HN
Reporter - Stanford Rebele Summer Internship, 2026
internship•Austin
About this role
The Austin American-Statesman is seeking a tenacious, inquisitive, and versatile journalist to cover Travis County government, one of the most influential and fast-growing local governments in Texas. This reporter will cover the Travis County Commissioners Court, county agencies and major policy decisions that shape daily life across Central Texas.
This beat sits at the center of some of the region’s most urgent and complex issues — public health, housing affordability, taxation, elections, criminal justice, disaster response and climate resilience. The successful candidate will be skilled at cultivating sources, covering a complex beat and producing journalism that ranges from breaking news to enterprise, watchdog, and explanatory reporting.
This is a high-impact role that demands sharp news judgment, accountability reporting, and the ability to identify and pursue stories others miss. Watchdog and explanatory journalism are top priorities for the American-Statesman, and the ability to collaborate in a team environment is essential.
This internship is paid through the Stanford Rebele Internship Program. To be eligible, candidates must be current Stanford University students.
What You’ll Do
Cover Power and Policy:
Report on Travis County Commissioners Court and county agencies, holding officials accountable for decisions that affect about 1.4 million residents.
Explain Complex Issues:
Translate budgets, tax rates, policy proposals and public health data into clear, accessible journalism that shows readers why county government matters.
Spot Stories Others Miss:
Develop original coverage that advances the news beyond meeting recaps, with a focus on impact, equity and consequences.
Serve the Public Interest:
Center reporting on issues affecting residents most directly, including housing instability, mental health access, disaster recovery and affordability pressures.
Build Sources:
Cultivate a broad network of contacts, including elected officials, county staff, advocates and community members.
Key Responsibilities
Write breaking news, step-backs, explainers, news features, analysis and enterprise stories on deadline
Develop original watchdog and enterprise reporting by mastering county budgets, policy debates and public records
Track major issues including:
Public health and housing challenges
Property taxes and county budgeting
Justice system reform and diversion initiatives
Elections administration
Disaster response, flooding recovery and climate resilience
County infrastructure, IT and operations modernization
Identify unique angles that distinguish the Statesman’s coverage from competitors
Collaborate with editors and colleagues across departments on digital publication strategies, elections coverage, breaking news and major projects
Write engaging headlines and SEO elements with a digital, diverse audience in mind
Maintain a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and auto insurance
Preferred Qualifications
At least one to two years of journalism experience, preferably covering government, public policy or accountability beats
Current student at Stanford University
Government reporting experience is strongly preferred but not required
Demonstrated ability to interpret budgets, policy documents and public records
Proven skill at cultivating sources and breaking news
Strong writing skills, with a track record of producing clear, accurate and compelling copy on deadline
Ability to juggle multiple assignments in a fast-paced newsroom
Commitment to fairness, accuracy and journalistic standards
Spanish language proficiency is a plus
Familiarity with Austin or Texas government is a plus but not required
What We Offer
The opportunity to cover one of the most consequential local government beats in Texas
Support for ambitious enterprise, explanatory and watchdog journalism
A collaborative newsroom that values accountability, impact and creativity
About Business Unit
The Austin American-Statesman has been the leading source of news and information for Central Texas since 1871, serving a dynamic and fast-growing region anchored by the capital city of Texas. Austin is known for its vibrant tech industry, rich cultural heritage, influential government institutions, and creative spirit.
The Statesman's award-winning journalists provide in-depth coverage of the issues that matter most to Austinites — from local government and business to education, the environment and Austin’s ever-evolving music and cultural scenes. With a strong focus on accountability journalism and investigative reporting, the Statesman plays a critical role in informing and engaging its community.
About Hearst Newspapers
The Austin American-Statesman is a division of Hearst Newspapers (HNP). With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP represents a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate. At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories — growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms — to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.
Be a part of something bigger — your headline awaits.
#LI-DH1
#LI-Hybrid
What you'll do
- The reporter will cover the Travis County Commissioners Court and county agencies, focusing on accountability and complex issues affecting residents. They will produce a range of journalism from breaking news to enterprise reporting.
About Hearst Newspapers
We are at the intersection of what matters
- To the local communities we serve.
- To the national conversation we inform.
- To the employees we invest in.
- To the advertisers whose results we deliver.
Today, Hearst Newspapers (HNP) employs over 2,500+ employees and encompasses more than 75 brands across a national network, with an unparalleled commitment to the communities we serve.
While our reach is national, giving us a vast array of resources, our focus is local. Our comprehensive portfolio of modern local and regional brands, services, and solutions redefines what ‘local news’ means and how it connects communities across the country. We inform, educate, and entertain 45 million digital visitors monthly and over 6 million print readers weekly through a collective network of 50+ leading websites, 28 daily and 50 weekly publications, innovative digital products, and businesses such as King Features, Hearst DevHub, and more.
It is our mission to be the most trusted, most respected and most accurate source of news and information in the communities that we serve. We place our readers' interests above all others, and dedicate ourselves to the principles of truthfulness, fairness and independence. We understand that the free flow of accurate information is vital to our system of government and the foundations of our economy.
In addition to our journalistic commitment, HNP partners with thousands of local, regional, and national businesses, providing best-in-class advertising and marketing services each year.
Please consider joining us at HNP. You will have the opportunity to create your story and evolve your local news landscape. Your headline awaits!
Ready to join Hearst Newspapers?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Reporter - Stanford Rebele Summer Internship, 2026 do at Hearst Newspapers?
As a Reporter - Stanford Rebele Summer Internship, 2026 at Hearst Newspapers, you will: the reporter will cover the Travis County Commissioners Court and county agencies, focusing on accountability and complex issues affecting residents. They will produce a range of journalism from breaking news to enterprise reporting..
Is the Reporter - Stanford Rebele Summer Internship, 2026 position at Hearst Newspapers remote?
The Reporter - Stanford Rebele Summer Internship, 2026 position at Hearst Newspapers is based in Austin, Texas, United States. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.
How do I apply for the Reporter - Stanford Rebele Summer Internship, 2026 position at Hearst Newspapers?
You can apply for the Reporter - Stanford Rebele Summer Internship, 2026 position at Hearst Newspapersdirectly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process.