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VTDigger is an investigative online newspaper based in Vermont.[1] Founded in September 2009 by Anne Galloway, the newspaper reports an average monthly audience of approximately 500,000.[2] It has won awards from the New England Newspaper & Press Association.[3]

The outlet is funded primarily through donations ($2.2 million in 2022),[4] as well as through underwriting (business support). The newspaper receives support from the American Journalism Project.[5]

History

The VTDigger was founded in September 2009 by Anne Galloway, with a focus on the politics, economy, environment, education, culture, and public policy of Vermont.

In 2010, VTDigger merged with the nonprofit Vermont Journalism Trust. As part of the Trust, support comes from the general public, foundations and businesses, including sponsors, gifts, and organization membership.[6]

During her tenure as executive director, Anne Galloway was nominated for the “Vermonter of the Year Award” by The Burlington Free Press in 2016.[7] In 2018, she reported total compensation of $64,519 from VTDigger.[8] In May 2022, Galloway stepped down and assumed the role of editor-at-large.[9]

In March 2023, Schuyler “Sky” Barsch was named CEO of VTDigger and she began in the role in April 2023.[10][11] After helping the organization get on a more stable financial footing, Barsch and the union representing VTDigger employees were at an impasse in contract negotiations regarding the use of artificial intelligence. In January 2026, Barsch indicated she would step down as CEO effective June 1, 2026.[12] In March 2026, editor-in-chief Geeta Ananda also announced she would be leaving VTDigger as of June 30, 2026. Sue Allen was announced as the interim editor.[13]

VTDigger and its employee union reached a contract agreement in April 2026, with increases in pay and days off as well as terms around the use of AI. [14]

Mentions

The New York Times reported that VTDigger had built social trust, which it said had helped Vermont respond to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.[15]

Mark Shanahan wrote a front-page feature about VTDigger for the Boston Globe.[16]

Local Independent Online News Publishers named VTDigger as the co-winner for the 2023 Public Service Award (Large Revenue Tier).[17]

The Institute for Nonprofit News and the Single Subject News Project at Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy published a case study about VTDigger titled “VTDigger: A Rising Star in Nonprofit News,” which details the birth and rise of VTDigger and the role of Anne Galloway in this effort. In May 2018, according to the Institute for Nonprofit News, the VTDigger was averaging 300,000 monthly users with “a staff of 19 full-time employees, and an annual budget over $1.5 million”.[6]

VTDigger is often referenced in the Burlington Free Press for breaking stories, such as the report of the testimony of a former Burlington College trustee before a federal grand jury about the involvement of Senator Bernie Sanders‘ wife, Dr. Jane Sanders, in the sale of property while she was president of Burlington College. The Burlington Free Press attributed the initial report of the testimony to VTDigger.[18] VTDigger’s coverage was also reported by other newspapers across the country.[19]

A 2010 Burlington Free Press article about the ACLU‘s attempt to get information from a Vermont town about an alleged racial profiling incident raised the possibility that accepting assistance from the ACLU in investigating the incident could have created a conflict of interested related to journalistic objectivity.[20] The relationship between the VTDigger and ACLU on this case is mentioned again in a Burlington Free Press article about the ACLU’s request to the VT Supreme Court to release the documents related to the incident.[21]

See also

References

  1. ^ “VTDigger.org – MondoTimes.com”. Mondo Times. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  2. ^ “About”. VTDigger. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  3. ^ Cleary, Tara (September 21, 2024). “2024 NENPA Awards: Celebrating Excellence in New England Journalism | NENPA”. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  4. ^ “Vermont Journalism Trust, Ltd., Form 990, 2022” (PDF).
  5. ^ “VTDigger”. American Journalism Project. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  6. ^ a b “VTDigger: A Rising Star In Nonprofit News”. Shorenstein Center. May 21, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  7. ^ “Opinion”. The Burlington Free Press. December 18, 2016. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  8. ^ “VERMONT JOURNALISM TRUST”. ProPublica. August 15, 2019. Archived from the original on December 31, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  9. ^ Brouwer, Derek. “VTDigger Founder Anne Galloway Steps Down”. Seven Days. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  10. ^ VTD Editor (March 14, 2023). “Sky Barsch named CEO of VTDigger”. VTDigger. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  11. ^ “Alum takes role of CEO at VTDigger”. Castleton Spartan. May 3, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  12. ^ McCallum, Kevin (January 27, 2026). “Media Note: Sky Barsch Stepping Down as CEO of Digger”. Seven Days. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  13. ^ Tompkins, Lucy (March 6, 2026). “VTDigger Editor-in-Chief Announces Her Departure”. Seven Days. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  14. ^ McCallum, Kevin (April 1, 2026). “Media Note: VTDigger and Its Union Ink New Contract”. Seven Days. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  15. ^ Leonhardt, David (November 24, 2017). “Opinion | What to Read Now”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  16. ^ “how-two-nontraditional-newsrooms-vermont-are-winning-readers”. Boston Globe.
  17. ^ Milloy, Hayley (October 4, 2023). “Meet the 36 winners of the 2023 LION Local Journalism Awards”. LION Publishers. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  18. ^ Murray, Elizabeth (January 8, 2018). “Burlington College investigation active in fall”. The Burlington Free Press. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  19. ^ “Feds looking into Bernie Sanders’ wife over land deal – Newspapers.com”. Newspapers.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  20. ^ “ACLU: Group pursues alleged racial profiling”. The Burlington Free Press. August 3, 2010. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  21. ^ “Supreme Court hears plea for release of police records”. The Burlington Free Press. December 9, 2011. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2018.