MISSION — The Confederated Umatilla Journal (CUJ) has added a new reporter to its newsroom.
Beau Glynn, who started on March 2, is already covering community events and issues at the CUJ office in the Nixyáawii Governance Office.
Glynn, a native of Pilot Rock, grew up in the area before enrolling at the University of Oregon in Eugene in 2018. While majoring in English, he wrote for and contributed to Align, a University of Oregon lifestyle and fashion magazine that publishes a new issue each term.
He took a gap year in 2022-23 and landed a reporting job with EO Media Group, where he wrote for the Hermiston Herald and the East Oregonian.
Glynn said transitioning from creative writing in school to newspaper reporting was a challenge.
“In school, I was used to a very creative style. At the newspaper, everything is AP (Associated Press) format. Facts come first, emotions are secondary,” he said.
Over time, he said, he found a rhythm, balancing the demands of factual reporting with his creative instincts.
Glynn covered local news in Hermiston, focusing on city and county government and occasionally state issues. The Hermiston Herald covers Hermiston and nearby communities, including Echo, Stanfield, Umatilla, Boardman, Irrigon and Heppner, across parts of Umatilla and Morrow counties.
Working largely as a reporter, Glynn balanced both print and digital demands. The newsroom prioritized web-first publishing, with stories appearing online before print, allowing timely reporting while maintaining a regular print cycle. The experience helped him learn to manage priorities, from daily news coverage to broader community stories.
His contribution as a reporter also expanded to other publications in Eastern Oregon, including the Baker City Herald and La Grande Observer. But after a year in the news workforce, Glynn decided to return to the university and complete his degree.
Glenn noted that his newsroom experience taught him skills beyond writing and interviewing. He learned how to manage deadlines, multitasking and juggling multiple projects helped him adjust when he returned to school.
“Working at the newspaper helped me figure out how to switch between tasks without losing track, which I struggled with in school,” he said.
Glynn said that working in a newsroom also shaped his writing. Naturally, Glynn gravitates to creative writing, poetry and essays in his free time. But his passion for storytelling drew him back to journalism after graduation.
“What keeps me inspired as a reporter is storytelling,” Glynn said. “There’s so much happening here — significant events, local issues, celebrations and sometimes people aren’t even aware of it,” he said. “If I can share a story that helps someone learn about their own community, I’m doing my job.”
Glynn said that, despite his familiarity with the area, covering the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) community is a new experience.
“It’s nothing I’ve ever done before,” he said. “As exciting as it is to be back in this job, there’s a lot to learn.”
He said he looks forward to expanding his knowledge and learning about communities beyond the one where he lived for 18 years.
“It’s our duty to share information and create a shared understanding of issues and celebrations — the good and the bad,” he said.
Glynn said support from colleagues has been essential while settling into his role.
“Everyone is eager to share,” he said. “If I have questions or I’m unsure how to approach something in writing, I can talk to someone with more experience.”
He said collaboration is key in any workplace and that reporting on culturally significant topics requires care and guidance, noting that local journalism plays a vital role in informing and connecting the community.
“Local news is genuine because it directly impacts the community, whether the story is big or small,” he said. “Even sharing small pieces of information matters.”
As he begins his work at CUJ, Glynn said he’s eager to continue learning and telling stories that resonate with the community.
