Missouri Politics Insider

The Star is looking for a high-energy, self-starting Missouri Politics Insider who can help our readers make sense of how everyday life in Kansas City is shaped by decisions made in the Missouri state government.

This is not a traditional statehouse beat. This reporter will focus on the people who live, work, study and raise families in Kansas City and how they are impacted by decisions made by the Missouri state government. You’ll connect the dots between state policy and the issues Kansas Citians talk about every day — from schools and safety to jobs, housing and health.

You’ll be expected to spend time outside the Capitol as much as inside it, listening to what readers are asking and revealing how state government affects their communities. You’ll find compelling stories that show the real-world effects of legislation, regulation and leadership decisions, and you’ll produce journalism that brings those issues home.

This reporter will also keep a close eye on the University of Missouri in Columbia — the state’s flagship public university — telling the stories of the students living, working and studying on campus and helping readers understand how developments there impact families in Kansas City.

The right candidate will be as comfortable producing quick-turn stories as they are developing deeper accountability or explanatory pieces. You’ll tell stories in multiple formats — traditional articles, explainers, newsletters, social videos and more — and you’ll collaborate with editors and audience teams to reach readers who care deeply about how Missouri’s policies affect their lives.

Collaboration is also a must. This position will be part of The Star's award-winning politics team and will work with reporters based in Kansas City and in Kansas.

This reporter will be a personality our readers recognize — a trusted guide who brings clarity to complex issues, answers reader questions and represents Kansas City’s interests in coverage of statewide issues.

All Mc Clatchy Media journalists are expected to take advantage of opportunities to ethically harness and leverage artificial intelligence and other automation to enhance and elevate their work and to find efficiencies that free them to focus on source building and high-quality, deeply reported journalism.

What you'll bring:

Must have

• Strong writing skills and excellent news judgment.
• Deep knowledge of politics and government, and how they connect to Kansas City in particular.
• An unwavering commitment to accurate, ethical journalism.
• An understanding of public records laws and how to use them.
• Willingness to collaborate frequently as part of a team. 
• Initiative to develop a strong network of sources to find and pursue stories that will reach a broad audience.
• An interest in telling stories using a variety of media and engagement tools, and an enthusiasm for learning new skills and technologies.

Nice to have

• Fluency in the science of readership and engagement, including an understanding of metrics/analytics and an understanding of SEO and other audience optimization tactics.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and the ability to take and give constructive criticism.
• Ability to work comfortably and nimbly in a job that will be fast-paced and data-driven, shaped constantly by feedback and experimentation and always evolving.
• Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) from an accredited college or university preferred; ideally in journalism, or the equivalent education, experience, skills and knowledge needed to perform the tasks and responsibilities of the position. 
• A track record for innovation, learning and using new skills and technologies, especially AI.
• At least two years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

What we'll bring:

As a journalist at Mc Clatchy, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team. Mc Clatchy strives to be an employer of choice, and our benefits package is made with this goal in mind. With a focus on health, well-being, wealth and daily life, our package options include health care coverage for employees and their families, financial protection from expected and unexpected expenses, multiple no-cost wellness resources and even coverage for four-legged friends.

Our overall benefits package also includes a 401(k) with employer match, competitive paid time off and corporate holidays, and a variety of mental health benefits. With an excellent support team and with a focus on your well-being as a top corporate strategy, Mc Clatchy provides benefits to support you and your family in achieving your health and wellness goals. For more information on Mc Clatchy's benefit plan, please visit Mc Clatchy Livewell.com

To apply, include a persuasive cover letter, your resume and four to six examples of your best work.

About the Mc Clatchy Media

The Mc Clatchy Media Company features a portfolio of vibrant and trusted news, lifestyle, entertainment brands and a robust retail distribution network. Our iconic local news brands such as the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star and The Sacramento Bee, have collectively earned a total of 57 Pulitzer prizes and are complemented by popular lifestyle and entertainment brands such as Us Weekly and Woman’s World. Together, our brands reach more than 100 million unique visitors a month, The Mc Clatchy Retail Network, our distribution and logistics arm, offers delivery to more than 56,000 retail locations weekly.

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