Local Government Reporter

Date Posted	May 27, 2026
Industry	Digital Media
Specialty	Not Specified
Job Status	Full-time
Salary	$55,000 to $60,000

Description:

The Current, a Deep South Today newsroom based in Lafayette, La., is seeking a local government reporter to join our growing newsroom.

On this beat, you will cover the public agencies and institutions that shape everyday life in Lafayette and Acadiana and hold them accountable to the people they serve. Your primary focus will be local government in the broadest sense: any public agency spending local tax dollars is fair game. 

Coverage will span spot reporting on public meetings and enterprise work that puts everyday citizens at the center, probing how government decisions affect real people. Major issues include policy and infrastructure, planning, policing, housing and flooding, among others. Your reporting may also venture up and out along the government tree: state and federal government, courts, community profiles and features.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with some reporting experience and a demonstrated ability to connect with community members, earn trust and generate impactful story ideas. 

The Current is a small newsroom, and we put a premium on colleagues who are thoughtful, creative and agile. 

Lafayette is a culturally vibrant place famous for its food, music and folkways. It's the kind of town where just about every story is in reach, making it an ideal post for an ambitious early career reporter.

Expectations:

• Pitch, report and file 2-3 stories weekly
• Produce clean, error-free copy on deadline
• Regular attendance at relevant public meetings
• Proficient with public records requests and document review 
• Command of journalism ethics and basic reporting skills and principles

It's a plus if you have experience with:

• Local government reporting 
• Reporting via video and other multimedia/social formats 
• Data journalism techniques
• Basic investigative techniques
• Editorial photography or other multimedia
• Data visualization

What you'll get:

• The opportunity to work alongside award-winning journalists and make an impact 
• Latitude to try stuff and see what works 
• Highly competitive salary with medical insurance, and options for vision and dental insurance
• 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 training and attending industry conferences 
• Access to the resources and talent in the Deep South Today network, including our sister newsrooms at Mississippi Today, winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize, and Verite News in New Orleans 

Location: Lafayette, Louisiana

Compensation:Compensation: $60,000

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.

Apply

https://thecurrentla.com/jobs/local-government-reporter-2/