Paul Heintz, who has led VTDigger’s newsroom for the past four years, plans to leave the nonprofit digital news organization next month to return to reporting and writing.
Heintz was named managing editor of VTDigger in December 2020 and was promoted to editor-in-chief in November 2022. In those roles, he has overseen close to two-dozen journalists at the state’s leading daily news organization. He led the newsroom through the latter years of the Covid-19 pandemic, multiple catastrophic flooding events, two historic election cycles and many investigations and special projects.
During Heintz’s time at the helm, VTDigger has won dozens of regional and national journalism awards, including the Online News Association’s breaking news award for the news outlet’s coverage of the July 2023 floods and LION Publishers’ public service journalism award for its legislative “Full Disclosure” project.
“I’ve been tremendously fortunate to work alongside the most talented journalists in Vermont as they deliver on VTDigger’s mission of explaining complex issues, promoting public accountability and fostering civic engagement,” Heintz said. “Though I’m stepping back from this role, I’ll continue to be VTDigger’s biggest cheerleader as it reinvents the way we deliver — and pay for — the news and information Vermonters need to understand their state.”
Sky Barsch, VTDigger’s CEO, thanked Heintz for his service to VTDigger, particularly during a period of transition in its leadership.
“Paul has given a lot to VTDigger as editor-in-chief, guiding the newsroom with dedication and a clear commitment to excellent journalism,” Barsch said. “While we’ll miss him as editor, we’re excited that he’ll continue to contribute his talents as a reporter and are looking forward to reading his work. Thank you, Paul, for your hard work and the important stories we published under your leadership.”
Gaye Symington, president of VTDigger’s board of trustees, said, “I have long admired Paul as a journalist. At Digger he works incredibly hard to make sure Digger provides high quality, fact-based news that informs and connects Vermonters.”
Prior to joining VTDigger, Heintz spent nine years at Seven Days newspaper, as a staff writer, columnist and political editor. He got his start in Vermont journalism reporting for the Brattleboro Reformer.
Heintz has been named the AP Sevellon Brown New England Journalist of the Year by the New England Society of News Editors and won the New England Newspaper & Press Association’s Morley L. Piper First Amendment Award for his successful advocacy for Vermont’s first media shield law.
Heintz plans to pursue reporting opportunities covering northern New England. He also plans to work part-time for the University of Vermont’s Center for Community News, contributing to its efforts to support journalism in Vermont and throughout the country. Heintz will conclude his work at VTDigger in February.
