Lee Enterprises is hiring a reporter to cover Burke and McDowell counties for The Morganton News Herald and McDowell News in North Carolina.

The newspapers are part of a regional group of five newspapers in western North Carolina, the North Carolina Community group, which has a team of reporters who work together to deliver engaging, hyperlocal journalism with a focus on digital audiences.

We're looking for an eager reporter with an interest in local news and a willingness to learn, build relationships and be a part of the community. The right candidate will have an eye for interesting story angles and the ability to write compelling features.

This reporter will largely focus on telling stories about education and sports, but no experience in sports coverage or extensive knowledge of sports is required. We are not focused on the numbers and statistics of the games, but the stories behind the players, teams and coaches who are so important to their community.

Daily responsibilities include writing and reporting, shooting video and staying up to date on our digital trends through analytics. There will be opportunities to cover other beats, including business, crime, courts and government.

The position is focused on Morganton and Marion, North Carolina, two small cities in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, both under an hour east of Ashville, and about an hour from Charlotte.

There will also be opportunity to cover other areas that the North Carolina Community Group of papers covers, including Hickory, Statesville and Mooresville.

The North Carolina Community Group is a place to learn, grow and be a part of local communities that depend on us to tell their stories. There is opportunity to explore different coverage areas, receive mentorship from other reporters, get close guidance from editors and benefit from the training and digital resources of Lee Enterprises.

The schedule will mostly be Monday to Friday, with some Saturday or Sunday work for important events, sports coverage or breaking news.

We are excited to bring on someone who is ready to help us make a difference in our community.
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