on working lands in the Statehouse Cedar Creek Room. 
•  Weinberger press conference at 12:30 p.m. in the mayor's office. 
• At 5 p.m., the gov is back in Cedar Creek for a reception honoring former governor Phil Hoff.

Friday, May 3

• At 9:30 a.m., Shumlin is the guest on "The Mark Johnson Show," WDEV 96.1 FM.
• Pundit parade: Watch Stew Ledbetter and crew on "Vermont This Week," 7:30 p.m. on Vermont Public Television.

Saturday, May 4

• It's Green Up Day. Get out there and pick up some trash, you litter bugs! 

Sunday, May 5

• Rebroadcast of "Vermont This Week" at 11:30 a.m. on VPT.