State Government and Politics Reporter
The Montana State News Team is seeking a statewide government and politics reporter with the ambition and curiosity to cover the people and power brokers that shape Montana. This role rounds out a team that values tough questions, sharp accountability journalism and deeply sourced reporting that drives conversations statewide.
As a government and politics reporter, you’ll tango with Montana’s political machines: the Legislature, elected officials, and state government agencies. You’ll track policies crafted in the capital into the cities and towns where they have a material impact on Montanans’ lives. You’ll cover candidates for state and federal office and follow the money that propels them there.
Success in this role means cultivating sources, digging into public records and data, making sense of complex issues and producing enterprise work that speaks to a statewide audience and bridges the divide between eastern and western Montana.
Last year our team traveled 3,500 miles to report on rural health care, broke news on legislative ethics violations and deciphered political spin again and again.
You’ll be expected to turn several stories every week and tackle breaking news pieces quickly and accurately. When the 2027 legislative session gavels in, you’ll be on the move with several stories a day between committee hearings, while also minding the governor’s office. Your plate will be full, but this team creates space for its reporters to pursue hard-hitting enterprise and investigative work as well.
You’ll be joining two other reporters that value hustle and collaboration; teamwork is our superpower. From the story planning phase, up until the moment we hit publish, the bureau works together. Initiative is key, as it is a healthy, competitive drive for the next big scoop. We prioritize digital-forward, multimedia journalism. Knowledge of digital concepts like SEO, social media and strong web-centered headlines is not necessary, but a willingness to learn certainly is.
Where you’ll be based:
Candidates can choose between being based in Lee newsrooms at the Billings Gazette or Helena Independent Record. The two other government reporters are based in Missoula, but hit the road often and spend the legislative session in Helena.
Should you choose Billings, know that regular travel to Helena - the state’s capital city - will be necessary, especially when the Legislature is in session.
Bureau stories publish across all Lee Montana news sites and papers: Billings Gazette, Missoulian, Helena Independent Record, The Montana Standard and Ravalli Republic.
Why Lee Enterprises?
Lee Enterprises offers competitive wages in a dynamic, interesting work environment with career growth opportunities. We offer an extensive benefit program that can be personalized to your needs. Our benefit program includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, company provided life insurance and supplemental life insurance. In addition, we offer a 401K retirement plan with company match. We also offer generous paid time off to allow flexibility to balance personal life and work. This includes paid parental leave for new parents.
Lee Enterprises is a leading provider of local news and information and a major subscription and advertising platform, with daily and weekly newspapers and rapidly expanding digital products serving 114 markets across 25 states. Our core commitment is to provide valuable, intensely local news and information to the communities we serve.
Lee Enterprises is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We respect and celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
For more information about Lee, check us out at www.lee.net.
