Michigan labor​/state workers reporter

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY , and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest , a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses.

We deliver high‑quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ , supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions. To connect with us, visit

/ is seeking ajournalist who is passionate about labor and issues of importance to the state of Michigan’s workforce as well as other unionized employees in healthcare, K-12 education and at Michigan State University. This beat is framed around the state’s 53,000 state workers, about 15,000 of which live and work in the Lansing area. This is not a traditional state government reporting position focused on the Legislature or the news of the day from the Capitol.

Rather, it’s focused on staffing levels, working conditions, pay, benefits, work‑from‑home, state office space and other issues involving the state workforce. The successful candidate is expected to be able to attract audience locally and across the state by drilling in on issues that are critical to the state’s workforce. The beat also includes some degree of state politics on a local level for the Greater Lansing region, which includes 12 state legislators and two U.S. House seats.

We’re looking for an experienced journalist who can balance daily journalism with enterprise and investigative reporting, someone who can identify high‑interest issues on the beat, cut through the political messaging and produce explanatory and revelatory journalism that is meaningful to readers. The reporter will be expected to identify trends across the region and state, pivot between different topics and consistently produce content that resonates with current readers and helps grow our audience, especially within underserved communities.

The reporter must be attuned to political trends, alliances and influence in polarizing times and deliver coverage that holds public officials accountable and helps readers make informed decisions about their community.

This beat is one of the lead investigative positions in our newsroom. The reporter must excel at developing professional sources, identifying important details in public documents, using FOIA to uncover records and have a dedication to relentless accuracy. The reporter must consistently – and persistently – dig below the surface and bring clarity to the issues they are covering.

The reporter must be able to work collaboratively and effectively in a team with reporters who cover business and development, crime and courts, regional communities, trending news, local government and other topics, and demonstrate an awareness of and adherence to the highest journalistic ethical standards.

• Identifies key issues through source development, data analysis and document reporting.
• Shapes coverage with independent judgment and strategic insight.
• Collaborates closely with editors to set priorities and deadlines.
• Produces high‑impact, multi‑platform work with a disciplined approach.
• Uses audience metrics to inform coverage plans and meet reader needs.
• Writes clearly and concisely, with strong nut graphs and clear relevance.
• Develops and executes distribution and optimization strategies.
• Delivers strong reader service, helping audiences find answers and solutions.
• Builds trust and credibility within the coverage area.

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or an…