Breaking News Reporter

McClatchy Company,The; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

McClatchy Company in Fort Worth is seeking a breaking news and watchdog reporter to cover urgent public safety stories with speed and accuracy. You will own the beat online and on the ground, publish fast, capture photo and video, and build a network of sources to inform readers and drive engagement across platforms, with a focus on accountability reporting and data-informed coverage.

Equal Opportunity Employer; this role welcomes bold storytelling and collaborative work in a fast-evolving

Qualifications

• Urgent, accurate breaking news coverage with accountability reporting.
• Multimedia storytelling and audience engagement expertise.
• Use data, analytics and SEO to inform coverage and reach readers.
• Embrace AI and automation to focus on source-building and impactful journalism.
• Collaborate in a fast-paced, evolving digital newsroom.

Responsibilities

• Own the beat online and on the ground for breaking news and watchdog reporting.
• Publish breaking news quickly and accurately; publish long-form accountability pieces as needed.
• Capture photo and video to accompany stories and enhance reach.
• Build and maintain sources to inform readers and drive readership across platforms.
• Conduct open records work, short updates, and long-form investigations as required.

Skills

Breaking news reporting

Multimedia storytelling

Audience engagement

Data analytics

SEO awareness

AI and automation

Source-building

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.