State Government and Politics Reporter-Montana

Lee Enterprises•Helena, MT

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Montana State News Team is seeking a statewide government and politics reporter with the ambition and curiosity to cover the people and power brokers that shape Montana. This role rounds out a team that values tough questions, sharp accountability journalism and deeply sourced reporting that drives conversations statewide. As a government and politics reporter, you’ll tango with Montana’s political machines: the Legislature, elected officials, and state government agencies. You’ll track policies crafted in the capital into the cities and towns where they have a material impact on Montanans’ lives. You’ll cover candidates for state and federal office and follow the money that propels them there. Success in this role means cultivating sources, digging into public records and data, making sense of complex issues and producing enterprise work that speaks to a statewide audience and bridges the divide between eastern and western Montana. Last year our team traveled 3,500 miles to report on rural health care, broke news on legislative ethics violations and deciphered political spin again and again. You’ll be expected to turn several stories every week and tackle breaking news pieces quickly and accurately. When the 2027 legislative session gavels in, you’ll be on the move with several stories a day between committee hearings, while also minding the governor’s office. Your plate will be full, but this team creates space for its reporters to pursue hard-hitting enterprise and investigative work as well. You’ll be joining two other reporters that value hustle and collaboration; teamwork is our superpower. From the story planning phase, up until the moment we hit publish, the bureau works together. Initiative is key, as it is a healthy, competitive drive for the next big scoop. We prioritize digital-forward, multimedia journalism. Knowledge of digital concepts like SEO, social media and strong web-centered headlines is not necessary, but a willingness to learn certainly is.

Requirements

Ambition and curiosity.
Ability to ask tough questions and perform sharp accountability journalism.
Ability to conduct deeply sourced reporting.
Ability to cover Montana's political machines: the Legislature, elected officials, and state government agencies.
Willingness to learn digital concepts like SEO, social media, and strong web-centered headlines.

Responsibilities

Cover the people and power brokers that shape Montana.
Track policies crafted in the capital into the cities and towns where they have a material impact on Montanans’ lives.
Cover candidates for state and federal office and follow the money that propels them there.
Cultivate sources, dig into public records and data, and make sense of complex issues.
Produce enterprise work that speaks to a statewide audience and bridges the divide between eastern and western Montana.
Turn several stories every week and tackle breaking news pieces quickly and accurately.
Cover multiple stories a day between committee hearings during legislative sessions, while also minding the governor’s office.
Pursue hard-hitting enterprise and investigative work.
Collaborate with team members from story planning to publication.