Breaking News Reporter

As a breaking news reporter, you’ll jump on developing stories in real time—publishing initial reports within minutes and quickly expanding coverage through calls, document checks and on-the-ground reporting. You’ll focus on public safety and courts, tracking police activity, high-profile cases and major incidents, often reporting live with photos and video. Using social platforms and audience data, you’ll help shape the day’s conversation and keep readers engaged, while balancing fast-turn enterprise work, source development and public-records reporting. Your success will show in a steady flow of accurate, relevant stories—original reporting, recaps and multiformat updates—produced with the help of newsroom tools that boost your productivity and impact. McClatchy Media’s employees are expected to take advantage of opportunities to harness and leverage artificial intelligence and other automation to enhance and elevate their work and to find efficiencies that free them to focus on high-quality, deeply reported journalism. What You’ll Do Report and write breaking news on crime, courts and public safety from police, sheriff, fire/EMS, beaches/waterways and emergency management sourcesGo beyond police reports to find original stories—digging into court dockets, 911 calls, trends, social media, public meetings and community tipsDeliver timely, accurate information in formats that best serve our audience, adapting as newsroom needs shiftDevelop and pitch story ideas that drive engagement and align with newsroom prioritiesUse company tools and workflows to meet production and audience goalsBuild and maintain a strong source network to deliver timely, impactful reportingApply strong news judgment, urgency and an understanding of SEO and audience engagement strategiesKnow open records laws and manage requests for your coverage areasRespond to breaking news and shifting priorities as needed What You’ll Bring Solid grounding in journalism ethics and a commitment to accuracyAbility to shoot video and take photosComfort with digital tools, analytics, SEO and audience engagement tacticsWillingness to learn new tech, including AI and automation, to boost efficiency and reporting qualityStrong prioritization skills and the ability to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced, data-driven environmentExcellent communication, teamwork and relationship-building skillsTechnical proficiency with digital editing tools, web search and databasesFlexibility to work nights and weekends as news demandsBachelor’s degree in journalism or related field preferred, plus at least one year of reporting experience (or equivalent skills and knowledge) If you thrive in a fast-paced, audience-focused environment and love breaking stories that matter, we want to hear from you. To apply, please submit a persuasive cover letter, resume, 3-5 samples of your best work and references.