Kansas State Government Reporter

The Kansas City Star is looking for an experienced, aggressive and self-starting reporter to cover the Kansas Legislature and Kansas politics. This state government reporter should be someone who can take readers through a fast-moving legislative session but who also has an eye for the big, impactful accountability pieces.

The reporter should understand how policy is made and be able to show how it touches the lives of our readers and various communities in Kansas. The position will demand a keen eye for sharp news angles and strong source-building skills. The reporter will find the topics that our readers care about and will dig in, turning both quick stories each week and pursuing more enterprising and accountability angles.

During election years, this reporter should help drive campaign coverage of state-level races, including governor, other statewide offices and legislative contests of interest. The reporter will be expected to be part of coverage of federal races for U.S. Senate and Congress as well.

This reporter will also work closely with our other politics and government reporters in Kansas City, Jefferson City, and Washington to produce provocative, engaging and impactful journalism.

The reporter is expected to live in Topeka or close enough to be able to commute to the Kansas Statehouse.

We are looking for candidates with strong interpersonal skills who can collaborate with editors, reporters, other staff members, government officials, political leaders and community stakeholders. This reporter will work closely with editors and our audience development team to make sure coverage of the Kansas Legislature is reaching readers who have shown a keen interest and an appreciation for this level of in-depth political coverage.

What You'll Bring

• 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.
• Enthusiasm for learning new skills and technologies, such as AI.
• 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.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• College degree or equivalent work experience.
• At least three years of beat reporting experience in a daily newsroom preferred.
• Prior internships in a daily newsroom 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.

Apply: If you have experience that makes you a strong candidate for this position, we’d love to talk to you. Please include a cover letter, resume, and samples of your work.

About McClatchy

Our impact is growing every day. 30 growing markets. Over 65 million monthly readers. 57 Pulitzer Prizes. A strong portfolio of dynamic partnerships and smart investments. Our award-winning journalism, digital reach, and commitment to innovative growth have never been stronger.

As a member of the McClatchy family, you are part of a flexible, empowering, and exciting culture dedicated to creating a work/life balance and consistent opportunities for growth—a place where you have a voice and the ability to impact our future. It’s an exciting time to be here. Our company is experiencing the most transformative period in its history. We’re growing rapidly in the digital space and delivering award-winning journalism in innovative ways.