Daniel Schmidt covers local government accountability in Ouray County, Colorado, for the Ouray County Plaindealer. Prior to joining the Plaindealer, Schmidt was the community reporter at The Plainsman, Auburn University’s award-winning student newspaper, where he covered local government, elections, breaking news, crime and community events. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Troy University and a bachelor’s in journalism from Auburn University.
Beat: Local government accountability
The Ouray County Plaindealer is looking for a detail-oriented, ambitious journalist to cover all forms of local government in the beautiful San Juan Mountains. Ideal candidates will have strong writing and reporting skills, a keen sense of ethics, and a desire to work in a scrappy newsroom that punches above its weight and serves an engaged readership. The Plaindealer's owners have a track record of producing high-quality, award-winning journalism holding power to account and are looking for someone who shares those values. Beat includes enterprise reporting, meeting coverage, filing open records requests and holding local government accountable, whether it's elected officials or an appointed local special district