Trending News Reporter

Trending News Reporter

Chron is seeking a trending news writer with sharp reporting skills and familiarity working for a digital-first newsroom. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of Houston and Texas, and specific experience with breaking news. Importantly, they know how to find and tell a good story. The trending reporter will chase and write stories that highlight what’s happening across Houston and Texas and dig up unique angles that haven’t been explored. The reporter will have a collaborative working relationship with the news editor to ideate and execute stories. 

Your duties on the team:

• Pitch and write 3-5 stories per day with a mix of high-quality short news pieces, enterprise stories and features
• React quickly to breaking news with fast and accurate copy that focuses on Texas or Houston angles
• Write engaging articles that reflect sound reporting, paired with a Chron voice and compelling headlines
• Develop a wide range of sources, track news in Houston and Texas, and work with news editor to develop a beat
• Understand that pictures and video matter, and pitch ways to use each to make your stories stand out and attract an audience
• Show a willingness to actively participate in social promotion of Chron stories
• Use metrics to inform story selection and shape future coverage

Skills you would bring:

• Idea generation: Keep ideas flowing to ensure the site is fed with compelling stories
• Experience or interest in Houston or Texas news
• Local perspective: you know Texas well and understand what people here care about
• Excellent reporting, writing and communication chops, particularly in news journalism
• Facility with analytics tools and ability to unpack those metrics to spot areas of opportunity and audience growth
• High metabolism for turning out must-read stories every day

Requirements:

• 2+ years of relevant experience in reporting and writing in digital media
• Experience in, and understanding of, Texas
• Solid writing and communication skills
• Excellent news judgment and understanding of both media ethics and AP Style
• Familiarity with content management systems and analytics tools like Google Trends

Chron is an essential digital-first local news source serving more than 6 million unique readers a month in Houston and the surrounding region, including Galveston and the Gulf Coast. Once the digital home for the Houston Chronicle, Chron became its own distinctive site and newsroom in 2012, when HoustonChronicle.com launched. Focusing on stories that capture local culture and spark conversation, Chron covers trending sports, food and entertainment, travel, local TV personalities, real estate, space and more. Chron.com has become the go-to destination for metro and regional readers who are curious about what's new in Houston and what's affecting culture and life in the Bayou City.

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP encompasses a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate. 

At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories – growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms – to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.  

Be a part of something bigger – your headline awaits.

Recognizing the diverse needs of our candidates, if you are interested in applying for employment and need assistance or an accommodation to use our website or regarding the application process, please contact us by email at [email protected].  Please do not use this email address to inquire about the status of applications. We will only respond to inquiries concerning requests for a reasonable accommodation through this email address.

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