Vermont

Potential Vt. candidates weigh options for November

Published

2 years ago

February 29, 2024

Potential Vt. candidates weigh options for November

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont lawmakers are about one-third of the way through the legislative session, and while property taxes and other issues are taking up a lot of oxygen at the Statehouse, it’s also an election year that has candidates behind the scenes considering there future political plans.

In the leadup to the August primaries, all eyes are on Republican Governor Phil Scott and Independent Senator Bernie Sanders.

“Beneath them, there are lots of healthy, skilled horses in the starting gate that are eager to move up,” said Kevin Ellis, a political consultant and longtime Statehouse observer.

Congresswoman Becca Balint, Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman, Treasurer Mike Pieciak, and soon-to-be former Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger are among those widely seen to be considering their political moves this year.

Gov. Scott, who is in his fourth term, sees himself — and his veto power — as the last line against the Democratic super-majority’s spending largesse. “He enjoys broad base support and any candidate regardless of their record or experience is going to have a difficult time challenging Governor Scott should he seek re-election,” said Dennise Case, a political consultant who worked for Governor Jim Douglas. She says that includes a potential challenge from Weinberger.

Casey and Ellis suspect Scott and Sanders will seek another term, potentially adding to a logjam of mostly Democratic candidates waiting in the wings in the Vermont House and Senate. “It’s important to be careful about not making your intentions too concrete in case you need to pivot or change course, either to run for the office you currently hold or to pursue another one,” Casey said.

Issues like property taxes and education spending could turn into a political liability on the campaign trail. “When these lawmakers go home for town meeting, they are going to hear about this education property tax in a big way and they are going to have to do something about it,” Ellis said.

Democrats at the Statehouse control the most seats in recent history. While Casey suspects the property tax problem won’t shift the balance of power, she says changing attitudes toward education could mean some lawmakers step back and others on local school and selectboards step in. “What it may well lead to is a new cohort of House and Senate members with differing views of policies, especially around the economy,” she said.

The Vermont primary election is on August 13.

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Vermont

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

Published

7 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

How to see a reindeer in Vermont

Vermont Reindeer Farm in West Charleston is home to the only three reindeer, or caribou, living in the state. Here’s what it’s like to visit them.

Looking for ways to enjoy the rest of the cold New England winter?

While staying indoors often seems better than facing the cold, the region has lots of outdoor activities that brighten the winter season, including skiing, snow tubing and, of course, ice skating. From Burlington to Stratton, Vermont has plenty of indoor and outdoor ice rinks, many of which offer lessons, concessions and special events in addition to ice skating.

Here are five places in Vermont where you can go ice skating this winter.

Spruce Peak Village Ice Rink

This outdoor ice rink is located in the heart of the village at Spruce Peak, a ski resort in Stowe formerly known as Stowe Mountain Lodge.

Guests can skate daily surrounded by the majestic ski slopes of the Green Mountains. On Friday nights, the Spruce Peak Village ice rink hosts glow skate parties with a light show, glow sticks and a live DJ. Skate rentals and lessons are also available for purchase.

When: Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday or noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Spruce Peak, 7412 Mountain Road, Stowe

Ice Haus Arena

Located up at Jay Peak Resort near the Canadian border, Ice Haus Arena is the newest ice-skating arena in the state. The indoor rink is complete with bleacher seating, a rental and repair shop, four locker rooms, a pro shop, a snack bar and of course, an NHL-sized rink where guests can participate in public skating or skating with sticks and pucks.

General admission to the rink is $6, with skate rentals available for $6, skate sharpening available for $7 and helmets available for $3.

When: Online schedule updated daily

Where: Jay Peak Resort, 830 Jay Peak Road, Jay

C. Douglas Cairns Recreation Arena

This indoor arena has not one, but two NHL-size ice rinks for hockey, public skating and stick and puck practices. Off the ice, Cairns Arena also offers a pro shop and a cafe with hot food, snacks and drinks.

Skating at Cairns costs $5 for adults or $3 for children and seniors, and skates are available to rent for an additional $5.

When: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Thursday, with exceptions. Check the online schedule at cairnsarena.finnlyconnect.com..

Where: 600 Swift St., South Burlington

Mill House at Stratton Mountain Resort

Surrounded by the scenic Stratton Mountain Resort, Mill House Pond is the perfect outdoor spot for public ice skating or skating lessons.

Public skating costs $20, and bookings can be made online.

When: Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday or noon to 6 p.m. Thursday-Friday and Sunday-Monday

Where: Stratton Mountain Resort, 5 Village Lodge Road, Stratton Mountain

Riley Rink at Hunter Park

A large indoor sports facility, Northshore Civic Center has an Olympic-sized ice rink, along with a concession stand and retail shop. The rink offers public skating, stick and puck practice, hockey and skating lessons.

When: Check the online schedule for weekly updates

Where: 410 Hunter Park Road, Manchester Center

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Vermont

Unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week

Published

19 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Unemployment claims in Vermont increased last week

Staff reports
| USA TODAY Network

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Vermont rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday.

New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 375 in the week ending February 21, up from 357 the week before, the Labor Department said.

U.S. unemployment claims rose to 212,000 last week, up 4,000 claims from 208,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Rhode Island saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, with claims jumping by 132.0%. Michigan, meanwhile, saw the largest percentage drop in new claims, with claims dropping by 49.9%.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report.

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Vermont

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Thursday, Feb. 26

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Thursday, Feb. 26

The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.

TO REPORT SCORES

Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.

▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.