Good morning, Burlington.

The James Beard Foundation has named local chefs and restaurants as finalists for 2025 awards — Alison Gibson and Cara Chigazola-Tobin of Honey Road and Gray Jay in Burlington, Avery Buck of May Day, and Wolf Tree in White River Junction are competing in their categories.

Winners will be announced in Chicago on June 16.

At Pure Gold Sugaring in Sutton, Governor Scott and local sugar makers celebrated the start of the maple season and honored Vermont’s long-standing syrup tradition.

The Agriculture Agency will update producers later this month on yields, prices, and tariff impacts as the USDA survey will be released in June.

On Wednesday, the Vermont House passed bill H.91 to shift support for the homeless from hotel rooms to prevention-focused services.

The law – which sets aside $10 million in one-time funds – will be run by the Department for Children and Families and take effect on July 1.

Vermont’s state prisons are increasingly used to house ICE detainees, and state officials have updated contracts to use all six facilities for federal immigration holdings.

Inmates have struggled to call family and get needed medical care—officials said new language policies are in progress while advocates report ongoing safety challenges.

A group of service industry professionals, lawmakers, and gun safety advocates met at the State House on April 3rd to urge the Legislature to approve Burlington's charter change S131 that would ban guns in bars and to pass H45 for a statewide ban.

They pointed to fatal incidents from mixing firearms and alcohol and emphasized that 86.6% of voters support keeping guns out of bars.

Vermont swiftwater rescue team Task Force 1 left early Thursday morning with 18 personnel and one search canine to help with floods expected in Kentucky following a mutual aid request on Wednesday evening—officials said the team took four boats and eight land vehicles to search water and land and will return in two weeks.

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.

KidSafe Collaborative Annual Outstanding Service Awards 2025

9:30-11:30 a.m. — DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington Vermont — Free entry — Celebrate local heroes who have made significant contributions to child safety and well-being.

Book Launch: Piecework / Travail à la pièce, a bilingual collection of two plays by Vermont playwright and performer Abby Paige.

Celebrate this landmark publication with Abby Paige in her home community. Performances, conversation, and appreciation of Burlington’s rich and diverse local history! 7:00pm, OFF Center for the Dramatic Arts (1127 North Ave Ste 27, Burlington).

Kingdom Kids Live Show

7:30-9 p.m. — Vermont Comedy Club — Ticket prices vary — Experience a lively performance at Burlington's favorite comedy venue.

Community Egg Hunt

5-7 p.m. — City Hall and Rick Marcotte Central School — Free entry — Enjoy a family-friendly egg hunt with arts and crafts, face painting, and more fun activities.

New England Log & Timber Design-Build EXPO

1-7 p.m. — DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington Vermont — Check for entry details — Explore innovative log and timber design solutions from top builders and vendors.