Good morning, Burlington.

The oldest registered Highland herd in the US grazes at Shat Acres Farm in Plainfield — a legacy carried on by Janet Stewart and Ray Shatney, who support local beef sales and agritourism within a 40-mile radius.

Vermonters rallied for their rights at the Festival of Resistance yesterday in Battery Park to support unions and working families; the event, organized by Vermont May Day Strong (a local workers' coalition), brought educators and healthcare workers together ahead of a November ballot proposal on collective bargaining.

John Peckham (former CEO from 1993 to 2021) returned as interim CEO of Peckham Industries effective immediately; he will remain on the board to guide the company through its leadership transition while day-to-day operations stay unchanged.

This fall, Vermonters can enjoy a variety of festivals celebrating art, agriculture and community events, including a free South End Art Hop in Burlington on Sept.

11-13 and several fairs and craft shows across the state. Check local schedules for details and pricing (online tickets may be required).

Landmark College faculty Denise Burchsted and Ally Hunter are launching a four-year, $7.9M NSF-funded study in Putney that will enlist students and local partners to gather data on PFAS contamination in water, soil, and wild food sources.

The research aims to improve understanding of persistent 'forever chemicals.'

Gov. Phil Scott urged education leaders to pursue reform quickly in a back-to-school letter on Aug.

19, saying delays hurt students with unequal opportunities. School districts will form cooperative education service areas & merger committees must meet by Oct. 15 to share services, reduce costs, and improve classrooms.

The Public Utility Commission approved a 5.5% rate increase for Green Mountain Power customers, with new rates taking effect in October — the decision comes after a heated debate over funding grid upgrades to reduce outages and boost storm resilience for an eventual outage-free system by 2030.

Members of the Vermont Air National Guard returned from a months-long deployment with the 158th Fighter Wing arriving in South Burlington on Monday morning after missions in the Caribbean and Middle East.

The National Guard confirmed the return via social media with photos of reunions.

VHCB’s Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program awarded $943,745 in 2026 grants to 54 farm and forest businesses, with $814,623 for water quality improvements and $255,793 for business development.

The funds will support on-farm upgrades that improve manure management & soil health throughout Vermont.

High school sports fans can vote for Vermont's boys Athlete of the Week at BurlingtonFreePress.com until 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept.

10; winners will be announced on Friday, Sept. 11.

Local sports fans can vote for the All-USA Vermont Girls Athlete of the Week powered by Delta Dental on burlingtonfreepress.com until 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept.

10 + winners will be announced Friday, Sept. 11.

The Green Mountain Stage Race concluded on Monday when over 600 cyclists rode on Burlington’s renewed Main Street in a four-stage event that featured improved road conditions and urged secure bike storage amid theft concerns.