Mississippi Today, a growing nonprofit newsroom based in Jackson, is looking for a driven, critical thinker to join a vibrant team of journalists who are passionate about unpacking complex stories in our state’s capital city. 

ABOUT THE TEAM

Led by Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Anna Wolfe, the Jackson team launched in early 2025. In a very short time, we have: 

• produced nuanced stories about a charged municipal election season 

• followed an ongoing saga over apartment complex water shutoffs due to unpaid bills

• written captivating vignettes on small-town politics

• uncovered a little-known government loophole that allows blight to flourish 

• tackled topics from economic development to crime to city budgeting 

In a media environment saturated by oversimplified narratives, we seek to tell complicated, inherently human stories about our community and make hard-sought information accessible in a way that encourages our neighbors to be more engaged, more compassionate and more empowered to take part in solutions.

OUR NEWSROOM

At Mississippi Today, you’ll find a newsroom culture that encourages reporters to follow their gut and pursue the reporting threads they’re most passionate about – what we believe results in the most impactful storytelling. The newsroom’s nationally recognized leaders commit to aiding in story conception, creative and novel reporting strategies and craft.

In addition to a supportive work environment, Mississippi Today’s unionized newsroom offers competitive pay and benefits, a professional development opportunity of your choice annually and generous PTO.

Anna is conducting office hours for anyone interested in learning more about the role. Just click here.

Roles and Responsibilities:

We're not looking for a unicorn. So if you don't match all the qualifications, we still encourage you to apply.

We are purposefully casting a wide net, hoping to connect with journalists of different backgrounds who may be uniquely qualified to help us grow this team. If you’re a reporter with any of the following experience or attributes, this team may be for you:

• Enterprise reporting focused on uncovering systemic issues within government and policy. The bigger the impact of your reporting on government leaders or systems, the better.

• Political reporting covering not only high-profile candidates for offices, but experience delving into issues and ideas that affect a community, such as privatization of public services, the degradation of local democracy, distrust in institutions and the causes of systemic poverty, highlighting those who profit from it.

• Cultural reporting that highlights the often-overlooked success stories of citizens who are making a positive impact on their communities.

• Strong understanding of Jackson (or similar large urban centers) and the unique challenges facing the city and its residents.

• Commitment to the mission of balanced, impactful journalism that centers and respects the voice of the community.

• Collaborative mindset and ability to work within a team-oriented newsroom.

The starting salary for this position is $60,000. Compensation is commensurate with experience level.

Expectations:

• Work with a team of journalists who are focused on social inequities and racial equality in our area.

• Willingness to collaborate closely with a team of like-minded journalists and execute deeply-reported stories.

• Apply critical thinking when attending news events, have an affinity for specificity and maintain an eye towards compelling narrative leads.

• Get people to talk, find willing sources and protect them while telling sensitive and timely stories.

• Build trust: Many people who have been impacted by inequities in Mississippi have been victims of predatory practices and forces. This will require empathy, patience and savvy.

• Work with our Audience Team and data and visual journalists to create compelling story presentations.

Qualified candidates should have:

• Experience working as a reporter in a newsroom.

• Ability to work quickly, with accuracy and good news judgment.

• Ability to independently develop and cultivate sources and a desire to make regular cold calls and conduct in-depth interviews.

• Ability to gather and analyze public records and data.

• Ability to file clean, accurate copy on deadline.

• Ability to write concise, clear headlines to accompany a story.

• Comfortability in digital or multimedia journalism spaces.

• Ability to use social media for research and to engage readers.

What you’ll get:

• The opportunity to work alongside award-winning journalists and make significant contributions to Mississippi’s top nonprofit, nonpartisan digital news and information sources.

• 29 days paid time off.

• Up to 12 weeks of parental family leave, with return-to-work flexibility.

• Simple IRA with 3 percent company matching. Group-term life insurance provided to employees ($15,000 policy).

• Support for professional development and attending industry conferences.

How to Apply:

We’re committed to building an inclusive newsroom that represents the people and communities we serve. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply for this position, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people who are differently abled. Please apply here.