Dear reader,
My name is Ethan Weinstein. I’m a reporter here at VTDigger covering education and the prison system. What I do behind the scenes is what sets VTDigger apart from other kinds of news sources, and it’s why you should support us right now during our Fall Member Drive, if you can.
Every week, I spend hours scanning hundreds of court dockets and documents — cases that impact our everyday lives: the crimes that affect us and our neighbors, the alleged misdeeds of public officials, and the cases bound to shape the law of the land.
For full access to criminal and civil court filings, I have to go to the courthouses in person. These records can’t be emailed or downloaded to a thumbdrive. Names and birthdays are often submitted incorrectly, making cases more difficult to search. Sometimes, the old computers crash on a whim, delaying an already slow process. Obtaining court records in Vermont is far from accessible, and it’s not glamorous, but it’s a crucial part of my job as a reporter.
I believe these stories are worth the effort, but it takes time, knowledge and resources to do the digging. I can’t do it alone. That’s where you come in.
If you can, please chip in during our Fall Member Drive with a one-time gift or, even better, a monthly recurring donation.
The news VTDigger brings you feels different because it is different. It’s rigorous, fact-checked reporting done by journalists who give a damn. And I truly believe it is worth supporting in the age of deep fakes, information overload and political polarization.
Thank you for your readership and support.
Sincerely,
Ethan Weinstein
Reporter, VTDigger
