Austin Bureau Government and Politics Reporter

Hearst•Austin, TX

About The Position

The Dallas Morning News is seeking an experienced, ambitious reporter to cover Texas state government and politics from its Capitol Bureau in Austin. Coverage includes statewide and legislative leaders, state agencies, government spending, budgets and taxes, elections, political strategy, and political personalities. The reporter will collaborate with the Hearst Texas Bureau in Austin and produce exclusive, agenda-setting journalism that holds public officials accountable, explains how state government, policies, and politics affect Texans, and distinguishes the newsroom through original reporting. The role calls for a digital-first approach and a mix of breaking news, accountability reporting, enterprise, and feature stories. The reporter will use public records, data analysis, source development, and multiple storytelling formats, while collaborating with investigative, data, visuals, and partner newsroom teams. The newsroom also uses AI tools to support routine work and reporting tasks, with human verification of AI-assisted data processing and summaries.

Requirements

At least five years of professional reporting experience, including significant coverage of state government, politics, a Legislature, or Congress.
Proven ability to balance breaking news with enterprise and accountability reporting.
Experience producing digital-first journalism and using multiple storytelling platforms to engage audiences.
Exceptional source-building skills across government, politics, and the Capitol community.
Strong skills using public records, campaign finance records, ethics filings, and data.
Bachelor's degree in journalism or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Nice To Haves

Deep knowledge of Texas government, politics, the legislative process, and public policy.

Responsibilities

Break exclusive news about the governor, Legislature, statewide officials, agencies, and Texas politics.
Produce daily news, accountability reporting, enterprise, and feature stories that reveal how state government affects Texans.
Publish with a digital-first mindset, delivering timely reporting and using multiple storytelling formats.
Cover campaigns and elections fairly and independently, focusing on their impact.
Explain complex legislation, budgets, court decisions, and regulatory actions clearly.
Cover the Legislature and related major events with speed, accuracy, and context.
Hold public officials and institutions accountable through reporting, public records, data analysis, and source development.
Build and maintain a deep network of trusted sources across state government and Texas politics.
Collaborate with investigative, data, visuals, and partner newsroom teams on major projects.
Uphold high standards of accuracy, fairness, and verification under deadline.
Use newsroom AI tools to support routine reporting and journalism work, verifying AI-assisted data processing and summaries before use.