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.
Las Cruces investing $4M in affordable housing
Shopping cart ordinance already stirring controversy, as cart is seized from homeless resident
Las Cruces councilors OK controversial ordinances tied to homelessness
Las Cruces ‘grief party’ lightens the load of heavy emotions
The Las Cruces Bulletin: Mobile crisis unit looks to the future after debut year
KRWG: What is guaranteed basic income?
KRWG: Fentanyl epidemic a growing challenge in Las Cruces
KRWG’s ‘Newsmakers’ spotlights hunger in Southern NM — and what’s being done about it
Las Cruces Sun-News: City commits $6M to complete affordable rental complex
Factors combine to boost hunger across Southern NM
$300K award to jumpstart internet-aid outreach in Doña Ana, Luna Counties
White House launches effort to close digital divides
Las Cruces Sun-News examines key industries & jobs, as pandemic nears end of third year
KRWG reports on shifting news media landscape in Southern New Mexico
KRWG explores homelessness among veterans
KTAL Community Radio delves into GO bond issues, including affordable housing
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
KRWG ‘Newsmakers’ episode features COVID-19 update
The Las Cruces Bulletin: City spends millions from hospital fund on COVID-19 relief, other aid projects
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.
