Good morning, Burlington.

Sugarhouses in Vermont and New York held their annual Maple Open House Weekend this past weekend, drawing hundreds of visitors to tour the sugarhouses, taste maple treats, and learn how maple syrup is made.

Morse Farm Sugarworks, Palmer Lane Maple, and Audubon Vermont each showed their unique methods and supported flood recovery and first responders — a sign of local care and innovation.

Vermont Habitat for Humanity will host its 2nd annual Dome to Home wall raising ceremony on Wednesday, May 21 — the event will take place at the State House lawn in Montpelier.

Volunteers will build 21 wall panels for a new single family home at 70 Jennifer Lane in Manchester Center as part of the effort to fight Vermont's housing crisis.

The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center marked its 30th anniversary as it has helped local manufacturers manage production challenges amid new tariffs—Center Director Patrick Boyle and Maple Landmark President Mike Rainville explained on NBC 5 In Depth how the center supports American-made products. This reflection reinforces its decades-long role in guiding Vermont businesses.

This week’s Young Writers Project entry 'My true home, Vermont' is by Sela Morgenstein Fuerst—11 from South Burlington—and features artwork called 'Snow-covered Dirt Roads' by Sophia Brooks—14 from Essex Junction.

The project has been an online forum for local teen writers and artists since 2006.

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Vermont dropped to 389 for the week ending March 15, down from 395 the week before & the U.S. Department of Labor reported this decline on Thursday.

Organic farmer Jaiel Pulskamp said heavy rains in summer 2023 hurt farms and local food supply, showing that climate change poses a growing threat in Vermont—she urged lawmakers to reject Bill H.289 and boost policies that protect local farms and communities.

Lawmakers’ use of cameras and livestreams—started during the Covid years—has made Statehouse committee meetings more open and helped more people participate.

Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth said the digital shift proved a lasting benefit of the pandemic.

Sen. Bernie Sanders announced the winners of his 15th annual State of the Union Essay Contest where 475 students from 25 high schools wrote essays on climate change, mental health care access, immigration reform, the housing crisis, and the cost of higher education.

The winners (Justason Lahue – 1st, Ari Glasser – 2nd, Ely White – 3rd) will join Sanders for a roundtable discussion at the Vermont State House on March 29 while their essays are entered into the Congressional Record.

The Vermont Suicide Prevention Center was recognized by Pew Charitable Trusts for its effective leadership and innovative programs that integrate suicide prevention into primary care.

The center remains committed to expanding public-private partnerships and community engagement to support mental health care.

Developers in Vermont face high interest rates and rising tariffs that make it hard to build new homes and offices—Burlington’s CityPlace project has cut planned housing units from 420 to 350, and many projects have been delayed or canceled as borrowing costs rise.

Lenders warn that these high costs may soon outpace a building’s value, keeping new projects on hold until rates drop.

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.

Throwback: A Grown-Up Book Fair

1:30-8 p.m. — O.N.E. Community Center — Free entry — Take a nostalgic trip down memory lane with books, fun activities, and community vibes.

12/OC Concert

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Higher Ground — Ticketed event — Experience an evening of live music at a popular local venue.

Nershi Hann Trio Concert

7-11 p.m. — Higher Ground — Ticket required — Experience the vibrant sounds of Bill Nershi and his trio in a night filled with delightful music.

Rock Point School Open House

4-6 PM — Rock Point School — Free entry — Discover a unique educational environment fostering personal growth and academic success for high school students.

Marsh Lights in Concert

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Whallonsburg Grange Hall — $15 — Experience the delightful acoustic folk-grass sounds of Marsh Lights with Colby Crehan and former bandmates.