Good morning, Burlington.

With Aug. 15 marking the 5th anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Vermont Afghan Alliance said funding shortfalls and restrictive immigration rules have left Afghan families facing ongoing challenges — the organization is urging local residents to support vital services.

Local cycling advocates have raised safety concerns about high-speed e-motos on shared paths in Burlington.

Local Motion said (with school reopening soon) that consistent education may help curb risky riding.

Two Men and a Truck has launched a new program to help people set up apartments after exiting transitional housing.

The initiative, run in partnership with COTS (the local shelter support group), offers donated furniture and essentials while reducing waste.

Kinney Drugs in Essex Junction retired its AI refill assistant after customers experienced medication delays and refill errors on Tuesday, July 21.

The pharmacy now uses a touch-tone system and offers prescription refill texts only upon opt-in — a move to restore personalized service.

During the summer, teachers Cindy and Dan Camber run Peacham Lavender Farm in Peacham, swapping classroom work for lavender cultivation—an effort that began with 300 plants and now supplies local markets, weddings and events.

Vermont biologists are pulling rafts from lakes as loons show record nesting success with 402 adults and more chicks surviving.

They will remove some rafts each year over the next decade & keep them on reservoirs with changing water levels.

Vermont has launched its new tourism identity, State of Inspiration, to boost visitor trips and highlight local scenic views and artisan culture.

The state partnered with DNCO after nine months of research and will roll out a redesigned website and updated marketing materials soon.

Hannaford is recalling six deli and produce items after Coast Citrus Distributors flagged a potential salmonella risk from jalapeno products — recalled items have best-by dates from Aug.

7 to Aug. 14; shoppers should check their purchases.

Two 11-year-old twins on a nationwide tennis tour have reached Vermont – their 33rd state – and will compete at Burlington Tennis Club today.

They plan water skiing on Lake Champlain and cheese making at Shelburne Farms this summer before heading to 17 more states.