Trending & Breaking News Reporter

USA Today Co • Portsmouth, NH

2d

About The Position

The USA TODAY Network is seeking a fast, competitive and digitally fluent Trending & Breaking News Reporter to join our Seacoast Media Group newsroom in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This reporter plays a critical role in covering breaking news, high‑interest developing stories and audience‑driven trends across the Seacoast region, with a strong emphasis on speed, accuracy and audience impact. This role is central to our mission of being the first and most trusted source of local news in one of New England’s most competitive digital markets.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field, or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated experience covering breaking and developing news
• Proven ability to report, write and publish quickly without sacrificing accuracy
• Strong news judgment and ethical decision‑making
• Comfort working in a metrics‑informed newsroom
• Comfort working with emerging AI technologies.
• Flexibility to work nights, weekends, holidays and shifting schedules as news demands

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in a digital‑first local newsroom
• Familiarity with New England or Seacoast communities
• Experience with live blogs, breaking news alerts, AI, newsletters or social distribution
• Ability to pivot quickly between urgent breaking news and short‑turn enterprise

Responsibilities

• Lead coverage of breaking news and fast‑moving stories, including public safety, courts, weather, transportation, government actions and community impact events.
• Identify, report and publish trending stories that resonate with local and regional audiences, particularly in Portsmouth, Exeter and Hampton — among our highest‑value audience markets.
• Deliver quick, clean and accurate first versions, while continuing to update and deepen coverage as stories evolve.
• Work closely with editors to optimize headlines, alerts and presentation for search, social and subscriber engagement.
• Use analytics tools (including Parse.ly) to inform coverage priorities and improve performance.
• Collaborate across the newsroom to ensure strong coordination during major breaking news moments.
• Maintain strong ethical standards and verification practices under deadline pressure.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level