Haussamen.com is shutting down

I sprang into action in August when I learned about plans to build a massive campus of artificial intelligence data centers in Doña Ana County. Weeks later, I published an in-depth article that told the story of how Project Jupiter came to be. I argued that the developers needed to guarantee their rosy promises.

It was probably the most widely read article I’ve written since I left newspapers behind 20 years ago to report for the digital age. That filled me with optimism about my return to journalism a few months earlier following a hiatus caused by illness.

I am a stubborn believer in the power of journalism — of information, education and transparency — to help communities contend with monied and powerful interests and advocate for themselves. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this work.

This time, my efforts mattered. One person sent me this generous note: “Your Project Jupiter analysis is just what I’ve been waiting for! … Many thanks. This is great muckraking journalism.”

Over the past year, I’ve felt like I’m working at a full sprint. I’ve written dozens of articles, and I’m proud of my work. I believe my journalism has helped make Project Jupiter better — or, depending on your perspective, at least less bad.

Stretched too thin

I’m writing today to let you know that my time doing this journalism is ending. My spouse, state Rep. Sarah Silva, and I are stretched too thin. Our state doesn’t currently pay our legislators. Doing journalism isn’t paying the bills, either.

Though my articles on Project Jupiter have been widely read and discussed, I’ve simply not been able to raise the money I need.

I’ve already taken on other work, and I’m shutting down haussamen.com, at least for now. I’m writing one last column to share some final thoughts on Project Jupiter. Then I’m moving on.

(Before the rumor mill goes nuts: No, I’m not going to work for Project Jupiter’s developers. As if!)

A collapsing profession 

I’ve been a journalist for 28 years. Frankly, it’s been brutal.

I entered American journalism just as it was beginning its decline. I’ve spent my entire career watching a profession I love collapse, and our democracy crumble along with it.

Giant corporations have bought and liquidated community institutions I treasured. Friends and colleagues have been laid off or given up the fight and taken public relations jobs. Neighbors have cancelled subscriptions and stopped reading.

Journalists too often have codependent relationships with their communities. We sacrifice a lot to be there when folks need us — even when people can’t or don’t help us sustain those efforts. My work on Project Jupiter is no exception. While the most prominent journalism trade publication in the United States was featuring my reporting on Project Jupiter, I was pretty desperately fundraising to try to keep the lights on.

Surely some of that is my fault. But it’s undeniable that too many Americans have lost their willingness, and perhaps ability, to pay for news.

What now?

If there’s a lesson here, it’s that you get what you pay for. I’d encourage Southern New Mexicans to subscribe to the Albuquerque Journal, which has a full-time reporter doing good journalism here. That investment won’t last if the Journal doesn’t see an increase in subscriptions.

You might also donate to support Las Cruces Community Radio, KRWG Public Media and El Paso Matters. They all do good work on Project Jupiter and other critical issues in our community.

If you’re not ready to give up on Las Cruces’ two newspapers, you might also subscribe to them. I do.

I helped launch New Mexico In Depth in 2012 and appreciate its coverage. I’d encourage you to support that news organization as well.

There are still reporters doing good work here. Let’s keep them employed.

I’m stepping back from journalism knowing doing so will leave a hole in our community. Who will cover Project Jupiter with the tenacity and depth I brought?

But our family simply cannot sustain this any longer. I’m sorry for that.

One last column

I have a few things left to say. Look for my final column on Project Jupiter soon.

I’m a writer. I don’t plan to ever stop doing it. I’m going to lean back into the nature writing I did during the pandemic in the free moments I can find. I have a pretty awesome story to tell about oryx.

If you want to keep up with me, you can subscribe to my email list or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Bluesky.

Thanks for your support.