Burlington

Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak declared the city is 'back,' citing growing energy and confidence, but business leaders remain uncertain if recent improvements in downtown activity are a temporary blip. Challenges include rising inflation, labor costs, and concerns over homelessness and drug use, which some argue deter visitors. The city plans summer events and infrastructure projects to boost the economy.

Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber of Burlington, Ont., were found guilty of murdering a boy in their care and assaulting and confining his younger brother. They will be sentenced today in Milton, where victim impact statements may be heard.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 1.719 million Cuisinart Grill Brushes due to metal bristles detaching and posing ingestion hazards. The recall includes multiple models sold at retailers like Burlington, TJ Maxx, Ross, and Amazon between 2009 and 2026, with reports of 54 incidents, including three cases requiring medical treatment.

Vermont, historically having the third-lowest air conditioner ownership in the U.S., is experiencing increased demand for cooling due to rising temperatures. The National Weather Service has issued extreme heat warnings, with heat index values reaching 105°F, as climate change contributes to longer and hotter summers. Vermont's central air conditioning adoption remains low at 7%, compared to 89% nationally.

Burlington's Champlain Parkway, a project 60 years in the making, opened its final segment in 2026, connecting Interstate 189 to Lakeside Avenue with a two-lane road featuring bike and pedestrian paths. The $85 million project, funded by federal and state governments, faced decades of legal battles and design revisions before completion.

Ron Jacobs criticizes Donald Sinex's proposal to build an Amazon warehouse in Burlington's former Macy's building, citing his role in the failed CityPlace mall project and concerns about traffic, taxpayer burden, and Amazon's corporate practices.

Skeletal remains of a mother and son were discovered in a foreclosed home on Stanwich Lane in Burlington, Connecticut, which was recently sold at auction. The property had been purchased after being sold due to financial default.

Vermont addresses childhood hunger during summer break by providing free meals through food shelves and programs like Feeding Champlain Valley. The program, operating in Burlington, serves up to 300 daily meals and partners with Hunger Free Vermont and the Vermont Foodbank to support food-insecure families.

Two of three bodies found in a foreclosed Connecticut home auctioned to a new owner have been identified as 54-year-old Sally Ann Cash and her 23-year-old son Brian Cash. The remains were discovered by the new homebuyer during a foreclosure auction earlier this month, with the cause of death pending and no criminal activity indicated.

Skeletal remains of three people were found in a foreclosed Connecticut home purchased 'as is' in a public auction. The previous owners, Paul and Sally Anne Cash, had bought the property in 2019, and a foreclosure process began in 2025 after missed mortgage payments. The new owner discovered the remains in June 2026, and the identities of the remains remain unconfirmed.

Three bodies were found in a foreclosed home in Connecticut that had been auctioned to a new owner. The new homeowner discovered skeletal remains during a purchase 'as is' at a foreclosure auction. The identities and causes of death remain undetermined, with no indication of foul play.

Chittenden County's six CESA districts can avoid forced mergers by consolidating back-office services before merger studies fragment their collaboration. The CESA board, forming in July 2026, must prioritize these savings to negotiate future decisions from strength rather than financial pressure.

Electric motorcycles (e-motos) are causing safety concerns in Williston and Burlington areas due to speeding incidents, regulatory confusion, and clashes with pedestrians. Local advocates and law enforcement struggle to distinguish e-motos from e-bikes, which have different legal restrictions. The Vermont Mountain Bike Association reports off-road e-moto activity encroaching on trails.

A Burlington mother secured a $150,000 settlement against the city over claims of excessive force and racial discrimination by police during a 2021 incident involving her 14-year-old Black son, who has behavioral and intellectual disabilities. The lawsuit, dismissed in May 2024, alleged officers restrained the teen, paramedics used a mesh bag and ketamine to retrieve stolen vapes, and the city initially sought to dismiss the case, which a judge rejected.

Vermont is entering its flash flood season with recent thunderstorms causing minor flooding and washed-out roads in Caledonia and Lamoille counties. A heat wave has triggered advisories across the state, with temperatures projected to reach 95°F and heat indices near 100°F in Burlington. Emergency management and city officials are monitoring conditions and providing cooling resources.

Beta Technologies is developing the Alia 250 electric air taxi, which costs $28 per hour to operate and aims to provide cheaper, quieter urban air mobility. The company plans to certify the aircraft for routes like city-to-airport, positioning it as a competitor to helicopters.

Albany and Schenectady city leaders visited Vermont to study Burlington's Elmwood Pods Neighborhood, a tiny home initiative aimed at addressing homelessness. The project focuses on moving people experiencing homelessness off the streets.

Burlington's South End Coordinated Redevelopment Project, a public-private housing initiative, has received city council approval and secured funding for its first phase of 204 units. The project aims to address Vermont's housing shortage by developing over a thousand homes in a formerly industrial area, with at least 20% designated as affordable housing.

American shoppers are prioritizing value due to rising gas prices and economic uncertainty, with retailers like Dollar Tree, Burlington, Best Buy, and Kohl's reporting sales growth. These companies attribute their success to offering affordability, convenience, and targeted discounts, while consumers remain selective about spending on essentials and indulgences.

A former loan officer from Burlington has pleaded guilty to charges of bankruptcy fraud. The case highlights legal consequences for financial misconduct in banking.

A jury has ruled in favor of the Los Angeles Police Department in a lawsuit regarding a fatal shooting incident at a Burlington coat store in 2021. The incident involved an officer firing a bullet that struck and killed a young girl hiding with her mother. The trial included testimony from LAPD officers, use-of-force experts, and witnesses.