State Government and Politics Reporter

Date Posted	June 19, 2026
Industry	Newspapers
Specialty	Not Specified
Job Status	Not Specified
Salary	Not Specified

Description:

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.

Apply

https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/leeenterprises/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/30807