Dear reader,
Although not technically true, I like to introduce myself as the longest-tenured staffer at VTDigger. As we enter our 15th year and continue our year-end drive, I’m asking for your support. While the reporting we provide is free to access, producing it comes at a cost.
Twelve years ago, VTDigger gave me my start in journalism. In those days there were a grand total of three reporters, a ragtag crew fresh out of college that occasionally doubled up on a scooter to get to assignments. I distinctly recall the thrill of being thrust into gubernatorial press conferences and Statehouse committee rooms with a reporter’s pad and only a nebulous idea of what I should be doing.
When I returned to VTDigger in 2022 it was to a very different operation — more than a dozen talented reporters, guided by a cadre of editors, cranking out the most comprehensive coverage in the state, from daily reports to in-depth investigations. There were new systems and standards… and Slack.
But the best things have stayed the same. VTDigger remains a news organization that punches far above its weight. It is still made up of thoughtful people who work incredibly hard to tell the stories of our state. And it continues to nurture fearless young journalists who aren’t afraid to hold the powerful to account.
Whether you’ve been reading Digger since the beginning or you’re just joining us, please consider joining our year-end member drive with a donation in any amount. We can’t do this work without your help.
Sincerely,
Alicia Freese
Deputy Managing editor, VTDigger
