Burlington Free Press

09/18/2020

Air Force dad uses super hero costume in epic homecoming

These little girls find their favorite comic book hero in the park, but the real super hero is underneath the mask. 🕷🕸

09/17/2020

Why one former Vermont HS standout is taking the season off from college basketball

The former Free Press Mr. Basketball Noah Tyson is taking a gap year — one of three players on Colby College's team to do so, he said.

Prospect of a bizarre year on campus — or remote learning — prompts former Vermont Mr. Basketball to explore options for a gap year.

09/17/2020

Dual disasters: How is climate change worsening wildfires and hurricanes?

"We've always known that climate change would make extremes more extreme on all sides of the ledger. It's counterintuitive to some people that global warming can amplify drought and heavy rain, but it's simply physics."

The extraordinarily busy Atlantic hurricane season and catastrophic wildfire season in the West has focused attention on the role of climate change.

09/17/2020

Vermont House overrides Gov. Scott's veto of climate bill

The Vermont House of Representatives on Thursday voted to override a veto of a by Gov. Phil Scott of bill designed to combat global warming.

Scott, a Republican, says he shares the Democratic-led Legislature’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but has problems with certain aspects of the bill.

09/17/2020

Local gift card stimulus effort yields extra $24K for Vermont businesses in first week

Here's how the program to offer Vermonters free gift cards for local businesses shaped up.

Vermonters redeemed about 11% of offers in the first week, paying more than 50% above their stated value.

09/17/2020

When should unemployed Vermont workers expect to see the federal $300 benefits?

For those of you waiting for your unemployment boost, here's your update on where that stand.

In late August, FEMA approved Vermont for a grant that allowed it to boost payments to residents who have been unemployed due to COVID-19.

09/17/2020

How Winooski schools will retain its resource officer but make concessions to student activists

A compromise, of sorts, has been struck with the return of a school resource officer in Winooski.

A group of Winooski students has called for the elimination of the school resource officer position, instead asking for two trauma specialists.

09/17/2020

Want to pay $1 per gallon for gas? There's a way, but it might not be what you think.

The latest on what you can do to get a cheaper charge if you're an electric car owner.

New electric rates approved by Vermont regulators mean EV owners can charge their batteries for the equivalent of paying $1 per gallon of gas.

09/17/2020

By the numbers: Vermonters catch on to composting

Vermont's new mandatory composting law is having tangible effects.

New compost enthusiasts are taking tons of food scraps — as well as things that can't be composted, such as plastic bags — to Green Mountain Compost.

09/17/2020

Tune into FB Live to get the break down on BHS’s decision to close for the rest of the year, what Vermont did to tackle COVID in long-term care facilities and how composting has shaken out over the last few months.

09/17/2020

Burlington High School to remain closed rest of the semester due to air quality issues

The building has been closed since September 10 and will remain that way for the rest of the semester.

Burlington High School campus will remain closed through the end of the semester due to PCBs found during air quality testing.

09/17/2020

How Vermont tackled COVID-19 in nursing homes, avoided massive outbreaks

Vermont succeeded in tamping down the coronavirus outbreak in long-term care facilities when so many other states failed. Here's how:

Some long-term care facilities in Vermont saw COVID-19 outbreaks, yet managed to get a handle on the virus and avoid further spread. Here's how.

09/17/2020

Federal judge rejects challenge to Vermont vote-by-mail system

A federal court judge on Wednesday rejected a challenge to Vermont's plan to mail ballots to all of the state's active voters so they can cast ballots by mail or in person for the November election.

A federal court judge on Wednesday rejected a challenge to Vermont's plan to mail ballots to all of the state's active voters so they can cast ballots by mail or in person for the November election.

09/17/2020

Sailor's journey to the Navy driven by mentor

Nathon struggled in military school until he met Mr. G. It was only fitting that Mr. G. saw him off on the next chapter in his Navy career. 🇺🇸

09/17/2020

Vermont lawmakers reach deal on marijuana sales, taxation

The senators on the committee agreed to a House proposal collecting fees from cannabis licensees and distributing proceeds to towns hosting such entities.

Lawmakers from the Vermont House and Senate have reached a deal on a bill that would allow for the legal sale and taxation of marijuana.

09/16/2020

Burlington bar Drink aims for classic Jazz Age feel

Watch: After nearly a year of renovations, long-standing St. Paul Street bar is back with a new look.

After nearly a year of renovations, long-standing St. Paul Street bar is back with new look that includes revamped lighting, black-granite bar top

09/16/2020

Downtown Middlebury on track to reopen Friday, Sept. 18

Get ready to say goodbye to the detour around downtown Middlebury.

Rail tunnel construction forced 10-week closure of main downtown artery.

09/16/2020

Criminal justice reform: Vermont prosecutor pushes to eliminate bail

"The cash bail system in our country is predicated on the false assumption that people will not appear for court unless an arbitrary amount of cash is paid."--Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George

Sarah George, the prosecutor of Vermont's largest county, says the use of cash bail has not made the community safer and has disadvantaged poor people.

09/16/2020

Mid-September Vermont foliage: Here's what we know about the color

We're a week shy of the official start of fall season here in the Northern Hemisphere, but change is adrift.

Early reports from state officials and local leaf peepers suggest some Vermonters are glimpsing reds, yellows, and golds.

09/16/2020

Learn what you can do to protect nightly migratory birds in Cornell webinar

"This mass movement of birds must contend with a pervasive but largely unrecognized threat: light pollution. Find out how artificial light endangers migratory birds and learn how you can help with Lights Out Project Coordinator Julia Wang."

Learn about the impact light pollution has on migratory birds and how you might help in a online seminar from Cornell.

09/16/2020

When will Amtrak routes resume in Vermont?

Eager to resume train travel? Here's a look at how soon that might happen in Vermont.

Two Amtrak lines that previously ran through Vermont—the Vermonter and Ethan Allen Express—stopped coming into the state in late March, following Gov. Phil Scott's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" executive order.

09/16/2020

Burlington colder than usual? Or just feeling chilly after the hottest summer on record?

Burlington is going to score some chilly September nights after its hottest summer on record. Here's what to expect.

Burlington is going to score some chilly September nights after its hottest summer on record. Here's what to expect.

09/16/2020

Gov. Phil Scott vetoes greenhouse gas emissions reduction bill

Lawmakers could override the governor's veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and the Senate.

Lawmakers could override the governor's veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and the Senate.

09/16/2020

Sources: Big Ten football is back, plans to start season Oct. 24

Game on for Big Ten football.

The Big Ten Conference will begin the football season Oct. 24, meaning the Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans will be in action this fall

09/16/2020

Live with the Free Press

Happy Wednesday. It's a cooler, windy one out there - perfect day to have a sip of coffee and peruse the news. Join reporter April Barton for the headlines.

09/16/2020

It's time for another Drink: Refurbished Burlington bar is reborn

The bar was ready to reopen soon after COVID-19 arrived in March, but the Drink crew waited until the pandemic in Vermont seemed reasonably contained before deciding to reopen.

The bar Drink shuttered for renovations last fall with plans to reopen by the holidays; construction delays and the pandemic kept it closed til August.

09/16/2020

How a movie theater operator found reopening to be slower going in New York than Vermont

While New York has reopened gyms and malls, movie theaters remain closed.

While New York has reopened gyms and malls, movie theaters remain closed.

09/16/2020

There's only one name left on the 2020 list of hurricane names. Next up: The Greek alphabet.

With only one left to go, the National Hurricane Center may soon use the last of the names on the official list of Atlantic storm names for 2020.

Only Wilfred is left on the list of 21 storm names pre-approved for the season by the World Meteorological Organization.

09/16/2020

Boyfriend shaves head in ultimate act of love

She was already emotional while her boyfriend shaved her head. Then he did this, and we started crying, too. ✂️

09/15/2020

Two Vermont schools report positive cases of COVID-19. How they're responding

"This is not unexpected." Two Vermont K-12 schools reported positive COVID-19 cases after the conclusion of the first week of classes.

Two cases were found in Washington County at Crossett Brook Middle School in Duxbury. Contact tracing showed 23 individuals had been in close contact with the infected, Levine said. As of Tuesday morning, Sept. 15, all 23 had been contacted and advised to quarantine.

09/15/2020

Gutterson Fieldhouse's new video board for hockey programs nears completion

Renovation were slowed down by the coronavirus pandemic but they will get done.

Since resuming renovations to Gutterson in May, the 57-year-old hockey rink's most visible addition this summer has been the four-screen video board.

09/15/2020

Fauci: Vermont coronavirus response 'should be a model for the country'

"I was listening to the numbers that you said and wonder if I could bottle that and take it with me when I go around talking to other parts of the country," Dr. Anthony Fauci said, commending Vermont's efforts for having the lowest COVID-19 case rates in the U.S.

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09/15/2020

When should Vermonters get their flu shot?

There's something you can do to help avoid confusing symptoms of the flu for COVID-19. Get a flu shot!

"This should be a year to err on the side of getting the flu shot earlier not later," said Health Commissioner Mark Levine during a news briefing Tuesday.

09/15/2020

Universal vote-by-mail: Vermont sets date for mailing ballots while a court challenge looms

Ballots are set to be mailed to all registered Vermont voters, but there's opposition brewing. Read on to learn why.

Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos said the plan is to mail ballots to all active registered voters on Sept. 21. A lawsuit threatens this strategy.

09/15/2020

How fireworks helped a community effort in Alburgh to build child care center

Read about how the Alburgh community is getting creative to raise money to build a space for children who need a safe, affordable place to go.

The citizens of Alburgh are raising a million dollars to build the Alburgh Family Clubhouse, a 3,200 square foot facility to provide child care.