It's not a strike. It's just not a selling point. Editing or shooting news is a step below wedding videographers. It's not that it says you don't know what you are doing, it's just that unless you create stuff on the side, you have nothing on your reel to show your capabilities. Create that reel. Mok up projects and do some pro bobo stuff to get the stuff you need on your reel. Leave the news stories off of your reel but do list your employment history on your resume.
And again, look far beyond your home town.
