Local News Reporter — Digital & Print Impact

Nashville Public Radio; Saint Cloud (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision packages

Paid maternity and parental leave

Company-paid short-term disability and

Life insurance

Critical illness coverage

Retirement benefits with company match

Generous PTO and volunteer hours

Job summary

St. Cloud Live, part of Forum Communications Company, is seeking a skilled journalist to craft compelling stories for print and digital platforms. You will respond quickly to breaking news, research sources, and tailor coverage to the editor’s needs and local audience.

The role emphasizes community engagement and ethical reporting. The ideal candidate will have 3+ years of reporting experience, a strong command of AP style, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines within a Web CMS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or related field preferred, or equivalent professional reporting/writing experience.
• 3+ years of previous writing experience for a newspaper, website, magazine, or specialty publication strongly preferred.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with a solid grasp of AP style.
• Photography and basic photo editing experience preferred, and a strong commitment to journalistic integrity and ethics.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with community members and business leaders alike.
• Strong news judgment and the ability to identify compelling story angles that resonate with local audiences.
• Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines and organize multiple assignments, while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail using a Web-based content management system.
• Familiarity with digital publishing tools, social media platforms, audience engagement strategies, and digital analytics/digital tools is a plus.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours as the news happens, including evenings and weekends as needed, based on coverage needs.

Responsibilities

• Research and craft compelling stories that adhere to editorial and AP style and format standards for publication across both print and digital platforms - following leads and responding quickly to breaking news.
• Find, research, and tell stories tailored to the editor’s needs and target audience.
• Stay up to date on the latest current events - local politics, public safety and education topics, community events, and more.
• Become an active part of the local and surrounding communities, developing sources and partnerships as a trusted source of information.
• Contact and interview sources, and research tips and leads.
• Displaying sound editorial judgements, including a thorough understanding and application of the law, relevant codes of practice, and ethical principles.
• Drive audience loyalty and digital growth through engaging and timely content, developing unique story ideas and content around key categories that drive digital memberships and reader engagement.
• Collaborate with digital teams and make use of available tools and technology to gain insight into story metrics, determining new ways to create and present content online.
• Embrace a creative, collaborative approach with other team members and with other FCC departments and locations.
• Contribute to the overall advancement of digital initiatives; share and promote digital content through various social media channels.
• Maintain prompt and reliable attendance.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Writing

Editing

AP style

Interviewing

CMS

Social media

Digital analytics

Story ideas

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism

Tools

Photography

CMS

Job description

St. Cloud Live, part of Forum Communications Company, is seeking a skilled journalist to craft compelling stories for print and digital platforms. You will respond quickly to breaking news, research sources, and tailor coverage to the editor’s needs and local audience.

The role emphasizes community engagement and ethical reporting. The ideal candidate will have 3+ years of reporting experience, a strong command of AP style, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines within a Web CMS.