Breaking News Reporter

McClatchy Media; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

McClatchy Media is seeking a breaking news and watchdog reporter to own urgent coverage of public safety stories, from gun violence to fires and accidents. You’ll publish quickly online and on the ground, capture photos and video, and engage readers across platforms.

Expect open-records work, long-term accountability pieces, and a newsroom that values speed, accuracy, and source-building in a fast-changing digital landscape.

Qualifications

• Delivers urgent, accurate coverage and follows up with accountability reporting.
• Masters multimedia storytelling and audience engagement tactics.
• Uses data, analytics and SEO to inform coverage and reach more readers.
• Embraces AI and automation to focus on source-building and impactful journalism.
• Works collaboratively in a fast-paced, evolving digital environment.

Responsibilities

• Publish breaking news online and on the ground with speed and accuracy.
• Capture photo and video to accompany stories across platforms.
• Engage audiences and grow readership through compelling storytelling.
• Build a robust network of sources for watchdog reporting and accountability pieces.
• Conduct open records work and long-form investigations as appropriate.

Skills

Breaking news

Accountability reporting

Multimedia storytelling

Audience engagement

Data analytics

SEO

AI and automation

Team collaboration

Tools

Photo/video capture

Job description

Join McClatchy as a breaking news and watchdog reporter, where you’ll be at the forefront of urgent, high-impact public safety coverage. This role is built for a journalist who thrives on fast-moving stories — from gun violence to fires and accidents — and who’s ready to pivot from live coverage to deep-dive accountability reporting on public officials and institutions. You’ll own the beat online and on the ground, publishing breaking news with speed and accuracy, capturing photo and video, and engaging audiences across platforms. You’ll build a robust network of sources to deliver stories that matter most to your local community, always with an eye on growing and serving readership. Quick-turn stories, open records work and occasional long-term watchdog reporting will all be part of your toolkit.

We’re Looking For a Journalist Who

• Delivers urgent, accurate coverage and follows up with accountability reporting
• Masters multimedia storytelling and audience engagement tactics
• Uses data, analytics and SEO to inform coverage and reach more readers
• Embraces AI and automation to focus on source-building and impactful journalism
• Works collaboratively in a fast-paced, evolving digital environment

If you’re ready to combine watchdog instincts with digital agility — and you want to help shape the future of local news — we want to hear from you.