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After last night's snow squalls wrapped up, we're waking up to a cold but quiet Monday morning with temperatures in the teens. Expect some early sunshine before clouds roll back in and light snow showers arrive this afternoon and evening, though accumulation in the valley should be minimal. Tuesday looks mostly dry with highs pushing toward 40, but a clipper system brings rain and snow showers late Tuesday night into Wednesday. Enjoy the relative mildness while it lasts because another arctic blast is heading our way by Thursday and Friday, when highs will drop back into the teens.

If you're looking to shake off the Monday blues tonight, Burlington has you covered. The City Council meets at 6pm with public forum starting at 6:30, and the agenda includes everything from a vote on the new HR Director to a public hearing on Burlington's Open Space Plan and a resolution aimed at addressing our housing shortage. For something more low key, Monday Night Bingo at the Elks Lodge on North Avenue opens doors at 4:30pm with a $1000 jackpot up for grabs. Big night for gamers: head on over to Burlington Beer Company's Lumiere Hall starting at 4pm for Monday Night Fights (every 2 weeks), where the Vermont Fighting Game Community has set up 17 multiplayer stations, two arcade cabinets, and tournament brackets running until 10pm. And if you've been curious about winter cycling but worried about the logistics, Old Spokes Home is hosting a Winter Bike Commuting Clinic from 6 to 8pm where year round riders will share their favorite gear and tips. Runners can meet at Zero Gravity Brewery at 5:30pm for a social 5K run [MEETUP] with the Getting Active in Burlington group, just remember your running lights.

Tomorrow evening, Tuesday the 13th, the Fletcher Free Library hosts a Shakespeare reading group tackling Twelfth Night from 5 to 6:30pm, no experience required. Trivia fans can test their Rose family knowledge at Switchback Brewing's Schitt's Creek Trivia Night, with doors at 5pm and questions starting at 7pm. Down in Shelburne, Champlain Valley Indivisible welcomes State Rep Kate Lalley at the Pierson Library at 6:30pm to discuss legislative priorities for 2026. The Burlington Odd Fellows Lodge on North Ave hosts a Cozy Swap from 6:30 to 8pm where you can trade warm clothes, blankets, books, or hearty recipes. And yarn enthusiasts can celebrate new projects at Queen City Brewery's Happy New Yarn Knot Knite from 6 to 8pm.

Wednesday the 14th brings the Ward 1 NPA meeting at the Friends Meeting House starting early at 6pm, with votes on two resolutions followed by a dialogue with UVM President Marlene Tromp. The BCA Center hosts a free gallery talk with artists John Killacky and Jordan Douglas at 6pm, discussing their work in the exhibition Do We Say Goodbye? Grief, Loss, and Mourning. And the Freezy Cheek Running/Walking Club [MEETUP] meets at Red Rocks Park in South Burlington at 5pm for a run or walk followed by food and drinks at Old Post, bring a headlamp and consider crampons for icy patches.

Thursday the 15th is also packed. The Ward 5 NPA meets at 645 Pine Street with free dinner from People's Kitchen at 6:30pm and a vote on a resolution supporting an Apartheid Free Community Pledge ballot question. August First is hosting Soup & Bread & Books from 3 to 7:30pm, a cozy evening benefiting Friends of the Fletcher Free Library complete with a neighborhood book swap. Cat lovers can Paint & Sip with felines at the Queen City Cat Lounge from 6 to 8pm with folks sending in pictures of their pets for the event ($55). The Flynn welcomes comedian Michael Blaustein at 7pm for his Taste Me Tour. Citizen Cider hosts Moms Night Out starting at 6pm with DJ Craig Mitchell spinning from 7:30 to 9:30pm. The Vermont Comedy Club offers a Characters Welcome improv workshop from 6 to 8pm. Over in Colchester, the Rotary welcomes Kevin Chu from the Vermont Futures Project at McGillicuddy's at 11:30am. Gardener's Supply in Williston offers Yoga in the Greenhouse at 5:30pm. Out in the 802 hosts their recurring Thursday Happy Hour [MEETUP] at Lincoln's speakeasy from 5 to 7pm for that want to connect in the LBGTQ community.

The Btown Brief merch store is live with 15 Burlington inspired designs, each with 3–7 color options and your choice of front or back print. T-shirts, long sleeves, and cropped tees. Printed on a personal favorite, Comfort Colors, for that vintage, lived-in feel.

The designs are subtle nods to the places and things that make this city what it is: Church Street, lakefront sunsets, and yes, even those invasive little zebra mussels. Steering away from the typical "I ❤️ Burlington" stuff. If you've ever wanted to rep the city without looking like a tourist, and support your very own Burlington city guide (me!), this is the easiest way to do it! Every purchase helps keep this thing going.

Shop here: [Btown Brief Merch]

Donate her: [Donate]

Share this newsletter with everyone you know that’s interested in all things Burlington! 5 referrals gets you your own shoutout on the newsletter.

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.

If you want to connect outside of coffee meet-ups, join the Telegram chat. It’s the easiest place to see what others are up to, share ideas, and make casual plans while I keep improving how these events run. Feedback is always welcome! It’s just a one-man team so any sounding boards are great.

Click here to: Join Meetup group | RSVP here | Support the Newsletter

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Scott Zeros In on Education Reform In State of the State | Senate Leader Pitches Controversial Plan to Cap Spending

Governor Scott devoted his entire State of the State address to a single issue: education reform. He's drawing a hard line, threatening to veto any budget that deviates from Act 73's consolidation mandate, which aims to shrink Vermont's 119 school districts to fewer than 25. The speech landed with a thud among some Democrats, particularly task force members who declined to draw consolidation maps last year. Senate President Pro Tem Phil Baruth called it "the most narrowly focused State of the State I've ever seen," but he's also floating his own controversial proposal: allowable growth caps on school budgets for fiscal years 2028 and 2029 as a stopgap while consolidation stalls. The Vermont School Boards Association is pushing back hard, arguing that districts can't control major cost drivers like employee health care, and House Majority Leader Lori Houghton says her caucus has "deep concerns" about layering new restrictions on top of an already ambitious reform effort.

Vermont Ranks Last in Economic Momentum as Lawmakers Tackle Affordability

The Vermont Futures Project's latest data paints a bleak picture: the state ranks dead last nationally for economic momentum, driven by population loss, an aging workforce, and a severe housing shortage. Vermont is one of just three states that lost population between 2023 and 2024, and it ranks 46th for housing permits. The average home price has jumped 61% in five years. Business leaders and some lawmakers are pushing for deregulation and growth focused policies, while others argue that recouping tax cuts given to corporations and the wealthy could fund pressing needs.

Vermont Leaders Pitch Discount Drug Card Program

Treasurer Mike Pieciak and legislative leaders are backing a bill that would let Vermont join ArrayRx, a multistate bulk purchasing program that promises savings of up to 80% on certain prescriptions. Connecticut participants are reportedly saving an average of $200 per month. House Speaker Jill Krowinski framed the effort as increasingly urgent given the Trump administration's rollback of federal health care support.

Student-Charged Bill Would Give Voting Rights on School Boards

South Burlington High School student Isa Harrington and fellow participants in the Governor's Institute are pushing legislation that would give student representatives binding votes on school board decisions. Rep. Leanne Harple, who plans to sponsor the bill, notes that eight Maryland school districts already allow student board members to vote. The bill would mandate voting student members in grades 9 through 12 and nonvoting members in grades 7 and 8, with appointments overseen by district superintendents.

South Burlington Pedestrian Bridge Project Moves Toward Spring Groundbreaking

After years of planning and a budget scare when contractors came back with a $28 million price tag (nearly double the original estimate), the long awaited pedestrian and bicycle bridge over I-89 at Exit 14 could break ground this spring. The city received council authorization to request additional state funding, and if that comes through, construction could begin within months. The bridge would eliminate dangerous crossings over highway on and off ramps that currently face pedestrians trying to move between Burlington and South Burlington.

Signaling or Substance? Vermont Lawmakers Propose Restrictions on ICE

Senate Democrats are advancing two bills aimed at limiting federal immigration enforcement in Vermont: one would prevent civil arrests at schools, government buildings, health care facilities, and shelters, while another would restrict when law enforcement officers can wear masks. Legislative attorneys cautioned that the legal landscape is murky, with federal courts offering mixed rulings on similar state efforts. The bills cite the 10th Amendment, but their enforceability against the Trump administration remains an open question.

The Rise and Fall and Rise of Vermont-Schooled Skier Mikaela Shiffrin

Fourteen months after her devastating crash at Killington left her with an abdominal puncture wound that nearly perforated her colon, Burke Mountain Academy graduate Mikaela Shiffrin has pushed her World Cup victory total to 106 and is heading into next month's Winter Olympics in Italy. Her recovery required not just physical rehabilitation but work with a therapist to address PTSD symptoms, including flashes of imagined falls. Students and staff at her Northeast Kingdom alma mater will be watching as the greatest ski racer of all time goes for more Olympic hardware.

Peak Makaya Coffee Co-op Opens Essex Junction Retail Shop — Artist and nonprofit founder Pievy Polyte has opened a retail store and gallery at 46 Pearl Street in Essex Junction, selling Haitian Blue Mountain coffee, cocoa, and his own paintings. Polyte moved to Vermont from Haiti in 2016 after Hurricane Matthew, and proceeds from the shop support schools, nutrition education, and medical services in his home region. Free tastings available.

Vermont Bill Targets Corporate Home Purchases — Rep. Emilie Krasnow of South Burlington has introduced H.607, which would limit private equity and institutional investors from buying single and two family homes in Vermont. The bill mirrors legislation New York passed last year and aligns with a recent Trump administration announcement about restricting large investors from the single family market.

Gasoline Prices Fall, Uncertainty Looms — Vermont gas prices have dropped to $3.02 per gallon, down 8 cents from last month. Burlington is averaging $3.10 per gallon, with the cheapest stations dipping below $3. Analysts expect prices to bottom out in the coming weeks before their seasonal climb toward March.

Share Your 'Love Note' to Vermont's Queen City — Church Street Marketplace is collecting community love notes through January 18th as part of Burlington's Month of Love campaign in February. Notes will be displayed at participating downtown businesses. Last year over 60 businesses took part. Submit yours here.

Burton Riders Debut 'From Burton to the World' Collection — Burlington based Burton has unveiled a limited edition collection of snowboards, apparel, and accessories featuring quotes from late founder Jake Burton Carpenter. Pro riders are debuting the boards at competitions in Aspen and Laax this month, with the collection available globally starting February 3rd.

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 Vermont men’s hockey team secured a weekend sweep of No. 16 Northeastern at Gutterson Fieldhouse, capped by a 5-3 victory on Saturday night. Jens Richards scored twice in the third period, including the game-winner, to seal the result in front of a Green Out the Gut crowd. The Catamounts erased deficits in both contests, having rallied for a 3-2 win on Friday led by Sebastian Törnqvist, who tallied three points. Richards also netted the deciding goal in the series opener, while Törnqvist and Massimo Lombardi added scores to support the comeback effort.

On the road, the women’s hockey team collected five conference points in a successful series against Merrimack. On Saturday, the Catamounts forced overtime with a late goal from Kaylee Lewis with just 61 seconds remaining in regulation to knot the score at 3-3. Vermont then claimed the extra league point with a 2-0 shootout win, backed by goals from Morgann Skoda and Stella Retrum and a shutout performance in the skills competition by goaltender Zoe Cliche. The weekend opened with a decisive 4-1 victory on Friday, powered by two goals from Oona Havana and 19 saves from Cliche.

In track and field action, the Catamounts competed in the Ivy vs America East Challenge in Hanover, N.H., where both the men’s and women’s teams finished in third place. Alex Beal continued a strong indoor season with a victory in the women’s mile, clocking in at 4:58.21. The men’s squad dominated the 3000m, sweeping the top four spots led by first-year Nick Kidder, who took the win with a time of 8:40.45.

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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

Full list of restaurant reviews here.

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

Stay warm out there, and if you brave the light snow this afternoon, maybe reward yourself with trivia or bingo tonight. As always, we appreciate you reading and supporting local journalism and community connection.

If you like what I do, help support the newsletter by buying me a coffee using the link below. Or, right to our Venmo @btownbrief. Or, buy an advertising spot for your business.