Author

Shaun Griswold

Shaun Griswold

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: , , and - 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 […]

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks during her 2023 State of the State before the joint chambers of the New Mexico Legislature in Santa Fe. A large plaque that is the symbol for the state of New Mexico is behind her. Several people are also seated behind the governor. A bouquet of flowers sits to her left.

NM governor signs state budget and money for projects into law

By: , and - 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: - 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 […]

A dozen people stand in a semi-circle in a large rotunda in the center of the New Mexico Legislature. Six of them hold signs that together have 17,000 tally marks, representing the people in New Mexico denied the right to vote because of a felony conviction. They are surrounded by the polished stone walls of the Rotunda at the state capitol in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Lujan Grisham signs voting rights bill

By: , and - 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: , and - 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: - 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 […]

Acres of charred trees jut out from freshly fallen snow near Rociada on Wednesday, part of the 340,000-acre burn scar of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire on Feb. 8, 2023.

FEMA cuts first check for Las Vegas, NM water supply restoration

By: and - 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 […]

Red and green chiles roasting on a grill

State aroma bill passes its first sniff test in the NM Legislature

By: - 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 […]

Two hedges covered in light snow, stand in the foreground of a the New Mexico State Land Office on Jan. 18, 2023. A red sign hangs above the entrance stating the Land Office has generated "more than $5.4 billion for our schools!" The sign has a blue border, red background and white font.

N.M. educators seek a role in setting requirements for extended learning

By: - 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 […]

The Portales Schools Folklórica performs at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe on Jan. 18, 2023. The after school program is for high school and junior high students.

Folklórico dancers bring life to the rotunda while lawmakers mull over art and music in schools

By: - 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 […]

18 people are present in the shot. Six people standing are elected officials, From right to left, Rep. Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque), Sec. of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver (black shirt), former Rep. Brian Egolf, Sec. of Interior Deb Haaland, U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez and U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury stand to applaud a line about abortion rights said by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham during her State of the State speech on Jan. 17, 2023 in Santa Fe.

Lujan Grisham calls on N.M. lawmakers to legally protect abortion rights during State of the State

By: - 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 […]

Downtown Albuquerque New Mexico skyline shows four prominent hi rise buildings during daytime.

NM Rep. Javier Martínez becomes the sixth Democrat to report shots fired at his home, police have potential suspect in custody

By: - 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 […]