Good morning, Burlington.

Chef Elliot Sion, former chef de cuisine at Honey Road, opened The Wise Fool — a takeout Middle Eastern street-food eatery in Burlington’s Old North End offering Vermont twists on classic dishes.

Sion, who started serving on Feb. 20, plans to add a bar and dining room by mid-October to better serve local residents and restaurant workers.

Tax season has begun and Hunger Free Vermont says Vermonters with low incomes may qualify for child and earned income tax credits that add extra money to refund checks.

A single household earning up to $18,000 can get a $600 credit while families with two or more children earning under $55,000 may receive thousands — free IRS help is available for filing.

Sunshine Week highlights Vermont’s commitment to government accountability—public records are managed under the Vermont Public Records Act since 1937 to ensure transparency.

The State Archives and Records Administration works with state agencies to maintain access to authentic records amid national challenges—helping Vermonters trust the government’s information.

On March 14th, Governor Scott vetoed H.141, the fiscal year 2025 budget adjustment bill passed by the Legislature, saying extra spending on a hotel/motel program for the unhoused and other projects is unwise — he said a new bill could be negotiated to meet the state’s needs.

Vermont health officials now use Covid-era tools like wastewater surveillance to track germs and fight illness—tools built during a tough time.

Experts say that fewer vaccines and little help from the federal government may leave the state unready for new health problems—raising risks for people who need extra care.

Lawmakers on Friday advanced two bills to give the Green Mountain Care Board more power to check hospital charges and review hospitals’ finances — the measures include reference-based pricing and tighter financial reporting to help control rising costs.

The proposals address concerns over high fees and controversial practices at major providers and will now move forward for further review.

Vermont officials compile a visual history of Covid-19 that shows how early state health teams struggled to keep up with testing, closing schools shortly after the first case, and rapidly adjusting their response as cases spread.

The timeline details key moments—from testing 56 specimens a day to reaching a vaccine goal in June 2021 and later managing surges from the Delta and Omicron variants—highlighting both successes and challenges in protecting public health.

Today at Patrick Gym, Burlington faces top-seeded St. Johnsbury in the Division I girls basketball championship at 5 p.m. Finals in Divisions II, III and IV are held at Barre Auditorium at 3:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and Noon respectively+all games stream live on NFHS Network.

Burlington Irish Heritage Festival

The Burlington Irish Heritage Festival features family-friendly Irish step dancing performances and traditional music, including fiddles and flutes, at Contois Auditorium.

Burlington Irish Heritage Festival Celebration

The Burlington Irish Heritage Festival highlights Irish and Irish-American culture through a variety of performances and events, particularly around St. Patrick’s Day.

Joe Pera Live at Vermont Comedy Club

Standup comedian Joe Pera will perform multiple shows at Vermont Comedy Club, known for his unique comedic style and popular Adult Swim series.

Ricky Dover Jr. Live at Higher Ground

Rock musician Ricky Dover Jr., originally from Houston and raised in Knoxville, brings his dynamic performance to Higher Ground in South Burlington.

Female Founders: Olympians

Olympians join the stage at Hotel Vermont to talk about life as an entrepreneur after the Games! Carissa Gordon Gump is a 2008 Olympian in the sport of weightlifting, and Jennifer Kessy is a silver medalist at the 2012 London Olympics, and now both are entrepreneurs pursuing their own venture!

Charlie Parr Concert

7:30-11:00 p.m. | Higher Ground | Tickets available | Enjoy an evening of soulful music with Charlie Parr at Showcase Lounge.

Langston Kerman Live at Vermont Comedy Club

Langston Kerman, an accomplished comedian and actor known for his work on various television series, returns to Vermont for a night of comedy.

Admitted Student Day

10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Hoehl Welcome Center — Free entry — Discover your future as a Purple Knight with faculty, classmates, and majors on display.

Bella White Concert

7:30-11:00 p.m. | Higher Ground Showcase Lounge | Ticket prices vary | Experience the soulful sounds of Bella White live in concert.

Atsuko Okatsuka Comedy Show

3 PM - 5 PM | Vermont Comedy Club | Tickets selling fast | Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka brings joy and silliness through her viral #Dropchallenge on tour.