I’m writing to update you on NMPolitics.net’s progress. We’ve made gains toward solidifying our funding in recent months, and our just-completed reader survey gave us great feedback and ideas for improvement.
Over the next few months, I’ll be working on several journalistic and other projects I think you’ll be excited about:
In-depth reporting
Heath Haussamen
I’ve been working for months on an investigative project into the status of Spaceport America. The question of whether the spaceport is providing an economic benefit to the state is front-and-center, but I’m also exploring transparency and other issues. I’ve visited the spaceport, interviewed Virgin Galactic employees, dug deep into documents and researched what’s happening in other states that have spaceports. I’ve obtained information the public has never seen and am excited to publish this series. Look for it sometime in July.
I’ve joined the Solutions Journalism Network and am working with reporters from around the state to examine how people and communities are building a resilient New Mexico. I’ll be working on a story on how Truth or Consequences can thrive over the next few months. Others will be working in small towns across the state. We’re sharing articles with each other, and I’m really excited to publish all our reporting in October.
Work on NMPolitics.net’s joint investigation with the Las Cruces Sun-News and KRWG into southern New Mexico’s behavioral health system is progressing nicely. Look for that reporting later this year.
Business development
While we’ve made progress, NMPolitics.net still doesn’t have the funding it needs to be stable. That affects our capacity to do journalism every month. I’m continuing to work on building our individual donor base and am exploring other options for securing additional funding.
Survey evaluation
I’m currently reviewing the feedback you all provided in our recent survey and am already implementing some journalistic, technical and business changes as a result. I heard loud and clear that you want more state-level news, and I’ve come to an agreement with New Mexico In Depth to republish their articles. I have resolved a technical issue and restored comments on the NMPolitics.net website. I’ve made it easier for you to donate by mail. Look for additional improvements in the coming months.
What you can do to help
Completing in-depth reporting projects and the other tasks detailed here takes a lot of time and money. NMPolitics.net will continue to bring you the news, but I may be publishing a bit less frequently over the next couple of months.
There are a couple of things you can do to help:
- Submit a guest commentary for publication. We welcome your views regardless of ideology. You know you have something to say. Write it! You can find our submission guidelines here.
- Help fund our work. Donations from people like you are our primary funding source. If you’re already signed up to make automatic monthly contributions, thank you! If you’re not, would you sign up to give regularly or make a one-time donation to NMPolitics.net? You can do so here.
Thank you for all you do to help NMPolitics.net succeed! Journalism is critical to our society, and I’m doing my best to bring you quality news, commentary and information.