Features Reporter

About the Role

The Duluth News Tribune, part of Forum Communications Company, is looking for a features reporter to cover the region’s vibrant arts, entertainment, food, and culture scene. This position is based in Duluth, Minnesota, a community known for local storytelling, civic involvement, and a lifestyle shaped by the Lake Superior shoreline, outdoor recreation, and year-round activities.

Forum Communications Company is a long-established, family-owned media group with more than 20 publications across the Upper Midwest and a monthly audience of over 5 million readers. The organization works across print, digital news, sports streaming, technology, broadcasting, commercial printing, and agency services.

What You’ll Do

The reporter will develop feature and news coverage by following assignments, pitching ideas, and working from tips and emerging story leads. The role focuses on creating engaging journalism for multiple platforms while collaborating closely with the newsroom.

• Take assignments from the Managing Editor or originate story ideas and pursue news tips for feature and news coverage.
• Interview sources in person and by phone.
• Collect, confirm, and verify information through observation and research.
• Organize reporting material, decide what to emphasize, and write to the publication’s style and format standards.
• Rotate with other writers to proofread department sections.
• Review film screenings, music events, and recorded music.
• Contribute ideas for special sections and cover design, and support copy editors with materials or artwork development.
• Occasionally photograph subjects for publication.
• Maintain dependable and punctual attendance.

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate should have a journalism background, strong writing ability, and a solid understanding of arts and entertainment coverage. This role also requires comfort working with sensitive topics, strong organization, and the ability to handle multiple priorities at once.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline.
• At least 1 year of experience writing about arts and entertainment.
• Strong interviewing, listening, note-taking, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to write clear, accurate, and concise copy.
• Comfort responding to questions or concerns from customers, regulatory agencies, and business community members.
• Ability to present information effectively to coworkers, leadership, and public groups.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, and time management.
• Competence with word processing tools and content management systems.
• Ability to handle confidential, sensitive, and emotionally charged situations.
• Capacity to balance competing demands, set priorities, and manage several projects simultaneously.
• Working knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act and libel law.
• Ability to use video and camera equipment, edit photos, and handle content layout and editing.

Benefits

Full-time and 32-hour benefited employees are eligible for a package that includes health, dental, and vision coverage, paid maternity and parental leave, company-paid short-term disability and life insurance, optional critical illness/accident/hospital indemnity coverage, retirement savings with company match, generous PTO, and paid volunteer hours.

Additional Information

The employer is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Employer sponsorship is not currently available.

Duluth, Minnesota offers a distinctive work environment with lakefront access, trails, hiking, biking, skiing, sailing, and North Shore exploration built into everyday life.