Good morning, Burlington.

Fidium earned 70 top internet performance rankings in Vermont during Q1 to Q2 2026, including the fastest download + upload speeds in many counties, reinforcing its position as northern New England's leading fiber provider.

Burlington High School has reopened today — its rebuilt campus is set to welcome students as classes begin.

The new campus is ready for the school year.

UVM President Marlene Tromp held a State of the University address yesterday, noting enrollment dropped 7 percent to about 10,800 students, creating a $12 million deficit.

She announced plans to fundraise, expand tuition-free eligibility for families, and launch Vermont Listens events in Bennington and Burlington in fall 2027.

UVM President Marlene Tromp said Tuesday that the university closed its $12 million budget deficit by cutting vacant staff and inefficiencies even as freshman enrollment dropped 15%.

About 10,800 students are expected this fall while the school faces challenges from reduced local recruitment and federal funding cuts.

Creditors representing clergy abuse claimants are challenging the church’s plan to sell Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington for $4.3 million—only 14% of its $30.5 million appraised value.

Judge Heather Cooper will hear the case in Burlington on Sept. 1 as the claimants push for a public bidding process.

DFR has launched a new campaign to help Vermonters understand health insurance rights under state and federal law for reproductive, preventive, and telehealth services.

The campaign offers guidance on filing complaints when insurers charge incorrect costs and is shared via social media and print materials.

A recent federal study found Vermont had the nation’s 7th highest cervical cancer death rate at 33.9 per 100,000 women, averaging 11 deaths in 2020 — the rate is 43% above the national median and more than twice that of Massachusetts.

A MediFind report compared states' healthcare spending against median income and found Vermont ranked 10th at 13.11% on care costs (with hospital services costing $5,638 per person).

The Vermont Department of Health is reviewing the 2025 Youth Risky Behavior Report, which shows fewer teens are drinking and vaping but a quarter are facing mental health challenges.

The agency will work with community groups to plan improved support services.

The Vermont Department of Health is running the MyLife, My Quit program to help teens stop smoking and vaping by offering five free online sessions with trained health coaches (middle schoolers are a key focus).

A recent LendingTree analysis revealed one in five Vermont homes is vacant (75.8% are seasonal), leaving fewer year-round options for locals; nationwide, vacancies fell slightly as markets tightened.

Vermont’s housing market remains tight as roughly 70% of households now consist of one or two people, pushing experts to say that nearly 22,000 additional homes were needed between 2015 and 2024 to meet demand (smaller families struggle with large, outdated homes).

Voting on the Delta Dental All-USA high school girls cross-country preseason runner of the year, which began Tuesday, Aug.

25, will continue until 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31 – the winner will be announced Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Burlington Free Press is accepting votes for the Delta Dental All-USA high school boys XC Preseason Runner of the Year on its website until 9 p.m. Monday, Aug.

31; the winner will be announced on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

UVM men's soccer team, under new head coach Adrian Dubois, started the season strongly with wins at Virtue Field while the women's team is still seeking its first victory.

St. Michael's men's and women's soccer teams + the field hockey team will launch their fall seasons soon.