At VTDigger, we know that good journalism begins with listening, especially to people who often feel left out of the conversation. That’s why VTDigger launched Dirt Road News, a new project focused on understanding how younger and rural Vermonters get their news, what challenges they face, and what local media could do better.

Do you live in a rural Vermont community or small town?

We want to hear from you. While we’re especially hoping to hear from folks under 50, a group we hear from less often, the survey is open to all rural and small-town readers of any age. By listening closely now, we can tell local stories that reflect all of Vermont.

How do you know if you’re rural? Most Vermont towns and small communities qualify. If you’re unsure, you probably are rural enough for this survey!

Your voice matters

We know that every Vermont community is unique. By taking this short survey, you’ll help us:

• Learn what topics matter most to you and your neighbors, and how you like to receive that information
• Understand the barriers and frustrations to accessing local news
• Shape future VTDigger reporting, news products and community engagement

About Dirt Road News

This project goes beyond this survey. We’re also working with local community ambassadors, aka neighbors who are helping us listen and connect, and popping up at trivia nights across the state to gather fresh perspectives in fun, welcoming spaces. You can learn more and follow our project and events by visiting our Dirt Road News page.

Take the survey below!

Thank you for helping shape the future of local news in Vermont.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Take our survey: We want to hear from Vermont’s young and rural voices.

Thursday, Aug. 21
7–9:30 p.m.
Babes Bar, 221 Main St.
Bethel, Vermont

Looking for a fun Thursday night out in Bethel? Join VTDigger’s Dirt Road News team at Babes Bar for their legendary trivia night. We’ll be on hand with giveaways, special prizes and a chance to chat about how local news can better serve young and rural Vermonters.

Whether you’re a trivia regular or just want to enjoy a great night out, we’d love to meet you. Our team will be there to listen, swap stories and hand out some VTDigger swag. We want to hear what matters to you and your community.

• Free event, all are welcome, no RSVP required
• Trivia promptly starts at 7 p.m.
• Prizes for top teams and raffle winners
• Babes Bar is located at 221 Main St., Bethel, Vermont 05032
• Pro tip: Get to Babes early to reserve your team’s table

Stop by, say hello and enjoy a great night with neighbors and friends. Questions? Email contact@vtdigger.org.

We hope to see you there!

About Dirt Road News

Dirt Road News is a new VTDigger community listening project focused on understanding how younger and rural Vermonters get their news, what challenges they face and what local coverage could do better. This project goes beyond trivia night pop-ups. We’re also working with local community ambassadors, neighbors who are helping us listen and connect, and distributing a survey.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Join us at Babes Bar for trivia night with the Dirt Road News project.

Because of 361 generous readers, we’re celebrating two big wins: VTDigger members helped send 441 children’s books to Vermont kids via the Children’s Literacy Foundation and raised $22,792 to keep fearless, independent journalism thriving in our state.

During the drive, your comments reminded us why this work is so important:

• “I want to support this incredible Vermont organization and support young people in Vermont with books.” – Jane
• “I appreciate what you folks do. Books and knowledge are the key to everything!” – Paula
• “I love VTDigger and getting books to children is very important.” – Holly
• “We need local journalists to be truth tellers.” – Rosanne
• “I am a new resident to Vermont and it’s important to support truth and reading!” – Laurie

Every gift made during the CLiF membership drive means more Vermont children will experience the magic of reading and more Vermonters will continue to have access to the rigorous reporting they rely on. 

We’re grateful to everyone who stepped up for both public service journalism and young readers. We are especially grateful to The Vermont Book Shop in Middlebury for sponsoring the book donation to CLiF, allowing every dollar from our readers to go directly to support independent reporting.

Your support is helping build a stronger, better-informed, and more connected Vermont. Thank you for believing in the power of local news, literacy and community.

With thanks,

Libbie Sparadeo
Director of Membership and Engagement, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: We did it — Thank you for supporting young readers and local journalism.

On Thursday, July 17, you’re invited to a special event with VTDigger’s editorial team. Join us in Brookfield for an honest, behind-the-scenes look at how we report the facts and hold ourselves accountable to you.

What: In Facts We Trust: Local Journalism in the ‘Fake News’ Era
When: Thursday, July 17 | 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Brookfield Old Town Hall | 93 Stone Rd, Brookfield, VT
RSVP: Free and open to all — but seating is limited, so please reserve your spot.

Whether you’re a longtime reader or just curious how journalism works behind the curtain, this event is for you. You’ll hear directly from our editors about what it takes to produce independent, trustworthy reporting in Vermont and how you can sharpen your own news literacy in the process.

We’d love to see you there.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Join VTDigger for a special event on July 17.

Dear Reader,

At VTDigger, we are committed to telling the stories that matter — including stories of resilience, determination and strength in our communities.

This spring, we’re partnering with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports to expand access to outdoor recreation — while supporting local, independent journalism that keeps Vermont informed.

For the last two weeks of our Spring Drive, every donation VTDigger receives will also send $5 to Vermont Adaptive’s scholarship fund, ensuring more people can access life-changing outdoor recreation.

Today your donation does double duty. Will you join us?

Bonus: Become a $15 monthly sustaining member and get a free VTDigger hat!

Breaking down barriers with Vermont Adaptive

VTDigger is partnering with Vermont Adaptive because we believe in independence and access to the outdoors, regardless of ability to pay.

For many, getting outside is an easy, everyday experience. But for individuals with disabilities, there can be insurmountable barriers without access to the right resources. For more than 37 years, Vermont Adaptive has helped thousands of participants explore what’s possible.

The nonprofit organization provides specialized equipment, instruction and support that fosters adventure, mental health and self-confidence. In 2024 alone, the organization provided more than 5,300 outings in 2024 to children and adults with disabilities and nearly 1,500 outings for veterans.

Van Wart understands that impact firsthand.

After losing his vision in his late 20s, he assumed his days on the slopes were over. But this February, more than 15 years after his last ride, Vermont Adaptive helped him get back on a snowboard at the VI/Blind Athletes Winter Festival at Pico Mountain.

With the support of skilled volunteer guides, Van quickly found his rhythm. “The feeling I had more than anything else was just a smile glued onto my face,” he said. “It was exhilarating. It was a sense of life.”

By the end of the weekend, he was riding independently.

“I left that weekend thinking, ‘I can do this again.’ What Vermont Adaptive does is just incredible… from the moment you walk in, the attention to detail, the equipment ready and waiting, the way they support every participant — they go the extra step. You showed me what I could do.”

For Van, getting back on a board wasn’t just about rekindling an old hobby. It was about remembering what he was capable of.

Why your support matters

Being independent doesn’t have to mean going solo.

Vermont Adaptive helps people of all abilities gain independence through the support of a passionate community — just as VTDigger delivers rigorous, independent journalism made possible by its readers.

When you give today, you strengthen both local journalism and outdoor access for all. Will you join us?

Stories like Van’s are the reason VTDigger exists — to connect, inspire and inform us all. And reader support is the reason VTDigger can maintain its independence.

Thank you for reading and being a part of what makes Vermont a special place. And thank you for considering a donation during our Spring Member Drive.

Sincerely,

Libbie Sparadeo
Director of Membership and Engagement

P.S. Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is looking for passionate and caring volunteers with a love of the outdoors. If you’re interested, visit their website to learn more.

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger partners with Vermont Adaptive for Spring Member Drive.

Join VTDigger at The Hub CoWorks in Rutland on Wednesday, March 26, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for an evening with VTDigger’s staff and leadership, including our Southern Vermont reporter, Greta Solsaa.

This will be a casual opportunity to connect with our team and learn more about our journalism. We’re eager to engage with our readers in the area. We hope to hear from you about the issues that matter most in your community and how VTDigger can best serve you. 

You’ll have the chance to meet Greta, CEO Sky Barsch, and other members of VTDigger’s senior leadership and staff, including board members Gaye Symington and Carolyn Meub. In addition to a conversation with Greta, we’ll open the floor for a Q&A session so you can ask questions and share your thoughts.

The event is free thanks to Heritage Family Credit Union, but space is limited. Register here to secure your spot today.

• What: Meet & Greet with VTDigger
• Where: The Hub,67 Merchants Row (at street level), Rutland, VT 05701
• When: Wednesday, March 26, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
• Details: Light refreshments provided; accessible ground-level space
• RSVP: via Eventbrite

If you live in the area and having access to reliable, nonpartisan news matters to you, we want to meet you! We hope to see you there.

This event is made possible in part by the generosity of Heritage Family Credit Union.

Read the story on VTDigger here: You’re invited! Meet VTDigger’s Southern Vermont Reporter.

Dear reader,

During the final days of 2024, we want to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come together — and how far we still need to go.

But here’s the truth: only 2% of VTDigger readers support our work financially.

In the final stretch of our year-end membership drive, we need your help to raise the final funds to ensure VTDigger’s continued success. 

With only 5 days left to hit our goal, every dollar you give up to $500 will be tripled by a group of generous Vermont donors.

This year, we’ve achieved some major milestones that we couldn’t have done without support from people like you:

• Groundbreaking Investigations: We published an investigation into the sharp rise in migrants crossing the Canada-Vermont border, which became the most-read story in VTDigger’s history.
• Journalistic Excellence: We received nearly 20 journalism awards in 2024, including our first Online News Association award.
• Public Service: We hosted 11 interns, fostering the next generation of journalists, and provided timely 2024 election coverage and voting resources in 14 languages.

Now, we’re asking you to help us reach our goal. Your gift today will not only fuel our journalism but also support a sustainable future for our newsroom.

Will you join the 2% who support VTDigger? Every gift is tripled and will ensure that the vital work we’ve started continues in 2025 and beyond.

We’re incredibly grateful for your continued support. Together, we’ve achieved so much — but there’s more to do.

Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Libbie Sparadeo

Director of membership and engagement, VTDigger

If you can, please consider becoming a sustaining member at a level that works for you. Sustaining members make it possible for VTDigger’s journalists to dig deeper. Become a sustaining member at $15/month and you’ll receive a free VTDigger t-shirt.

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger year-end member drive: All gifts tripled today.

In 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic reshaped daily life, VTDigger wrote about Eric Axelrod, a Jericho resident who spent his days splitting wood with his young sons, Devin and Logan, and delivering it to neighbors in need.

That year, the Axelrod family provided nearly 25 cords of firewood to more than 15 families. But what began as a small backyard project has evolved into an inspiring support system for Vermonters.

Today, Axelrod is the founder of Wood4Good, a growing nonprofit that provides free firewood to households in need across central and northern Vermont. With distribution sites in Jericho, St. Albans and Middlesex, the organization delivers wood within a 50-mile radius of Jericho. Axelrod hopes to one day expand Wood4Good’s reach to serve the entire state.

“Vermonters are really proud, and especially when they get older,” Axelrod explains. “They don’t want to ask for help, and even if they need it, they won’t. I’ve met folks who have burned their furniture to keep their home warm.”

Delivering Warmth With Dignity

For Axelrod, ensuring that help is offered with dignity is just as important as the deliveries themselves.

In one instance, Axelrod encountered a man who was too proud to accept help, despite his wife’s quiet confession that the family desperately needed firewood to get through the winter. Axelrod devised a plan: He made the delivery when the husband wasn’t home. Later, the man called to apologize and thank him.

“I told him no apology was necessary, and we were just glad to help,” Axelrod recalls.

Another time, Wood4Good delivered wood to a family that included a woman battling cancer. Her husband had left work to care for her. As the delivery truck arrived, the husband stood in tears, overwhelmed by the support they had received.

It Takes a Village

Over 40% of Vermont households heat their homes with wood. One cord of firewood provides roughly four weeks of heat for the average home. Since its founding, Wood4Good has delivered firewood to more than 500 families, including 150 in 2023 alone.

Volunteer support is key to Wood4Good’s success. On weekend volunteer days, anywhere from five to 30 people gather at the woodlots to buck, split, load and deliver wood. The camaraderie of these events creates a ripple effect, spreading the benefits of community care far beyond the families receiving the wood.

“When we began, I wanted to teach my boys the value of higher purpose, giving back and being a good member of the community,” Axelrod reflects. “But it has taught me so much about the importance of community, enrolling good people in a cause that is important, and the effect all of this has had on our family and the people we have touched.”

How You Can Help

For the next 10 days, VTDigger is partnering with Wood4Good to share the warmth with Vermonters in need. 

For every 80 readers who donate to support VTDigger’s nonprofit journalism, Wood4Good can deliver one cord of wood — the equivalent of four weeks of heat — to a Vermont family.

Together, our goal is to provide at least 15 cords of wood by December 25. Support two worthy causes with your donation today. 

If you’d like to get even more involved, Wood4Good is always looking for volunteers. While the physical labor of chopping and stacking wood is needed, there are many other ways to help, including outreach and grant-writing. Sign up to volunteer with Wood4Good here. 

If you need wood or would like to donate directly to Wood4Good, you can learn more on its website.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Wood4Good spreads warmth across Vermont, one cord at a time.

Dear reader,

Today is the last day to order VTDigger’s limited-edition 15th Anniversary merchandise and receive it before December 25.

In honor of 15 years of informing and engaging Vermont, we worked with Vermont cartoonist Daryl Seitchik to create a commemorative illustration that tells our story. 

We hope you love this illustration as much as we do and that you’ll consider a year-end gift to support VTDigger. When you donate, we’ll send you 15% off to our merch store with gifts for everyone on your list!

Become a new sustaining member at $15/month and we’ll send you a FREE 15th Anniversary t-shirt.

Curious about the art? Here’s a short guide what you’re seeing and why:

• The Vermont Statehouse and voter: VTDigger was founded in 2009 by Anne Galloway to fill the gap in Statehouse reporting as legacy newspapers cut back. Today, politics and government remain our most-read topics, and we’re proud to deliver high-quality voter information year-round, from Town Meeting Day to the general elections.
• The whales’ tails: The Whale Dance sculpture, located off Exit 4 on I-89 in Randolph, symbolizes the geographic center of Vermont.
• The digging dog: One of VTDigger’s early mascots was Gertie, Anne’s chocolate lab, who often tried to eat the office birthday cakes. 
• The creemee eater: One of our top stories from recent years was our statewide creemee database. A lighthearted reminder of the joy a good cone can bring.
• The general store: Modeled after the Barnard General Store, it represents the heart of small rural communities, central to the lives and stories we cover.
• The reporters: From the Statehouse to the smallest sugarhouse, VTDigger’s journalists are the backbone of our operation. And we’re proud to foster the next generation of fearless reporters through our paid internships and fellowships.

Thank you for being a part of VTDigger’s story. If you can swing it, a year-end gift will help us keep digging on your behalf in 2025.

When you donate, we’ll send you 15% off to our merch store with gifts for everyone on your list. Place orders by Dec. 10 for delivery by Dec. 25.

Become a new sustaining member at $15/month and we’ll send you a free 15th Anniversary t-shirt!

Thank you for your loyal readership and valued support this year. 

Sincerely,

Libbie Sparadeo

Libbie Sparadeo

Director of Membership and Engagement, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: Celebrate 15 years of VTDigger — and grab your gift!.

In the middle of its year-end campaign, VTDigger still needs to raise $539,000 by Dec. 31 to sustain its newsroom and rebuild Vermont’s shrinking press corps.

VTDigger is a nonprofit newsroom that reaches nearly half a million readers each month, but only 2% of those who rely on our news donate to support it. That small but mighty group of members has helped VTDigger become Vermont’s most trusted in-depth news source over the past 15 years.

A gift of $15 makes a real impact. If everyone who read the news here now contributed that amount, VTDigger would reach its year-end goal today. And for those who commit to a $15 monthly sustaining donation, VTDigger is offering a special thank-you: a limited-edition 15th Anniversary t-shirt.

Every dollar donated funds essential journalism. Reader support enables reporters to uncover corruption and waste, shine a light on critical issues, and provide Vermonters with the information they need to make informed decisions.

If you’ve relied on VTDigger this year for breaking news, investigations, or trusted updates, consider joining the 1,300 readers who have already contributed to this campaign. Your support is what keeps local news alive in Vermont.

Read the story on VTDigger here: How $15 can support Vermont’s press corps.

Dear Readers,

We are thrilled to share the results of our Fall Member Drive with you. Thanks to your generosity, not only did we hit our goal of raising $75,000 for critical election coverage and local news this fall, but we surpassed our expectations—receiving more donations from more small-dollar donors than ever before in a Fall Drive. 

This means more to us than words can convey. As Seven Days documented earlier this year, the past few years have been challenging for many Vermont news sources, including VTDigger. UVM’s study revealing that Vermont has lost 75% of its journalism jobs over the past quarter-century was a sobering reminder that local news is truly at risk.

Fifteen years ago, VTDigger was founded to fill the growing news void. The need was pressing then, and it has become more urgent. To reinvest in local journalism, it will take collective action. And this month, you showed us that you’re willing to take that action. Thank you.

More than 1,590 supporters from across Vermont — from Bennington to Newport and everywhere in between — demonstrated that you care about local news. Many of you became new recurring members, ensuring that we can launch ambitious investigations and plan for the future with confidence.

Your words of encouragement reinforce our commitment to providing trusted, independent journalism. Time and again, you’ve told us that you value VTDigger for its rigorous reporting, local focus and role in keeping Vermont well-informed — something you say is essential to our democracy. Your personal connections to Vermont and your determination to sustain local news in a challenging environment inspire us.

We hear from many of you that you wish for more coverage of Vermont’s smaller towns and more investigative news. Thanks to your support, we will strengthen our existing coverage and reinvest in Vermont’s press corps, striving to ensure that communities large and small have access to reliable, in-depth reporting.

As I write I can say, on behalf of all of us here, that we’re quietly stunned by your show of loyalty and support.

Thank you for standing with us. Together, we’ll continue to find a way forward. 

Sincerely,

Libbie Sparadeo
Director of Membership and Engagement, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: It takes a village: VTDigger Fall Member Drive a success.

Small and large donations from many members are the backbone of VTDigger’s news operation. Broad support from our readers provides the editorial and financial independence we need to continue delivering the honest truth when you need it most.

We have just over one week left in our Fall Member Drive. Vermont has lost 75% of its journalism jobs in the past quarter century. Our goal is to raise $75,000 to support critical election coverage this fall, and reinvest in Vermont’s press corps.

Your gift, no matter how big or small, directly supports our mission. Will you join the drive?

Your gift, in any amount, today makes a significant difference by protecting VTDigger’s independence. 

How?

The majority of VTDigger’s budget comes from individual contributions, which means we’re not beholden to any single donor or advertiser. That’s by design. The financial independence afforded by many small donors empowers our nonprofit organization to uphold its journalistic standards and integrity every single day.

For our fall membership drive, we need to raise $75,000 over the next nine days to keep our newsroom running strong. We’re 30% of the way there. Will you join us?

If you have relied on VTDigger in the past year, please consider a donation today or become a recurring monthly member at the level that works best for you.

If you are already a recurring monthly supporter of VTDigger and you’d like to make a special gift during the Fall Member Drive, it will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000 by a generous Vermont donor.

Your contribution, no matter the size, helps make all of this possible.

With gratitude,

Libbie Sparadeo
Director of Membership and Engagement, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger Fall Member Drive aims to raise $75K for independent news.

Vermont business owners who identify as Black, Indigenous and people of color are invited to apply for up to $2,000 worth of free digital advertising with VTDigger.

The Advertising for Racial Equity Project launched in 2022 as an outcome of VTDigger’s 2021 community listening project. It was inspired by a community request for VTDigger to offer free advertising to BIPOC-owned businesses as a means of redistributing resources and advancing racial equity in Vermont.

Past participants in the program include Vermont Professionals of Color Network, VT AthletaFit, Little Patakha and NCK Personal Training.

VTDigger is currently accepting new businesses to the Advertising for Racial Equity Project on a rolling basis. Entrepreneurs and solopreneurs are welcome. Read more about how the program works and how to apply here. 

Read the story on VTDigger here: Apply now: VTDigger’s Advertising for Racial Equity program is accepting new businesses.

Dear reader, 

Thank you for being a part of VTDigger’s readership and our news community. If you’re on the fence about whether to take your commitment to local news to the next level, today is a great day to make a member donation.

Donate today during our annual member drive and you will be entered to win some amazing Vermont gift packages as a thank you!

We partnered with some of our favorite businesses to bring you epic Vermont gift bundles from places like Killington Ski Resort, Ursa Major, Hen of the Wood and Hotel Vermont. Check them all out here. 

Our annual member drive is the most important time of year that you can support VTDigger’s independent, fact-based news. As a nonprofit, we rely on reader donations to make our work possible. 

There are less than three weeks left in the drive and we’re halfway to our goal. Please pitch in today and help us reach the finish line with a one-time gift, or better yet, become a monthly member.

Thank you for considering a gift to support high-quality public service journalism for all of Vermont.

With gratitude,

Libbie Sparadeo
Director of Membership & Engagement

Thank you to all of our supporting partners:

Read the story on VTDigger here: Vermont gifts for VTDigger members.

Dear reader,

Local news is often referred to as the first draft of history. When events happen that draw national attention, local journalists are the conduit to what’s happening on the ground. That’s why it’s imperative that those local journalists are thoughtful and rigorous– and well-supported. 

VTDigger’s reporters work tirelessly to bring you breaking news and in-depth follow up stories on critical events in Vermont. This effort requires resources to sustain. 

Our year-end goal is to raise $600,000 by December 31. So far we have raised $150,000 towards that goal. Will you contribute and keep local news strong?

Your gift will also send 5 meals to the Vermont Foodbank.

VTDigger is widely read. About 630,000 people visit the website every month. But we can’t keep producing this resource without widespread support. Only 1 percent of our website readers help support VTDigger. Will you help us raise that number? Every gift counts.

Thank you for your readership and support,

Libbie Sparadeo
Director of Membership & Engagement

Read the story on VTDigger here: Vermont needs VTDigger. VTDigger needs you..

Dear reader, 

I’m not responsible for cooking the turkey this year (sigh of relief). But I am responsible for helping us reach our goal of sending 8,000 meals to the Vermont Foodbank by Thursday. And right now we are just over halfway there.

Please join me in supporting both local nonprofit journalism and our neighbors struggling to put food on the table at night.

Staff at the Vermont Foodbank say they are always surprised and moved by how many people both use and donate to the Foodbank as their circumstances change. Sometimes a donor becomes a shopper during a time of need; a shopper often becomes a donor once their situation stabilizes. The staff at the Foodbank say that this phenomenon is one of the most inspiring parts of their work. It’s why they call it “the help we all need.” 

It reminds me of how proud I am that VTDigger makes our news freely available to all. Food and accurate information are basic needs that everyone should enjoy bountifully through good times and bad. 

You might be surprised to know that out of 630,000 monthly website readers and 42,000 people who received our free newsletters, only 8,500 are currently supporting members of VTDigger. That’s less than 2 percent of website readers and under 20 percent of newsletter subscribers!

You can give the help we all need today. If you value high-quality local journalism, join our member drive with a gift that works for you. Your donation will also send 5 meals to the Vermont Foodbank. Will you help us reach our goal by Thursday?

I hope you’ll join us because, unlike that turkey recipe I experimented with last year, it’s is a surefire way to do good this week.

With gratitude,

Libbie Sparadeo
Director of Membership & Engagement

Read the story on VTDigger here: Four days left to reach our Thanksgiving goal.

Dear Reader,

Over the past week we’ve been sharing “the story behind the story” of how our reporters covered and personally experienced the impact of the July floods. If you’ve been moved by the fierce dedication and resourcefulness of our newsroom, please support it with a donation.

We only have four days left to raise $39,570 to meet our newsroom needs for this fall. And if you join today, you’ll be entered to win a pair of custom leather work gloves from Vermont Glove!

We wouldn’t be asking if it wasn’t important. VTDigger’s news shines a light on essential facts that Vermonters need to know in order to make important decisions and advocate for change.

We understand that there are many needs right now, and VTDigger needs financial support to keep you abreast of the issues that are most important to you. If you can, please support our journalists with a contribution today and help us keep bringing you the highest quality news.

With two newspapers shuttering each week in the United States, local news publications like VTDigger are increasingly rare. As one of our readers put it simply, “VTDigger is a treasure.”

Help us continue to serve Vermont by joining our fall member drive today.

Thank you for your ongoing support. We could not have responded to this summer’s events without your contributions.

Sincerely,

Libbie Sparadeo
Director of Membership & Engagement

Read the story on VTDigger here: Four days left in VTDigger fall member drive.

VTDigger recognizes that the people we talk to determine which stories we tell and how they are told. Ultimately, who we choose to cover informs who we serve. 

Participants in our recent community listening project shared with us that Vermont media should do a better job including the perspectives and experiences of diverse communities, including BIPOC Vermonters, multilingual, rural and low-income people, and people with disabilities. 

We agree. And we understand that a key strategy to be more inclusive and equitable in our reporting is to broaden and diversify our sources, the people and places we turn to for information. 

As a part of our efforts to expand our sourcing practices, VTDigger has chosen to undertake a source audit. Source audits can give newsrooms a baseline of information, show where they’re falling short and help them set goals and measure improvement.

We are proud to be participating in a cohort of news organizations selected by the American Press Institute to track the demographic backgrounds of people quoted in our stories using a tool called Source Matters. 

VTDigger is looking at race and ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality, income, education, disability status and county of residence, as well as how we select sources. Individual responses will not influence our reporting, nor will they be shared publicly in any way. 

We are grateful to our sources for participating and the American Press Institute for supporting this project to improve our reporting for all Vermonters. 

Questions? Reach out to us at contact@vtdigger.org.

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger undertakes source audit.

Dear Reader,

Member donations are critical to VTDigger’s sustainability and make up one-third of our annual revenue. Of the nearly 650,000 monthly readers that rely on VTDigger for timely news and information, only 1.5 percent actually help support it. 

We need to get 500 readers to make a member donation in the next week in order to stay on track for our annual membership drive. If you value VTDigger’s news, will you please join us for as little as $5 today?

VTDigger does not have dozens of fundraising staff or an endowment, nor do we guard our public service journalism behind a paywall. Instead, we trust that our readers understand the importance of freely accessible news, value our fearless, rigorous reporting and that you will step up to support it. 

You can count on VTDigger to continue publishing journalism that first and foremost serves you, the reader. From regional news stories you won’t find anywhere else to in-depth legislative coverage, support from readers like you keeps this critical work free. 

Please join us and help us reach our goal of 500 members by Friday, Dec. 9. And no matter whether you give $10 or $100, we will send 10 meals to the Vermont Foodbank on your behalf.

We ask the hard questions because a smarter Vermont is a better Vermont. That means your support helps ensure Vermonters are equipped with the information they need to make important decisions for their families and communities. You can donate now to support this journalism.

Thank you for reading and supporting VTDigger.

Florencio Terra

Membership Manager

Read the story on VTDigger here: Is VTDigger worth $5 to you?.

Dear Reader,

You’ve been asking, and we’ve been listening. Vermonters say they want more local news, in addition to statewide reporting. That’s why VTDigger is investing in more regional coverage.

Will you help us raise $50,000 in the next nine days to build out regional coverage from the Northeast Kingdom to Bennington County? Any amount, whether it’s $10 or $100, makes a difference.

Readers tell us they need more local news coverage of their communities due to loss or decline of their traditional weekly newspapers. In many places, no one is covering local events, school board meetings, town government or local business anymore. 

Other readers say they want to know more about issues and solutions in different towns across the state that may help their communities.

You can help us respond by supporting this member drive.

Our growing team of regional reporters are dedicated to serving their assigned geographic area, surfacing important stories for residents and creating a more informed, engaged and connected Vermont. (We also offer our stories to other community news publishers across the state for free.)

If you can, please join in to help us bring Vermont together through rigorous local journalism for all -–  no matter where you live in the state.

Thank you for being a VTDigger reader and supporting our work.

Yours, 

Libbie Sparadeo

Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships

P.S. If you have thoughts about what you would like to see from local news, we’d love to hear from you.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Join us to foster a more connected and informed Vermont.

A new VTDigger initiative will provide a set amount of free underwriting to businesses owned by Vermonters who identify as Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC). 

Stemming from a community request that VTDigger offer free advertising to BIPOC-owned businesses as a means of redistributing resources and advancing racial equity in Vermont, the new Underwriting for Racial Equity Project is an outcome of VTDigger’s 2021 community listening pilot project.

“There are so many incredible ideas that are emerging from our ongoing listening activities and we are working on bringing many of them to life,” said Libbie Sparadeo, VTDigger’s Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, “We felt it was important to start with something very tangible and beneficial for communities that have been historically mis- or underrepresented in Vermont media.”

As a result of systematic and exclusionary policies that have created the racial wealth gap, BIPOC business owners are underrepresented nationally and face disproportionate barriers (e.g. lack of access to capital). In Vermont, only 2.4 percent of businesses are owned by BIPOC individuals, despite the fact that they comprise about 10 percent of the state’s population. 

BIPOC-owned businesses were also hit harder during the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, the number of active Black-owned small businesses nationally fell 41 percent between February to April 2020, compared to 17 percent among white-owned businesses. 

With this program, VTDigger seeks to actively address the systematic apparatus, including traditional news media outlets, that has contributed to the economic and opportunity barriers facing members of  the BIPOC community.  

VTDigger invites businesses to apply to participate in the Underwriting for Racial Equity Project for placement over the course of the next 12 months. Read more about how the program works and how to apply here. 

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger announces new Underwriting for Racial Equity Project.

After a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19, Vermont’s beloved Scripps Spelling Bee is back. 

Nineteen school champions from across the state will vie for the title of state champion and the honor of representing Vermont at the Scripps Spelling Bee National Finals in the Washington, D.C., area.

The Vermont Scripps Spelling Bee Final will be held in the T-Rex Theater at the Double E Performance Center in Essex Junction on Tuesday, March 15, at 4 p.m. 

This event is free and open to the friends and families of the spellers. Masks are required. VTDigger will livestream the event on our homepage and YouTube channel, and the recording will be available on YouTube afterward. 

VTDigger is the proud media sponsor for the Bee, which is also made possible by the Vermont Principals’ Association, Vermont Humanities Council, Kinney Drugs, Double E Performance Center, Vermont Student Assistance Corp and the Vermont Superintendents’ Association. 

VTDigger congratulates all of the school champions who have qualified for the state final. We look forward to the competition, and may the best speller win!

Read the story on VTDigger here: Vermont’s state spelling bee championship is back.

Vermonters say they want more reporting, more positive coverage, and most of all, more local news. 

In September, VTDigger announced a community listening project that will inform strategic decision making and the future of our local news coverage in Northwestern Vermont and beyond. We are piloting these listening activities in Northwestern Vermont because it’s home to the state’s most populous and diverse communities, but also because the region has seen a steep decline in local news coverage.

Listening has always been central to how VTDigger operates. On average, one-third of our stories begin with a tip. VTDigger received more than 1,700 confidential tips through our tip drop form alone in 2020. 

The community listening project doubles down on our commitment to those we serve. As part of the project, VTDigger is conducting an online survey, as well as one-on-one interviews and focus groups to help us better understand how Vermonters are getting news and information and what they wish local news organizations would do —or do differently. 

VTDigger has also recruited several part-time community ambassadors to support outreach activities and broaden participation, particularly among underrepresented communities. 

Progress to date

The listening team has thus far interviewed more than 100 people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences in Northwestern Vermont, including teachers, migrant farm workers, grocery store clerks, town employees, people out of the workforce, advocates, veterans, caregivers and librarians. 

The online survey, which is open to all Vermonters regardless of geography, has so far garnered more than 400 responses from across the state. We’ve heard from residents ranging from Alburgh, Essex and Danville to White River Junction, Brookfield and Dummerston, representing more than 80 towns in total.

What we are hearing

Here is a sampling of what Vermonters have been sharing with us through conversations and survey responses so far. 

More positive coverage

Many local residents want more positive stories about successes in their communities, in addition to strong accountability and investigative reporting. People want to see the good in their communities recognized in a way that brings people together and uplifts solutions as examples for others to learn from. 

“We need positive media coverage for our town to drive business investment because Alburgh is really struggling and I feel it’s forgotten while the big downtowns get most of the news coverage and dollars.” 

– Matthew LeFluer, disability rights advocate, Alburgh

“I wish the local media would include more positive stories about people making Northwest Vermont a better, more caring and humane place to live.” 

– Survey respondent, Fairfield

“Can there be more statewide news that focuses on both the important work that people are doing as well as the deaths and negative incidents? I would love to know more about how many communities are working toward climate justice goals, racial justice goals, what legislation is coming up in the state regarding these issues? 

– Retiree, Burlington

More local news coverage

We hear a strong demand for more local news coverage. In particular, people want to see more reporting on town selectboards and civic institutions. They also want reporting on local businesses and community news that would be helpful in their everyday lives.

“Several people have said to me, ‘I wish the local news would ask the locals what they wanted to hear,’ or ‘I wish the local news would be more local.’ Talk to the people in the locale and see what they think is important. Don’t just assume that because something has a big impact on a state level, that relevance will automatically trickle down to the local level. Or at least explain in lay terms why people should care.”

– Jill Allen, VTDigger community ambassador, Burlington

Stopgap measures

We’re learning about grassroots solutions that have emerged to fill the void left by shrinking newspapers, from whisper networks and mutual aid groups on social media to newsletters that are produced by school districts and town governments. 

“People turn to the neighborhood group pages on Facebook for news. People reach out to city officials individually to figure out what’s happening with the wastewater bills. It’s inefficient. I’ve talked to lots and lots of people who have said, ‘I don’t know what’s happening in my community because it’s not being reported on.’”

– Community organizer, St. Albans

Accessing local news

Lack of internet access and lack of comfort using technology are common barriers to getting news and information, as are varied levels of literacy and English language proficiency. The loss of printed newspapers in towns like Milton has cut many folks off from a vital source of connection. In other communities, that connection can be hard to establish if local news is written in a language you don’t speak.

“Now that the town newspaper is online only, I don’t think anyone reads it. They really miss our local printed newspaper and I still hear people talking about it, even though it went digital years ago.

– Interviewee, Milton municipal government

“I don’t know of any Vermont news or media. I feel so uninformed about Vermont. I want to know more about the landscape and nature. Is it safe to swim? What’s happening with lake health? News about the winter and snow storms, stories about people, nature, and immigration updates.”

– Migrant dairy worker, Grand Isle County

What else should we know, Vermont?

Help us continue gathering community input and feedback so we can improve our newsgathering and better serve your community. 

Thoughts or questions about our process? Interested in helping? Email Libbie Sparadeo at libbie@vtdigger.org

Read the story on VTDigger here: ‘Be more local!’.

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger journalists and community members take the stage at Foam Brewers for Local Live(s) event, Oct. 19.

VTDigger is thrilled to partner with Back Pocket Media to bring Vermonters a captivating live storytelling event sponsored by Deep City and featuring journalists and community members.

About the event

Local Live(s) is a show that brings together journalists and locals for a night of entertainment and conversation by and for Vermonters. The result is an entertaining, captivating event that fosters connection and new understandings. Think of it as a podcast, but live and all about the place we love.

The theme of the evening is ‘Headfirst,’ stories about diving headlong into odd, difficult, and at times, sublime decisions.

More About Local Live(s)

This event is part of a national series Back Pocket Media is co-producing with local and state news organizations across the country. Other newsrooms that have hosted Local Live(s) events include the Chicago Sun-Times, Long Beach Post and Mountain State Spotlight.

If cost of admission is at all a barrier, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Libbie Sparadeo at libbie@vtdigger.org.

Local Live(s) is funded by the Brown Institute of Media Innovation. This event is sponsored by Deep City, Foam Brewers’ sister restaurant located just next door to the brewery.

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger to host Local Live(s) event at Foam Brewers; Join us Oct. 19.

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger to host Local Live(s), a unique storytelling event.

Please join us Thursday, June 3, at 7p.m.

VTDigger is thrilled to partner with Back Pocket Media to bring Vermonters a captivating live storytelling event sponsored by Vermont Glove and featuring journalists and community members.

About the Event

Local Live(s) is a show that brings together journalists and locals for a night of entertainment and conversation by and for Vermonters. Think of it as a podcast, but live and all about the place we love.

Meet the Speakers

Ann Dávila Cardinal

A self-described tattooed-Gringa-Rican-punk, Ann Dávila Cardinal works at the Vermont College of Fine Arts and is the author of two teen horror books, Five Midnights and Category Five.

Clark Parmelee

Clark of Parmelee Farms in Randolph formerly owned a mobile poultry processing operation (an occupation which generated some interesting and yes, humorous, stories) and now works for the Agency of Agriculture. 

Kevin O’Connor

Kevin O’Connor is a Brattleboro-based writer for VTDigger and former staffer for the Sunday Rutland Herald and Times Argus.

Katie Jickling

Katie Jickling covers health care for VTDigger. She previously reported on Burlington city politics for Seven Days. She has freelanced and interned for half a dozen news organizations, including Vermont Public Radio, the Valley News, Northern Woodlands, Eating Well magazine and the Herald of Randolph. She is a graduate of Hamilton College and grew up in Brookfield.

More About Local Live(s)

This event is part of a national series Back Pocket is co-producing with local and state news organizations across the country. Other newsrooms that have hosted Local Live(s) events include the Chicago Sun-Times, Long Beach Post and Mountain State Spotlight.

Journalists share stories behind their reporting, inviting readers into a world they’ve only observed from the outside and community members share true, unvarnished stories of their lives. The result is an entertaining, captivating event that fosters connection and new understandings. 

The theme of VTDigger’s first Local Live(s) storytelling evening is ‘hiding in plain sight.’ 

If cost of admission is at all a barrier, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Libbie Pattison at libbie@vtdigger.org.

Local Live(s) is funded by the Brown Institute of Media Innovation. This event is sponsored by Vermont Glove, maker of high-quality goat skin gloves in Randolph, Vermont since 1920.

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger to host Local Live(s), a unique storytelling event.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Award-winning children’s author, Jason Chin, to host VTDigger Earth Day event for kids today.

Dear Reader,

We are halfway through our Spring Drive and we have some fun news to share! If you can, will you help us finish the drive and send a book to a Vermont child?

One of the exciting things about partnering with the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) during this drive is their connection to incredible Vermont authors.

As part of our Spring Drive, we are hosting a special Earth Day event this Thursday with Vermont author and illustrator Jason Chin. The event is for all ages, but especially kids! With many schools on vacation this week, we hope this will be a fun and educational way to celebrate Earth Day.

Jason is a Caldecott award-winning author whose books about natural ecosystems are filled with breathtaking ink and watercolor pictures. Jason will read one of his books, answer questions and lead a draw along activity for young ones.

This free or by donation event will be held on Thursday, April 22 at from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in Zoom webinar format— so kids can get curious and ask questions (because we like to ask questions here at VTDigger)!

RSVP here.

If you have a young person in your life who would enjoy this event, please share it with them and support VTDigger and CLiF by making a donation to our Spring Drive. Together, we hope to send books to 3,000 children across Vermont.

With so much heavy news breaking every day, let’s take a moment to share some wonder together and connect around reading, art and nature.

With gratitude,

Libbie Pattison

Director, Community Engagement
& Strategic Partnerships, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: Join us for a special Earth Day event and help us finish our Spring Drive strong.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Covid FAQ Live event: The road ahead for Vermont schools.