[I]n the newspaper industry, measuring reporters by the number of clicks their stories get has become the norm.
At VTDigger, our focus is reader tips and making sure we’re covering all the most important news of the day – Vermont State Police reports, political events, public hearings for state agencies and regulators, court hearings and rulings, legislative reports.
Reporters and editors decide what to cover based on the public interest – what stories will have the most impact on individuals, state institutions and the public at large. Often, these are routine watchdog stories that don’t go viral on Facebook or Twitter. They’re the kind of stories that are the bread and butter of VTDigger’s accountability journalism. We’re there keeping an eye on things so you don’t have to.
But every December, we look at what stories readers found most compelling. We use Google analytics to rank the most read stories of the year.
In 2018, we published more than 3,500 stories about politics, public policy, and state and community news. This year’s Top 10 Readers’ Picks included stories about Sen. Bernie Sanders’ earnings, a federal investigation into Burlington College loan fraud allegations, staff reductions at the Vermont Law School and record-breaking voter registration levels topped the list.
And this year, as in years past, VTDigger’s investigative stories led the list: Six out of the top 15 stories were part of a series about sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse at the Vermont National Guard.
Here is a look at VTDigger Readers’ picks for 2018.
1 For second year, Sanders earns more than $1M
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., made nearly $1.06 million in 2017. Most of his income — $885,767 — came from advances and royalties, according to the report filed in May.
The junior Vermont senator earned $174,000 for his service in the Senate. The senator hit the $1 million mark for the first time in 2016. Most of his income came from a book deal “Our Revolution,” which came out after his failed bid for the Democratic nomination for president.
Sanders refused to release his
2 UPDATED: Grand jury takes sworn testimony in Burlington College case
A former board member of the college in 2017 was compelled to give testimony as part of a probe into whether former college president Jane Sanders had committed fraud when she allegedly overstated donor pledges as part of a real estate loan to purchase the former Catholic Church headquarters.
Burlington College defaulted on its loans and went bankrupt in 2016.
Sanders, through a spokesperson, announced in November that the U.S. Attorney’s investigation had concluded the probe and found no reason to charge her.
3 The flying fraternity: Guard commander’s wings clipped after secret rendezvous
TJ Jackman, the head of the Air Guard, flew an F-16 to D.C. for an assignation with a woman. He was subsequently forced out. The Jackman incident was one of six stories about alleged Guard misconduct published by VTDigger.
In response to the series, lawmakers say they will hold public hearings.
4 Vermont Law School revokes tenure for 75 percent of faculty
The Vermont Law School has had an ongoing budget deficit of more than $1 million over the past several years and the administration has said the revocation of tenure is part of a plan to develop a “sustainable financial model.” Since July, when the cuts were announced, enrollments at the school have rebounded, according to VLS President Tom McHenry.
The tenure revocation has spurred an investigation by the American Association of University Professors.
5 Vermont hits record 92.5 percent voter registration ahead of election
Data from the secretary of state’s office shows the uptick in registered voters has been driven largely by the state’s new automatic voter registration system, which took effect in January 2017. The system allows voters to register automatically when they receive or update their driver’s licenses, or other forms of identification, at the Department of Motor Vehicles.
A record number of Vermonters cast ballots on Election Day.
6 The flying fraternity: A ‘Top Gun’ culture pervades the Vermont National Guard
A six-month investigation by VTDigger uncovered a “good ol’ boys club” at the Guard in which male leaders received preferential treatment, broke rules, and abused alcohol. Our reporting uncovered numerous allegations that the Guard has created a toxic environment for women who say they have been mistreated and passed up for promotions. We also spoke with a whistleblower who found the tables turned on him after investigating allegations of misconduct against a top leader in the organization.
Vermont lawmakers are discussing how to bring increased accountability and transparency to the Vermont National Guard in the wake of a six-month VTDigger investigation that revealed a toxic culture within the military organization.
7 Comcast sues state over license conditions
Comcast balked at a requirement that the company increase support for public access TV stations in Vermont and extend 550 miles of broadband access in the state. The story, originally published in 2017, was picked up by the social platform Reddit in February this year.
A federal judge rejected Comcast’s claims in September.
8 The flying fraternity: Africa, alcohol and the Afterburner Club
A squadron leader broke rules in Djibouti while the Vermont Air National Guard during a 2013 deployment. He and three other pilots were sanctioned and subsequently sent home early. The incident complicated Vermont flight operations and degraded the Guard’s mission in Africa because other pilots had to cover their shifts.
The story is part of a six-month VTDigger investigation that revealed a toxic culture at the Vermont National Guard.
9 After unsettling week and racial slurs, parents say camp won’t be back
According to parents, the campers and counselors were subjected to racial slurs at a local mini-golf on the Mountain Road in Stowe from “cowardly” people yelling out of car windows. They also said the youths were stared at, questioned, and treated in an unfriendly manner by some of the staff at the Stoweflake Resort in Stowe.
State officials, including local representatives and Gov. Phil Scott, formally apologized to the camp participants.
10 Randolph librarian wins surprise judgment against Equifax
The Valley News reported that Jessamyn West, of Randolph, walked into the Orange County Courthouse in Chelsea and filed papers asking the judge to compel Equifax to pay her nearly $5,000 in connection with a data breach that affected more than 100 million people. In June, the tech savvy librarian won $600.