Btown Brief, Burlington, VT (2026)

06/12/2026

Today's Btown Brief is live! Here's what's happening around Burlington this Friday, June 12, 2026:

-Weather: A hot, sticky one today with temps near 90 and a real feel in the mid 90s, plus a shot at strong afternoon storms. Relief lands Saturday with full sun, low 80s, and way less humidity. Sunday starts bright before evening showers, then a refreshing, cooler week ahead. (Full forecast in the newsletter)

-Headlines: Burlington pays a $150,000 settlement over police treatment of a Black teen with disabilities. An AI smear video targeting Rep. Balint tests Vermont's new deepfake law. The area rental market is finally cooling as new apartments flood in. Vermont's maple season leads the nation again. And after eight years, Pizzeria Ida is leaving for Manhattan. (Full stories in the newsletter)

-Events: Tonight grab a wood-fired flatbread at the Wheeler Homestead, catch surf rockers Barbacoa at Foam Brewers, or post up in City Hall Park for USA vs. Paraguay on the big screen. Saturday is stacked with the Pine Street farmers market, Lagerfest in Essex, Perrypalooza honoring Matt Perry, and a Juneteenth concert at Fletcher Free. Sunday winds down with a Niquette Bay hike, a Flag Day pallet-painting session, and karaoke at the Venetian.

-Don't-Miss: Friday's heat advisory runs noon to 8 p.m., with cooling sites open at Fletcher Free Library and the COTS Daystation. World Cup fever is everywhere, with Vermont's Congolese community celebrating Congo's first bid since 1974. And the Burlington Wine & Food Festival returns to the waterfront June 27.

These are just the highlights. The full Btown Brief has the context on why the police settlement matters, how the rental market shift is playing out for tenants, and all the hyperlinks you need to navigate the weekend.

Don't just get the headlines, get the whole story. Read the full edition now:

[Link in bio]
or visit BTownBrief.com

06/08/2026

Today's Btown Brief is live! Here's what's happening around Burlington this Monday, June 8, 2026:

-Weather: Monday opens gorgeous with full sun and highs in the mid to upper 70s, and Tuesday warms into the 80s. Then it turns restless midweek as showers and a few storms roll in Wednesday, with sticky humidity building toward the weekend. (Full forecast in the newsletter)

-Headlines: UVM Medical Center resident doctors rally for a new contract after 80 hour weeks and mounting debt. Burlington's South End clears its first 204 housing units, with hopes for over a thousand. The US Supreme Court lets Vermont's lawsuit against Meta move forward. Vermont's lone Animal Welfare director pushes to reform a system on a shoestring. Old Brick Store is coming to the Karma Bird House as Kestrel closes downtown. (Full stories and others in the newsletter)

-Events: Tonight catch the one night only Stolen Kingdom heist doc at Partizanfilm or beginner line dancing in Essex Junction. Tuesday brings the Lake Monsters at Centennial Field, a Moth StorySLAM, and the Hip Abduction at Higher Ground. Wednesday has Greensky Bluegrass at Shelburne Museum, Skylark in City Hall Park, and Art Amplified at the BCA Center. Thursday goes off with a World Cup watch party at Switchback, Soul Porpoise at Shelburne Vineyard, and two theater openings. (Check out the full newsletter for many more events)

-Don't-Miss: Vermont Days lands this weekend with free entry to all 55 state parks and six historic sites, plus a statewide Free Fishing Day on Saturday. The Sustainability Academy's trout parade just floated down Church Street. Two friends are swimming every lake and pond in Vermont.

These are just the highlights. The full Btown Brief has the context on what the resident doctors' fight means for the bigger hospital staff unions, why the South End housing bet matters statewide, and all the hyperlinks you need to navigate the week.

Don't just get the headlines, get the whole story. Read the full edition now:

BTownBrief.com

06/05/2026

Today's Btown Brief is live! Here's what's happening around Burlington this Friday, June 5, 2026:

-Weather: Today stays mild and mostly dry with highs in the low to mid 80s before clouds thicken. Saturday turns unsettled with scattered showers and a few storms, dropping into the 70s. Sunday is cooler in the 60s but should win back some afternoon sun. Then it dries out fast next week. (Full forecast in the newsletter)

-Headlines: Lawmakers wrapped the 2026 session, with Vermont becoming the first state to ban the herbicide paraquat. Burlington cleared all officers who used force during the March 11 ICE raid, splitting with its citizen police commission. Education Secretary Linda McMahon's Essex visit drew a student walkout. City Market warns members of "culturally and financially challenging" years. Plus a new juvenile facility pitched for South Burlington and Beta's electric Alia test flights. (Full stories and many others in the newsletter)

-Events: It's the final weekend of Discover Jazz. Tonight, catch Ruthie Foster and Tank and the Bangas free on the waterfront, thirty tiny plays in under an hour at Off Center, or Michael Kosta at the Comedy Club. Saturday packs in the Causeway Race, the Farmers Market, Touch-a-Truck, a Skate Jam, and Mavis Staples plus Preservation Hall Jazz Band down at the lake. Sunday closes things out with Chris Potter and Julian Lage at the Flynn, jazz on ice at Leddy, and Learn to Fish at ECHO. (Plus many more events to scroll through)

-Arts: Big thanks to Kwame "The Vibe" Dankwa for the latest BTown Arts podcast, a sit-down with DJ Cheetatah on her unlikely path from health coach to festival DJ. Catch her live on Church Street this Sunday too. (Find it in the newsletter)

These are just the highlights. The full Btown Brief has the context on what the legislative session means for your wallet, where the ICE force review actually landed, and every hyperlink you need to navigate the weekend.

Don't just get the headlines, get the whole story. Read the full edition now:

[Link in bio]
or visit BTownBrief.com

06/01/2026

Today's Btown Brief is live! Here's what's happening around Burlington this Monday, June 1, 2026:

-Weather: A damp, chilly start with leftover showers clearing out and highs only in the mid to upper 60s. The payoff comes midweek, with sunshine and low 80s by Thursday. Bring a jacket today, dust off the shorts by Wednesday. (Full forecast in the newsletter)

-Headlines: UVM landed $12M in state funding for a 5,000 seat athletic venue. Ben Cohen is fighting to win back the soul of Ben & Jerry's, even floating that the brand could leave Vermont. A Dutch government body ruled Migrant Justice's complaint against Hannaford's parent company can advance, pulling the chain into mediation. Plus 112 units of housing planned near the Pine Street Barge Canal, and Ghana looking to Vermont as a model for its new cannabis market. (Full stories and many more in the newsletter)

-Events: Tonight, ease in with a free 5K at Burlington Beer Company or Crafting in Community in Essex Junction. Tuesday brings the ONE Farmers Market at Dewey Park, CAKE at the Champlain Valley Expo, and morning networking at Hula and Zero Gravity. Wednesday the Discover Jazz Festival kicks off, with Savion Glover at the Flynn, free music on Church Street, and a giant tree sculpture paraded up Main Street. Thursday keeps rolling with Madaila, the Lake Monsters, Mt. Joy, and PechaKucha Night. Plus WAY more to choose from this week.

-Food News: La Casa del Sabor brings Ecuadorian cooking to the old Pauline's space in South Burlington, Hardwick BBQ fires up next to Caja Taqueria, and Offbeat Creemee scoops its last after five years.

These are just the highlights. The full Btown Brief has the context on what the Hannaford ruling means for Vermont's dairy workers, why the UVM funding finally cleared, and all the hyperlinks you need to navigate the week.

Don't just get the headlines, get the whole story. Read the full edition now:
BTownBrief.com

05/29/2026

Today's Btown Brief is live! Here's what's happening around Burlington this Friday, May 29, 2026:

-Weather: A pleasant Friday morning gives way to afternoon showers and a possible thunderstorm, with breezy gusts off the lake. Saturday clears up but stays cool in the 50s and low 60s, Sunday warms to the low 70s before more rain rolls in. A real warmup waits for late next week. (Full forecast in the newsletter)

-Headlines: House Speaker Jill Krowinski surprises the Statehouse by not seeking reelection, while Gov. Scott files for a record sixth term. A health care cost bill heads to Scott's desk. A Burlington childcare center loses its license after staff warned its expansion went too far. South Burlington's City Center keeps growing skyward. A new "cheese with dignity" hits local shelves. (Full stories and many more in the newsletter)

-Events: Today the Trout Parade marches from the Flynn to Battery Park, August First grills hot dogs and tacos, and the Humane Society throws its Best Friends Benefit. Saturday is stacked with the Walk of Ages, Good Grief 5k, Master Gardener plant sale, Lake Monsters opening day, and a country music fest in Winooski. Sunday brings a Service Carnival, polo in Shelburne, and Silent Book Club at Hotel Vermont. Essex Pride runs all weekend. Plus many more events to choose from.

These are just the highlights. The full Btown Brief has the context on what the health care vote means for your premiums, why Krowinski's exit reshuffles the August primary, and all the hyperlinks you need to navigate the weekend.

Don't just get the headlines, get the whole story. Read the full edition now:
BTownBrief.com

05/25/2026

Today's Btown Brief is live! Here's what's happening around Burlington this Memorial Day, May 25, 2026:

-Weather: Morning rain is wrapping up and sunshine takes over this afternoon. Tuesday is the star of the week with low 80s and full sun. Things cool off by Thursday and scattered showers move in Friday/Saturday. (Full forecast in the newsletter)

-Headlines: South Burlington residents are driving to Pine Street just to pick up their own mail after months of sporadic delivery. Ticks are reshaping how Vermonters live outdoors, with over half of tested black-legged ticks now carrying Lyme. BTV flyers are frustrated with late night wait times, and the airport says airlines are the ones to blame. The Senate unanimously advanced an $83M homelessness overhaul that caps motel room use. Lake Champlain's 587 miles of shoreline are mostly off limits unless you own a boat or lakefront property. Vermont now has 83 disc golf courses and three ranked in the world's top 100. Plus, a new queer-forward cafe and coworking space is coming to Vergennes. (Full stories and many more in the full newsletter)

-Events: Today catch the Louisa Howard Chapel Open House, the 5th DIY Waterfront Clean-Up, a book launch at Phoenix Books, or City of the Sun at Higher Ground tonight. Tuesday has Tech Tuesdays at Zero Gravity, the Truth and Justice Series, and EZ Breezy Bike Rides. Wednesday is stacked with a BHS German Trip fundraiser at Queen City Brewery, a Barbara Zucker talk at BCA, and the Eid al-Adha Community Feast in Winooski. Thursday brings the DamNation screening at ECHO, Story Slam at Black Box Theater, and Josh Blue opening at Vermont Comedy Club. (Full lineup and many others in the newsletter)

These are just the highlights. The full Btown Brief has the context, the links, and trivia to test how well you know your city. Read the full edition now:
BTownBrief.com

05/22/2026

Today's Btown Brief is live! Here's what's happening around Burlington this Friday, May 22, 2026:

-Weather: Friday is gorgeous with sunshine and mid 60s. Saturday holds mostly dry near 70, but Sunday brings rain right in time for the marathon. Highs only in the 50s. Monday dries out by afternoon, and the real warmth arrives midweek with upper 70s and low 80s. (Full forecast in the newsletter)

-Headlines: El Cortijo closing after 15 years to become Burl's Downtown Kitchenette, a Southern-inspired all day diner from the Farmhouse Group. City Council votes 11-1 to reject the Abenaki statue for Battery Park amid an escalating identity dispute. GlobalFoundries launches a quantum computing division backed by $375M in federal CHIPS funding at the Essex Junction campus. Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak going after nearly 40 properties for unpaid taxes as the city tries to collect $1 million in overdue revenue. Lawmakers block Scott's wetland buffer rollback. House Democrats splinter over whether to unmask federal agents in Vermont. Fossil fuel spikes cost Vermont an extra $32 million in March alone. (Full stories and more in the newsletter)

-Events: Tonight catch Bluegrass and BBQ at Shelburne Vineyard, SWALE at Standing Stone in Winooski, Joe's Big Band in South Burlington, or the Sports and Fitness Expo at the DoubleTree. Saturday is stacked with the Farmers Market, Bloom Time Festival, Brew the 802 beer fest, free Revolutionary War reenactments, Champ's Creemees opening day at ECHO, and ThirdTone's live sound healing at the Black Box Theater. Sunday is marathon day, plus the Robin Lloyd reception at City Hall, Super Bingo for Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, and the Follies closing performance. Plus many more events to check out.

-Quick Hits: J.Crew opens at Maple Tree Place, a raven family postpones the Essex Experience concert series until September, Killington wraps its ski season this weekend, and all 55 state parks open for camping.

These are just the highlights. Check out full edition:
BTownBrief.com

05/19/2026

Today's Btown Brief is live! Here's what's happening around Burlington this Tuesday, May 19, 2026:

-Weather: Brace yourself. Highs push into the upper 80s today with serious humidity, and strong to severe thunderstorms are possible between 4 and 8 PM. A cold front crashes through Wednesday morning and by Thursday we're back in the 50s with sunshine. Wild swing ahead. (Full forecast in the newsletter)

-Headlines: FEMA finally releases $20M+ in delayed flood funds for Montpelier and VTrans. Burlington Council approves a $100M, 205-unit South End development. Howard Center's Jarrett House for kids in crisis is closing and advocates are sounding alarms. Vermont launches 802 Homes with 10 free preapproved house designs. BETA Technologies grows its aircraft backlog to $3.9 billion. A Burlington barber is giving free haircuts to unhoused residents. James Beard finalist Avery Buck leaves May Day for Farmers & Foragers. Vermont home prices up $160K in a decade. (Full stories and context in the newsletter)

-Events: Tonight catch King Tuff at Higher Ground, Queen City Brewery's final trivia night of the season, or the fresh vege pop up on Brookes Ave. Wednesday is absolutely stacked with Passeggiata on Church Street, Ken Burns at the Flynn, free bike and gear repair at Zero Gravity, a Radio Bean fundraiser for Old Spokes Home, and Lt. Governor Rodgers at the Ward 3 NPA. Thursday brings Bike Bloom at the Intervale, ECHO's Dungeons & Dinosaurs after dark, free rose tastings at La Reprise, and Pete Lee at Vermont Comedy Club. This week's quiz covers FEMA politics, BETA milestones, housing numbers, and more. Five questions, all from the news section.

These are just the highlights. The full Btown Brief has the deeper context, all the hyperlinks, and every event detail you need to navigate the week.

Read the full edition now:
BTownBrief.com

05/15/2026

Today's Btown Brief is live! Here's what's happening around Burlington this Friday, May 15, 2026:

-Weather: Rain wraps up this afternoon and the evening looks dry. Saturday jumps into the mid 70s with sunshine, Sunday holds steady in the low 70s, and Monday could mark Burlington's first 80 degree day of the year. Soak it up before a cold front knocks us back to the 50s later next week.

-Headlines: Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak's plan to close a $10-12M budget gap by cutting 27 vacant positions. Four arrested at ICE surveillance center protest in Williston. UVM projecting a 7% enrollment decline and $12M deficit. Grace Potter drops the Grand Point North lineup with Portugal. the Man, Dawes, and Dark Star Orchestra. Beta CEO Kyle Clark pulled in $15M last year. GlobalFoundries looking to sell its 442-acre Williston campus. PopUp Bagels coming to Church Street. Kismayo Kitchen under new ownership. Plus, Dartmouth research on why Vermont keeps flooding and then drying out. Plus many more stories covered.

-Events: Tonight is loaded. South End Get Down season opener, Unheard Stories at the Winooski PAC, Seussical at O.N.E., Glow in the Dark 5K, Mallett Brothers at Higher Ground, Rachel Scanlon at VT Comedy Club. Saturday brings UVM Commencement, Burlington Farmers Market, NAMIWalks at Centennial Field, Kids Day at Roosevelt Park, Cinderella at The Flynn, and Woods at Foam. Sunday has the Winooski Farmers Market opening, Awasiwi Woods Disc Golf grand opening, Burlington Record Fair, and the waterfront cleanup. Plus tons more events to choose from.

-Quick Hits: CCV launching three new programs this fall, Vermont's battery recycling program expanding, and a viral squirrel named Thompson who terrorized a New York park.

These are just the highlights. The full Btown Brief has the context, the hyperlinks, and the full weekend event rundown. Read the full edition now.
BTownBrief.com

05/11/2026

Today's Btown Brief is live! Here's what's happening around Burlington this Monday, May 11, 2026.

Weather: Frosty start with lows in the 30s. Monday brings some morning sunshine before clouds move in this afternoon with a few possible showers. Highs in the upper 50s. Tuesday is similar with more sun, but rain rolls in Wednesday and sticks around through Friday. Weekend looks great with temps climbing back toward 70.

Headlines: Burlington narrows OPC sites to three neighborhoods as advocates push back on delays. Overdose deaths drop 25% statewide but stimulant deaths are quietly rising. Vermont could become the first state to ban paraquat. Legislature moves to cap ticket resale at 10% above face value. Palmer Lane Maple's creemee fame has Jericho neighbors hiring lawyers over parking chaos. Sabah's House, a refugee family business, lands the Church Street kiosk. King Tuff comes home to Vermont after 15 years in LA. UVM builds weather stations to fix radar blind spots east of the Greens. Brook trout are thriving here while declining everywhere else. Shelburne plays the long game against the emerald ash borer.

Quick Hits: Vermont Brewers Fest back at the waterfront July 17-18 with at-par Canadian pricing. Dumpling Cafe replacing Asiana House on Pearl Street. Burlington ticketed 500 cars during Operation Clean Sweep. South Burlington pulling two pickleball nets after noise complaints. New 24-hour emergency vet opens on Dorset Street.

Events: The Music Man opens at the Flynn tonight. Improvised jazz at Einstein's Tap House. Pickup dodgeball at the Miller Center. Tuesday has 80s Movie Trivia at Switchback and the final Music Man performance. Wednesday is stacked with Community Night at Roosevelt Park, Buckethead at Higher Ground, sled dog puppies in Colchester, and a free tango class. Thursday brings She Kills Monsters at Hunt Middle School, Rachel Scanlon at Vermont Comedy Club, and PupCup Day at Houndstooth. Full listings in the newsletter.

BTown Brief IRL meets Friday for South End Get Down, Saturday for weekly coffee, Sunday for the Boardroom and also, Pickleball. Check it out!

Read the full edition now:
BtownBrief.com

Btown Brief

06/12/2026

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