Freelance hard-news reporter

Date Posted	October 29, 2026
Industry	Newspapers
Specialty	Not Specified
Remote / Telecommute	Hybrid
Job Status	Not Specified
Salary	Not Specified

Description:

Freelance hard-news reporter wanted

The Chinook Observer — a Washington Newspaper Publishers Association General Excellence top winner seven of the past 10 years — seeks a hard-news freelance writer to help us continue our 126-year mission of government oversight and constant curiosity.

Supported by a grant from the Inatai Foundation, this freelance position will supplement our full-time news staff based on the Long Beach Peninsula. We especially welcome insightful ideas about how we can better serve our Native American, immigrant and economically challenged neighbors.

The beat ordinarily includes Pacific County government, including the sheriff’s office and Superior Court; the Pacific County Public Utility District; the Port of Willapa Harbor; significant civil litigation; and other subjects of countywide interest.

Desired qualifications include demonstrated proficiency in news writing; a background or strong interest in public records-based reporting, including use of the Odyssey Portal; familiarity with AI-based research tools; and comfort conducting interviews by phone and video.

Physical presence in Pacific County is not required, but the successful applicant should live close enough — and have reliable transportation — to make reporting visits here whenever necessary.

Contract compensation is negotiable, with the goal of fairly compensating professional reporting and experience.

Please send a brief cover letter, resume and links to writing samples to:
Matt Winters
matthew.winters@chinookobserver.com