Local News is in Crisis—But Communities Showed Up

Local news outlets have been experiencing a crisis nationwide, and New Mexico is no exception. According to “News Deserts” research from the University of North Carolina, four counties in New Mexico had no newspapers, and 22 counties had only one. When communities lack trusted local news sources, civic engagement declines, directly threatening our democracy.

But in December 2024, New Mexicans stepped up.

From December 1 through 31, we ran our 4th Annual New Mexico Local News Matching Campaign, giving 19 participating newsrooms across the state the opportunity to receive up to $7,500 in matched donations. That meant every dollar contributed during the campaign was doubled—supporting coverage of essential topics like education, the environment, health, transportation, and economic opportunity.

People across the state showed just how much they value local journalism. Their support made it clear that communities are willing to invest in news that informs and connects them.

Read the full report on the 2024 Matching Campaign and on Medium to see the impact, meet the participating newsrooms, and learn what’s next for local journalism in New Mexico.

  • Graphic design with the words 'SEARCHLIGHT NM' in bold letters, black background, with yellow and white accents.

    Searchlight New Mexico

    Searchlight New Mexico is a nonprofit and nonpartisan investigative news organization focused on the systemic issues that impact everyday New Mexicans. We believe that great reporting can motivate all New Mexicans to confront racial and economic inequities, government corruption and negligence, and abuses of power.

  • Logo for Questra del Rio News featuring a large letter 'Q', a newspaper illustration, and text reading 'Questra del Rio News'.

    Questa del Rio News

    The nonprofit Questa del Rio News is a local newspaper published monthly in print and online serving Questa, Red River, San Cristobal, Lama, Cerro, Costilla, and Amalia. We are "Community Supported Media". Your support allows us to continue our mission: To Inform, Inspire, Connect, and Unite the Communities of Northern Taos County. Misión:  Informar, inspirar, contactar, y unir a toda la comunidad del norte del condado de Taos.

  • Logo with teal background featuring white letters 'NM' and red text 'In Depth'

    New Mexico in Depth

    New Mexico In Depth is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that depends on community support from people who believe in journalism that digs deep, holds power accountable, and tells stories through the viewpoints of on the ground New Mexicans.

  • Logo of a newspaper titled "City Desk" with subtitle "The Duke City's new non-profit daily newspaper"

    City Desk ABQ

    City Desk ABQ is an independent nonprofit newsroom serving and supported by readers and institutions working together to become more informed and better engaged residents of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County.

  • Cover of the New Mexico Jewish Journal with black text on a white background.

    New Mexico Jewish Journal

    The New Mexico Jewish Journal is an independent online publication launched in 2024, New Mexico Jewish Journal: keeping us connected with news, arts, culture and spirituality. Our mission statement is to connect, inform, enrich and celebrate the vibrant and diverse Jewish communities of New Mexico and the region.

  • Logo for Gil/ammbres Community Radio featuring a cartoon lizard on radio tower and text with frequency, location, and website information.

    Gila/Mimbres Community Radio KURU 89.1 FM

    GMCR operates a non-commercial volunteer based community radio station in Silver City that provides programming and media access to segments of the community that are underserved.

  • Logo for KCCO 930 AM radio station with slogan 'Classic Country in the Heart of the Permian Basin' and locations Carlsbad, Artesia, Seven Rivers.

    KCCC Radio 930 AM

    KCCC-AM is a classic country radio station serving Carlsbad, Artesia, Seven Rivers and southeast New Mexico.  KCCC hosts a twice weekly community forum to focus on important local issues and has plans to increase its local news coverage specific to southeast New Mexico.

  • Southwest Contemporary logo with black text on a white background.

    Southwest Contemporary

    Southwest Contemporary is the leading resource for contemporary arts and culture in the Southwest. Headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico and in print since 1992, Southwest Contemporary publishes curated and critical perspectives on contemporary arts and culture throughout the Southwest.

  • Uplift Chronicles logo with yellow and black text on a white background.

    UpLift Chronicles

    The New Mexico Black Leadership Council (NMBLC) publishes the UpLift Chronicleseach month. It focuses on Albuquerque's International District and also serves as a voice for Black and other underserved communities in the metro, and across the state. In addition to the digital edition, approximately 4,000 copies are distributed each month.

  • Green Fire Times logo with tagline 'News & Views from the Sustainable Southwest'.

    Green Fire Times

    Green Fire Times is a platform for regional, community-based voices—useful information for residents, businesspeople, students and visitors—anyone interested in the history and spirit of New Mexico and the Southwest.

  • Line drawing of mountain peaks with text "The Mountainair Dispatch" arched above the mountains.

    Mountainair Dispatch

    The Mountainair Dispatch is an independent publication launched in November 2022 by Todd Brogowski who saw a gap in news coverage for the Torrance County area, and believed a low-cost, hyper-local news service could serve the county better than a traditional newspaper.

  • Kenwy Eastern New Mexico University Portales logo, including PBS, NPR, and NPR logos, on a black background.

    KENW Public Media

    KENW public media offers public broadcasting for eastern New Mexico and west Texas from Eastern New Mexico University.

  • Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper logo with website URL

    Santa Fe New Mexican

    The Santa Fe New Mexican is a daily newspaper published online and in print in Santa Fe. It is nicknamed "the oldest newspaper in the west" as the first edition was printed in 1848. It features local news, arts, and opinion coverage in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico.

  • Abiquiu News logo with the tagline 'Connecting People to Build a Stronger Community' over a landscape of a river winding through colorful autumn trees and rolling hills under a cloudy sky.

    Abiquiu News

    Abiquiu News is a news hub for Abiquiu and surrounding areas, bridging communities and supporting local businesses, non-profits and individuals.

  • The logo of the News-Sun with a yellow sun graphic above the text.

    Hobbs News-Sun

    Hobbs News-Sun has a staff of professionally trained journalists and sales executives that work to bring readers the latest in real news and shopping choices in Lea County.

  • The logo of the Roswell Daily Record newspaper with the tagline "Voice of the Pecos Valley" beneath it.

    Roswell Daily Record

    The Roswell Daily Record is a daily newspaper serving Roswell, New Mexico, covering local news, events, sports, and culture. Founded in 1897, it is notable for its connection to the 1947 Roswell UFO incident, a key part of the town's history. The paper remains an important news source for the region.

  • Logo of Santa Fe Reporter with red background and white text.

    Santa Fe Reporter

    Monthly support and one-time donationscan be made in any amount and help support local, lively, independent journalism in our weekly print edition and every day online. Santa Fe Reporter has been providing alternative news and culture since 1974.

  • Logo for 101.1 FM KSTIR radio station with a purple, blue, green, yellow, and black color scheme.

    KSFR Public Radio

    KSFR is community inspired and supported radio.  Our variety format offers a listening landscape of independent non-commercial programming that strives to engage, enrich, entertain and educate the vibrant communities we serve.

  • Illustration of a bear wearing purple glasses and holding an iPhone.

    Cloudcroft Reader

    Launched in October 2023, the Cloudcroft Reader is published by Sacramento Mountain News LLC  and has quickly become the most-widely read and respected publication for the greater Cloudcroft community. It is a free service. By subscribing, you’ll receive periodic updates about interesting people, important local issues, and fun events.

  • Red background with white text that reads 'BOOM TOWN'

    Boomtown Los Alamos

    Boomtown was started in 2023 with the belief that Los Alamos County, in a time of great change, needs a source of independent, in-depth, and non-partisan journalism focused on that change. Its goal is to build a stronger and more connected community through comprehensive reporting and analysis of issues affecting our dynamic region.