NOTE: A little bit of Gwyn Doland’s explanation of how she got into the news biz (she started as a chef, then discovered she’d grown to love writing about food) is cut off. But other than an abrupt start, this is a fascinating discussion of open government and where journalism is going.

By Marisa Demarco

— Today, Monday, May 20, we launched our first live Google Hangout. Compass editors spoke with two sunshine champions: Gwyneth Doland is the former executive director of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, and Alexa Schirtzinger is the editor in chief of the Santa Fe Reporter, an alt.weekly and “the feistiest newspaper in New Mexico,” according to her Twitter bio.

Schirtzinger and Doland have both been in the trenches fighting for open government in New Mexico in the last year.

The Santa Fe Reporter uncovered a mass of private emails from members of Gov. Susana Martinez’ administration concerning public business. Doland was many folks’ first or second phone call as issues of the First Amendment and freedom of the press sprouted around the state. She was on hand to advise members of the CNM Chronicle when the college’s administration started yanking newspapers from the stands.

Schirtizinger and Doland also both announced this month that they’ll be leaving their posts. Schirtzinger will be researching funding solutions for local journalism having been awarded the Knight Journalism Fellowship. Doland says she’s looking forward to returning to her writing career. She’s also an instructor at UNM.

A big thank you to Joe Cardillo for the technical and creative support.