The Midwest Newsroom News Fellow

Iowa Public Radio•Des Moines, IA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Midwest Newsroom is offering one full-time, 12-month reporting fellowship. The Fellow will be an employee of Iowa Public Radio and will work on a hybrid schedule from its Des Moines newsroom. The role combines investigative and accountability projects with short-term stories driven by partner newsroom needs. The Fellow will pursue original stories and report assigned stories for partner newsrooms, amplifying voices that often go unheard and producing compelling narratives for audio and digital audiences across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. The Midwest Newsroom is a partnership involving NPR and member stations, including Iowa Public Radio, KCUR, St. Louis Public Radio, Nebraska Public Media, and NPR. The newsroom also works closely with NPR, Harvest Public Media, and the Kansas News Service. The fellowship aims to broaden the range of backgrounds, experiences, and interests represented in journalism. The Fellow will have opportunities to learn or strengthen skills in audio reporting, data journalism, public records, writing for multiple platforms, and social media storytelling. Grant funding for the fellowship covers attendance at a journalism conference.

Requirements

At least one year of experience working in a professional newsroom environment; internships count toward this experience.
Demonstrated ability to generate story ideas.
Ability to identify stories that amplify voices that often go unheard, dig for answers, and craft compelling narratives for audio and digital audiences.
Keen interest in telling stories throughout Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas.
Valid state-issued driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel.
Current students are ineligible to apply.

Nice To Haves

Bilingualism in Spanish or proficiency in another language is helpful but not required.
Radio experience is helpful but not required; training will be provided.

Responsibilities

Pursue original reporting projects and report assigned stories for partner newsrooms.
Produce investigative and accountability journalism as well as short-term stories based on partner needs.
Generate story ideas and develop compelling narratives for audio and digital audiences.
Identify and report stories that amplify voices that often go unheard.
Report on issues and communities across Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas.
Use or develop skills in audio reporting, data journalism, public records, multiplatform writing, and social media storytelling.