Eight New Mexico State University journalism students are joining a growing mission to ensure the future vitality of local newspapers in New Mexico.
Escalation of local newspaper closures and aggressive corporate consolidation over the last 10 years has left more than 50 million Americans living in counties with either zero local news sources or only a single, resource-strapped outlet.
New Mexico Local News Fund (NMLNF) is among dozens of funds, regional coalitions and national networks working to ensure the future of local journalism, considered crucial infrastructure to support democracy. One of many ways NMLNF is meeting the challenge is by pairing new journalists with experienced mentors and encouraging partnerships with newspapers across the state.
“We do work very hard to make these students aware of opportunities,” said Richard Coltharp, journalism and mass communications college assistant professor. “As the newspapers around the state have shrunk, they can't afford interns. But through our aggressiveness as a faculty, the student's interest and things like the New Mexico Local News Fund and the New Mexico Press Association, we're trying to build things back up.”
In just the past three years, professors in NMSU’s Department of Journalism and Media Studies have seen 20 NMSU students selected for this program. This year, five NMSU students received yearlong fellowships, and three will participate in summer internships. The interns include: Elizabeth Anne Andrews, Searchlight New Mexico; Bodhi Fogden, Taos News; and Lenora Lare, Tri City Record. The fellows include: Leighanne Muñoz, Las Cruces Sun-News; Jaclyn Ruiz, Santa Fe New Mexican; Ben Schlittler, KRQE-TV; Serena Johnson, KRWG Public Media; and Marshall Mecham, Artesia Daily Press.
Mecham is an NMSU May journalism graduate. His yearlong fellowship with the Artesia Daily Press begins in June.
“This job will entail me covering a lot of sports in Artesia,” Mecham said. “I will cover other types of news when needed as well. The Artesia newspaper also works with the Carlsbad, Ruidoso and Alamogordo papers, so I will publish articles for each platform.”
Johnson began her degree in film programs in Colorado and Los Angeles before finding her calling in NMSU’s journalism program. Johnson will receive her bachelor’s degree in journalism from NMSU in December. Johnson’s fellowship with KRWG Public Media will showcase her multimedia journalism talents when she starts in June.
“Local journalism is where it’s at,” Johnson said. “People trust local journalism more than national news. This program keeps journalism alive on the local level and encourages aspiring journalists to stay in the field. I feel more confident and passionate about my journalism when it contributes to my community, and I know the community returns that trust and confidence in me as well.”
NMLNF’s classroom-to-career pipeline places student interns and post-graduate fellows into paid, hands-on training roles within local newsrooms, giving these students an advantage over other graduates just out of college.
“Programs like these internships, fellowships and workshops offer experience these student journalists need,” Coltharp said. “What we're trying to do is help them get practical, hands-on work before they leave here.”
“This opportunity with the NM Local News Fund program is important to me because it has always been a goal of mine to have a job doing what I love directly after graduation,” Mecham said. “It is a great start to my career, and I hope to use it is a building block to reach my goals in the journalism industry.”
Daily newspapers across the country that keep readers informed about local issues are dwindling. Support for local media ownership ensures news stays relevant to the community needs, covering stories that national outlets ignore.
“It means a lot to me that I can continue doing what I love and continue to grow in this field through this opportunity,” Johnson said. “KRWG is so beloved by the community, and it’s largely because of community support that the program is still running. I couldn’t think of a better newsroom to transition out of college into.”
-30-
CUTLINE: Eight New Mexico State University journalism students were selected for the 2026 New Mexico Local News Fund program. Top row: Interns include: Elizabeth Anne Andrews, Searchlight New Mexico; Bodhi Fogden, Taos News; and Lenora Lare, Tri City Record. Fellow Leighanne Muñoz, Las Cruces Sun-News. Bottom Row: Fellows incude: Jaclyn Ruiz, Santa Fe New Mexican; Ben Schlittler, KRQE-TV; Serena Johnson, KRWG Public Media; and Marshall Mecham, Artesia Daily Press. (Courtesy photos)