It's not easy to summarize an entire year in 10 abbreviated news stories. Or is it? When SFR's editorial staff sat down to brainstorm about the events that defined 2011, each of us rattled off a similar, if not identical, list: the Las Conchas wildfire, Jerome Block Jr., the enduring relevance of New Mexico's pay-to-play scandals, the Occupy movement, the state of Santa Fe Public Schools, the war—yes, we're still at war—and driver's licenses for foreign nationals, a nonissue that became an issue.

In many areas, we succeeded. SFR's coverage of the controversy, lack of transparency and poor performance in local public schools remains unrivaled. Our 24/7 news treatment of a 24/7 wildfire was exhausting, but undoubtedly worthwhile.

But we also fell short of covering certain subjects to the extent we could or maybe should have. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to kill and wound New Mexico's bravest; those who return are faced with the dual challenge of readjusting to society while attempting to beat the most dismal job prospects since the Great Depression. As with the national media, these heartbreaking stories have not dominated the local news—but we're committed to continually strengthening and improving our coverage of Santa Fe's most important issues.

Farewell, 2011. We'll miss your political scandals and your fervent, vocal 99 percent. We hope never to revisit your natural disasters. And Santa Fe, we'll see you on the other side.

—Alexa Schirtzinger 

The Fire Next Time

Las Conchas is over. How do we move forward?

Alexa Schirtzinger

Ticking Time Bomb Factory

Will any of the warning signs derail LANL’s $6 billion boondoggle?

Wren Abbott Public Schools by the Numbers Why the district’s approach just doesn’t add up Wren Abbott Blocked Out The fall of Jerome Block Jr. haunts the PRC Joey Peters Political Re-Enfranchisement America loves Occupy—and loves to hate it Ramon A Lovato Drive Time Another attempt to repeal the driver’s license law may face new obstacles Joey Peters Lines in the Suit New Mexico redistricting grinds through the courts Alexa Schirtzinger & April Lipinski Pay to Stay New Mexico’s old political problems haven’t gone away Joey Peters Christus in Context A little history undermines the Santa Fe hospital’s claims Wren Abbott A Decade of War Fighting continues in the Middle East while different battles rage at home R Harrison Dilday

Santa Fe Reporter