Dear reader,
One of the first things we do every morning is sort through your tips. They arrive in the newsroom through voicemails, letters, emails, encrypted apps and, critically, the “submit a tip” function at the bottom of every story. That tip drop form alone received more than 1,680 story ideas last year.
We follow these tips because we know readers rely on us as a first and last line of defense to help shine a light on important issues for Vermont. Now we are asking for your help.
1,378 community-minded readers have already stepped up to help us meet our 2024 budget needs. But we only have until Saturday, April 20 to reach our goal and we need your support today. Every member donation also sends a book to a Vermont child. Will you join us?
Following reader tips takes time and know-how — phone calls, interviews, public records requests and feet on the street across Vermont’s communities. In other words, it takes hard work from our reporters and editors.
The investment pays off. We estimate about one-third of our stories start with a reader tip. This work isn’t easy or cheap, but we know it’s important to you and your neighbors.
If you can, please help support it today with a gift in any amount and send a brand-new book to a Vermont child.
Thank you for reading and valuing VTDigger’s public service reporting.
Sincerely,
Maggie Cassidy
Managing Editor
