Paul Heintz is stepping down as VTDigger.org’s editor-in-chief, the outlet announced Friday.
His last day will be February 7, according to CEO Sky Barsch. She said the outlet will announce an interim plan and begin the search for Heintz’s replacement next week.
Heintz, who has spent the past four years in top editorial positions at VTDigger, cited a desire to return to writing. He said he plans to pursue reporting opportunities covering northern New England while he works part time for the University of Vermont’s Center for Community News.
“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,” Heintz said in the story on VTDigger’s website.
Heintz was hired to be VTDigger’s managing editor in December 2020 and was promoted two years later to succeed founder Anne Galloway as editor-in-chief. Prior to that, he spent nine years at Seven Days, including stints as a political editor, Fair Game columnist and staff writer.
His departure comes as VTDigger has been grappling with financial challenges amid its 15-year journey from a startup to one of Vermont’s largest newsrooms.
The outlet, which relies primarily on donations from charitable foundations and individual readers, lost a combined $1.7 million in 2022 and 2023, forcing it to temporarily downsize its newsroom through attrition.
Barsch said on Friday that the nonprofit expects a financial audit to confirm that it ended last year in the black.