Southwest Virginia Reporter

Cardinal News is looking for a journalist to cover the economic rebirth of Martinsville and Henry County, a journalistically underserved community of 64,000 in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the North Carolina line. This region was once dominated by textile mills and furniture factories, and is now building a new economy based on advanced manufacturing. Martinsville is home to one of the state's major museums (the Virginia Museum of Natural History) and a nationally known sports complex (the Martinsville Speedway). It's about an hour away from Roanoke to the north and Greensboro, N.C. to the south. Smith Mountain Lake and the Appalachian Trail are within easy reach. This position is fully funded for at least three years. We believe journalists should be focused on the stories they tell and not distracted by constant staff reductions experienced at legacy newspapers. While we prefer an experienced journalist for this position, we are also experienced in mentoring junior journalists. Cardinal News has developed a statewide audience and has become the biggest (by staff size) online news site in Virginia. Whoever joins our staff in Martinsville will immediately become one of the best-known journalists in the state. We are looking for a journalist who has demonstrated the ability to provide context and connect the dots on stories of regional importance. This journalist must live in or be willing to relocate to Martinsville or Henry County. This is an excellent opportunity for a journalist who wants to practice serious journalism and tell an important story about a community in transition, a community where big stories are happening that go unreported.