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More New Mexico Students are Filling Out FAFSA. Why That Could Change the State’s Future.

New Mexico posted one of the nation’s largest FAFSA completion gains, reflecting a broader push to make higher education more accessible and affordable. State leaders say the surge could reshape the economy, expand opportunity for working-class families and strengthen workforce development for years to come.

What Is The Mysterious Substance In The Mountainair Incident?—The Substance Has Been Identified

Since Wednesday, a mysterious substance has been the cause of the deaths of three people in Mountainair Home. Today, it has been answered.

Los Lunas Schools Approve $144 Million Budget, No Layoffs Despite Sharp Enrollment Decline

Despite losing 243 students, the Los Lunas school district unanimously approved a $144.57 million budget for 2026-27 with no layoffs, employee raises, and a clean audit.

State Pays Law School Tuition to Bring Lawyers Where Rural New Mexico Needs Them Most

Across rural New Mexico, thousands navigate family court and civil disputes without legal representation. With nearly 88 percent of family court litigants representing themselves, the state is launching a program to place attorneys in underserved acequias, colonias and land grant communities where access to justice has long been out of reach.

Police Are Learning to Hear You—And It’s a Game-Changer

A new investigative interviewing course at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy is teaching officers to replace coercive interrogations with science-based conversations focused on truth, trust and accurate information gathering.

Science & Technology

Oracle’s $5 Billion Pitch to New Mexico: Can Project Jupiter Win Over Skeptical Residents?

Oracle is rolling out a statewide advertising campaign to build support for Project Jupiter, its massive planned data center campus in Doña Ana County. The company promises jobs, cleaner energy and minimal water use, but residents and environmental advocates remain skeptical about the long-term impact of AI infrastructure in drought-stricken New Mexico.

“The Desert Is Not for Sale”: Inside the Revolt Against a Massive ‘Green’ Data Center in Rural New Mexico

A proposed renewable-powered AI data center in rural New Mexico has ignited fierce resistance from residents who fear the project threatens scarce water resources, fragile desert ecosystems and local control. The battle unfolding in Socorro reflects a growing national conflict over the environmental costs of artificial intelligence infrastructure.

The Flesh-Eating Fly at America’s Doorstep — and Why New Mexico’s New World Screwworm Website Could Be a Game-Changer

New Mexico has launched a centralized website to help residents identify, report and respond to the threat of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living tissue and can devastate livestock, wildlife and pets. Officials say the platform could become a critical early-warning system against outbreaks.

Thirsty Deserts, Salty Solution — New Mexico Launches $13M Mapping, Testing, and Treating Brackish Water Contracts

Facing worsening drought and shrinking freshwater reserves, New Mexico is investing millions in brackish water desalination and underground aquifer mapping. State officials say the initiative could help secure drought-resilient water supplies for future generations, particularly in rural and tribal communities.

New Mexico Reopens Fight Over Toxic Oil and Gas Wastewater — Environmentalists Call It a Political Gamble

New Mexico regulators voted to revive a contentious rulemaking process that could expand the use of treated oil and gas wastewater beyond drilling sites, reigniting a fierce clash between industry advocates and environmental groups over public health, water scarcity and political influence.

Education

‘Every Role at APS Is Vital’: Superintendent Blakey Honors Staff as School Year Closes

APS Superintendent Gabriella Blakey took the opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation to district staff–from teachers to drivers and cooks–as another school year ends.

He Built CNN. But Ted Turner Wanted to Be Remembered for Saving the Wild.

The world remembers Ted Turner as the brash founder of CNN and owner of the Atlanta Braves. But across millions of acres in the American West, Turner quietly built another legacy: restoring wildlife, protecting wolves and proving conservation and profit could coexist. In his final years, those closest to him say the media mogul was searching for something deeper than success — redemption.

Free Meals Await Kids and Teens This Summer

Children aged 1-18 can visit sites to receive free meals.

More New Mexico Students are Filling Out FAFSA. Why That Could Change the State’s Future.

New Mexico posted one of the nation’s largest FAFSA completion gains, reflecting a broader push to make higher education more accessible and affordable. State leaders say the surge could reshape the economy, expand opportunity for working-class families and strengthen workforce development for years to come.

Why Inclusion Matters: UNM Study Explores Experiences of Faculty Members with Disabilities 

A study co-authored by a faculty member with disabilities examines their experiences at the university and explores appropriate institutional responses.

Finance

Why New Mexico’s Universal Child Care Program Is in Court — and How It Could Help Families Save Thousands

A court challenge is testing New Mexico’s universal child care program, but for many families the bigger question is economic: how much money can it save, and what is at stake if the program faces disruption? Here’s what the legal fight means and how the program could help household budgets.

Updated: How a Tax Hike Means for Your Wallet: Albuquerque’s Proposed Increase Shows Why Gross Receipts Taxes Hit Consumers and Small Businesses

Albuquerque’s proposed gross receipts tax increase offers a real-world lesson in financial literacy—showing how local taxes ripple through prices, small businesses, and household budgets.

State Grants Up to $150,000 Now Available for Business Incubators

Business incubators in New Mexico have a chance to secure up to $150,000 in grants to help them meet state certification standards.

$50.7M Lost to Fraud: Regulators Step Up Warnings During Consumer Protection Week

Over 10,600 fraud complaints in 2025 cost New Mexicans $50.7M, as regulators step up warnings during Consumer Protection Week.

Southern New Mexico Outlook: Jobs Grew, Wages Rebounded, Trade Weakened in Late 2025

Southern New Mexico closed 2025 with solid job growth and improving wages in Las Cruces, even as year-over-year trade values through Santa Teresa fell sharply. Dallas Fed data also point to continued exposure to energy and commodity swings across the broader region.