Spring 2026 Reporters
Reporter
Mona Abou
Mona Abou is a sophomore double majoring in political science and business. She is passionate about local politics. In her free time, she is a dedicated music nerd who loves discovering new artists and learning new instruments.
Reporter
Jackson Bartels
Jackson Bartels is a junior public communication major with a concentration in community media and journalism. He is originally from Philadelphia but is a big Seahawks fan.
Reporter
Claire Charlow
Claire Charlow is a senior majoring in sociology and Spanish. She is originally from Baltimore, MD. When she’s not reporting, Claire loves to read and play the piano.
Reporter
Elise Coyle
Elise Coyle is a senior psychology and English double major interested in reporting on local politics and people. Elise is an avid knitter and loves all things creative.
Reporter
Grace Delarosa
Grace DeLaRosa is graduating from UVM in May 2026 with a BA in business administration. She is originally from Pelham, NH. Grace is very passionate about dance and has been dancing consistently for over 18 years.
Reporter
Maggie Dullea
Maggie Dullea is a senior English major and creative writing minor at the University of Vermont with a passion for music, poetry, and early 2000’s sitcoms. You can often find Maggie scrolling through Twitter in the deep corners of UVM’s campus.
Reporter
Alana Dutcher-Hirsch
Alana Dutcher-Hirsch is a senior majoring in English and double-minoring in studio art and journalism. She is an avid hiker and recently went on a hiking trip in Scotland.
Reporter
Alexa Gaskill
Alexa Gaskill is a sophomore majoring in public communications with a concentration in journalism and media studies. She is originally from Appleton, Wisconsin. A psychic medium once told Alexa that she is clairvoyant, so if she predicts something before it happens, don’t be surprised.
Reporter
Anna Gilmore
Anna Gilmore is a reporter for CNS.
Reporter
Alec Husmann
Alec Husmann is a first-year forestry major from Hartland, Vermont. In his free time, Alec is always staying active, whether it’s hiking, lifting, playing sports, or simply just being outdoors.
Reporter
Caitlin Justice
Caitlin Justice is a junior at the University of Vermont. She is studying public communication with a concentration in applied design and a minor in studio art. She is originally from Albany, NY. She has two different eye colors, one brown and one green.
Reporter
Kate Kampner
Kate Kampner is a senior English major with minors in environmental studies and writing. She loves reporting on science and wildlife for her environmental journalism beat. Kate’s favorite book is “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion.
Reporter
Sofia Limoges
Sofia Limoges is a sophomore at UVM’s Grossman School of Business studying entrepreneurship and marketing. She is originally from Waterford, Vermont. Sofia is a two-time spelling bee champion, though those skills have definitely since faded.
Reporter
Jinxi Lin
Jinxi Lin is a freshman at UVM, majoring in political science and minoring in Spanish and Chinese. She moved to Essex Junction after previously residing in Louisiana. After living in 5 states, Jinxi has mastered the art of packing, unpacking, and calling everywhere “home.”
Reporter
Lindsey Lubofsky
Lindsey Lubofsky is a senior at UVM, majoring in environmental studies with a minor in reporting & documentary storytelling. While her home is Cape Cod, MA, she is excited to learn more about Vermont’s happenings. Lindsey enjoys making art and walking through nature — but most of all, she’s always thrilled to chat about food.
Reporter
Lorry Martinez
Lorry Martinez is a junior studying forestry with a minor in geospatial technologies. He is interested in the combination of nature and science writing from authors like Aldo Leopold and Robin Wall Kimmerer. When he’s not in the woods, you can find Lorry attempting to learn to contra dance.
Reporter
Greta Mcmullen
Greta McMullen is a junior at UVM majoring in English and public communication and minoring in consumer & advertising and reporting & documentary storytelling. She is originally from Berlin, Germany. Greta worked for a strawberry farm over the summer.
Reporter
Zachary Moss
Zachary Moss is a senior at UVM studying political science, statistics, and history. He is from Arlington, Virginia. He enjoys spending too much time playing disc golf around Vermont and is very interested in all things soup related.
Reporter
Kyle Neece
Kyle Neece is a junior at UVM pursuing a BA. He is majoring in history and minoring in writing. Kyle is originally from San Francisco, California. He is a former 2x North Coast Section High School Boys Varsity Basketball Champion.
Reporter
Mollie Nicholson
Mollie Nicholson is a reporter for CNS.
Reporter
Maeve O’Neil
Maeve O’Neil is a sophomore undergraduate student at UVM pursuing majors in global studies and anthropology. Originally from Hinesburg, Vermont, she spends her time balancing outdoor adventures and mastering the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Reporter
Lily Peterson
Lily Peterson is a junior from Waterbury, Vermont. She is majoring in political science and minoring in public communications at UVM. Lily loves New England, especially Maine and Massachusetts during the summers, and her favorite animal is little crusty dogs.
Reporter
Sadie Pickering
Sadie is a senior at UVM majoring in English and Spanish with a minor in psychology. She is originally from Brooklyn, NY, and she teaches indoor cycling classes.
Reporter
Oren Pinhasi
Oren Pinhasi is a first-year at UVM with a passion for telling stories. He is originally from Newton, MA. Oren loves playing the drums and hopes that he can eventually start his own band at school.
Reporter
Eisha Qureshi
Eisha Qureshi is a sophomore studying environmental studies with a minor in community and international relations. She immigrated from Pakistan at the age of six and lived in Norwalk, Connecticut, until moving to Vermont for college in 2024. Eisha has been practicing the art of henna since she lived in Pakistan—she even did ceremonial henna for her sister’s wedding last year.
Reporter
Emily Rodin
Emily Rodin is a junior English major and reporting and documentary storytelling minor with a passion for travel, fitness, and the outdoors.
Reporter
Otis Roessler
Otis Roessler is a political science major and reporting and documentary storytelling minor at UVM. He is from Northampton, Massachusetts. During his time at UVM, he has fallen in love with hiking the Green Mountains. If he’s not hiking, he is watching sports, listening to music, writing, or eating.
Reporter
Indi Rose
Indi Rose is a sophomore environmental studies major and public communication minor at UVM. She loves the outdoors, ceramics, playing guitar, traveling, and petting any animal that will let her. Indi is looking forward to contributing positive media to Vermont’s passionate and caring community.
Reporter
Sophia Rosen
Sophia Rosen is a first-year political science major at UVM. Sophia is from North Caldwell, NJ and is a huge fan of Rocky Road ice cream.
Reporter
George Smith
George Smith is a sophomore at UVM studying English and political science. Originally from Evanston, IL, George is a passionate hockey fan (of the Montreal Canadiens!) and a former goalie.
Reporter
Sam Stout
Sam is a junior studying computer science and English. He’s interested in all things poetry and literature. He enjoys writing about disabilities and neurodivergence. His black 2012 Subaru Impreza, “Jimmy,” is holding up pretty well despite roughing out numerous potholes.
Reporter
Ella Sweby
Ella Sweby is a third-year student currently doing a study-abroad year at UVM. She studies politics and American studies at the University of Sussex in England and is originally from Plymouth, England. Ella can do a backflip, but this is yet to be useful to her degree in politics.
Reporter
Grace Taylor
Grace Taylor is a junior studying English at UVM. She is from Washington D.C. In her free time, she loves to listen to music, pet cats, and do crafts.
Reporter
Roxy Vanderhoff
Roxy Vanderhoff is a junior public communications major with a concentration in community media and journalism and a minor in applied design. When she isn’t reporting, she is really into yoga and is currently working on training to become a yoga teacher.
Reporter
Simone Traynor
Simone Traynor is a sophomore at UVM studying political science, philosophy, and writing. She is from Brooklyn, NY. In her free time, she loves to watch movies and scope out the best iced vanilla latte in town.
Reporter
Isabelle Wightman
Isabelle Wightman is a sophomore studying geography at UVM from Barre, Vermont. She was previously featured in the Times Argus in 2022 for making grandiose statements about becoming a bestselling author at her high school graduation. She hasn’t made it yet, but these things take time.
Radio Reporter
Eliot Barrengos
Eliot Barrengos is a senior studying community and international development. He’s got an encyclopedic knowledge of baseball, is an analytics intern for the Vermont Mountaineers and enjoys collegiate debate and biking.
Radio Reporter
Sarah Bokelberg
Sarah Bokelberg is a junior English major from Colchester, Vermont interested in reporting on housing, arts and culture. She loves to read and ski.
Radio Reporter
Sophia Cuenot
Sophia Cuenot is a radio reporter with the Community News Service.
Radio Reporter
Amelia Cunningham
Amelia Cunningham is a senior Film and Television Studies major with an Anthropology minor, originally from central Massachusetts. She is interested in reporting on culture and arts. Some of her interests include traveling and spending time with friends.
Radio Reporter
Leah Dillon
Leah Dillon is a sophomore English major from Hanover, Massachusetts, who’s interested in reporting on issues affecting education. She loves reading, creative writing, and crochet.
Radio Reporter
Izzy Fitzgerald
Izzy Fitzgerald is a radio reporter with the Community News Service.
Radio Reporter
Sadie Friedman
Sadie Friedman is a radio reporter with the Community News Service.
Radio Reporter
Ella Glass
Ella Glass is a junior English major from Ann Arbor, Michigan interested in Burlington’s ordinary and extraordinary. She likes picking up trash and getting outside.
Radio Reporter
Finn Hummel
Finn Hummel is a radio reporter with the Community News Service.
Radio Reporter
George Karnedy
George Karnedy is a senior film and television studies major at the University of Vermont. He is interested in capturing the pockets of culture hidden throughout Vermont. He is an avid skateboarder and binge-watcher.
Radio Reporter
Danny Kiebler
Danny Kiebler is a radio reporter with the Community News Service.
Radio Reporter
Claire MacDonald
Claire MacDonald is a senior majoring in political science and global studies. She is originally from Columbus, Ohio. She enjoys swimming in Lake Champlain and lying in sunny parks.
Radio Reporter
Wyatt Obering
Wyatt Obering is a senior English major and a reporting and documentary storytelling minor. He is interested in reporting on sports, travel and news. He enjoys playing basketball and walking on grass.
Radio Reporter
Annie Thomas
Annie Thomas is a radio reporter with the Community News Service.
Environmental Reporter
Siobhán Barber
Siobhán Barber is a junior double majoring in environmental science and French. They are interested in environmental justice and native plants. In their free time, they enjoy spending time with their cat, crocheting, and baking.
Environmental Reporter
Jessie Dorf
Jessie Dorf is a senior parks, recreation & tourism major with a business administration minor at the University of Vermont. Originally from Colorado, she spends her free time outside on her skis or mountain bike.
Environmental Reporter
Emma Ricks
Emma Ricks is a Junior majoring in sustainability, ecology, and policy with a concentration in policy planning and law from Chesapeake, Virginia. Emma is currently an intern at Vermont Legal Aid, working on committee and bill tracking at the Vermont State House.
Environmental Reporter
Lilly Sheehan
Lilly Sheehan is a senior at the University of Vermont majoring in sustainability, ecology, and policy with a concentration in policy planning. She is from Cape Cod and loves being by the ocean because of her passion for all things marine related! If she could be any animal, she would be an octopus.
Environmental Reporter
Isabel Sykora
Isabel Sykora is a senior at UVM studying sustainability, ecology and policy with a minor in parks, recreation and tourism. She is passionate about the environment and outdoor recreation, and aims to weave in her love of storytelling while contributing insightful environmental news stories to the work of CNS.
VTSU Castleton Reporter
Gabby Blanchard
Gabby Blanchard is a junior at Vermont State University Castleton, majoring in journalism and communications. She is a copy editor for the Castleton Spartan newspaper and a member of the Castleton cheer team. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, being outside, and spending time with her friends and family.
VTSU Castleton Reporter
Amanda Johnson
Amanda Johnson is a junior at Vermont State University Castleton majoring in journalism and communications and minoring in graphic design. She writes for the Castleton Spartan newspaper as well as other local newspapers. In her own time, she regularly does Pilates and yoga and loves to take walks with her dog. She also dabbles in video games and loves horror movies.
VTSU Castleton Reporter
Madelyn Nonni
Madelyn Nonni is a senior media and communications major with a journalism minor at Vermont State University Castleton. This semester, she is a reporter for the Castleton Spartan newspaper and an intern at The Rutland Herald. Outside of school, she plays for the women’s tennis team, loves spending time with friends and family, and being outside with her dog, Otis!
Mount St. Joseph Academy Reporter
Sophia Cavalieri
Sophia Cavalieri is a junior at Mount St. Joseph Academy. In her free time, she participates in her school’s cheer, track, and football teams, and dances for Miss Lorraine’s School of Dance.
Faculty and Staff
Instructor
Scott Finn
Scott is the former CEO and president of Vermont Public and West Virginia Public Radio. He has worked at public radio stations in Florida and Connecticut and as a reporter at the Charlestown Gazette. He teaches our introductory-level cohort. Scott manages CCN’s efforts to increase collaborations between university-licensed public radio stations and university reporting programs.
CNS editor
Courtney Lamdin
Courtney oversees the student-powered newsroom at the Community News Service. Raised in Central Vermont, Courtney is an award-winning journalist. She most recently covered Burlington city politics for Seven Days and was previously executive editor of three weekly newspapers in Chittenden County. A total public records nerd, Courtney advocates for more transparency in government as part of a committee for the nonprofit New England First Amendment Coalition. She will talk endlessly about women’s basketball, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and her cat, Miss Parker, with anyone willing to listen.
Instructor and editor
Kelsey Tolchin-Kupferer
Kelsey is a teacher and audio producer from Columbia, Missouri. She teaches radio journalism and audio storytelling courses at the University of Vermont and leads the Community News Service’s public radio journalism cohort. Previously, Kelsey led youth radio programs at KBIA in mid-Missouri and KUOW in Seattle, Washington.
Instructor
Austyn Gaffney
Austyn coaches and edits student reporters focused on statewide environmental issues as part of a partnership between Community News Service and VTDigger, where she works as an environmental reporter. She was previously a fellow with The New York Times on the climate desk.
Winooski News editor
Holly Sullivan
Holly Sullivan is the editor for the Winooski News and teaches the CNS statehouse reporting internship. She graduated from UVM in fall 2024 with a BA in English. During her time as an undergrad student, she worked as a reporter, covering the statehouse and the city of Winooski. Holly can recite all of the U.S presidents in order, and she is still waiting for the day when it will come in handy.
Staff editor
Molly Walsh
Molly covered Vermont for more than 30 years as a newspaper reporter, first with the Burlington Free Press and later with Seven Days. She provides CNS with additional editing.
Staff editor
Anna Van Dine
Anna Van Dine is an audio producer based in Winooski, VT. She has worked on a range of shows from narrative documentaries to two-way interviews. Anna previously worked as a reporter at Vermont Public, where she reported award-winning feature stories. She also launched, co-hosted and produced a daily news podcast. She has a BA from New York University, where she studied journalism, anthropology, and classics. She has also completed coursework in oral history theory & methodology. Anna provides CNS with additional editing.
Social media manager
Matt Dooman
Matt is a professional digital communications and social media manager. He enjoys astronomy, student journalism and 15-second video comedy.
Founder
Richard Watts
Richard is a former journalist and political campaign manager who now studies and teaches courses in journalism and public policy at UVM. Richard is the co-director of UVM’s Reporting & Documentary Storytelling Program, directs the Center for Research on Vermont and Center for Community News and founded CNS in 2019.
Editor at large
Jim Welch
Jim retired from a nearly 50-year career in journalism in the spring of 2023. He worked for the Burlington Free-Press as, among other things, city editor, assistant managing editor and managing editor. He was one of USA Today’s founding leaders, serving as the national paper’s first D.C. editor, sports deputy managing editor and news deputy managing editor. He joined VTDigger in 2018 as a senior editor and served as its interim executive director prior to retiring. He is a lecturer in the English department at UVM.