This week on New Mexico in Focus, 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. 

Grant 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.

New Mexico in Focus airs on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME HD) Friday, May 6 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 8 at 7 a.m., and streaming on the PBS video app. 

NMiF Segments
Bob Trapp Discusses Sale Correspondent
Gene Grant

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

Rio Grande Sun Reporting Alumni
Correspondent

Gene Grant

Guests
Julia Goldberg, reporter, Santa Fe Reporter
Tabitha Clay, reporter, The Paper
Mike Kaemper, former editor, Rio Grande Sun

Rio Grande Sun’s Impact and Challenges
Correspondent

Gene Grant

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

What’s Next for the Rio Grande Sun?
Correspondent

Gwyneth Doland

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

Host
Gene Grant

New Mexico in Focus is the New Mexico PBS prime-time news magazine show covering the events, issues, and people that are shaping life in New Mexico and the Southwest. NMiF takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic health, education, and art issues, and explores them in-depth with a critical eye to give them context beyond the "news of the moment." 

The program debuts Friday nights at 7 p.m. on NMPBS 5.1(KNME-HD) and appears online at www.newmexicoinfocus.org. The show rebroadcasts on NMPBS 5.1 (KNME-HD) Sundays at 7 a.m. and on NMPBS 5.4 on Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

The producer of New Mexico in Focus is Matt Grubs, with Kathy Wimmer, associate producer. The NM PBS Public Affairs executive producer is Kevin McDonald. 

The McCune Charitable Foundation provides NMiF funding, along with viewers like you.

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