Gary Government and Politics Reporter

Capital B is a national and local nonprofit news organization serving Black communities nationwide. We’re hiring a reporter to cover government and politics in Gary, Indiana, as part of our second local newsroom, Capital B Gary.

The reporter will cover major spending plans, important legislation, and elections as they affect Gary’s Black residents, primarily focusing on public safety and leadership accountability. The reporter must possess or quickly acquire a deep understanding of Gary’s political landscape and history to provide essential context, enabling residents to grasp how local issues impact their lives and communities.

We’re looking for a reporter who shares our mission of producing excellent civic journalism, engaging communities to build trust, and fighting misinformation. We need a watchdog-minded journalist who asks tough questions to hold public officials and government agencies accountable. Most importantly, we want someone who actively listens to Black people affected by the issues they cover, drawing inspiration for stories from their perspectives.

This position reports to the Capital B Gary editor.

ANNUAL SALARY: $75,000-$85,000

LOCATION: Gary, Indiana.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Build community relationships, prioritizing connections with local residents.
Write a variety of news articles, including analysis, explainers, features, and investigative stories.
Attend public meetings and community events related to your beat.
Grow expertise in subjects tied to your beat through research, expert sources, and training.
Learn historical context and key issues relevant to your beat.
Contribute to partnerships and special projects.
Participate in audience initiatives supporting the Gary newsroom and Capital B brand. This may involve live events, community outreach, and story promotion.
Collaborate with the Gary editor and the community engagement editor to shape beat coverage based on community information needs, your news judgment, and Capital B’s local strategy.

What you’ll bring:

Minimum four years of reporting experience.
Passion for on-the-ground reporting and immersing in the community.
An extreme audience focus — Capital B’s work is not for industry peers or awards committees, although it’s a plus if they like it!
Familiarity and affinity for Black communities in Northwest Indiana.
Expertise in local government and politics.
Understanding of how systems impact policy, governance, culture, and racial inequity, and awareness of key issues driving social movements.
Watchdog reporting skills, including public records requests, data analysis, and fact-checking.
Strong news judgment and ability to pitch compelling stories.
Excellent research, interviewing, and storytelling abilities.
Proficiency in AP style and grammar.
Clear, concise, and engaging writing that is accessible to readers.
Dedication to ethical, honest, accurate, and fair reporting standards.

What we’ll bring:

A compassionate, supportive workplace.
Unlimited PTO + company holidays.
Twenty weeks of parental leave.
Twelve weeks of caregiver leave.
401(k).
Dental, health, and vision insurance
Life insurance.
Health and dependent care flex plans
Short-term disability.
Professional development fund.
Monthly phone and internet stipend.
Stipend for home office setup.