Reflecting on the Legacy of the Rio Grande Sun

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. 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.

Host: Gene Grant

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
Guest: 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