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 ‘grief party’ lightens the load of heavy emotions
Hatch, N.M. library among 55 to benefit from state endowment
NM endowment offers perpetual funding source for rural libraries
KRWG: What is guaranteed basic income?
Factors combine to boost hunger across Southern NM
Food insecurity soars in Sunland Park
$300K award to jumpstart internet-aid outreach in Doña Ana, Luna Counties
Anthony, N.M. ‘bootcamp’ aims to equip advocates to solve internet gaps
White House launches effort to close digital divides
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)
Deming wins grant to serve unhoused residents
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
Fall and winter viruses active in lower Rio Grande region
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
Carlsbad Current-Argus: COVID-19 levels high in Lincoln County
City of Las Cruces OK’s GO Bond question for affordable housing
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.
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.
