Sports writer, St. Joseph, Mo.

Sounds like it's entry level if they are willing to consider internships or college newspaper experience. I would guess $25,000, but that's strictly a guess.

 

If anyone wants info, message me. I don't work there, but I know the paper and the area.

 

The current sports editor is Scott Pummell, according to the paper's web site. He has an ASE, two full-time writers and two part-time clerks (again, according to the web site).

No idea about their breadth of coverage --- they're hiding behind a ticket gate.

 

From personal experience, I can testify that this is far from a dead-end job. If you're hungry and willing to bust your ass, you have a decent shot at making it to a bigger paper as a writer or an editor. I'm now an assistant sports editor in Orlando after spending five years in Joetown and a little more than a year in Lincoln.

Other notable alumni:
Rob Schneider -- Dallas Morning News
Andrew Seligman -- Chicago AP
Clark Grell -- Lincoln Journal Star
Brent Briggeman -- Colorado Springs
Brent Wasko -- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Dave Holub -- Hartford Courant, via Miami Herald and Corpus Cristi
Paul Suellentrop and Adam Knapp -- Wichita
Scott (the old SE) Dochterman -- Cedar Rapids

All those people went through that "revolving door" in the last eight years or so and came out in pretty good shape.

Do they pay well? No, but the cost of living there is dirt cheap. Plus you're going to be working so much that you won't have a lot of time to spend your dough.

If you're just starting out, that's not a bad thing.

Moreover, you'll be given an opportunity to get a lot of clips on a variety of subjects. Show some initiative and ambition, and you'll get your ticket to a better gig in due time.

I know Scott Pummel and he's a helluva guy. He'll treat you right and put you in position to thrive.

If you want to know more about the place, drop me a line at mhumphrey@orlandosentinel.com

 

I'll vouche for what Matt wrote and add a couple more names to that list:
Sam Newkirk -- Raleigh
Jack Corcoran -- Tallahassee

 

I'm vaguely familiar with this paper. I was about to interview but got a better offer a few years back.

Anyway, this definitely is a good entry-level gig, and a decent step up from a small daily. The circulation is around 40k if I remember right, and I've seen their name pop up among APSE winners (I know that means little, but it does show that these aren't complete hacks working there).

St. Joe isn't much of a town, but Royals games are only an hour away, and casinos are only 45 minutes away in North Kansas City. Casinos are good.

 

If you're even CONSIDERING applying for this job, PM me.

 

There are worse places if you're just out of school and don't like money. They've gotten younger and a not as good the last couple of years because they won't improve their pay. But if you're any good, you can get out of there and to a better place in two years.

 

I've got a friend who just got a job there within the last month, but on a different staff. Whoever was talking about the cost of living being cheap was dead on. They won't pay you a ton though, but I'd guess this is an entry-level gig.

 

Who owns the News-Press?

 

It's family-owned.

 

Shit. I've done family-owned -- twice. I won't do it again.

My last family-owned gig, I paid $620 a month for health insurance for a family of four. Now I pay $220.