Wrapping up 2017 with just five top stories is a challenge. Really, each of these stories are on “top” to me. But if I had to pick out just a few, I would choose the pieces listed above.

Notice the top five stories I chose. Read each headline. Read them again. What do you notice about them?

I picked these pieces because they are the kinds of stories that are ignored or skimmed over by other publications. But given the chance, these are stories that can (and did) have a big impact on their community.

The top stories I shared are of issues people face daily. As writers, we are the voice for the people. It is our duty to highlight parts of society that demand attention. To...

1. Las Vegas shooting

The shooting in Las Vegas claimed the lives of 58 people on Oct. 1, and injured nearly 550 more. It was the deadliest shooting committed by an individual in United States history. This was a national tragedy that had particular resonance in Gallup, as one of the victims, Lisa Romero-Muniz, was a discipline secretary at Miyamura High School.

2. Hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria

Hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria swept across the U.S. and Puerto Rico within weeks of each other in a devastating hurricane season. The storms took lives, destroyed power grids, and cost states billions of dollars in repairs. The full extent of the damages in Puerto Rico are...

Staff Reports



ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – On Dec. 28, Attorney General Hector Balderas launched a new ad campaign targeting New Mexico teenagers and parents with children under eighteen in an effort to combat sexual predators. The ad, titled “Monsters”, reminds New Mexicans that monsters behind their computer, tablet or phone screen really do exist in the form of sexual predators seeking to abuse children and teens. The ad can be found at www.facebook.com/NMAttorneyGeneral/ and is sponsored in order to specifically reach New Mexico teenagers ages 13-17 and parents with children under eighteen years of age years on Facebook.

“There is no higher priority of the Office of the Attorney...

Raises, equipment costs, and a helicopter pad among 2016 expenses

A remodeled helicopter landing pad, staff raises, a new wellness center and new radiology and MRI equipment accounted for significant spending in 2016 at the Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services’ hospital on Red Rock Drive.

Hospital CEO David Conejo discussed 2016 spending among other financial concerns with the McKinley County Board of Commissioners Dec. 12.

Conejo first defended increases to staff pay.

“Raises had not been given to employees in seven years,” Conejo said. “None of the salaries have been adjusted.”

Previous to the raise, nurses were paid $20 an hour. Their rate of pay...