WSU Murrow Fellows/Report for Washington Takes Major Step Toward Bringing Local Reporting to Every Washington County

Report for America|

WSU Murrow Fellows/Report for Washington Takes Major Step Toward Bringing Local Reporting to Every Washington County

Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication and Report for America today announced a major milestone for the WSU Murrow Fellows/Report for Washington program: the first Washington newsrooms selected to welcome reporters as part of one of the nation’s most ambitious statewide efforts to strengthen local journalism. 

Beginning in January 2027, the first cohort of reporters will join six local newsrooms across Washington, putting the initiative’s bold vision into action. By 2029, Report for Washington aims to ensure every one of Washington’s 39 counties has access to reliable local reporting, while building stronger, more sustainable local news organizations across the state. 

Six newsrooms will welcome the first cohort of reporters in January 2027 and will receive financial sustainability support. At the same time, Report for Washington is expanding financial sustainability support to a broader group of news organizations, helping them strengthen fundraising and community engagement and positioning them for possible future reporter placements. 

Together, these newsrooms represent the foundation of a statewide network designed to strengthen local journalism for the long term. By investing in both reporting and organizational sustainability, the initiative is helping create stronger local news organizations that can serve their communities for years to come. 

The inaugural participating host newsrooms, counties to be covered and beats are:

The Salish Current is a nonprofit newsroom; the others are for-profit. Inlander and Statesman-Examiner are locally owned; the other for-profits are owned by national or regional chains. 

Later this year, another cohort of host newsrooms will be selected for reporter placements beginning in July 2027. Additional host newsrooms will be selected in 2028 and 2029, so that every county is covered.   

The following six newsrooms have been selected to receive immediate financial sustainability support, working to learn how to fundraise and/or engage with local organizations and potential donors. They’ll be among newsrooms Report for Washington considers for later reporter placements.

  • The Peninsula Daily News of Port Angeles, Clallam County
  • South Seattle Emerald, King County
  • Lynnwood Times, Snohomish County
  • The Waitsburg Times, Walla Walla County
  • Northwest Public Broadcasting, regional, covering 80 percent of the state
  • KNWN/Seattle – Northwest Newsradio, King County

The initiative is the first collaboration of its kind between Washington’s land-grant university and the nation’s leading nonprofit program for placing journalists in local newsrooms. By combining WSU’s statewide reach with Report for America’s national expertise in journalist recruitment, training and newsroom sustainability, the partnership aims to expand trusted local reporting in communities across Washington while creating a model that can be replicated in other states.

“Placing reporters in six newsrooms is an investment in local news across Washington state,” said Ben Shors, director of the Murrow Fellowship Program, which has partnered with Report for America on the initiative. “Supporting six more newsrooms with intensive training in fundraising is an investment in their future and will put them in a stronger financial position for years to come.”

“This partnership has the potential of becoming a national model for strengthening local news,” said Kim Kleman, executive director of Report for America. “When every county has access to more and deeper local reporting, communities are better informed, residents are more engaged and democracy thrives. We hope the WSU Murrow Fellows/Report for Washington program is the first of many state partnerships.”

Applications are now open for journalists interested in joining the inaugural cohort.

The available reporting positions span communities across Washington and offer journalists the opportunity to build meaningful careers in local news while serving communities through impactful reporting. Applicants may apply for all newsroom positions using a single application.


Learn More at Our Virtual Information Session

Journalists interested in applying are encouraged to attend a virtual information session to learn more about the program, hear from program leaders and ask questions about the available positions.

  • Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
  • Time: 2 pm PT/4 pm CT/5 pm ET
  • Register here.  

Key Dates

  • Applications Open: August 12, 2026
  • Information Session: August 13, 2026
  • Application Deadline: August 30, 2026

Questions about the program may be directed to info@reportforamerica.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a fellowship or an internship?

Neither. The WSU Murrow Fellows/Report for Washington program places journalists in full-time, paid reporting positions for up to three years at local newsrooms across Washington. Fellows are employees of their host newsroom, where they work as professional reporters covering their communities. In addition to their newsroom role, they receive training, mentorship and professional development through Washington State University and Report for America.

Who can apply?

The WSU Murrow Fellows/Report for Washington program is open to journalists at a variety of career stages. Some positions are well suited for early-career reporters, while others may require more experience. We encourage anyone who is passionate about local journalism and serving Washington communities to review the available positions and apply for those that match their skills and experience.

Do I have to live in Washington, or have gone to a Washington college, to apply?

No. Journalists from anywhere in the United States who are eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship are welcome to apply. If selected, you will be expected to relocate and live in the community you cover so you can build relationships, understand local issues, and report with depth and context.

How many positions can I apply for?

You may apply for up to three newsroom positions using a single application.

How are journalists selected?

Applications will be reviewed by the Report for Washington team. Finalists are then matched with participating newsrooms based on the newsroom’s needs and the applicant’s experience and interests. The newsrooms conduct interviews and make the final hiring decisions.

Who will employ me?

If selected, you will be an employee of the local newsroom where you are placed—not Washington State University or Report for America. Your newsroom will provide your salary, benefits, editing and day-to-day supervision, while WSU and Report for America provide training, professional development and ongoing support.

How much will I earn?
Your newsroom sets the salary range, agreeing to meet an hourly rate for a single person, with no children, based on MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, which is updated annually.

How were these newsrooms chosen?
A five-person committee including representatives of the WSU Murrow Fellowship and Report for America evaluated applications on a points system, based on criteria that included the beat, current news gaps, salary expectations and commitment to paying a living wage, ability to supervise and mentor the reporter and commitment to bolstering local coverage of civic institutions and public affairs.