New Mexico Voices
Albuquerque shelter officials concerned about rise of COVID-19 cases
By Alika Medina / NM News Port The number of COVID-19 cases in Albuquerque’s largest homeless shelter has risen to more than 114, which comes as the shelter was re-opening in advance of winter weather. Dennis Plummer, CEO of the nonprofit Heading Home, has confirmed between 114 and 130 homeless people at the Westside Emergency […]
Revel looks to bounce back following COVID shutdown
By Sayre Key-Towne / NM News Port With New Mexico’s COVID-19 cases declining and the state now permitting restaurants to operate at 25% capacity, local food and entertainment venues are beginning to see daylight for the first time in months. Danny Chavez is the owner and operator of Revel — a large, warehouse style club […]
New Mexicans to receive additional unemployment benefits
By Manuel Romero / NM News Port Starting this week, the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions will be allocating additional funds granted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to New Mexico residents who meet the necessary qualifications. Similar to the CARES act, which provided recipients an additional $600 per week from March through July, […]
New Mexico’s unemployment rate rises above national average
By Devin Muzzey / NM News Port As the coronavirus pandemic continues to threaten communities and devastate economies worldwide, New Mexico now suffers an unemployment rate above the national average, the highest it’s been since measurements began back in 1976. The U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics — in conjunction with the New Mexico Department […]
Down for the count
The 2020 census is doing a number on rural America. In places like Lordsburg, New Mexico, that could spell doom. By Julia Sclafani | Searchlight NM Tucked away in New Mexico’s bootheel, Lordsburg is the kind of town that hasn’t bustled in 50 years. It’s the birthplace of the state song “O Fair New Mexico” […]
Hitting Home: Growing pains
Anthony puts big plans on hold during pandemic By Julia Sclafani | Searchlight New Mexico / ANTHONY, N.M. — On a spring day during the coronavirus lockdown, Fernie Herrera set up an outdoor stove in his spacious backyard. He unfurled the awning on his camper — parked under the pine tree that towers over the […]
Hitting Home: Busted!
The Carlsbad region was poised to send $3 billion to New Mexico coffers, thanks to one of the biggest oil booms in history. Then came COVID. By Rachel Mabe and Ed Williams | Photography by Don J. Unser | Searchlight NM CARLSBAD, N.M. — On a Thursday in late May, Michael Trujillo sat in the […]
Hitting Home: Bordering on desperation
In Gallup, surrounded by the Navajo Nation, a pandemic crosses paths with homelessness, hate and healers By J. Weston Phippen | Photos by Don J. Unser | Searchlight NM GALLUP, N.M. — At the end of the Howard Johnson Hotel’s orange and white hallway, Dr. Caleb Lauber paused by a mirror as if he were […]
Hitting Home: When history deals a bad hand
The scrappy city of Las Vegas gambled on its Wild West history to draw tourists and keep the economy afloat. With the coronavirus, all bets are off. By Rachel Mabe / Photos by Don Unser / Searchlight NM LAS VEGAS, N.M. — Elmo Baca has always loved historic buildings. He was born in Las Vegas, […]
Hitting Home: Planting hope amid a plague
Older generations on the Navajo Nation have passed down stories of scourges, resilience — and survival. New generations are bringing these tales to life. By Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi / Searchlight New Mexico SHIPROCK, N.M. — Four miles down Farm Road, just off U.S. Route 491 in northern Navajo, a group of young Diné used what […]