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Weather & Weekend Update:

Brrrrrr…. We woke to temperatures well below zero this morning with wind chills dipping into the negative twenties and thirties in spots across the region. The afternoon brings little relief as temps struggle to climb into the single digits, and that persistent north breeze will keep the wind chill below zero all day. You might catch a few breaks of sunshine, but mostly expect clouds overhead. Tonight drops back into the negative single digits, though at least the wind should ease up. The weekend stays cold but improves slightly with highs in the single digits to low teens on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday looks a bit brighter, while Sunday brings more clouds and a gusty breeze as a nor'easter tracks along the southern New England coast. The good news? Next week warms up nicely with temperatures climbing back toward the mid to upper twenties by Tuesday, right around where we should be for late January, along with more sunshine.

This Friday evening offers plenty of reasons to brave the cold. Firstly, if you’ve taken the day off, or noticed the number of stores closed today, it’s due to the nationwide protest of ICE. Expect protesters to gather outside City Hall Park at 3 PM today. After that settles, head over to University Mall for Family Bingo from 5:30 to 7 PM, a free event hosted by South Burlington Recreation and Parks with prizes, snacks, and a two card limit per family. If you're in the climbing community, the Smuggs Ice Bash kicks off with its 15th annual Drytool Competition at Petra Cliffs in Burlington from 6 to 9 PM, featuring a gear raffle benefiting CRAG VT, a Darn Tough sock exchange, and live DJ while some of the East Coast's strongest climbers compete on hanging features and stalactites. Reggae fans can catch Lambsbread live at The Nine in South Burlington starting at 6 PM, a free show with free food and pure positive vibes at the indoor golf facility. Over at the Winooski Memorial Library, the Community Services Department is hosting a Craft Supplies Giveaway from 3:30 to 4:30 PM as they prepare for their spring move. Bring your own bag and fill it with colored paper, crayons, stencils, stickers, and more.

Groundhog Fest absolutely takes over Burlington today through this weekend with more than 40 acts across 10 venues. Venues from Wallflower, to Radio Bean to City Hall Park to Foam, and 6 others. Take note that online ticket sales have ended but tickets available at doors for most events dependent on capacity. Tonight's lineup at Foam Brewers features Danny & The Parts and Tallgrass Getdown from 8 PM to midnight. For the adventurous, tonight's rare blue moon makes for a perfect backdrop at Catamount Community Forest where the Tour De Blue Moon offers a guided ski or snowshoe outing from 7 to 8:30 PM (registration required, $25). Comedy fans, don't miss Chloe Radcliffe at Vermont Comedy Club tonight and tomorrow with shows at 6:30 and 8:30 PM ($25). She was named one of Deadline's 15 comedians ready to break out in 2025, and her one woman show CHEAT earned top marks from the New York Times.

Saturday brings Colchester's beloved 42nd Annual Winter Carnival, running from 9 AM to 4 PM with horse drawn wagon rides, pony rides, face painting, balloon twisters, inflatable obstacle courses, and sugar on snow. Bracelets are $8 for ages two and up. Kick things off early with the Colchester Lions Club Free Pancake Breakfast at Colchester High School from 9 to 10:30 AM featuring real maple syrup, scrambled eggs, sausage, and home fries. Nearby, the Shelburne Winter Carnival runs from 1 to 3 PM at Shelburne Community School with free entry, a bounce house, indoor mini golf, live animals from Shelburne Farms, and music by Cooper. Fitness curious folks can try a free CrossFit Burlington intro class starting at 9 AM, while job seekers can stop by the Pop Up Goodwill Job Fair at the Williston store from 11 AM to 2 PM for on the spot interviews. Looking to meet new people? Our BTown Coffee Club [MEETUP] gathers at Zero Gravity Brewery from 10 to 12 AM, and then afterwards we’ll gather again to try Ice Skating at Sea Caves [MEETUP] from 12:30 to 2 PM. No skates, no worries, we’re there for just vibes too and also to check out the ‘Sea Caves’ in general. Later in the day, 7th Annual Broomball Tournament [MEETUP] hits Leddy Park Arena at 4:30 PM. Climbers continue the Smuggs Ice Bash with the Guest Speaker Summit in Jeffersonville featuring Keith Sidle and Sam Elias, with a social hour at Lot 6 Brewing at 4 PM and presentations at 6 PM.

Saturday night and Sunday keep the momentum going. Comedy legend Kathy Griffin brings her New Face, New Tour to the Flynn at 7 PM ($47 to $89.25) delivering the fearless satire that earned her two Emmys, a Grammy, and a Guinness World Record for 20 televised stand up specials. A White Out Dance Party benefits Burton Chill at St. John's Club from 7 to 11 PM, Pearl Street Pub in Essex Junction hosts a Gen X meets Gen Z Dance Party at 7 PM with DJ Andy Percy Blowers spinning 80s through 2000s hits, Live Music Band Night at Standing Stone Wines in Winooski runs 5 to 11 PM benefiting Empty Arms Vermont, and Fare Thee Well, Bobby at Higher Ground at 8 PM celebrates Bob Weir's songbook with Dead Sessions. Sunday brings Collie Buddz to Higher Ground at 8 PM for Bermuda born reggae, and board game fans can head to Mix & Mingle [MEETUP] at The Boardroom from noon to 5 PM. And, of course, Groundhog Fest continues all weekend through Sunday with 40 plus acts across 10 Burlington venues. Reminder: online ticket sales have ended but tickets available at doors for most events dependent on capacity.

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We’ve got an official Meetup group for Burlington! The city’s packed with things to do. Btown Brief highlights it, and Btown Brief IRL gets you out experiencing it with people.

Always a great turn out, ranging anywhere from 7-10 people each week! Another coffee meetup this Saturday at 10am at Zero Gravity. It’s always great seeing familiar faces, and even better meeting new ones each week. We’ll chat about Vermont living, touch on a bit of local news, and share what’s worth checking out around town this weekend. Come hang, have a coffee, and join the conversation.

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"Democracy seems like the thing we should be leading with, so I led with that," said Santiago's Cuban Cuisine chef-owner Oscar Arencibia of his decision to poll staff on closing for the nationwide strike. "The price on our conscience would be greater than any money the business would make if we stayed open." — per Seven Days

Businesses across Vermont are navigating today's nationwide general strike in response to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown and ICE's aggressive enforcement, particularly in Minneapolis. While Santiago's closed entirely after a staff vote, most local businesses are finding middle ground: City Market is closing both locations from 3 to 4 PM, Phoenix Books is donating 20 percent of sales through February 6 to the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund, and venues like Wallflower Collective are staying open for Groundhog Fest while encouraging other forms of community solidarity.

"We operate this as a disaster response. It's a life-saving measure that we take to avoid exposure, death or injury," said Sarah Russell of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity. — per NBC5

CVOEO's extreme cold weather shelter at the Miller Center has already been activated eight nights this winter, nearly matching last year's total of nine. Russell says the region needs approximately 200 additional shelter beds in Chittenden County to meet demand. The Miller Center operates from 5 PM to 8 AM when activated, with the Fletcher Free Library serving as a daytime refuge and shuttle stop.

"It doesn't surprise me that Vermont's population did not grow," said retired UVM economist Art Woolf. "It surprises me that we were that bad." — per Vermont Public

Vermont posted the largest population decline by percentage in the country last year, losing more than 1,800 residents. For the second consecutive year, more people moved away than relocated here, reversing the modest gains made during the pandemic when the state netted some 6,700 new residents. Vermont is the only state posting deficits in both natural population change (more deaths than births) and migration, a demographic challenge that Kevin Chu of the Vermont Futures Project says will only exacerbate affordability issues without policy changes.

"It's one thing to detain someone who's a threat to the community," said Abdirisak Maalin, cofounder of United Immigrant & Refugee Communities of Vermont. "But it's another thing to detain someone for the sake of detaining them." — per Seven Days

Hussien Noor Hussien, a 63 year old Somali refugee who has lived in Vermont for 13 years and runs Freedom Cab, was detained by ICE at the Burlington Airport on New Year's Day while his wife worked nearby as a cleaner. His five children, ages 3 to 17, are all U.S. citizens. Hussien had a court date already scheduled for April 2027 and had been meeting all check in requirements since his release during COVID. ICE's Boston office tagged a right wing YouTuber in their post about his arrest, linking his detention to the broader crackdown on Somalis that has turned violent in Minneapolis. His next court hearing is February 4.

"I'm glad that the court understood that 20 to life was not the appropriate sentence for this young woman with no prior criminal history," said defense attorney Margaret Jansch. — per WCAX

Aaliyah Johnson pleaded guilty to second degree murder Thursday in the August 2024 shooting death of Teville Williams outside Red Square on Church Street. The 13.5 year sentence falls between the defense's request of eight years and the typical 20 to life. The case, which stemmed from a dispute over a bar tab that escalated after both were asked to leave, has renewed calls for Burlington's long stalled charter change to ban guns in bars, a measure that has passed with nearly 87 percent voter support but remains blocked at the Statehouse.

"We have seen a slow but somewhat steady decrease, but not nearly at a rate that is meaningful," said Courtney O'Brien, director of the Agency of Education's safe and healthy schools division. "We are still seeing persistent challenges." — per VTDigger

Vermont's chronic absenteeism rate dropped to 25 percent last school year, the lowest since 2021-22 but still well above the pre pandemic rate of 18 percent. The Agency of Education is now proposing statutory changes that would overhaul truancy policies largely unchanged since the 1960s, moving away from punitive fines toward prevention focused strategies. Maple Run Unified School District in Franklin County has seen a 17 percent decrease in chronically absent students this year by focusing on engagement and direct outreach.

"This is oftentimes someone's first experience with a peer death," said Dr. Rebecca Bell of the Child Fatality Review Team. "It really affects them for the rest of their lives." — per Vermont Public

Vermont is the only state in the nation without nighttime restrictions on junior driver's licenses. A new report from the state's Child Fatality Review Team documented seven teen driver deaths in crashes between 11 PM and 5 AM over a 15 year period and recommends prohibiting teens from driving during those hours. Lawmakers are receptive but sensitive to unintended consequences, noting that nearly 50 percent of Vermonters aged 16 to 19 hold jobs that may require late night commutes.

"We just passed a law to have a net gain of wetlands because we're getting all this flooding," said Jon Groveman of the Vermont Natural Resources Council. "Building in wetlands is not where you want to build housing. That will put development in harm's way." — per Seven Days

Governor Scott's proposal to spur housing development by relaxing wetlands regulations has drawn sharp criticism from environmentalists and wetland scientists. The changes would reduce buffer zones from 50 to 25 feet and allow housing on unmapped wetlands in designated growth areas. A proposed development in Barre, where Scott grew up, illustrates the stakes: 66 percent of known wetlands on the Prospect Heights site aren't on state maps, meaning they could be filled under the new rules. Critics say the proposal conflicts with a 2024 law calling for a net increase in wetlands statewide for flood prevention.

"I think a lot of people walk around the school not really aware of our poverty rate and how many students are actually living in poverty," said senior Ally Leduc. — per VTDigger

With 28 percent of South Burlington students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, seniors Ally Leduc and Katie Williamson launched the high school's first in house food pantry just before winter break. The unlocked room in the administrative offices allows students to discreetly fill backpacks with shelf stable foods. Some immigrant families in the district had reported not feeling safe going to community food shelves, and others lacked transportation, making the school based option a practical solution.

"There is no cost to participate for vendors, and this is a great opportunity to showcase your products and connect with the vibrant community," reads the city's vendor application. — per Fox44/ABC22

South Burlington Recreation and Parks announced plans for a new farmer's market on the recreation path across from Burlington International Airport, running every other Friday evening from June 12 through September 18. Unlike the nearby Burlington Farmers Market, which charges over $1,000 for a seasonal booth, vendor participation is free. The 5 to 7 PM time slot is shorter than most markets, but the airport adjacent location offers a unique draw.

"This is a common story, but to fight it is very uncommon," said Jeanne Hulsen. "It's so hard to do." — per Seven Days

Jeanne Hulsen, who served as Burlington High School's athletic director for 22 years, reached a settlement with the district after learning her replacement, a man in his late twenties with far less experience, started at nearly $96,000 compared to her final salary of $70,000. The case is believed to be the nation's largest equal pay settlement in the public sector for a single plaintiff. The irony isn't lost that Hulsen had a front row seat in 2019 when the BHS girls' soccer team went viral for their #EQUALPAY protest, all while she herself was underpaid.

"He's playing exactly like we want him to play," head coach John Becker said of TJ Hurley. "Really aggressive, really physical, timely shot making, putting us on his back. The last three games, he's been the best overall player in the league." — per NBC5

The Catamounts topped UMBC 64 to 55 Wednesday night to claim sole possession of first place in the America East. Vermont's defense held the conference's top scoring offense to nearly 19 points below their average, forcing just 32.7 percent shooting. TJ Hurley led the way with 18 points on 7 of 11 shooting. UVM hosts NJIT Saturday at 4:30 PM at Patrick Gym.

Quick Hits

Fletcher Free Library Preservation Project Nears Completion — The scaffolding and fabric surrounding the Carnegie Building have finally come down after months of exterior renovations that began last May. Windows were restored, mortar applied, and new copper gutters installed. Final touches including paint and lawn reseeding will wrap up this spring.

FEMA Provides $25M for Vermont 2023 Flood Damage — Nearly three years after catastrophic flooding, FEMA is releasing funds for state infrastructure repairs. About $23 million will help replace and relocate the VTrans district garage in Berlin, while Marshfield receives $2 million for flood resistant repairs to the Onion River Bridge.

Mad River Glen Secures Funding for Land Purchase — The cooperative ski area announced it reached its $2.8 million fundraising goal to purchase 1,100 acres of surrounding land. The acquisition will prevent development and officially allow backcountry skiing on the property. Next up: rebuilding Stark's Pub.

How good of a reader are you? Think you’re keeping up with Burlington news? It's time to prove it. Every Monday and Friday, we're dropping a quick 5-question quiz covering the local news you just finished reading. You've got just 60 seconds to answer them all. No looking back allowed. Use the same unique name each time you play so everyone can track your stats in our Hall of Fame, where you'll compete for titles like Sharpshooter (highest accuracy), Speed Demon (fastest average time), and Streak Leader (most consistent player). Make your name (or cool nickname) known to Btown!

And yes, there are PRIZES. Each month, we'll reward the top performers based on the best combination of Total Score and Average Score. That means playing consistently AND playing well will pay off. The more quizzes you complete with high scores, the better your chances of winning. I mean, who doesn’t want cool Btown Merch gear sent to them?

Ready to play? Click the link below, enter your name, and show us what you've got. Btown Brief Quiz

View the potential prizes on the Btown Brief Merch Store

UVM Athletics: Basketball Sweep UMBC; Men Take First Place in America East

The Vermont women’s basketball team extended its winning streak to five games with a decisive 69-47 road victory over UMBC on Thursday evening. Nikola Priede led the Catamounts with her sixth double-double of the season, recording 21 points and 12 rebounds. Keira Hanson added 13 points, and Jadyn Weltz contributed 12 points as Vermont built a 36-16 lead by halftime. The defense held UMBC to 30.5% shooting from the field, while the Catamounts shot 46.2% overall.

At Patrick Gymnasium, the men’s basketball team defeated UMBC 64-55 to move into first place in the America East standings. TJ Hurley scored a team-high 18 points, including four three-pointers, marking his third consecutive game as the leading scorer. Lucas Mari added 16 points, including a clutch three-pointer to seal the win, while Ben Johnson finished with 11 points. Despite being tied 29-29 at halftime, Vermont pulled away in the second half, fueled by key baskets from Gus Yalden and a strong rebounding performance from Sean Blake, who grabbed a career-high 10 boards.

  • Jan 30: 2025-26 Women's Hockey vs Providence (Fri ⦁ 2:00pm)

  • Jan 30: 2025-26 Men's Hockey vs. Stonehill (Fri ⦁ 7:00pm)

  • Jan 31: 2025-26 Women's Hockey vs Providence (Sat ⦁ 1:00pm)

  • Jan 31: 2025-26 Men's Basketball vs. NJIT (Sat ⦁ 4:30pm)

  • Jan 31: 2025-26 Men's Hockey vs. Stonehill (Sat ⦁ 7:30pm)

Events:

Friday, January 30, 2026

General Events

Performances

Live Music/DJ

Saturday, January 31, 2026

General Events

Performances

  • 6:00 PM: Fruity Business: A Queer Comedy Show at Double E Performance Center ($15)

  • 6:30 PM: Chloe Radcliffe at Vermont Comedy Club ($25)

  • 7:00 PM: Kathy Griffin at The Flynn ($47-$89)

  • 7:00 PM: The Harder They Come (Film) at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center ($6-12)

  • 7:00 PM: Caterpillar Soup at The Flynn

Live Music/DJ

Sunday, February 1, 2026

General Events

Performances

  • 11:00 AM: My Undesirable Friends: Part I (Film) at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center ($6-12)

  • 3:00 PM: Vermont Youth Orchestra at Flynn Main Stage ($21-24)

  • 6:30 PM: Rhys Nicholson at Vermont Comedy Club ($28)

Live Music/DJ

Watch for Wednesday Editions!

I hope you’re enjoying those Wednesdays editions! I have plans for a rotation of Food Deal highlights, Poll Questions, Top Reddit Posts, Volunteer Opportunities, Reader Photos, Restaurant Spotlights, Small Business Features, and Btown Explained (quick local deep dive). Or Dine Out Review, Podcast Pick, Pet of the Week (adoptable to user submitted), new local Job Highlights, a Burlington Throwback Photo or Fact, and a quick Burlington Game like “Spot That Location”, VT crossword, or unscramble popular Burlington terms.

Here are some of my favorite btownbrief links:

Full list of 202+ activities to do at anytime is always waiting here when you need a plan: 202+ Things to Do

Soon to be updated with even more Burlington food deals. View the full list of food & drink deals here.

That’s All, Burlington!

Stay warm out there this weekend. Whether you're cheering on climbers, dancing in white, flipping pancakes, or just curling up with a good book until those twenties return next week, we hope you find your own way to enjoy the weekend. If you read something that caught your eye, click through to support local journalism.

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