By Ike Swetlitz / Searchlight New Mexico Maia Duerr’s parents died from COVID-19 in January 2021. The pandemic was raging, so Duerr didn’t have funeral ceremonies. Instead, she opted for cremations, which cost about $7,000 total. A few months later, she found out that the federal government would foot the bill. “I just felt like,… Continue reading Pandemic death benefits going unused
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New Mexico Downwinders demand recognition, justice
Decades-old compensation fund for people impacted by nuclear testing is set to expire in July BY: DANIELLE PROKOP / Source New Mexico The story of the Trinity Test Site is mapped onto the bodies of thousands of New Mexicans, slipped between stories of losing family member after family member to cancer. For Tina Cordova, bringing light to… Continue reading New Mexico Downwinders demand recognition, justice
Troubled waters
By Lindsay Fendtand Annabella Farmer / Searchlight New Mexico ROSWELL, N.M — Water is the lifeblood of the economy in southeastern New Mexico. It sustains alfalfa fields in Clovis, keeps cows alive on Roswell’s dairy farms and allows for fracking in Carlsbad and Hobbs. Here, the place where water is pumped or diverted is determined… Continue reading Troubled waters
When the well runs dry
Nobody knows how much water New Mexico has. Finding out is the best way to ensure survival against drought and climate change.
Lindsay Fendt and Annabella Farmer / Searchlight New Mexico
New Mexico reeling to satisfy fast growing TV & film industry
The film and television industry has never been a bigger part of New Mexico’s economy, and if both the industry and the government get their way, it will get even bigger.
But it comes with growing pains.
An in-depth report from By Noah Solomon, Jeanette DeDios, Spencer Butler, Tyler Braunhardt
Companies looking to hire retail workers for the holidays
By Justine Collister / NM News Port Retail companies are in search of workers this holiday season and many are offering signing bonuses, increased wages, merchandise discounts and other incentives to attract seasonal employees. “We can no longer keep up with all the orders placed online for beauty products let alone clothing,” said Katie Rondinella,… Continue reading Companies looking to hire retail workers for the holidays
Friendships help students survive an unusual first year of college
By Justine Collister / NM News Port Moving away from home and family is one of the most challenging parts of college but the pandemic has put extra pressure on new students. It helps to have close friends, whether they’re people you’ve just met or old friends at the same school. Jane March, a first-year… Continue reading Friendships help students survive an unusual first year of college
Lady Driven
By Michaela Helean / NM News Port One cold Montana winter, a young woman in her early 20s was stranded on the side of Highway 93 with a broken timing chain on her ’63 Chevy Nova. Julie Clark had nothing but her intellect and her pantyhose to help her get the Nova running again. “When… Continue reading Lady Driven
Holy Posole!
By Rayes Gallegos / NM News Port Just before Christmas last year my father spent two nights in his room with what he thought was a headache. I, a paranoid COVID-19 germophobe, intent on not getting the virus, wiped every square inch of the house with Clorox wipes. Then, on Christmas day, my fears were… Continue reading Holy Posole!