Vermont

Primary Preview: What’s on the Vermont ballot?

Published

2 years ago

August 12, 2024

Primary Preview: What’s on the Vermont ballot?

WATERBURY, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermonters are gearing up to hit the polls for Tuesday’s primary election. So who can you expect to see on the ballot? And what do you have to have to do to make your voice heard?

The primaries are essentially the semifinals and will determine who makes it onto the November ballot. But unlike last election cycle, it’s expected to be a calmer election.

It’s back to the polls for the lead up to the November election.

If you haven’t requested or turned in an absentee ballot, you have to now vote in person at your local polling place. You will have to fill out and return one of three major party ballots.

“When two different candidates with different ideas about how Republicans should fill this office or how Democrats should fill that office are vying for a spot on the ballot in November,” said Sarah Copeland Hanzas, D-Vt. Secretary of State.

Democrats, who hold almost every statewide office and a supermajority in the House and Senate, will try to maintain their majority to pass a Democratic agenda.

“That protect Vermonters from gun violence, from climate change, that protects students from retrograde cuts and reductions in schools,” said Jim Dandeneau, the executive director of the Vermont Democratic Party.

Where Republicans, who hold the governor’s office and see some contested primaries as a referendum on the Democratic Party’s policies.

“Or whether the parties are going to have some pushback either from within or from outside,” said Paul Dame, the chair of the Vermont Republican Party.

Voters will also contend with contested Democratic and Republican primaries for statewide offices.

Lieutenant governor pits a former moderate Democrat John Rodgers, now running as a Republican, against constitutional conservative Gregory Thayer. And Progressive Democrat David Zuckerman against Democrat Thomas Renner.

Vermonters generally support incumbents, and this year, it’s a quieter primary than in recent years.

Two years ago, Vermont experienced a political earthquake after the retirement of Sen. Patrick Leahy and a ripple effect down the ballot.

“When there’s more contested primaries, there’s more excitement about voting in the primary. But you never know because some people really like voting on Election Day. We’ll see what turnout turns out to be,” Copeland Hanzas said.

So far, just shy of 20,000 voters have returned their absentee ballots.

The polls close Tuesday at 7 p.m. and we should have unofficial results by Tuesday night.

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Vermont

Here are five places to ice skate in Vermont this winter

Published

2 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

14 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.