May 20, 2026 — Report for America announced today the placement of 78 journalists in newsrooms across the country, the organization's latest effort to strengthen local news at a time when many outlets face growing financial and reporting challenges.
Among the newsrooms participating in this year's cohort is the Austin Free Press, which welcomes Destini Ambus as its growth, housing and equity reporter. Ambus previously served as a general assignment reporter covering Chatham County municipalities for the Savannah Morning News.
She is a graduate of Auburn University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and served as editor-in-chief of The Auburn Plainsman. She was also a member of the inaugural class of the New York Times Corps.
“I'm very excited to move to Austin and get started with the Austin Free Press as the growth, housing and equity reporter,†Ambus said. “AFP's commitment to community-focused journalism with a focus on accountability, equity and storytelling aligns with my own values and strengths. I'm excited to contribute to this growing newsroom and provide quality reporting to Austin.â€
“These journalists represent hope: a new generation committed to local news reporting that helps people better understand their communities and one another,†said Kim Kleman, executive director at Report for America. “Our model is designed not only to place talented reporters where they are needed most, but also to deepen community trust and build a more sustainable future for local news.â€
The incoming corps members were selected from a competitive pool of more than 1,600 applicants, placing top talent in 73 partner newsrooms nationwide. Report for America's newsroom partners also undergo a rigorous selection process each year.
Across the 2026–27 corps:
- One-third of journalists will focus on communities of color and/or immigrant communities.
- More than a quarter will cover rural communities.
“These corps members are entering communities with curiosity, rigor and a deep commitment to listening,†said Earl Johnson, vice president of recruitment and alumni engagement at Report for America. “They will cover issues that too often go underreported while building meaningful relationships with the communities they serve.â€
Corps members will begin their assignments in July, covering a wide range of community-informed beats—from growth and development in Middle Tennessee to education in Salem, Oregon to Latino communities in upstate New York. This year also marks the launch of a seven-member local sports reporting corps.
Additional highlights of the 2026–27 class:
- Journalists come from 42 states and Puerto Rico.
- Nearly half (46%) are people of color.
- More than 60% are women.
The new cohort brings Report for America's active corps to 200 journalists, with 122 continuing into their second or third year of service. Find a list of incoming 2026-27 corps members, including their newsroom assignments and beats here.
“Our model is built around a simple but powerful idea: when you invest in journalists, you invest in stronger communities,†said Jason Blakeney, director of corps and newsroom excellence. “We support corps members with training, mentorship and professional development while helping newsroom partners build long-term sustainability.â€
Since its launch in 2017, Report for America has placed more than 800 journalists in local newsrooms across the country. Learn more at www.reportforamerica.org.
CONTACT
Gillian Smith
gsmith@reportlocal.org
508-237-5366
About Report for America
Report for America recruits, places and supports talented journalists in local newsrooms across the United States. We provide salary support, training, and newsroom sustainability coaching, enabling our partners to expand coverage on critical, often overlooked issues and strengthen trust with their audiences. Report for America's journalist-first model offers a practical, hopeful solution to rebuilding local news — one community at a time. Report for America is an initiative of Report Local, a nonprofit journalism organization dedicated to strengthening local journalism across the U.S. and around the world.
