Become a reporter | Hoosier First

Your beat, ready on day one

Your officials, 2026 candidates, upcoming public meetings and the official records portals for your county, all in one place.

A real editor in your corner

Every story gets a second set of eyes before it runs. Editors check the facts, sharpen the writing and back you up.

Know your rights

Plain-English guides to Indiana’s Open Door Law and public records law, a records request letter maker and a tracker so no deadline slips.

Your name stays private

Publish under your own name or a pen name. Your real name and email are seen only by our editors.

Apply to report See the reporter toolkit Already approved? Hoosier First Desk sign in

How it works

Apply. Tell us who you are, where you live and why you want to report. Your real name and email are seen only by our editors, never by readers.
Confirm your email. We send a link. There are no passwords.
Editor review. An editor reviews your application. You’ll get an email when you’re approved.
Report and write. Sign in with an email link. Your desk has your beat kit, a story editor that saves as you type, and your records requests.
Editorial review, then publish. An editor fact-checks and may edit every story before it goes live under your byline or pen name.

Read the contributor standards and privacy note first. Already approved? Hoosier First Desk sign in.

Apply to report

1

About youPrivate. Only our editors see your real name and email.

Email requiredReal name requiredPrivate. Only our editors see it.

Byline (pen name OK) requiredThis is the name readers see on your stories.

2

Your beatWhere you live. We’ll build your beat kit from it.

Home county requiredYour district requiredIndiana’s 9 U.S. House districts. It goes on your byline, like “District 4”.

How do you want to help? pick at least one Reporting for my district Local news Fraud & waste investigations Opinion Hoosier Heroes stories Fact-checks & corrections Be an America First representative for my area

3

Your public profileReaders who click your byline see only your pen name, district and this bio.

Short bio requiredPublic. Up to 280 characters. No links, emails, @handles, phone numbers, addresses or your real name. You can change it any time on the Desk.

4

Why youPrivate. A few sentences is plenty.

About you and why you want to contribute required Link to a writing sample optional I agree to the contributor standards: no fabrication, sources required, editors may edit.

Questions

Do I need journalism experience?

No. You need to show up, get the record and get it right. Our toolkit walks you through public meetings, records requests and interviews, and an editor reviews every story before it’s published.

Can I use a pen name?

Yes. Readers see only the byline you choose. Your real name and email are private to our editors and never appear on the site.

What will I cover?

Your district and your county: council and commissioner meetings, school boards, budgets, contracts, elections and the people who serve. Opinion pieces are welcome too, labeled as Opinion.

What happens after I apply?

You confirm your email, then an editor reviews your application. You’ll get an email when you’re approved, and you sign in with a one-time email link. There are no passwords.

What are the rules?

No fabrication, ever. Sources for every fact. Same standard for every party. Read the reporter standards and the contributor terms.

Reporting tools

Full toolkit →

Covering public meetings
Your rights under Indiana’s Open Door Law, in plain English.
Records request letter
A ready-to-send request under the Access to Public Records Act.
Follow the money
Donors, outside spending, lobbying, state vendors, property taxes.
Verify it
Official lookups and fact-check steps.