Reflecting on the Legacy of the Rio Grande Sun | 5.6.22

New Mexico in Focus (A Production of NMPBS)

First up this week, as we talk about at the beginning of the show, this will be another dangerous weekend for wildfires in New Mexico. We want to share some valuable resources with you so we can all stay as safe as possible:

KRQE Fire Evacuations: What You Need to Know

Sandoval County Fire Alerts

Ready, Set, Go System

And, information on assistance, for those who have already suffered losses from the ongoing wildfires.

Now to our episode this week... a reflection on a historic small-town paper, the Rio Grande Sun. The paper had carried the Trapp family name for more than a half-century, until the recent decision to sell. Gene Grant sits down with former owner, editor and publisher Robert Trapp to ask why he decided to move on from the multi-generational business, what the legacy of the paper may be, and what the future could hold under new ownership. Gene also catches up with three former reporters at the Rio Grande Sun who recall some of their memories at the paper and explain how formative their experiences were for the rest of their careers. Correspondent Gwyneth Doland then looks ahead to the new direction of the paper, during an interview with the new editor and publisher Richard Connor.

Historical context is scattered throughout this week’s show, with excerpts from the Ben Daitz documentary “The Sun Never Sets,” which followed the paper and its workers during the early days of the internet. That documentary originally aired on NMPBS in 2013.

Guests:

Robert Trapp, former owner, editor & publisher, Rio Grande Sun

Julia Goldberg, reporter, Santa Fe Reporter

Tabitha Clay, reporter, The Paper

Mike Kaemper, former editor, Rio Grande Sun

Richard L. Connor, publisher & editor, Rio Grande Sun

For More Information:

Rio Grande Sun – website

‘Rio Grande Sun’ sold to investors – Santa Fe New Mexican

We’re Done Afflicting the Comfortable – Rio Grande Sun Editorial (Robert Trapp)

Local Investment Group Buys Rio Grande Sun – Rio Grande Sun

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