The newspaper industry isn’t what it used to be.  

Over the last decade, publications across the country and here in New Mexico have declined, facing inevitable closures because of financial woes and corporate and private interests mandating restructures.  

According to the Medill School’s 2025 State of Local News report, more than two newspapers closed per week last year, adding to what’s called a “news desert.” The term describes a lack of news coverage in communities where there is little to no media presence. The long-term effects are wide from disengaged citizens to unchecked local governments.   

Organizations have started digital outlets to help fill those coverage gaps amid a changing consumer landscape. The Santa Fe New Mexican, a 176-year-old newspaper, is about to do the same in one of those markets.  

On the latest podcast episode of “Conversations Different,” host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by The Santa Fe New Mexican’s Executive Editor Bill Church to discuss the paper’s bold expansion to Las Cruces and Southern New Mexico. The two discuss why the move is justified for the family-owned company and what new and longtime readers can expect.  

In the episode, Church talks about efforts to create a robust publication that will have professional journalists staffed in that part of the state to cover key issues. Julia Gentin is among the first reporters to be hired.  

Russell Gomez also asks Church about The New Mexican’s own digital growth and products which he says has helped attract a broader state-wide audience.  

More information about the new outlet, including an official name, will be released soon.

The newspaper&nbsp;industry&nbsp;isn&rsquo;t&nbsp;what it used to be.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Over the last decade, publications across the country and here in New Mexico have declined, facing inevitable closures because of financial woes and corporate and private interests mandating restructures.&nbsp;&nbsp;
According to&nbsp;the&nbsp;Medill&nbsp;School&rsquo;s&nbsp;2025 State of Local News&nbsp;<a href="https://localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/projects/state-of-local-news/2025/report/">report</a>,&nbsp;more than two newspapers closed per week last&nbsp;year,&nbsp;adding to&nbsp;what&rsquo;s&nbsp;called a&nbsp;&ldquo;news desert.&rdquo;&nbsp;The&nbsp;term&nbsp;describes&nbsp;a lack of news coverage&nbsp;in communities&nbsp;where there&nbsp;is&nbsp;little&nbsp;to no&nbsp;media presence.&nbsp;The long-term effects are&nbsp;wide from&nbsp;disengaged citizens&nbsp;to&nbsp;unchecked&nbsp;local governments.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Organizations have started digital outlets to help fill those coverage gaps amid a changing consumer landscape. The Santa Fe New Mexican, a 176-year-old&nbsp;newspaper,&nbsp;is about to do the same&nbsp;in&nbsp;one of those&nbsp;markets.&nbsp;&nbsp;
On the latest podcast episode of &ldquo;Conversations Different,&rdquo; host Inez Russell Gomez is joined by&nbsp;The Santa Fe New Mexican&rsquo;s Executive Editor Bill Church to discuss the paper&rsquo;s bold expansion to Las Cruces and Southern New Mexico. The two discuss why the move is justified for the family-owned company and what new and longtime readers can expect.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, Church talks about&nbsp;efforts to&nbsp;create a robust&nbsp;publication&nbsp;that will have&nbsp;professional journalists staffed&nbsp;in that part of the state&nbsp;to cover&nbsp;key&nbsp;issues.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/were-hiring-expanding-into-southern-new-mexico/article_e6044f01-638d-4772-ac4d-33a412cc1d70.html">Julia Gentin</a>&nbsp;is among the first&nbsp;reporters to&nbsp;be hired.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Russell Gomez&nbsp;also&nbsp;asks Church about&nbsp;The New Mexican&rsquo;s own digital growth and products which he says has helped attract a broader state-wide audience.&nbsp;&nbsp;
More information&nbsp;about the new&nbsp;outlet, including an official name, will be released&nbsp;soon.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.

Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.
Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.