Editor, Kentucky Lantern

Date Posted	February 23, 2026
Industry	Digital Media
Specialty	Politics
Job Status	Full-time
Salary	$95,000.00+

Description:

Join States Newsroom as Editor of Kentucky Lantern, an award-winning site for nonpartisan reporting on state government, policy and politics.

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.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPENSATION

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.

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

ABOUT OUR CULTURE

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.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and at least three links or clips to jobs@statesnewsroom.com. 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.