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Bundle up this morning, Burlington. We're waking up to a chilly Monday that's flirting with record cold highs for late April, with temperatures only reaching around 39 in the Champlain Valley and light snow showers possible through the morning hours. Watch for black ice on untreated sidewalks and parking lots early. Tonight dips to a frigid 26, the coldest night of the week. The silver lining is that this is the worst of it. Tuesday brings mostly sunny skies and upper 40s, and by Wednesday and Thursday we're looking at mid 50s, dry conditions, and something that actually resembles spring. Enjoy the warm stretch while it lasts, because scattered shower chances creep back in Saturday night.

Despite the cold, Burlington's calendar is packed this week. Tonight, The Devil Makes Three brings their genre bending blend of folk, blues, and punk to Higher Ground's Ballroom in support of their latest stripped down album Spirits (doors at 7, show at 8, all ages). If you'd rather keep it low key, Spanish Chat at Three Needs from 7 to 8 is a welcoming space to practice your conversational Spanish at any level, and Pickup Dodgeball at CP Smith Elementary (7 to 8:15, just $5) remains a great way to spend a Monday evening. Over in South Burlington, the South Burlington City Council meets at 6:30 with a meaty agenda that includes awarding the contract for the new bike and pedestrian bridge over I-89 and a climate action plan update. Tomorrow night brings a nice spread: Kimaya Diggs plays Radio Bean at 7 with her unique blend of soul, folk, and R&B from her new album Quincy, joined by opener Giannina Sol on guitar and vocals ($10, 21+). You can also head to The Monkey House in Winooski for Eric's 26th Birthday bash, a free night of live music from Nell with Veronica & Friends and Eric Bailey, plus drag performances from Alexis Tential Crisis, Alaskan Pipeline, and Jizzo (7 to 10, 21+). The Media Factory is also hosting a free Intro to Adobe Premiere workshop Tuesday from 6 to 8, covering everything from project setup to cuts and transitions for aspiring video editors (preregistration required). And if you've been curious about roller skating, Green Mountain Roller Derby's Learn to Skate session runs from 8 to 9:30 at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction, open to all genders 18+ with optional group instruction, open rink time, and even one on one coaching ($20/month, loaner gear available, bring your own mouthguard). Also on Tuesday, the Harlem Globetrotters bring their 100 Year Tour to UVM's Patrick Gym at 7:00 PM, featuring their legendary blend of high-flying dunks and signature trick shots ($46+).

Wednesday is Earth Day, and you've got options. The Burlington Electric Department will have their electric fleet parked outside the Fletcher Free Library's New North End Branch from 10 to 2, including a Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E you can check out up close while learning about BED's EV rebates and browsing the library's selection of books on energy and the environment. With Wednesday's forecast looking sunny and mild in the mid 50s, it should be a fine afternoon for it. Over in Williston, local gardening expert Charlie Nardozzi celebrates his new book The Continuous Vegetable Garden with a signing at Gardener's Supply at 4, where he'll give a brief overview before signing copies. That evening, the free Architecture + Design Film Series screens The Automat at Contois Auditorium, a 2021 documentary chronicling the legacy of Horn & Hardart's beloved Automat restaurant chain and its influence on modern dining (doors at 6, film at 6:30, a "Screen from Home" option is also available). The big ticket of the night is Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes fame performing at the Flynn Main Stage at 7:30 with opener Allegra Krieger. If you're looking to move your legs first, there's a 5K Run [MEETUP] at 1st Republic Brewing in Essex Junction at 5:30, an easy out and back route with the group meeting in the taproom, and Pick-up Basketball [MEETUP] at Pomeroy Park at 5:30. The Ladies Book Club [MEETUP] is also gathering at Tiny Thai in Winooski at 6:15 to discuss The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (all welcome, even if you haven't finished the book).

Thursday might be the busiest night of the week. The Made Here Film Festival opens at Burlington Beer Company with screenings starting at 12:30, including Claim the Lane, a documentary following Iraq veteran and amateur cyclist Roxy Bombardier as she navigates transition at age 51 while pouring herself into Vermont's gravel cycling community. The festival is set inside the historic Lumière Hall, a building originally constructed in 1903 as the North American factory for Auguste and Louis Lumière, the pioneers often credited with inventing motion pictures (the festival runs free through Sunday). That evening, choices abound: Artist Talk with Diane Burko at BCA Center at 6 features the artist and activist discussing her creative practice and global research into humankind's environmental impact, with a focus on her Amazon series currently in BCA's Human Impact exhibit (free). Here’s an interesting one for our single folk: Connections at the Venetian at the Venetian Soda Lounge from 6 to 8 offers a curated, all inclusive social evening hosted by The Kwame Vibe for adults wanting guided real conversation, not speed dating (space is limited, RSVP required). Much love for Kwame, our Btown Arts podcast host, so be sure to check that out. Also Thursday, you have Paint Night with Cats at Queen City Cat Lounge from 6 to 8, where you paint a preprinted canvas of your own pet under the guidance of Renee W. of Designs from Marz, all while hanging out with adoptable kitties. Timothy Crellin celebrates his epic saga The Land of the Living at Phoenix Books at 6:30, an exploration of love, loss, and the resilience of the immigrant experience (free). The Spring Tech Happy Hour [MEETUP] at Zero Gravity from 5:30 to 7:30 is a casual, no agenda gathering for anyone working in tech, startups, remote work, or side projects. Down in Shelburne, Feed Us with Trees at the Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms from 5:30 to 7 brings together author Elspeth Hay and Chez Liley of Wellspring Commons for a conversation moderated by writer John Elder about native nut trees as future staple crops in New England (free, books available for sale and signing). For the nightlife crowd, Pattie Gonia's SAVE HER! brings an environmental drag show about climate, politics, and nature to Higher Ground at 8, co-hosted by VERA! and Sequoia with a portion of ticket sales going to organizations diversifying the outdoors. West 22nd brings their self-described "carousel rock" from Austin, TX to Higher Ground's Showcase Lounge with opener Dipsea Flower as part of their "To Be or Not To Be Tour". Ava Sophia performs emotionally raw R&B at The Monkey House in Winooski at 8, joined by Mikahely on valiha and guitar and jazz vocalist Janea Hudson. And the Vermont Comedy Club hosts Sex With Jenna: Dating Show! at 7, a 1960s style live dating game complete with interactive games and dating education, hosted by AASECT certified sexuality educator and comedian Jenna Emerson (18+, livestream also available). Also the Btown Brief Meetup crew gets together for our bi-weekly Trivia at Four Quarters in Winooski at 5:30, just be sure to show up early to help us snag a table! Quick side note: last Saturday the Btown Brief meetup crew basked in the 70 degree sun during our weekly casual morning coffee meetup at Zero Gravity, we had an amazing 30 people show up (basically like-usual), so if you’ve been hesitating, here’s your sign to come out and meet some great people!

Why support? Every week, I sort through 24+ local sources: 12 event calendars, some of those being Seven Days, Front Porch Forum, Facebook events, plus 9 others and 12 news stations, from VTDigger to WCAX to Vermont Public to Community News Service, plus 8 others, to keep you connected. If this lengthy newsletter saves you time, or has introduced you to new experiences in Burlington, then definitely consider chipping in!

About Me

The Btown Brief IRL - We’re now seeing 20–30 people at our weekly events! Be sure to stop by for our weekly Saturday Coffee meetup at Zero Gravity at 10am. Everyone is welcome! It’s a great place to talk about weekend events too, along with news and life updates. So come find things to do this weekend together:

A Buyer Had Dreams for Green Mountain College's Grounds. Not Anymore.

Raj Bhakta, the WhistlePig Whiskey founder and former "Apprentice" contestant, bought the shuttered Green Mountain College campus in Poultney for $4.5 million in 2020 with grand promises of luxury hotels, restaurants, condos, and a world class distillery school. Six years and a claimed $15 million later, none of it materialized. Instead, Bhakta sparred with regulators, sued the town over property taxes, withdrew his Act 250 application, and then blindsided everyone by announcing he'd donate the entire campus to a religious group aligned with Christian nationalist ideals. The town, which expanded its downtown district and granted zoning changes to accommodate his vision, is now left in limbo again. If a religious group takes over, the property could become entirely tax exempt, a significant blow to a community of 3,000 that already saw water rates jump 15 percent after losing the college as a major utility customer. Proposals from interested parties are under review, with a selection date yet to be determined.

Some Sugarmakers Break Records, Though a Range of Results Reported Across Vermont

Vermont's sugaring season is wrapping up with an estimated 3 million gallons of syrup produced, more than half the country's total output and in line with recent years. Some sugarmakers saw record breaking single day sap flows thanks to textbook conditions of mid 40s days following nights in the 20s, while others fell short. The Vermont Maple Sugar Makers' Association estimates most farmers hit about two thirds of their goals, with Addison and Franklin County producers faring better than average. The season started about a month late this year, with taps not flowing until March instead of February. Only about 10 percent of Vermont's maples are currently tapped, meaning the state's second largest agricultural industry still has room to grow.

Doña Esa to Offer Homestyle Mexican Takeout in Burlington

The Hernandez-Martinez family is launching a weekday takeout operation out of the Doma Bar kitchen at 388 Pine Street, serving regional Mexican dishes like Michoacán carnitas, enchiladas verdes, and housemade sopes. The menu changes daily, Monday through Friday from 10 to 2:30, with orders available at donaesa.com or by phone. The family came to Vermont from southern Mexico three years ago, and the business is named after Martinez's late mother, launching on her birthday. They plan to add breakfast hours by the end of the month.

Winemakers in Vermont's Champlain Valley Could Soon Be Federally Recognized

The Champlain Valley is on track to become a designated American Viticultural Area, a federal recognition covering more than a million acres from the Canadian border down to Rutland County. The designation means wines made from grapes grown in the region can carry the AVA label, which helps consumers identify where their wine comes from and gives local vineyards a marketing boost. What sets the Champlain Valley apart is its microclimate: the lake tempers spring frosts and extends the fall growing season, allowing grapes to mature longer than in other parts of the state. The Vermont Chamber of Commerce sees it as a potential boon for agritourism.

Bodycam Review Absolves Officers at ICE Raid, Police Say

Last week we covered the release of South Burlington's body camera footage from the March 11 Dorset Street ICE raid. Seven Days dug deeper this week. Both South Burlington and Vermont State Police concluded their officers did not use excessive force or violate the state's Fair and Impartial Policing Policy, but the reports place significant blame on federal agents for escalating the situation. Bodycam footage reveals some striking moments, including an ICE agent appearing to admit uncertainty about the suspect's identity early on, and a tense exchange where a federal supervisor told South Burlington's deputy chief, in blunt terms, that they were getting their warrant and enforcing it regardless of the growing crowd. Critically, when agents finally broke down the door, the man named on the warrant was never found inside. The three people detained were all later released by judges. Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George announced Friday she won't prosecute three individuals cited by Burlington police, instead referring those cases to the Burlington Community Justice Center for a restorative process. Burlington PD, which received 121 complaints, has yet to release its own footage or findings. The South Burlington City Council is set to discuss the report at tonight's meeting.

UVM Medical Center Is Losing $460,000 Every Day

The flagship hospital lost roughly $48 million in Q1 of 2026, driven largely by a new Blue Cross Blue Shield contract that cut reimbursements by an average of 12 percent, with some services like MRIs and CT scans slashed by 25 percent or more. State regulators say this was predictable, not a crisis. Green Mountain Care Board chair Owen Foster called it "the reckoning that we've all known was coming," a direct consequence of Vermont's health care cost containment strategy. Leffler has said he won't cut patient services this year, but warned that 2027 could bring another $100 million in lost revenue without equivalent expense cuts. A newly formed Sustainability Council is tasked with finding $100 million in savings by October. For Burlington residents, this is the central tension in Vermont health care right now: everyone wants lower costs, but nobody wants to feel the changes at their local hospital.

After Teacher Abuse Probe, Parents Want Childcare Owner Banned

After an investigation found a teacher at Burlington's Frog & Toad Child Care was physically abusing toddlers, including incidents captured on video of a staff member throwing a child into a snowbank and restraining another for six minutes, parents are demanding that owner Tiffany Corbett be barred from running her other Frog & Toad location in Essex. The DCF report details how Corbett was warned about the teacher's behavior but reportedly did not believe the complaint and never reported it. State regulators reviewed the Essex location and found no grounds to close it, but parents at both centers are frustrated. Some Essex parents describe a "moral dilemma," torn between trusting the teachers there and continuing to pay someone they believe enabled abuse. On a brighter note, ONE Arts recently opened a new classroom in Burlington to absorb about 20 displaced Frog & Toad families.

Man to Raise Insanity Defense in Shooting of Palestinian Students

Jason Eaton, who for months rejected his lawyers' advice and instead claimed CIA involvement in the November 2023 shooting of three Palestinian American college students, has reversed course and will now pursue an insanity defense. The move came just days after a judge ruled him competent to stand trial. His attorneys are seeking to postpone the trial, currently set for early June, arguing they need more time to prepare. Insanity defenses almost never succeed in Vermont, but the question of Eaton's motive, which prosecutors say they have no obligation to prove, could still weigh heavily on jurors. The victims and their supporters have maintained that the shooting was a targeted act tied to the men's Palestinian identity. This case has been a wound in Burlington for over two years, and a potential delay means the wait for resolution continues.

Governor Appoints Burlington Rep, Bypassing Dems' Recommendations

Gov. Phil Scott appointed former Burlington Police Chief Kevin Scully to fill the New North End House seat vacated by Bob Hooper, who resigned in March after a sexual harassment finding. The rub: Scully wasn't on the three person list that the local Democratic committee submitted, and Democrats say Scott didn't interview any of their recommended candidates. The governor's office says Scully was chosen partly because the other three candidates all planned to run for reelection, and appointing Scully keeps the primary field level. Democrats counter that Scott has dragged his feet filling other vacant Democratic seats while acting more quickly for Republican vacancies. The governor's office called the criticism a "manufactured political narrative." Scully will serve out the remainder of Hooper's term representing Burlington's New North End.

Vermont Senate President Pitches a Statewide Ban on Guns in Bars After Proposal for Burlington Falters

After Burlington's voter approved charter change banning guns in bars stalled in a House committee that didn't have the votes to advance it, Baruth is trying a new angle: a statewide ban. His new bill, S.329, would make it illegal to carry firearms into any establishment serving alcohol. Governor Scott has said he'd veto both the Burlington specific proposal and a statewide version, so this is largely a political maneuver to keep the issue alive and force votes on record. Baruth got a special exemption from the Senate Rules Committee to introduce the late session bill, and he's hoping to steer it to the House Judiciary Committee rather than the Government Operations committee that blocked the Burlington proposal. The push gained urgency after a fatal 2024 shooting outside a Church Street bar.

South Burlington Spearheads a New Summer Farmers Market

South Burlington is launching a biweekly Friday farmers market this summer, its first department led initiative of this kind. The city received more than 70 vendor applications after putting out a call in January, helped by the fact that there's no vendor fee in the inaugural year (for comparison, Burlington's market charges over $1,000 annually for permanent members). The market will be located on the new multi use bike path built as part of the Burlington airport's north terminal expansion, connecting to existing South Burlington paths. Expect prepared food, agricultural vendors, crafts, live music, and free interactive art activities. The market runs biweekly from June through September.

Regulators Think Few Contractors Are Registered with the State — and They Want to Reel Them In

Vermont has just 1,400 registered residential contractors, a number regulators believe is far below the actual count. Currently, contractors only need to register if they're entering a contract worth $10,000 or more, and that registration is just a fee, proof of insurance, and a criminal background disclosure. There's no licensure requirement, which means the state has limited ability to enforce professional standards or help homeowners who get burned by shoddy work. A bill moving through the Senate, H.718, would create a task force to improve the registry rather than jump straight to licensure. The irony is that the registration program doesn't generate enough revenue to fund outreach to get more contractors to sign up. Governor Scott vetoed a broader registry bill in 2022 over concerns about burdening small operators.

Bill Banning Herbicide Linked to Parkinson's Moves to Senate

H.739 would phase out paraquat, one of the most widely used herbicides in the country, over five years in Vermont. Seventy two countries have already banned it, including the entire EU, after studies linked the chemical to increased risk of Parkinson's disease among farmers and nearby residents. Vermont apple growers in particular rely on paraquat for targeted weed control, and some testified that alternatives have damaged younger trees. The bill carves out a three year permit for current users during the transition and tasks the Agricultural Innovation Board with recommending safer alternatives. UVM Medical Center's director of Parkinson's research noted a higher prevalence of the disease in rural states with agricultural proximity, and paraquat can travel nearly three miles when applied.

Vermont Conversation: One Year After Arrest, Mohsen Mahdawi Refuses to Be Silent

It's been one year since Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian Columbia University student and Vermont green card holder, was arrested by the Trump administration. A federal judge compared his detention to McCarthyism era repression and ordered his release on bail. Since then, Mahdawi graduated from Columbia, enrolled in a master's program, and started writing a book about activism, all while his case (Mahdawi vs. Trump) awaits a decision from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. An immigration judge who blocked his deportation in February was recently fired as part of a broader purge of judges who have pushed back against the administration's deportation agenda. Mahdawi remains outspoken, framing his case as connected to broader civil rights struggles and the administration's approach to dissent.

Girls Nite Out Productions to Close After 15 Years

Burlington's community theater company focused on plays written by, directed by, and starring women is closing its doors after 15 years of sold out shows at the Black Box at Main Street Landing. Cofounders Jennifer Warwick and Janet Stambolian said the decision came as key volunteers, including their set designer, moved on, and finding strong material became harder. They're going out on their own terms, with money in the bank and a celebratory fundraiser planned for October. Proceeds will fund a bequest to Lyric Theatre supporting ticket access for people who couldn't otherwise afford to attend. For a small company that carved out a genuine niche in Burlington's theater scene, that's a fitting final act.

NPR College Podcast Challenge Recognizes 4 UVM Students Four UVM students earned recognition in NPR's national College Podcast Challenge, more than any other school in the country. Sophomore Charlotte King's Dear Panda was selected as one of just 10 finalists from hundreds of entries, while three other students received honorable mentions for audio profiles covering topics from fly fishing in Winooski to wheelchair motocross. The stories were produced through new UVM classes developed in partnership with Vermont Public.

Restaurant and Café Closures in Rutland and Burlington In Burlington, Kestrel Coffee Roasters shuttered its Pine Street café on April 17. Kestrel's three other locations, including the South Burlington roastery and the Burlington airport outpost, remain open. In Rutland, Pao Pao, the Peruvian and Venezuelan restaurant at 124 Woodstock Avenue, permanently closed on April 12, with owners citing health reasons.

Rogue Rabbit in BTV Adds Groceries, Including 5th Quarter Meats Rogue Rabbit, the Roman style café at 9 Center Street in Burlington, has pivoted from dinner service to focus on lunch and a new retail component. The shop now stocks imported Italian pantry goods and a cooler of fresh meats and cheeses from Waitsfield's 5th Quarter butcher shop, plus chicken from Isle La Motte's Happy Bird Poultry Farm. Think of it as a neighborhood deli upgrade on Church Street's quieter sibling block.

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

The University of Vermont marked a major milestone for the Archie Post Athletic Complex by dedicating the new Pizzagalli Support Building on April 17, 2026. Made possible by a $2 million lead gift from Remo and Donna Pizzagalli toward the $5 million project, the 4,700-square-foot multi-use facility provides modern locker rooms, athletic training space, ticketing, and concessions to support field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and track and field programs.

On the field, the men's lacrosse team clinched a spot in the America East Playoffs with a 14-10 victory over UMass Lowell. Cullen Decker and Ethan Pearson combined for seven goals to fuel the offense. The victory was historic for head coach Chris Feifs, who became the program's all-time winningest coach with his 76th career win. The Catamounts will host the Binghamton Bearcats for Senior Day at Virtue Field on Saturday, April 25 at noon.

The women's lacrosse program also secured an America East Playoff berth following a commanding 14-4 Senior Day victory over UAlbany. Jane Trauger paced the decisive win by tying a program record with eight goals, adding two assists for a career-high ten points.

In track and field, UVM athletes posted strong times across a multi-day championship weekend in New Jersey. After opening the first day of the ECAC/IC4A Championships in the top-10—highlighted by Isabella Fryer and Caroline Deiss climbing into the program's top-five all-time list for the 5000m—the Catamounts finished the meet with the women in 11th place and the men in 12th. On the final day of competition, Morgan McCuen served as Vermont's lone point-scoring podium finisher, claiming second place in the men's 3000m with a time of 8:43.27. Additionally, Will Just took the top spot in the men's 800m open, and Dillon Stoeffler won the men's open mile.

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

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Stay warm out there this morning and keep an eye on those sidewalks. Warmer days are right around the corner, and this week has no shortage of ways to get out and connect with your community. If any of these stories caught your attention, click through and give the original reporters some love.

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