Daily
Burlington
Thursday, February 19th, 2026
Good morning, Burlington. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 19th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Waterbury resident John Bauer flew to Barcelona in late January to help repair sailboats for a Gaza aid flotilla while working with 30 international activists. The boats will carry aid supplies and volunteers and are set to depart on March 29 even though Bauer expects they may be intercepted. Seven Days
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Vermont lawmakers may consolidate school districts under Act 73. Senate Education Committee Chair Seth Bongartz unveiled a draft map Tuesday proposing three-year mergers into about 56 districts with roughly 4,000 students each, while Sen. Steven Heffernan presented a proposal Wednesday for a single district model (inspired by Hawaii). NBC5
- ➤ Attorney General Charity Clark has launched the annual Earth Day Essay Challenge for Vermont fourth- through sixth-graders, inviting them to share thoughts on the environment; submissions including essays, stories, poems, or biographical pieces are accepted until April 17 with entries published on Earth Day, April 22. Burlington Free Press
- ➤ Vermont public school enrollment has dropped steeply over the past decades, driving up education costs and prompting debates over consolidations and potential closures to manage funding. Burlington officials are re-examining elementary school operations as enrollment continues to decline—adjustment plans remain under discussion. Seven Days
- ➤ Deputy publisher Cathy Resmer introduced the new 'Gen Zero' series on Feb. 18 to explore Vermont’s steep decline in public school enrollment (including insights from local schools like the new Burlington High School) and highlight how local Gen Z youth weigh their future options amid rising education and housing costs. Seven Days
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Local insurers have scaled back coverage for GLP-1 weight loss drugs—plans by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and MVP Health Care now restrict treatment deemed too costly, affecting thousands. Patients must pay high out-of-pocket costs as insurers work to curb rising premiums. Seven Days
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Vermont Green FC named Abby Carchio as the new head coach for its women's soccer team in the inaugural USL Women's League season. The team will make its debut on Tuesday, May 19 against Hartford Athletic. NBC5
- ➤ Vermont Olympian Ben Ogden won his second silver medal on Wednesday in the Milan Cortina Games Men's Team Sprint with teammate Gus Schumacher, finishing in 18:30.3. Dozens gathered at Richmond-based Bivo to watch his race. NBC5
- ➤ Hartford senior Charlotte Jasmin cracked Vermont high school girls basketball's top-10 scoring list after scoring 35 points on Feb. 17 to help her team win over Woodstock. It leaves her 15 points shy of sixth all-time and helped position the Hurricanes as the No. 2 seed in Division II playoffs. Burlington Free Press
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2026 Burlington Weekend Food Art and Crafts Show
10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. — Burlington City Arts @ The BCA Center — Vendor fees apply — Discover tasty eats, cool crafts, and fun vibes at this vibrant community showcase.
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The Lowdown at Higher Ground
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Higher Ground — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of laughter with Vermont's funniest at this new comedy event.
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Reprise Concert
7:30 p.m. — Higher Ground — All ages — Experience the Phish revival with an all-star band led by Cal Kehoe.
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Bridal Hairstyling Masterclass with Sara
2-7:30 p.m. — This is Urban Salon — Two ticket options available — Enhance your hairstyling skills with a live demo and hands-on workshop focused on bridal styles.
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Bosch eBike Systems MY26 Dealer Training
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. — DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington Vermont — Registration required — Enhance your expertise in eBike technology and service with Bosch's latest dealer certification training.
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The Happy Fits Concert
6:30-9:30 p.m. — Higher Ground — Tickets available — Get ready to groove with The Happy Fits in an energetic live performance.
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Emma Cook Album Release
7-8:30 p.m. — Higher Ground — All ages welcome — Vermont musician Emma Cook unveils her long-awaited indie-folk album, 'Of the Morning'.
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Burlington Irish Heritage Festival Ceili
1-3 p.m. — Contois Auditorium — Donations welcomed — Enjoy a lively celebration of Irish culture with step dancing and traditional music for all ages.
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Liv Greene & Melanie MacLaren Concert
8-10:30 p.m. — Radio Bean — $10 adv | $15 dos — Enjoy an evening of folk music with Nashville-based artist Liv Greene.
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Phil Hanley Live Comedy Show
7-10 p.m. — Higher Ground — Tickets available — Enjoy an evening of laughs with Phil Hanley, a rising star in the NYC comedy scene.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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