Money Shortage Shutters N.M. Nonprofit News Site

A nonprofit online newsroom in New Mexico has laid off its staff and effectively shut down due to a lack of funding, the Associated Press reports.

The New Mexico Independent was started in April 2008 by the Washington-based American Independent News Network and focused on state politics. Its coverage earned an award last month from the American Civil Liberties Union.

American Independent is also shutting down its flagship site, The Washington Independent but will keep both outlets’ archives available online. The sites became “unsustainable financially” when foundations that provided start-up funds did not renew their support, said David Bennahum, the network’s chief executive.

American Independent’s other news sites in Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Texas remain in operation, he said.