Trending News Reporter

Description:

Chron, the digital-first newsroom of the Houston Chronicle, is seeking a Trending News Reporter with strong reporting skills, an eye for unique angles, and a passion for Houston and Texas news. This role is ideal for an ambitious journalist who thrives in a fast-paced digital environment and can balance breaking news with in-depth enterprise stories.

The Trending News Reporter will pitch, develop, and publish 3–5 stories per day, covering breaking news, trending culture, local events, and unique Houston and Texas topics. The role requires a journalist who can quickly react to breaking developments, generate fresh ideas, and create content that sparks conversation and engagement.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Pitching and writing 3–5 stories daily across breaking news, features, and enterprise reporting.

• Quickly responding to breaking news with accurate, engaging, and locally relevant copy.

• Developing reliable sources, tracking Houston and Texas news trends, and building a strong beat.

• Writing articles that reflect Chron’s unique editorial voice and are paired with compelling headlines.

• Collaborating with editors to refine story ideas and execution.

• Incorporating photos, videos, and multimedia elements to enhance storytelling.

• Using analytics tools to guide coverage decisions and identify audience growth opportunities.

• Promoting stories across digital and social platforms to maximize reach.

Qualifications & Skills:

• 2+ years of professional reporting experience in a digital newsroom.

• Strong understanding of Houston and Texas culture, politics, and current affairs.

• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills with a focus on accuracy and speed.

• Strong news judgment with the ability to balance trending and enterprise coverage.

• Familiarity with newsroom content systems and digital publishing tools.

• Ability to work in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment.

• Comfortable using analytics to shape story selection and evaluate audience engagement.

About the Organization:
Chron is a leading digital-first local news source serving more than 6 million monthly readers across Houston, Galveston, and the Gulf Coast. Originally part of the Houston Chronicle, Chron became its own independent digital newsroom in 2012. Today, Chron.com delivers high-quality coverage across trending news, culture, entertainment, food, real estate, space, and more—making it one of the most influential voices in Texas media.

Chron is part of Hearst Newspapers (HNP), a national network of over 70 publications including the San Francisco Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, and Albany Times Union. With more than 2,500 employees nationwide, Hearst Newspapers is investing in the future of digital journalism by growing newsrooms, expanding platforms, and innovating new ways to tell stories that matter.