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.
‘Tripledemic’ strains Southern NM hospitals
Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, is seen in mid-December 2022.
Las Cruces Sun-News examines key industries & jobs, as pandemic nears end of third year
COVID’s lasting impact, as seen by a funeral home attendant
State urges flu, COVID-19 immunizations for children
KRWG explores homelessness among veterans
Fall and winter viruses active in lower Rio Grande region
KRWG: City gathering input on federal pandemic aid to combat homelessness
Las Cruces returns millions of dollars used for COVID-19 and humanitarian response efforts
Columbus New Mexico News: Luna County launches internet speed test program as part of funding push
KRWG ‘Newsmakers’ episode features COVID-19 update
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.
