Cost of Living Reporter

About this role:

SAN is looking for a Cost of Living Reporter who can dig into the pressures shaping everyday life in America; not abstract economic trends, but the real math people do at the kitchen table. This role goes to the heart of rising costs, from housing to medical to the grocery store, and what’s happening with wages. 

You’ll investigate how policy choices, corporate decisions and media narratives shape what Americans believe about these costs – and what’s actually true. We want a reporter who can break original stories, unearth the mechanics behind financial strain, and demystify the economy with relatable reporting rooted in lived experience rather than insider economics. The ideal candidate has mastered the balancing act of finding unique stories within the daily news cycle, along with explainers and deeper original reporting.

This beat touches everyone, everywhere. If you’re driven to reveal how money pressures shape people’s daily realities and challenge the narratives that mask what’s really going on, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities:

• Break exclusive, timely stories on housing, wages, inflation, and consumer economic pressures.
• Investigate how policy decisions and corporate behavior influence the cost of living.
• Regularly pitch story ideas that fit SAN’s mission, both for daily news and for features.
• Cover daily news with clarity and urgency while hunting down enterprise and investigative pieces.
• Collaborate with editors to refine ideas and deliver high-impact stories.
• Analyze and report on trends in inflation, economic hardship, and financial stability.
• Build and maintain a network of sources across economics, labor and industry to stay ahead of the news cycle.
• Consistently source real people experiencing these challenges firsthand.
• Maintain the highest ethical standards of journalism. Ensure accuracy, clarity and originality in all reporting.
• Provide fair coverage of controversial issues that stays true to SAN’s mission of unbiased journalism.
• Collaborate with SAN’s multimedia and marketing teams to highlight your journalism on shows, podcasts, videos and social media.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, economics, communications, or a related field is preferred.
• Proven experience as a reporter with a track record of breaking original stories on economic or consumer issues.
• A strong network of sources within relevant economic and financial sectors.
• Exceptional researching, writing and storytelling skills. Skilled in writing in AP Style.
• Knowledgeable in SEO. Experienced in CMS like WordPress and analytics tools.
• Commitment to accuracy, clarity and unbiased storytelling.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple assignments.
• Experience with multimedia or cross-platform journalism, or willingness to learn.

Compensation & Benefits:

• The salary range for this position is $90,000-$120,000.
• Straight Arrow News offers comprehensive health and wellness coverage that ensures our employees have the care and coverage they need to stay healthy, build current and future financial security and maintain work-life balance. All full-time employees and their dependents are eligible to enroll in our benefits. That includes generous paid time off, paid holidays and floating holidays; health coverage, vision and dental plans; retirement plans like the company's 401(k) plan with company match; and more.