The Lexington Herald-Leader is seeking a dedicated and dynamic journalist to join our team as the city government reporter. This position will primarily focus on covering the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and city council, providing our readers with insightful, timely and accurate reporting on local governance and policy decisions, as well as city elections. Additionally, this reporter will contribute to our coverage of state government as needed, especially on matters of local importance in Fayette County.

Lexington, the second-largest city in Kentucky and the seat of Fayette County, has a political scene that is fertile ground for journalists. The city is globally recognized as the "Horse Capital of the World," and is a major educational hub as the home to the University of Kentucky. The local economy is robust, featuring strong sectors in technology, manufacturing and healthcare. The city is rapidly growing, a reality that brings with it challenges around affordable housing, zoning and more.

This clearly is more than about city government, however. The ideal candidate will have an understanding of how local governments and institutions work, although we don’t aim to tell traditional government stories. We are looking for stories that connect the decisions of those in power to the everyday quality of life of Lexington residents in sharp, fresh ways. We want stories that check forces of power when they don’t follow through, as well as stories about the next generation of cultural influencers shaping the counties outside the halls of government. 

The position will demand a keen eye for sharp news angles, strong source-building skills, and the ability to find scoops and produce revelatory, high-impact journalism.       

We are looking for candidates with strong interpersonal skills who can collaborate with editors, reporters, other staff members and residents. This reporter will work closely with editors and our audience development team to make sure we are reaching readers who have shown a thirst for this coverage.

 Responsibilities:

• Attend city council meetings and other relevant events, providing thorough coverage and analysis.
• Develop and maintain relationships with government officials, community leaders and other stakeholders.
• Investigate and report on government operations, fiscal policies and community impacts.
• Identify subscriber reading trends and use that information to help inform day-to-day coverage
• Strong writing skills and excellent news judgment.       
• An unwavering commitment to accurate, ethical journalism.       
• An understanding of public records laws and how to use them.       
• A collaborator who works well as part of a team.        
• A self-starter who will develop a strong network of sources to find and pursue stories that will reach a broad audience.       
• An interest in telling stories using a variety of media and engagement tools, and an enthusiasm for learning new skills and technologies.       
• Fluency in the science of readership and engagement, including an understanding of metrics/analytics and an understanding of SEO and other audience optimization tactics.       
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and the ability to take and give constructive criticism.       
• Ability to work comfortably in a job that will be fast-paced, data-driven, shaped constantly by feedback and experimentation and always evolving.   
• A track record for innovation, learning and using new skills and technologies, especially AI    
• Write clear, compelling stories that engage and inform our audience.
• Assist in coverage of state government issues, working closely with our statehouse reporters as needed during the legislative session.

What you'll bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in journalism.
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills.
• A demonstrated commitment to breaking news, quick-turn accountability and enterprise journalism.
• Experience with public records requests. 
• An unwavering commitment to accurate, nonpartisan and ethical reporting.
• A willingness to learn and use AI to streamline your workflow.

Requirements:

• This position requires regular attendance at political events, meetings of city council and press conferences, which may involve working outside normal business hours.
• The role is based in Lexington, though occasional travel to Frankfort or other government locations may be required.

What we’ll bring:
As a journalist at McClatchy, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team. McClatchy strives to be an employer of choice, and our benefits package is made with this goal in mind. With a focus on health, well-being, wealth and daily life, our package options include healthcare coverage for employees and their families, financial protection from expected and unexpected expenses, multiple no-cost wellness resources and even coverage for four-legged friends. 

Our overall benefits package also includes a 401(k) with employer match, competitive paid time off and corporate holidays, and a variety of mental health benefits. With an excellent support team and with focus on your well-being as a top corporate strategy, McClatchy provides benefits to support you and your family in achieving your health and wellness goals. For more information on McClatchy's benefit plan, please visit McClatchyLivewell.com. 

About the McClatchy Media Company

The McClatchy Media Company features a portfolio of vibrant and trusted news, lifestyle, entertainment brands and a robust retail distribution network. Our iconic local news brands such as the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star and The Sacramento Bee, have collectively earned a total of 57 Pulitzer prizes and are complemented by popular lifestyle and entertainment brands such as Us Weekly and Woman’s World. Together, our brands reach more than 100 million unique visitors a month, The McClatchy Retail Network, our distribution and logistics arm, offers delivery to more than 56,000 retail locations weekly.

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Salary/Compensation: $21.63 - $28.85 per hour