Author

Shaun Griswold is a journalist in Albuquerque. He is a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna, and his ancestry also includes Jemez and Zuni on the maternal side of his family. He grew up in Albuquerque and Gallup. He brings a decade of print and broadcast news experience. Shaun reports on issues important to Native Americans in urban and tribal communities throughout the state, including education and child welfare.
New Mexico governor signs over 200 bills into law
By: Megan Gleason, Austin Fisher, Danielle Prokop and Shaun Griswold - April 7, 2023
The end of 2023’s legislative session led to over 240 bills getting through the Roundhouse. By the end of Friday, the last day for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to sign legislation, more than 200 measures from the 60-day Legislative session became law. All the pieces of legislation that passed the Roundhouse and arrived at Lujan […]
NM governor signs state budget and money for projects into law
By: Austin Fisher, Megan Gleason and Shaun Griswold - April 7, 2023
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday signed into law bills dealing with the state government’s $9.57 billion budget, and more than $1 billion in public funding for construction and other projects throughout the state that were requested by lawmakers during the 2023 session. Lujan Grisham didn’t make many changes to House Bill 505, the Capital […]
Man faces federal assault and carjacking charges related to the disappearance of Navajo woman
By: Shaun Griswold - April 4, 2023
A federal judge in Arizona on Tuesday unsealed a federal indictment against Preston Tolth, indicting him for assault and carjacking related to his alleged role in the disappearance of Ella Mae Begay. Begay (Diné), went missing from her home in Sweetwater, Arizona on June 15, 2021. Her disappearance has sparked local and national attention, in […]
Lujan Grisham signs voting rights bill
By: Austin Fisher, Megan Gleason and Shaun Griswold - March 30, 2023
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday morning signed House Bill 4 into law, which she said should serve as a model for other states and the federal government. “This country’s not made voting for Native Americans, women and any number of individuals and groups readily accessible and protected, and it’s really an outrage,” Lujan Grisham […]
After 60 days, New Mexico lawmakers send more than 200 bills to governor
By: Austin Fisher, Megan Gleason and Shaun Griswold - March 20, 2023
By the end of the 2023 session on Saturday, the New Mexico Legislature had passed 241 bills. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has until April 7 to sign or veto legislation. After that date, any bills she leaves untouched will be “pocket vetoed.” Lujan Grisham had signed 25 bills by noon on Saturday, which are marked […]
Change to Roundhouse secrecy policy awaits a House vote
By: Shaun Griswold - February 10, 2023
A bill to alter how and who can talk about harassment complaints made against state legislators is now waiting for debate by the full New Mexico House. If House Bill 169 is passed, it would allow a person who files a complaint with the Legislative Ethics Committee to speak publicly about what happened. Currently, state […]
FEMA cuts first check for Las Vegas, NM water supply restoration
By: Megan Gleason and Shaun Griswold - February 9, 2023
Mayor Louie Trujillo knows he has at least a five-year push in front of him to rebuild water treatment facilities in Las Vegas, N.M., that were contaminated by debris from the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. And while he’d like things to move at a faster pace, he did get a drop in the bucket on […]
State aroma bill passes its first sniff test in the NM Legislature
By: Shaun Griswold - February 1, 2023
What smell comes to mind when you think of New Mexico? Is it the fresh rain rolling off Sandia Mountains? Is it alfalfa cut for harvest outside Roswell? Perhaps it’s the mercaptan added to the otherwise odorless smell from natural gas production in the Four Corners, or the waft of cows on the eastside of […]
N.M. educators seek a role in setting requirements for extended learning
By: Shaun Griswold - January 24, 2023
Danielle Gurnea said she doesn’t mind the additional hours teaching middle school students in Las Cruces, and if state lawmakers approve additional funds for her public school district to expand extended learning or professional development, she just wants a say in the matter. “I enjoy doing programs with my school, but I also appreciate when […]
Folklórico dancers bring life to the rotunda while lawmakers mull over art and music in schools
By: Shaun Griswold - January 19, 2023
An athlete and an introvert dance together on top of the New Mexico seal inlaid in the floor at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. The circumstances of how they got here is the perfect setup for a high school coming-of-age story. The athlete suffered an injury preventing him from being on the field, so he […]
Lujan Grisham calls on N.M. lawmakers to legally protect abortion rights during State of the State
By: Shaun Griswold - January 18, 2023
Cheers filled the House chambers in Santa Fe on Tuesday afternoon when Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced she wants to expand protections for abortion services and care in the state. “We do that, and we make it clear to practitioners, to women and families that in every corner of this state: Your body autonomy and […]
NM Rep. Javier Martínez becomes the sixth Democrat to report shots fired at his home, police have potential suspect in custody
By: Shaun Griswold - January 9, 2023
Rep. Javier Martínez is set to take on the role as the speaker of the House in the New Mexico Legislature when it convenes in Santa Fe on Jan. 17. Today, the Democrat that represents areas in downtown and Old Town Albuquerque, is the fourth elected official from his party to report bullets fired at […]