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.
NM has 7th-best enrollment in $30 per-month internet subsidy
Deadline looms for verifying internet speeds across Southern NM
PHOTO: A poster advertising satellite-based internet service is seen Dec. 9, 2022 in the farming community of La Mesa, 17 miles south of Las Cruces on N.M. Hwy. 28. New Mexicans face a Friday, Jan. 13 deadline to verify their internet speeds on a federal broadband map – a step that will be key to getting funding for faster internet in the future. (By Diana Alba Soular/ Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative)
‘Tripledemic’ strains Southern NM hospitals
Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, is seen in mid-December 2022.
KRWG episode shines light on food insecurity amid ongoing pandemic & inflation
Las Cruces Sun-News examines key industries & jobs, as pandemic nears end of third year
Promotoras in Luna County
The power of promotoras: How community health workers helped residents cope with COVID-19
Inez Herrera, left, and Alma Renteria, both Doña Ana County promotoras, practice a blanket-making technique taught at one of a number of classes offered to residents at community centers in the outlying areas. Promotoras, or community health workers, have helped residents in rural areas navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and aftermath.
COVID’s lasting impact, as seen by a funeral home attendant
State urges flu, COVID-19 immunizations for children
KRWG explores homelessness among veterans
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
Challenges to NM kids’ well-being illuminated in yearly ‘Kids Count’ report
Carlsbad Current-Argus: COVID-19 levels high in Lincoln County
Southern NM community of Chaparral had trouble accessing COVID-19 relief funds
Jeff Gore, a longtime resident of Chaparral, says the community is a quiet one that is not trusting of the government or the media. (Photo by Reyes Mata III)
City of Las Cruces OK’s GO Bond question for affordable housing
KRWG ‘Newsmakers’ episode features COVID-19 update
A look at COVID-19 mental health impacts & spending in Southern New Mexico
Columbus, New Mexico resident Lievano Ramirez said the stress of isolating in his home and the uncertainty of living amid a pandemic affected his mental health.
The Las Cruces Bulletin: City spends millions from hospital fund on COVID-19 relief, other aid projects
Columbus NM News spotlights broadband meeting
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.
