Peter Hirschfeld to join VPR's capital bureau

Vermont Public Radio has announced that reporter Peter Hirschfeld will join the station's capital bureau beginning next month, covering state government and the Vermont Legislature.’
Hirschfeld is a leading Vermont journalist who has covered the Statehouse since 2009, most recently as bureau chief for the Rutland Herald and Times Argus. He began his career in 2003, working as a local sports reporter and copy editor at the Times Argus.’
Hirschfeld joins veteran reporter Bob Kinzel, who has covered the Legislature and state government since 1981.
‘I’m excited to join the most dynamic newsgathering organization in Vermont," Hirschfeld said. ‘The Times Argus and Rutland Herald are like family to me, and it’s been an honor to work for these two pillars of journalism.’
The announcement is one of several in recent months in which VPR has strengthened its news gathering capacity to serve Vermonters with essential, trusted, and in-depth news.
Newly appointed News Director John Dillon said that VPR's mission is to provide the news and understanding of the news when and where the audience wants. In addition to VPR's broadcast reporting team, the station recently established a six-member team to provide news and content for digital platforms, as VPR's online and social media usage continues to grow.
‘We’re delighted to have Peter Hirschfeld on our news team. His experience with political coverage and legislative issues will give us an even stronger statewide news presence,’ Dillon said.’
In addition to extensive reporting by Kinzel and Hirschfeld, VPR’s coverage of the 2014 legislative session will include in-depth data and analysis of issues before the lawmakers, as well as VPR’s unique online legislative stream, where anyone can listen to live proceedings of the Vermont House and Senate when they are in session.
"The combination of NPR News, VPR’s broadcast and digital news, Vermont Edition, and Public Post’s community news provides an assurance to Vermonters that they will get comprehensive reporting they can trust in these complex times," Dillon said.’ "VPR is here to cut across the landscape with the news that connects us all."
The station's public service will continue to expand with more weekend news coverage in the coming year.
More than 193,000 people listen to VPR stations each week, according to audience data collected by Nielsen Audio for Spring 2013.