A partnership between Adirondack Explorer and North Country Public Radio (NCPR) is one of dozens of new reporting projects Report for America announced Thursday. The position, which will be dedicated to covering the issue of race and diversity in the Adirondacks, will be filled by one of around 50 new reporting corps members for which Report for America has opened applications. The corps member will report for both organizations, online, in print, and on the radio, and will be based in the Adirondack Explorer newsroom in Saranac Lake.

“We have placed a bet on these newsrooms, that with our help they will become beacons of the whole industry,” said Kim Kleman, executive director of Report for America. “They know the coverage they need to better serve their communities. With our help recruiting talented early-career journalists, paying part of their salary, and working with newsrooms to become more sustainable, we expect exciting results.”

In the North Country, there has long been a dearth of in-depth reporting on race and diversity. The percentage of white, non-Hispanic residents in all but one of the counties that comprise the Adirondack Park is more than 90%. And while the Adirondack Park is owned by and open to all the residents of New York state, the vast majority of visitors (95%) are white. At the same time, Adirondack communities are losing population. School enrollment has plummeted, volunteer fire departments struggle to find new recruits, and some local government offices don’t have any candidates. As the region’s population remains mostly stagnant or declines, it’s critical to attract new, more diverse residents, and reporting on these issues is imperative.

“Authentically covering race and diversity is a priority,” said NCPR station manager Mitch Teich. “With limited staff and resources, partnering with a true innovator like Adirondack Explorer is an amazing opportunity.”

"We're extremely excited to work with North Country Public Radio to devote reporting on diversity and inclusion in the Adirondacks,” said Jim Odato, editor of Adirondack Explorer, “while also partnering with Report for America to strengthen journalism in local communities. It’s important to tell the stories of some of the good work being done, and the work that’s still needed."

The NCPR/Adirondack Explorer project also aligns with national trends. The newsrooms that were selected to host Report For America corps members were asked to define the most compelling gaps in their coverage. Based on feedback from the field:

● More than half will cover diverse communities

● Nearly half will report on the environment

● Some 35% of the positions will focus on rural communities

● A third will cover state politics

The full list of new newsrooms and beats can be found here.

Now that the newsroom selections have been made, Report for America is seeking talented, service-minded journalists and photographers to join its reporting corps—a two-year program (with an option for three years) that delivers a wide range of benefits to its corps members.

● Significant Beats: Report for America corps members cover a variety of beats, including healthcare, statehouse, climate, education, city hall, local business, communities of color, sports, religion, photography, and more.

● Training and Mentorship: Report for America offers more than 70 training sessions per year, from experienced journalists and other experts, helping corps members sharpen their skills. We also pair you with a national mentor at the top of their game for additional skill-based/coverage gap-related support.

● All-Around Support: In addition to a robust peer network of fellow corps members who are covering similar beats and living in nearby towns, Report for America’s regional

managers—deeply experienced, award-winning journalists— are assigned to support every corps member and partner newsroom.

● Community Service: Corps members volunteer their time on a student journalism or youth media project. The goal is to support the media literacy of young people by helping them produce stories about the world around them.

● Springboard to Career Success: Report for America graduates get hired by their newsrooms or by other regional, national, and international outlets. Corps members win dozens of state, regional, and national awards.

“Report for America invites journalists from diverse backgrounds to weave their unique narratives into the fabric of local newsrooms. With a dedicated beat as their canvas, these storytellers ensure that every community's voice is heard and critical issues are amplified,” said Earl Johnson, vice president of recruitment and alumni engagement at Report for America. “Through Report for America, journalists find not just a job but a calling—a perfect opportunity to make a profound difference where it matters most.”

The deadline to apply is Jan. 31, 2024. Report for America is hosting several information sessions between now and then. To learn more, visit reportforamerica.org/apply or contact a member of the recruitment team atrecruitment@reportforamerica.org.