Reporter

Hearst; Illinois; On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Parental leave

Childcare reimbursement

Mental wellness benefits

Inclusive health services

Job summary

The Telegraph, part of Hearst Newspapers, is seeking a General Assignment Reporter based in the Alton, Illinois area. Join a newsroom focused on local government, business, and community impact, while contributing to breaking news and accountability journalism.

You will pursue a mix of daily reporting, enterprise work, and quick-turn pieces, collaborating with editors and peers to inform and engage readers across digital and print platforms.

Qualifications

• Published work in student publications or professional outlets accepted.
• Ability to write with clarity, accuracy, and authority.
• Strong sense of what makes a compelling local story that resonates with readers.
• A self-starter eager to learn, pitch ideas, and pursue stories independently.
• Willingness to work with editors and peers in a fast-paced newsroom.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or related field preferred, but equivalent experience considered.
• Familiarity with digital publishing, multimedia tools, and social media is a plus.
• Location-based requirement: based in the region or willing to relocate.

Responsibilities

• Report on government, business, and community issues for digital and print.
• Develop enterprise and investigative stories that explain why issues matter.
• Cover breaking news with timely, accurate reporting.
• File quick-turn coverage of meetings on tight deadlines.
• Report on crime and public safety with accuracy and context.
• Use photos, videos, and live updates to enhance coverage.
• Collaborate with editors and teams to produce impactful journalism.
• Monitor local trends and reader interests to identify strong story opportunities.

Skills

Published Work

Writing Skills

News Judgment

Initiative

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or related field

Job description

Title: General Assignment Reporter

Are you a curious, ambitious journalist with a passion for telling stories that matter? Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced newsroom? Join our team at The Telegraph in Alton, Illinois, and help strengthen local news coverage with impactful, community-focused reporting.

Why The Telegraph?

Located in suburban St. Louis on the Illinois side — with a stunning view of the Mississippi River right from our newsroom — The Telegraph is a leader in covering the Metro East suburbs. Our team is committed to journalism that informs, engages, and holds institutions accountable. We offer a supportive environment where reporters can grow, experiment, and create meaningful work.

Job Description

We are seeking an energetic, versatile General Assignment Reporter to join our newsroom. The ideal candidate is eager to pursue a mix of daily reporting, enterprise work, and accountability journalism. This role will focus on local government and business coverage, while also contributing to breaking news, quick-turn stories, and longer-term investigative pieces. The person in this position should have strong news judgment, an ability to spot compelling stories, and a desire to learn and grow in a collaborative newsroom.

What will you do?

• Report and Write: Cover key local issues with a focus on government, business, and community impact. Produce clear, engaging stories for digital and print platforms.
• Enterprise & Investigative Reporting: Develop deeper, context-rich stories that go beyond the news of the day to explain why issues matter and how they affect local readers.
• Breaking News: Jump on breaking news as needed, providing timely, accurate reporting and updates.
• Quick-Turn Meeting Coverage: Cover evening or nighttime public meetings periodically, filing clean, quick-turn stories on tight deadlines.
• Crime Coverage: Report on crime and public safety stories as needed, ensuring accuracy, context, and sensitivity.
• Digital Storytelling: Use photos, videos, live updates, and other digital tools to enhance coverage and engage audiences.
• Collaboration: Work closely with editors, writers, and other newsroom teams to produce impactful journalism.
• Audience Awareness: Monitor local and regional news, social media trends, and reader interests to identify strong story opportunities.

What will it take to be successful?

• Published Work: A portfolio of published stories (student publications or professional outlets accepted).
• Writing Skills: Ability to write with clarity, accuracy, and authority.
• News Judgment: Strong sense of what makes a compelling local story that resonates with readers.
• Initiative: A self-starter eager to learn, pitch ideas, and pursue stories independently.
• Collaboration: Willingness to work with editors and peers in a fast-paced, evolving newsroom.
• Education: A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field preferred, but equivalent experience and published work will also be considered.
• Technical Skills: Familiarity with digital publishing, multimedia tools, and social media is a plus.
• Location: Must be based in the region or willing to relocate.

Our Benefits

At Hearst Newspapers, we support employees through personal and professional development and believe in promoting physical, financial, and emotional well-being — for you and your family. Our industry-leading benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Competitive retirement plan with employer match in most markets
• Generous Paid Time Off, including holidays and vacation
• Paid Parental Leave for new parents
• Monthly Child & Dependent Care Reimbursement
• Mental wellness benefits
• LGBTQ+ & inclusive health services
• Fertility coverage & menopause support
• Pet wellness reimbursement & Rover credits

About The Telegraph

Founded in 1836, The Telegraph has long served the Metro East region as a trusted, award-winning source of local journalism. With deep roots in the community, we cover the people, policies, and issues shaping life in and around Alton, Madison County, and the broader Metro East area.

About Hearst Newspapers

Hearst Newspapers has 2,500 employees nationwide and includes 28 daily and 50 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, and Albany Times Union. We continue to invest in innovative ways to tell stories — growing newsrooms, evolving platforms, and expanding the tools journalists use to serve millions of readers.

In accordance with applicable law, Hearst is required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role if hired in the state of Illinois. The reasonable estimate, if hired in Illinois is $35,360. Please note this information is specific to those hired in Illinois. If this role is open to candidates outside of Illinois, the salary range would be aligned to that specific location. A final decision on the successful candidate’s starting salary will be based on a number of permissible, non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to skills and experience, training, certifications, and education.