The Greenwood Commonwealth

The Greenwood Commonwealth was founded in 1896 by James K. Vardaman, who later became the governor of Mississippi running as a white supremacist. Although the newspaper became more moderate under subsequent ownership, it wasn’t until 1973, when it was purchased by John O. Emmerich Jr., that it became the community daily newspaper it is today. The Commonwealth continues the standards Emmerich set by covering the entire community in a fair, comprehensive and aggressive manner.

Open Position

Location: Greenwood, MS

Beat: Effects of gun violence on an impoverished county in the Mississippi Delta

Position:

During the past several years, Leflore County statistically averages one murder about every two weeks. With this, the county continues to experience the growing issue of gun violence. This beat investigates the systemic causes of gun violence in a small Mississippi Delta county, such as racial inequities, high poverty rates, a declining health care system and educational system, and the psychological toll gun violence can take on a community. It also investigates the judicial system after arrests are made.

Salary and Benefits:
$36,500 - $40,000

Employees are eligible to enroll in company health insurance plan after three months of employment. Employee contributes $150 a month toward the premium, and the newspaper covers the rest.
Employees are eligible to enroll in 401(k) pension plan after six months of employment. If employee contributes at least 3% of pay, the company matches it dollar-for-dollar on the first 2.5%.
Company pays for a life insurance policy that covers one times the employee’s annual earnings.
Up to 10 days of vacation per year after six months of employment.
Up to five days of sick leave per year after three months of employment.

This position will be:
Fully in-person at an office

Moving Stipend:
No moving stipend will be provided.

Skills: Photography, Data, Writing, Radio / Podcast, TV / Video

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