Vermont
Wildfire smoke brings air quality alert to northwest Vermont – VTDigger
Smoke from Canadian wildfires continued to obscure Vermont skies on Friday as the Department of Environmental Conservation issued another air quality alert for the northwest portion of the state. The alert, which includes the counties of Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle, is set to end at midnight.
An expanded alert will be issued by the agency Saturday, according to the National Weather Service office in Burlington. The air quality alert will last from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and cover the counties of Caledonia, Chitteden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orleans and Washington.
“It’s a moderate level of pollutants, so it’s not going to affect everybody, but it’s mainly for sensitive groups like people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children,” said Peter Banacos, science and operations officer at the National Weather Service’s office in Burlington. While rain is helping to drown out the particulates, smoke that’s hovering over the St. Lawrence Valley could move into northern Vermont over the weekend, according to Banacos.
Those tiny particles within the smoke, known as fine particulate matter or PM 2.5, can get trapped in people’s lungs before entering their bloodstream, causing possible health problems. The wildfire smoke brings elevated concentrations of those particles that can be unhealthy for sensitive groups like older adults and children, pregnant people, outdoor workers and people living outside.
People with asthma should keep their relief medicine nearby, and if residents experience scratchy eyes or throat, a headache or coughing, they’re encouraged to move indoors, according to a media release from the Department of Environmental Conservation on Friday.
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On Friday afternoon, the air quality for much of the state was good, and residents could enjoy outdoor activities. But in Burlington and St. Albans, the Environmental Protection Agency’s fire and smoke map indicated that the levels of PM 2.5 were above 100 on the air quality index, meaning the air was unhealthy for those sensitive groups.
The smoke has migrated from more than 200 wildfires churning through Canada, with six new fires starting Friday. Canada faces an especially severe and early start to its fire season, as more severe wildfires become more common under climate change, which is primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels. While 69 fires are burning in British Columbia, more than 100 have consumed the country’s less fire-prone prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
“With these wildfires so far removed from Vermont, we’re not expecting real significant issues,” Banacos said. He recalled worse conditions in 2022, when wildfires raging in Quebec brought thick, low-level smoke to Vermont that reduced visibility and increased air quality issues. “If we get fires that are closer, that could change,” Banacos said.
The worst effects are across the Great Lakes, where smoke has settled over major cities like Detroit and Toronto, but unhealthy air has traveled as far south as Florida this week.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.
Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.
Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.
Here’s a look at June 25, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Gimme 5 numbers from June 25 drawing
13-14-18-21-22
Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 25 drawing
Day: 2-1-4
Evening: 0-7-1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 25 drawing
Day: 5-4-4-9
Evening: 5-5-1-1
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 25 drawing
03-13-14-34-45, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.
For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.
All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.
Vermont Lottery Headquarters
1311 US Route 302, Suite 100
Barre, VT
05641
When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
- Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
- Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
- Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?
Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Champlain Valley senior Zoey McNabb has been named the Vermont high school girls track and field athlete for the 2026 season, Gatorade announced Thursday, June 25.
The Gatorade award recognizes athletes for their on-field success, high academic achievement and exemplary character.
In her first year as a competitive runner, the 5-foot-7 McNabb broke long-held state records in the 1500- and 3000-meter races this past spring with times of 4 minutes, 28.59 seconds and 9:24.58, respectively. At the Division I state meet, she swept both events to help the Redhawks claim a team championship three-peat.
Her 3,000 time ranked fourth nationally; her 1,500 performance was good for 12th. At the New England championship meet, McNabb took second in the 3,200 and third in the 1,600. She also ran in five events at New Balance Nationals, where she set the state record in the two mile.
An all-state basketball player for CVU, she has volunteered locally at the Green Mountain Montessori School in Essex in addition to donating her time as a youth basketball coach, according to the news release.
“Zoey was fearless this spring, attacking decades-old records and destroying them,” BFA-St. Albans coach Mike Mashtare said in a statement. “What made her special was how effortless she made it look with her smooth stride and relaxed running style.”
McNabb has maintained an unweighted 4.27 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a written letter of athletic aid to compete on scholarship at the University of Vermont this fall.
As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every player of the year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner.
To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
Vermont Green men’s team Chris Taylor praises team after home opener
Vermont Green men’s team head coach Chris Taylor talks with the media following the Green’s home opener victory
The Vermont Green women’s team is predominantly a home for college players to play in a professional atmosphere during the summer. Yet there are a trio of seasoned overseas professional soccer players who are playing for the Green this summer to help them find their next stop.
Two members of that trio, defender Chloe Gorman and midfielder Brenna Connell, are both over the age of 30, playing with teammates nearly a decade younger while defender Hannah Kroupa graduated college in 2023. Yet, rather than taking time away from the pitch, they are spending the summer in Vermont.
Here’s why these professional soccer players opted to play for the Green, a short two-month season where the players don’t get paid.
Vermont Green is a launching pad to finding a new team
All three players learned about the team the same way — the Player’s Network, which is a group to share opportunities and resources among female soccer players around the world. Head coach Abby Carchio sent out a message in the group publicizing the Green. The trio all jumped on the opportunity.
Both Connell and Gorman have spent the last few months training and thought the Green was a great opportunity to get some minutes and film to help them sign with a new team later this summer.
“The desire of the club to truly provide a professional-level atmosphere and resources and the community is so behind the club, it seemed like a super unique opportunity,” Connell said.
Connell, Gorman and Kroupa are helping the Green make history in their debut season. The Green are currently one of eight undefeated teams still standing in the USLW with a 5-0-4 record.
Gorman has had a crucial role, playing every minute in the Green’s 10 games (which includes the Maple Cup) with she and Kroupa anchoring the back line. That defense has only conceded six goals entering Vermont’s final regular season game against New England Mutiny on Saturday, June 27.
Kroupa and Connell have appeared in a handful of games as well. The duo teamed up on a goal in Vermont’s 2-0 Maple Cup victory, with Kroupa earning the goal in her club debut. Both players have also contributed an assist in an official USLW match.
“I’m really thankful I have gotten a lot of minutes here especially after not being with a club for a year,” Connell said. “It felt good to prove to myself that I can still do this and contribute a lot.”
The Green can capture the Northeast Division title and earn a spot in the USLW playoffs with a win against Mutiny on Saturday, June 27.
Vermont’s amateur status impresses the professional soccer trio
Gorman, Connell and Kroupa have played all over the world, including stops in Greece, Hungary, Israel, Portugal and Germany among other countries. The aspect that stands out to them is how ingrained Vermont Green is to the broader community.
“It means a bit more here,” Gorman said. “It’s different to finish a game and have a 100 girls and parents come up to you and thank you, acknowledge that this is a big step in women’s sports.”
The organization takes great care of the players doing more than professional teams do. The team has found housing for everyone with Kroupa, Connell and Gorman living together in college-style housing.
“Playing abroad, it’s really hit or miss with what a club can provide for you,” Kroupa said. “Even having someone do the laundry of training gear that you wouldn’t think about in college … simple stuff like that is such a big difference.”
The older players are also surrounded by some of the country’s top college players such as Caitlin Mara, Brooke Birtwistle, Georgina Clarke and Olivia Grenda.
The main difference between college soccer and a professional team has been honing in on the details and adding extra care to each decision.
“Just being conscious of your play and decision making of the reasoning behind something and the cleanliness of the play,” Gorman said.
Besides serving as role models, the trio are helping Vermont Green remain feeling professional which is leading to results on the field of a winning club in Year 1.
Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
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