The New Mexico Local News Fellowships and Internships program is proud to present the six fellows and 10 interns who will join local news organizations this summer for paid, hands-on training experiences.
The program, a project of the New Mexico Local News Fund and the University of New Mexico Department of Communication and Journalism, is designed to build a stronger, more sustainable local news ecosystem while helping journalism students advance into successful careers.
The fellows and interns will start June in print, broadcast and digital organizations across the state. This year we're proud to work with several new host newsrooms: the Tri-City Record in Farmington, Nob Hill News in Albuquerque and Searchlight New Mexico.
“Local news is essential infrastructure for our communities,” said Rashad Mahmood, executive director of the New Mexico Local News Fund. “By investing in these fellows and interns, we’re helping ensure that people across New Mexico have access to the reliable information they need to make decisions about their lives.”
The 2026–2027 cohort is a group of exceptional young people who reflect the diversity of our state. Many have been placed in their hometowns, in the news organizations they grew up with, where they will bring local knowledge and perspective to the communities they cover. Two-thirds are students of color and two are fluent Spanish speakers.
"Learning about journalism in a classroom is important," said Program Manager Gwyneth Doland, "but this kind of real-world experience and seasoned mentorship helps students develop skills, confidence and professional networks in ways school can't.”
Funding for the program comes from the New Mexico Local News Fund and the state Department of Workforce Solutions, furthering journalism career development and job placements. New Mexico is one of only three states that have dedicated public funding specifically for journalism fellowships. The state Legislature’s four years of support have allowed the program to expand more fully into underserved communities outside of Central New Mexico.
|
