Good morning, Burlington.

Hinesburg resident Wayne Maceyka started a group to bring together left- and right-leaning voters in his community, drawing inspiration from the Braver Angels model.

The group met on May 8 at the United Church in Hinesburg where about 10 participants practiced speaking from a personal perspective during a training led by local educator Peggy Dippen—using an exercise based on a song.

Burlington High School students revealed a new mural called Hands of Hope: One Community downtown where community members gathered for food, music and live screen printing by local artist Brittany Mae.

The mural has been in the works for more than a month and is meant to share messages of inclusion, hope and positivity.

Miles Jordan, an 18-year-old Champlain Valley grad, started Junkit three years ago after watching an online video and now runs a student-run junk removal service with new trucks and trailers.

The business works with Habitat for Humanity (to repurpose or donate items) and is growing as many local customers keep coming back.

The Vermont GaN Tech Hub, which includes the University of Vermont and GlobalFoundries, is moving forward to boost semiconductor research and manufacturing in the Burlington area with plans for a new testing lab at the OnLogic facility in South Burlington.

The group was awarded $23.7 million in federal funds in January but now faces a hold on finalizing the grant—while a partnership with the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition will fund the lab’s first two years.

An immigration judge in Chelmsford ordered Diblaim Maximo Sargento-Morales to be released today on a $1,500 bond paid by the Vermont Freedom Fund from a group of eight farmworkers arrested on April 21 in Berkshire—two others remain in custody with one bond hearing rescheduled for May 19 and one detained in Texas while three workers were already deported under expedited removal.

A federal judge held a phone conference Thursday in Vermont to set release conditions for Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk, who was detained after co-authoring an op-ed on the Israel-Hamas conflict—she faced conditions like travel updates while her lawyer argued that extra interview requirements could unfairly limit her free speech. The judge removed the GPS monitoring requirement and set a timeline for filing further legal briefings.

Today the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare voted to advance H.238, a bill that bans toxic PFAS chemicals from products like firefighting gear and dental floss—reducing harmful exposure for Vermonters.

The committee expanded the bill to ban PFAS in most firefighting gear starting in 2029 as it builds on earlier state actions.

Vermont lawmakers approved a $9.01 billion budget for fiscal 2026 that cuts base spending by about $21 million and sets aside surplus funds to help state programs if federal money is reduced—now the proposal goes to Gov. Phil Scott for his review.

The plan also directs extra funds to child care programs and reserves up to $60 million to cushion future federal funding shortfalls.

U.S. News & World Report ranked Vermont as the seventh best state overall & noted that it scored highest for opportunity and crime safety while lower scores in fiscal stability and education held the rank down.

The study looked at eight areas including health care, education, natural environment, opportunity, economy, crime & corrections, infrastructure, and fiscal stability.

Community Yard Sale

3-5 p.m. — Rick Marcotte Central School parking lot — Registration fee required — Sell your wares and enjoy some tasty treats at the community yard sale.

Sports & Fitness Expo

1-7 p.m. — DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington Vermont — Free entry — Explore the latest in sportswear, gear, and local products at this vibrant expo.

Chat with Best-Selling Author and Runner Emily Halnon

12-1 p.m. — DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington Vermont — Free entry — Engage in a trailside chat about record-setting ultra running with local authors and athletes.

M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon

7:15 AM - Jun 1, 11:59 PM — Queen City Cafe — Registration required — Experience a scenic marathon through Burlington's landscapes with community spirit and live entertainment.

Ran: 40th Anniversary 4K Restoration

'Ran' — 7:00-9:45 PM — Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center — $ — Film buffs enjoy a 40th anniversary 4K restoration of Akira Kurosawa’s 1985 take on the story of King Lear.

2025 Vermont Amateur Pickleball Championships

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — The EDGE Sports & Fitness — $65 — Compete in the amateur state championship and engage in a weekend of wellness activities.

EXTC Concert Featuring XTC's Terry Chambers & Friends

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Higher Ground — Tickets available — Experience the classic XTC songbook brought to life by Terry Chambers and his band EXTC.

NAMI Vermont Lake Monsters Game Night

6:30-9:30 p.m. — Vermont Lake Monsters Baseball — Tickets available — Supporting mental health awareness with a fun night of baseball and community activities.

Father's Day Frankfurter Fiesta

7-9:30 p.m. — The Soda Plant — RSVP requested — Enjoy a special hot dog topping bar and cornhole at this festive hangout.