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Do you have journalism experience you'd like to put to work researching, reporting, and relaying local news stories with accuracy and context to local NPR listeners?
Apply to join the ranks of our freelance reporters!
Send a brief introduction and a few examples of your published work to Assistant News Editor, Randi B. Hagi (hagirb@jmu.edu) to be considered and learn more about our freelancer program.
We pay per-story for original, local, fact-checked radio pieces that illuminate the region's current events for our listeners.
Recent stories from our freelance reporters
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In a much-watched local race, Hilary Irons defeated incumbent Matt Cross for the Rockingham County District Three School Board seat. WMRA’s Bridget Manley reports. -
Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency on Oct. 23 in response to the federal government shutdown, which threatens the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance Program will at least temporarily fill part of the gap, assuming the shutdown continues into November. WMRA’s Ayse Pirge reports. -
Required scores for Standards of Learning tests, or SOLs, will be raised for Virginia’s K-12 students. These so-called “cut” scores measure the minimum outcome students need to achieve proficiency in the tests. WMRA’s Ayse Pirge reports. -
Jena Crisler is the Democratic candidate running for the House of Delegates to represent Virginia’s 35th District, which includes parts of Augusta, Rockingham, Bath and Highland Counties. Her opponent is Republican incumbent Chris Runion. Crisler, a semi-retired physician, is a first-time candidate. WMRA’s Calvin Pynn asked Crisler what inspired her to run for public office. -
Chris Runion is the incumbent Republican candidate running for re-election to the House of Delegates to represent Virginia's 35th District, which includes parts of Augusta, Rockingham, Bath and Highland Counties. He previously represented Virginia's 25th District from when he first took office in 2020 until 2023. WMRA's Calvin Pynn asked Runion about what he's learned during his first few years in the House of Delegates. -
The race for the Rockingham County School Board District Three seat has been filled with controversy and chaos over the past few months, partly because of the record and actions of the Republican incumbent, Matt Cross. In the second part of a two-part series, WMRA’s Bridget Manley examines who is supporting each of the candidates and how the race might unfold with a third candidate in the mix. -
The race for the District Three seat on the Rockingham County School Board has intensified, with a growing divide in county Republican support between two of the three candidates. In the first of a two-part series, WMRA’s Bridget Manley reports on the background of incumbent candidate Matt Cross, and how support has shifted after several controversial actions. -
A grant from the Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham last year helped expand offerings at the Corner Cupboard Food Pantry. WMRA’s Ayse Pirge reports. -
WMRA previously reported on the Blue Ridge Free Clinic’s plan to offer dental care onsite this year. Now, mental health care will be included among the services provided at the clinic. WMRA’s Calvin Pynn reports. -
The candidates in Virginia’s gubernatorial election clashed in a debate last Thursday night, while nuclear power appears to be a shared interest between Democrats and Republicans in the commonwealth... The federal shutdown has halted flood insurance in Virginia... the state may soon lift restrictions on harvesting blue catfish... journalist David Poole talks about his new book ahead of his appearance for WMRA’s Books and Brews...
