Organ Mountains in Las Cruces, New Mexico

Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative

We are a partnership of local news organizations covering — with a solutions-based lens— topics of importance to southern New Mexicans.

The Rebuild: How Southern NM Recovers from the Pandemic

In 2022, the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative launched a project to cover stories related to the pandemic and recovery — everything from health and mental health impacts to high-speed internet access.

We’re looking at these issues from a solutions-based reporting model, in which responses to social challenges, like the pandemic, are critically examined. We seek to better connect and engage with communities, especially those under-served in local news, across the southern half of the state. Here are the latest stories.

Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 11/8/22 Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 11/8/22

KRWG explores homelessness among veterans

Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 10/27/22 Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 10/27/22

KTAL Community Radio delves into GO bond issues, including affordable housing

Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 10/26/22 Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 10/26/22

KRWG: City gathering input on federal pandemic aid to combat homelessness

Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 8/26/22 Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 8/26/22

Challenges to NM kids’ well-being illuminated in yearly ‘Kids Count’ report

Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 8/12/22 Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 8/12/22

The Las Cruces Bulletin: NM children 50th in well-being, but some strides made

Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 8/10/22 Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 8/10/22

City of Las Cruces OK’s GO Bond question for affordable housing

Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 7/23/22 Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 7/23/22

KRWG ‘Newsmakers’ episode features COVID-19 update

Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 7/7/22 Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 7/7/22

KRWG ‘Fronteras’ episode: COVID-19 in NM border town

KRWG ‘Fronteras’ episode: Host Anthony Moreno interviews SNMJC Reporter Reyes Mata III (07/05/22)

Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 6/27/22 Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 6/27/22

KTAL show features SNMJC’s COVID-19 recovery project

Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 5/15/22 Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 5/15/22

Columbus NM News spotlights broadband meeting

Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 4/8/22 Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 4/8/22

KRWG TV’s ‘Fronteras’ episode spotlights pandemic challenges to food banks

KRWG Public Media’s Anthony Moreno discusses with Roadrunner Food Bank President & CEO Mag Strittmatter the challenges of feeding hungry New Mexicans amid the pandemic.

Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 3/26/22 Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 3/26/22

Las Cruces Sun-News podcast on collaborative & solutions journalism

A Las Cruces Sun-News podcast on solutions & collaborative journalism in southern New Mexico

Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 3/16/22 Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative 3/16/22

KRWG interview with Project journalist, manager

KRWG Public Media’s Anthony Moreno interviews Project Journalist Reyes Mata III and Project Manager Diana Alba-Soular about the COVID-19 recovery reporting project.

What is Solutions-Based Journalism?

The concept of solutions-based journalism starts with an understanding that, historically, journalists have devoted too much attention to social problems — but without comparable attention to the possible solutions to those problems. This can lead to a false sense of hopelessness — a belief that progress in addressing society’s most pressing challenges just isn’t possible. In an attempt to counter that long-practiced (and misguided) trend, journalists across the world are embracing a refreshed approach — solutions-based journalism — to critically examine solutions that are being applied, whether in their own communities or elsewhere.

Not every news story produced by the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative is a solutions story, but many of them are! And we believe this dynamic approach will help to change the conversation around local news; improve equity, diversity and sustainability in the practice of journalism; and strengthen ties with audiences across southern New Mexico — for the betterment of our region.

Learn more