Reporting in Local News?

Hey y’all, I am stumped on a decision and want your input. I recently graduated college with a journalism degree. I was a paid intern in a very competitive newsroom and had a job offer as a producer that I turned down due to not being able to sit in a desk all day. That was likely not the best choice, but I did what I felt was best for my career.

I then ended up bartending for a half a year, then got a job offer as a mechanic, another passion of mine. I am currently a mechanic with decent pay, a work truck, phone, full benefits, paid holidays, and a consistent 7-3 schedule.

I want to get back in news, and I had a meeting set up to discuss becoming a reporter at a nearby newsroom. The recent Tegna production automation rollout, layoffs, and expected upcoming layoffs industry-wide have me a little worried.

I have a deep passion for making an impact on my community, but I also worry to exhaust all my opportunities just to get laid off next year. Half of me says to just make the jump and starve it out if I have to because I sincerely love reporting, especially about the environment.

The other half of me enjoys mechanic work. I work on my own truck. I enjoy problem solving. I get paid well for what I do without sacrificing time with loved ones, shitty pay and hours, and the countless other stressors that broadcast news employees experience.

My point is, what would you do? I know many people in this subreddit come from production, and that is the hardest hit right now with the new programs. I just am searching somewhere, in myself and others, for an answer to this. I know I will have the ultimate answer, but I would like some considerations if you guys could help me out!

TLDR; I want to work as a reporter in news, but I want to weigh what you think about the future of the industry.