Suburbs Reporter

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is seeking dynamic, high-energy reporters to serve the needs of readers in some of the fastest growing parts of Fort Worth and surrounding cities. In a metro of more than 8 million people, these suburban areas are key components of our strategy to expand the reach and impact of our journalism. But don’t think of this beat as a geographic one;

your mission will be laser-focused on topics and issues we know matter most to these audiences.

Residents in these cities on Fort Worth’s northern edges are passionate about their communities, which are among the most prestigious in Texas. To the west of Fort Worth, where the city fades into ranchlands and picturesque rolling hills, new development is booming at an astounding pace, including a new university, housing communities the size of cities and a future H‑E‑B. (Texans love this iconic supermarket chain.)

What nearly all these residents have in common – whether they’re newcomers or native North Texans – are their desires for top‑notch schools (with champion sports teams), housing opportunities and an unbeatable quality of life. They care about traffic and road construction, about the opening of new restaurants and retail establishments and the closings of well‑loved favorites. They want their elected officials and local governments held accountable.

And, like everywhere in America today, disagreements sometimes arise over local politics.

All of this is fertile ground for a resourceful, high metabolism reporter eager to build a following by publishing often, typically daily. You are right for this role if you understand that frequent, consistent publishing builds habit in readers, who come to trust that they can depend on you to deliver each day, giving them a reason to come back and engage.

Your mission will be to find stories that matter most to these suburban residents.

We’re looking for strong source‑builders who thrive in spending time in the communities they cover and finding ways to engage with their readers, such as personalized newsletters and “ask me anythings” about timely community issues. We also want to build relationships with local influencers who can help amplify our work and connect with more readers.

The ultimate goal is to make yourself a must‑read for suburban residents trying to navigate life in North Texas, and in doing so, help the Star‑Telegram in its overall mission to grow and retain loyal digital subscribers.

McClatchy Media’s 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.

Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and is the 11th largest city in the United States. It boasts a lively downtown, concert and music halls, rodeos, incredible barbecue, world‑class museums and the historic Fort Worth Stockyards entertainment district that celebrates our Wild West heritage. Our city is diverse, with about 35% of the population Hispanic or Latino, over 18% Black and about 5% Asian, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Star‑Telegram is committed to better representing the diverse North Texas communities we cover and to building an inclusive newsroom for staffers of all backgrounds.

• Strong reporting, lively writing, excellent news judgment and a demonstrated ability to “see the story” that is going to matter to readers.
• A proven ability to publish quickly and often.
• Deep understanding of a digital‑first, audience‑forward approach to journalism.
• Ability to juggle breaking news, quick‑turn enterprise and utility‑driven stories.
• A track record for innovation, learning and using new skills and technologies, especially using AI‑powered tools responsibly to improve efficiency, coverage and innovation.
• Commitment to accurate, ethical journalism and adherence to professional reporting standards.
• Proficiency in SEO, social media engagement and digital publishing tools.
• Interest in exploring alternative formats (guides, explainers, newsletters,…