Editor, Kentucky Lantern

Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, United States

Job Category: Online | New Media

Employment Type: Full time

Salary: 95000.00 USD per year

Posted: 02.23.2026

Kentucky, like many states, has seen a decline in the coverage of state news. For the better part of four years, the Kentucky Lantern has been working to reverse that. Launched in 2022 and staffed by veteran journalists who report fairly and fearlessly on the people and interests that determine state policy, the Lantern tells stories that aren’t being told, brings fresh perspectives to state issues and amplifies the voices of Kentucky communities that have been marginalized.

States Newsroom , the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, is seeking an experienced journalist to serve as editor of the Kentucky Lantern. With exceptional news judgment and an eye to how politics and policy in Frankfort affects Kentuckians, the editor will oversee a team of talented reporters and a dynamic site, produce a daily newsletter and continue to grow the newsroom’s audience and social media presence.

The editor will also work closely with States Newsroom peers in other states to share best practices, collaborate on stories and build relationships that help refine the newsroom’s operations.

Supervise and hire journalists to provide daily news coverage and enterprise reporting on major state policy and political stories

Edit and sometimes write major state policy and political stories

Produce a daily morning newsletter with news readers need for the day

Work with audience staff to achieve consistent engagement across newsletters and emerging social platforms

Develop and distribute original content to drive area news coverage

Solicit editorial content from local contributors for a Kentucky-focused opinion section

Participate in weekly calls, and periodic visits with National Editor(s) as well as regular meetings of all States Newsroom editors

Lead state-level fundraising efforts, including hosting and representing the outlet at events, identifying partnership opportunities and outreach to news organizations interested in republishing Lantern content

The editor will have funding for staffing, freelancers, travel and overhead expenses. Technical, marketing and editorial support are provided by our headquarters office.

The minimum salary for a state editor is $95,000 and rises with experience. Our generous benefits package includes:

Premium-free platinum health care for employees (and 75% of medical premiums covered for qualified dependents)

4 weeks of vacation per year

2 weeks of personal leave per year

20 hours of paid volunteer time per year

11 paid holidays per year

$75 monthly cell phone reimbursement

$200 cell phone replacement benefit every two years

$75 monthly fitness benefit

401K with up to 3% match

12 weeks of parental leave

Full-service EAP

States Newsroom is dedicated to producing journalism at all levels — from quick hit to investigative — but not at the expense of burning out its employees. We are supportive, exciting, welcoming and positive. We believe in creating sustainable careers for journalists on the crucial state government beat.

States Newsroom’s mission is to connect people to the power that shapes their daily lives through relentless reporting and incisive commentary on state government and policy. Journalism is a powerful force for social change, uniquely suited to challenging systemic inequality and racism. Our goal is to build an organization that fulfills that mission.

At States Newsroom, we believe we strengthen our work and improve our insights when we incorporate the perspectives of people who come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences. We are committed to diversity and prioritize equity in all recruiting and hiring. We are always working to better represent our communities and are supported in these efforts by a network-wide Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice committee.

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of professional reporting and/or editing experience, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep knowledge of Kentucky’s political history and media landscape. This position will be based in Frankfort.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and at least three links or clips to  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Due to the high volume of emails received, we are unable to respond to each applicant individually.