Daily
Burlington
Thursday, January 1st, 2026
Good morning, Burlington. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 1st of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Only Cannoli owner Sarah Howley has partnered with King Street Laundry to expand her free lunch and support program on Church St following SNAP changes and months of food distribution in Burlington. The program now pairs free lunch with free laundry (1-3 p.m. Wednesdays) and will continue throughout winter. NBC5
- ➤ Hundreds braved the cold to gather in Waterfront Park today for Burlington's annual Highlight Festival — a New Year's celebration featuring fireworks, local food and live performances. Organizer Zach Williamson said the event highlights fresh ideas and community spirit as neighbors welcome the New Year. NBC5
- ➤ Good News Garage awarded a donated car to a low income family from Colchester on Tuesday at its Queen City office in Burlington, marking the 80th donation this year and offering help amid rising auto costs and fewer transit options. NBC5
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Vermont grocery stores had modified hours on Dec. 31 with Shaw’s, ALDI, Trader Joe’s, and Costco closing earlier, while Walmart, Target, Hannaford, and Price Chopper maintained regular hours today (check local listings for details). Burlington Free Press
- ➤ Aubuchon revealed its new 2026 Hardware Store Cat Calendar fundraiser today, featuring rescued cats from local shelters to support community causes. The calendar shows images of felines at nearby stores (Manchester and Jeffersonville) and has already sold out at Brattleboro. VTDigger
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Mechanic Allison Rowley started Rowley Wrench to teach Vermonters basic car care and will hold free virtual workshops on the first Saturday of each month starting Jan. 3 + her events have already drawn strong local interest in St. Albans and Winooski. Vermont Public
- ➤ State-recognized Abenaki groups unveiled the American Abenaki Curriculum focusing on Vermont history — Quebec-based nations criticized the material for excluding their perspective. Burlington legislator Troy Headrick said a bill will be introduced to require consultation from the excluded First Nations before the curriculum is used in schools. VTDigger
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The City of Burlington will open an extreme cold shelter at the Miller Center (130 Gosse Court) today at 5 p.m. until Friday at 8 a.m. to help over 200 residents as temperatures are expected to drop below zero and transportation is provided from local pickup points. NBC5
- ➤ South Burlington officials say growth is needed for the TIF district to boost revenue. The city will hold a substantial change hearing next month to update cost projections and plans for projects like the bike and pedestrian bridge across I-89 + more mixed-use and housing development. VTDigger
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Vermont will receive more than $195 million in rural healthcare funds in 2026, ranking among the highest per capita awards in the nation. Gov. Phil Scott said the funding will support efforts to boost the rural health workforce and improve timely care in local communities (details are pending). NBC5
- ➤ At midnight, Affordable Care Act Tax Credits expire, raising premiums for 22 million users and leaving many, like Moretown resident Kimberly Pashby, facing high out-of-pocket costs. Vermont Health Access officials plan swift actions even as some centers lose Medicaid billing and the state expects nearly $200m for rural health. NBC5
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Emil Wakim Live
6:30-9:30 p.m. — Vermont Comedy Club — Tickets start at $106 — Experience an unforgettable performance by Emil Wakim at Vermont Comedy Club.
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Nico Suave & the Mothership Concert
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Higher Ground — All ages welcome — Rock is alive with Nico Suave & the Mothership, hailing from Burlington VT.
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Emil Wakim Live
6:30-9:30 p.m. — Vermont Comedy Club — Tickets starting at $101 — Emil Wakim brings laughter to Burlington with his unforgettable comedy performance.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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