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Top U.S. General Warns Troops Must Be Ready to Fight from Earth to ‘Cislunar Space’ Days After Pentagon Admits It Has Weapons in Orbit

Juan Oliveros
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Top U.S. General Warns Troops Must Be Ready to Fight from Earth to ‘Cislunar Space’ Days After Pentagon Admits It Has Weapons in Orbit

A top U.S. military officer said that America’s military needs to be ready to operate not just in Earth’s orbit, but also around the Moon.

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and senior military adviser to President Donald Trump, said on Wednesday that future battlefields could reach from the ocean floor all the way to ‘cislunar space.’

“The Joint Force must adapt now so it is prepared to “fight, endure and win … from the seabed to cislunar space,” Caine told military personnel and defense industry leaders at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland.

Cislunar space usually means the large area between Earth and the Moon, including the space near the Moon itself.

Caine’s warning came only two days after Air Force Secretary Troy Meink publicly confirmed that the United States has already launched what he called “space control weapons” into orbit.

This was one of the clearest times Washington has publicly admitted to putting a weapon in orbit. Meink did not reveal what the weapon is, when it was launched, or exactly how it works. He only said the systems are there to protect American forces from hostile actions.

The timing of the two announcements has underscored Washington’s stake in preparing for the kind of conflicts that could extend into space.

Lt. Gen. Gregory Gagnon, head of the Space Force’s Combat Forces Command, separately told reporters that the military is preparing for operations beyond Earth. 

Gagnon stressed that  “humanity is advancing deeper into space.” And that “Our potential adversaries such as the PRC are actively pursuing activities in the system, in parts of space,” he said. PRC stands for People’s Republic of China.

He said the United States is planning to double the size of the Space Force over the next five years, bringing it to about 25,000 personnel. “We have capabilities in the military because we are preparing to defend the nation,” Gagnon said. “The reason we have the capabilities is to help create deterrence.”

The Pentagon did not say the United States plans to fight a war on the Moon. Caine’s comments were about cislunar space in general, and officials gave few details about what military operations there might look like.

However, this language shows that the military is expanding its idea of where future battles could take place.

Until now, space has mostly been used for satellites that handle communication, navigation, surveillance, and early warnings. Now, U.S. military planners see the area beyond Earth’s usual orbits as more important for strategy.

Defense officials said China has stepped up its activities in cislunar space by launching missions to the Moon and setting up a relay satellite there. China has also grown its space program and started a military space force in 2024.

But Beijing has said it does not want to put weapons in space. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said this week that China supports using outer space for peaceful purposes and opposes “the weaponization, militarization and an arms race in outer space.”

He urged the United States to stop increasing its military activities in space.

The US revelations have also raised questions about the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, signed by both the United States and China. The treaty specifically says the Moon and other celestial bodies should be used exclusively for peaceful purposes, prohibiting nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction from being placed in orbit and barring military bases, weapons testing, and military maneuvers on celestial bodies.

The treaty does not, however, prohibit all military activity in space, a distinction that is increasingly important as nations develop systems designed to interfere with, disable, or defend against satellites.

Although U.S. officials said America has already put a weapon in orbit, they did not share any details.

Washington has not revealed details about its systems, but has made it clear that it wants to be ready for new competition beyond Earth.Caine also made it clear that the U.S. military plans to prepare for space conflicts before they happen. “Today’s modern battlefield operates from the seabed to cislunar space,” Caine said.

New Mexico’s Opportunity Scholarship Program: Important Details You Need to Know 

Gregg Morgan
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New Mexico’s Opportunity Scholarship Program: Important Details You Need to Know 

Want to go to college but you’re worried about the cost? New Mexico has offered free college tuition through the Opportunity Scholarship Program since 2022. The initiative gives New Mexicans a chance to attend college and earn a degree without paying tuition.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham consistently shares updates on the program’s progress and the state funding allocated to support it. In a recent social media post, she said it removes cost barriers and helps residents avoid heavy student debt. The governor added that the program also enhances the workforce and economy by helping New Mexicans learn and build their futures. 

Screenshot from: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham | Facebook

As state officials encourage more New Mexicans to use the program, questions about tuition-free college persist. Some citizens are asking whether the state truly offers free college tuition. “Nothing is free,” a netizen wrote in the comment section of the governor’s post. Others question whether there are sufficient funds for the program. There are also citizens asking if the Opportunity Scholarship Program has produced graduates since its launch.

Our team researched the Opportunity Scholarship Program to provide accurate information about how it works. This guide can answer your questions about the initiative, especially if you’re considering college in New Mexico.

QUESTION #1: Is college tuition free in New Mexico?

WHAT’S TRUE: New Mexico offers tuition-free college. In 2022, Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 140, the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship Act. The law made college tuition-free for most New Mexicans and established one of the most wide-reaching tuition-free scholarship programs in the United States. 

The Opportunity Scholarship covers 100 percent of tuition for students attending the state’s 29 public colleges and universities. It supports both part-time and full-time students pursuing high-demand certificate, associate, and bachelor’s degrees. The program also covers summer enrollment and has no income requirements.

New Mexico was the first state to offer tuition-free college through the Lottery Scholarship. However, rising tuition and declining lottery earnings have increased the financial burden on students. As a result, many New Mexicans decide they can’t afford to continue their education after high school or return to finish a degree. Today, the Lottery Scholarship covers 60 to 75 percent of students’ tuition costs. The Opportunity Scholarship supplements the Lottery Scholarship, allowing students to pay no tuition or fees at any of the state’s 29 public institutions of higher education.

QUESTION #2: Where can you use the Opportunity Scholarship?

WHAT’S TRUE: You can use Opportunity Scholarship funds at any public post-secondary educational institution or tribal college in New Mexico. That includes four-year state colleges, such as the University of New Mexico as well as community colleges.

Among the approved schools are:

  • New Mexico State University, 
  • New Mexico Highlands University, 
  • the Western New Mexico University, 
  • Eastern New Mexico University, and 
  • New Mexico Tech.

Students can also use the scholarship at the New Mexico Military Institute and some tribal colleges. A total of 29 public colleges and universities in New Mexico participate in the program.

QUESTION #3: Who qualifies for the Opportunity Scholarship?

WHAT’S TRUE: The Opportunity Scholarship covers all students and has no income-based eligibility restrictions. You may qualify if you are an established New Mexico resident planning to enroll at a public college or university. You must take at least 6 credit hours toward a training certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree. Additionally, the program requires students to maintain a 2.5 cumulative Grade Point Average starting in their first semester receiving the scholarship.

QUESTION #4: Can you use the Opportunity Scholarship to finish a degree you started? 

WHAT’S TRUE: If you started college but didn’t finish, you may still qualify for the Opportunity Scholarship. You can meet the requirements if you have fewer than 90 credit hours toward an associate degree or fewer than 160 credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree. 

QUESTION #5: How to apply for the Opportunity Scholarship? 

WHAT’S TRUE: The Higher Education Department said you don’t have to undergo an application process for the scholarship. If you qualify and enroll at a New Mexico public college or university, you can coordinate with your school’s financial aid office to receive the scholarship. 

QUESTION #6: What is the state doing to sustain Opportunity Scholarship funding? 

WHAT’S TRUE: In April 2026, Lujan Grisham signed a $1.5 billion higher education budget for fiscal year 2027. This represents a 15.4 percent increase over last year. The budget sustains and expands the state’s tuition-free college programs and accelerates workforce development and training initiatives. It also supports basic student needs and invests in campus infrastructure.

The budget also allocates $186 million for the Opportunity Scholarship, including $146 million from the general fund and $40 million from the Higher Education Program Fund. It also increases the Lottery Tuition fund by $37 million. State officials said the funding will sustain full tuition coverage for eligible students and secure long-term support for free college programs.

In 2024, Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 159 to establish a Higher Education Trust Fund. The $959 million fund offers scholarships for recent high school graduates and returning students. The trust fund supports state financial aid programs at public colleges and universities, including Lottery Scholarships and Opportunity Scholarships. 

QUESTION #7: Has the Opportunity Scholarship helped students graduate?

WHAT’S TRUE: The program has already helped thousands graduate. The Opportunity Scholarship has helped 22,939 New Mexicans earn undergraduate credentials, from certificates to bachelor’s degrees, since its implementation. According to HED, 42,479 residents received support through the program during the last academic year. 

The Opportunity Scholarship has also earned national recognition, including the College Promise National Impact Award. The HED said the award highlights New Mexico’s efforts to make tuition-free college more accessible and help students succeed.

Drone or UFO? Pilots Spot Mysterious Object Over Washington Airport — Flights Halted After Pilots Report Seeing It Over Active Runway

Juan Oliveros
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Drone or UFO? Pilots Spot Mysterious Object Over Washington Airport — Flights Halted After Pilots Report Seeing It Over Active Runway

All flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were brought to a halt for at least 20 minutes on Wednesday night after two pilots reported seeing a drone or something near the active runway.

The first pilot, an American Airlines regional jet crew member arriving from Tulsa, told air traffic controllers at one of America’s most tightly controlled airports that he saw “a drone or something” flying roughly halfway down the runway during the plane’s approach.

At the same time, a second pilot, waiting to depart for New Jersey, also reported seeing a light that he believed could have been a drone or something.

The reports prompted an immediate warning to other aircraft and brought the flight operations to a standstill, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and air traffic control recordings.

A search, however, yielded nothing, leaving authorities without a confirmed identification of the mysterious object. The FAA said local and federal authorities were notified.

The air traffic controller described the report as “unauthorized UAS activity” near DCA, with the object’s type and color unknown.

That wording is significant because authorities have not publicly confirmed what the object actually was  although the pilots thought they had seen something that looks like a drone. There is also no evidence at this stage that the sighting was a UFO in the extraterrestrial sense.

The incident remains a reported unidentified object that pilots believed was a drone. 

A dangerous place to spot one

The reported sightings occurred in some of the most restricted airspace in America. The FAA says Washington’s airspace is more restricted than that of any other part of the country.

A Special Flight Rules Area covered the Washington region, extending 30 miles around Reagan National. In the 15-mile inner ring, the rules, designed to protect aircraft and other critical government facilities, prohibits unmanned aircraft without specific FAA authorization.

Drones are extremely difficult for pilots to see and avoid, particularly during takeoff and landing. The FAA warns drone operators to avoid manned aircraft and are responsible for hazards their aircraft create around airports.

And Reagan National is an especially unforgiving place for an unidentified object to appear, with over 800 takeoffs and landings occur in the airport each day. More than 90 percent of flights are using its main runway. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority describes the airport as the busiest in America.

Airport still under scrutiny after deadly crash

The drone report comes as Reagan National remains under investigation after the January 2025 midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter where all 67 people aboard the two aircrafts perished.

In its final report, the National Transportation Safety Board said failures involving airspace design, safety oversight, risk management, and air traffic control contributed to the mid-air disaster.

During the 20-minute pause, authorities immediately searched for the reported object but nothing was found.

The two pilots believed they saw a drone. It could also be a UFO because in the literal sense of an unidentified flying object, either extraterrestrial or otherwise. 

UN Agency Report: 2025 Ranked Among the Driest Years for Global River Flows in 35 Years

Juan Oliveros
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UN Agency Report: 2025 Ranked Among the Driest Years for Global River Flows in 35 Years

With fewer waterways recording “normal” flows than at any point since observations began in 1991, rivers worldwide in 2025 reached their driest level in 35 years, according to a new report. 

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), in its State of Global Water Resources 2025 report released on Thursday, says greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels have made the global water cycle stronger.

The report says about 36 percent, or nearly 4 in 10, of the world’s river basins had lower-than-usual water flow, while about 21 percent, roughly 2 in 10, had higher-than-usual flow, Only about a third of basins recorded normal water flow. 

That continues a pattern of the past seven years, which have recorded the fewest rivers with usual flows since observations began in 1991. “We are depleting that savings account,” WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said. That “savings account” refers to terrestrial water storage, the water held in groundwater, lakes, rivers, soil, vegetation, snow and ice.

Satellite observations show a persistent decline in land-based water storage since around 2014–2016, with most parts of the planet registering levels well below historical norms in 2025.

Alarming pace

Widespread ice loss continued for the fourth consecutive year since 2023, the report noted,  totaling roughly 1,400 gigatonnes. That volume of water alone could fill about 560 million Olympic-sized swimming pools. 

In the short term, melting glaciers can increase flood risk as surface runoff increases. Over time, however, glacier loss threatens the water supplies, which millions of people depend on seasonal snowmelt. 

Asia and Africa suffered the most impacts, accounting for at least half of recorded water-related extreme events and more than 80 percent, or 8 in 10, of the people reported to have died in connection with these water-related extremes over the past five years, according to the WMO.

The WMO report says nearly two-thirds of monitored wells worldwide were outside their historical norms in 2025 and were increasingly drifting toward deficits. Wayne Jenkinson, the WMO’s director of hydrology and cryosphere, said the trend toward fresh water shortages on Earth has been clear for about a decade.

Beyond rivers and glaciers

The consequences are not merely statistical. Low river flows can disrupt agriculture, hydropower generation, navigation and ecosystems, the WMO warned. Retreating groundwater levels also threaten communities that rely on underground reserves, while melting glaciers undermine long-term water security.

The WMO says better monitoring, data sharing, and enhanced early-warning systems are crucial, along with stronger adaptation efforts and more resilient water management, as global temperatures continue to rise, warning that climate change has altered how the planet’s water resources move, endangering water security, economies and ecosystems.

The WMO’s report tracks river flows, groundwater, land water storage, glaciers, snow and major water-related extremes.  

APS to Hold Community Discussions as It Eyes Right-Sizing to Address Enrollment Decline

Gregg Morgan
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APS to Hold Community Discussions as It Eyes Right-Sizing to Address Enrollment Decline

Albuquerque Public Schools is set to begin its right-sizing efforts to address “years of sharp enrollment declines.”

On Wednesday, the APS Board of Education approved a resolution to launch a districtwide public engagement process on facility and enrollment planning. The initiative will open conversations on how to address the concern, which may directly affect your child. 

APS said it has not made any decisions about school closures, consolidations, or boundary changes. However, the measure calls for a series of community meetings this fall. These discussions will let you share your input before the district develops formal recommendations. 

In a statement, APS said the effort comes as enrollment has declined. The district had 84,000 students in 2018, compared with under 64,000 at the end of last school year. The figures represent a loss of around 20,000 students.

How Enrollment Decline Affects APS

APS said the drop stems from lower birth rates in Bernalillo County and families with school-age children moving out of state. As enrollment falls, many schools have empty or underused spaces.

Nearly one in four APS schools currently serves fewer than 250 students. About one in six operates at less than half capacity. The district said this is a challenge in offering comprehensive programming and robust campus environments for your children.

Additionally, underused facilities reportedly strain APS finances and operations, with the district spending about $50,000 daily on utilities alone. 

Randy Mahlerwein, deputy superintendent for leadership and learning, said with the decrease of school populations it’s difficult to sustain the same programs, services, and staffing.

What Options Does APS Have?

APS notes that other districts also face similar enrollment challenges. Some are pursuing right-sizing and school closure to maintain educational quality and equitable student resources. 

District leaders cited past campus repurposing efforts as possible options. These include turning underused facilities into early childhood centers, dual-language academies, or specialized high schools.

The district will review community feedback collected this fall during the winter. District staff expect to brief the board in early 2027 on community priorities and possible next steps before drafting specific proposals.

Hackers Rip Down Flock Surveillance Camera, Then Crack Open Its Secrets: Where It Happened and What the Hackers Shared With the Media

Juan Oliveros
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Hackers Rip Down Flock Surveillance Camera, Then Crack Open Its Secrets: Where It Happened and What the Hackers Shared With the Media

A group of hackers ripped down a Flock Safety surveillance camera from above a US roadway and copied much of its internal data. Collectively calling themselves stegan0gram, the group took down the roadside camera and accessed its Android-based operating system. The group also extracted a near-complete copy of the data stored on it before handing the material to 404 Media and WIRED for analysis.

Both WIRED and 404 Media identify the physical setting. But they do not publicly identify the exact location of the hacked camera in their reports. But based on GPS coordinates from the recovered logs, security researcher Micah Lee placed the hacked device in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, a suburb northwest of Milwaukee.

The hackers found, inside roughly 21 days of recoverable logs, that the single camera photographed about 50,200 vehicles, generating an astonishing 1.6 million images.

A typical passing vehicle triggered around 28 photographs, while some produced over 100. The device also contained more than 27,000 short MP4 video clips.

The recovered material showed that the camera’s software is not only tracking license plates. It also detects people, vehicles, bicycles, and license plates, recording where each appears in the frame and assigning a confidence score to every detection.

In one example, the system apparently mistook an American flag patch on a motorcyclist’s saddlebag for a license plate. Sometimes, it also set aside bumper stickers, dealership frames, and other graphics as if they were plates.

Hidden in an unencrypted partition

After accessing the camera’s Android system, the group found several storage partitions, including unencrypted areas labeled “vendor” and “media.”

The media partition contained an encryption key, allowing them to unlock another partition of the device that held many of the stored photographs and videos. That finding is no small matter. Previously, Flock claimed that its cameras use on-device encryption and that images are retained only briefly before being transmitted to its servers. 

The stegan0gram said they don’t want to simply tear down the device; they wanted to understand the technology behind the camera. “Why just destroy them when we can reverse engineer them and find the secrets of those spying on us?” one member of stegan0gram told reporters.

“We liberated hardware in the field, disarmed them, and proceeded with reverse engineering of the cameras and associated solar equipment.”

A smartphone-like computer hidden inside

The investigation found that the camera contains a processor comparable to those used in mid-range smartphones and runs about 20 Flock-built applications.

Those programs handle tasks including motion detection, photography, image classification, cellular uploads and remote software updates.

The camera itself does not appear to perform the most sophisticated license-plate and vehicle identification.

Instead, it captures and processes images before sending information to Flock’s servers, where the system appears to identify the plate and characteristics such as the vehicle’s make, model, and color.

The recovered software also showed that the device’s computer-vision system can detect people. WIRED and 404 Media found no evidence that the camera used facial recognition beyond the functions built into Android itself.

One camera. 1.6 million images.

The scale of the data recovered from just one roadside device revealed that in roughly three weeks of recoverable logs, it photographed 50,200 vehicles, generated 1.6 million images, and stored over 27,000 video clips. These represent only what remained on the device when it was obtained, as older records had already been overwritten or were no longer recoverable.

Flock maintains that unauthorized removal and tampering with its cameras is illegal. It also said it had not received a vulnerability report through its official channels, limiting its ability to assess the hackers’ claims.

The incident, according to Flock, did not amount to a demonstrated breach of Flock’s centralized cloud infrastructure. Instead, it involved physical access to a single deployed camera and the data stored on that device.

Flock’s expanding surveillance network

The revelations come as Flock faces increasing scrutiny over its rapidly expanding network of automated license plate readers (ALPR)..

WIRED found that records from Flock cameras in Alpharetta, Georgia, for example, could be accessed by more than 2,000 agencies, including police departments, colleges, airports and federal entities.

The system has also come under criticism after reports that police officers used the national network for searches connected to immigration enforcement and, in one Texas case, to locate a woman who had self-administered an abortion.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) unveiled the Flock-Off Act early this month. The bill seeks to restrict the use of federal funds for ALPRs and biometric surveillance cameras. Specifically, the measure would block any attempt to purchase, install, maintain, operate, or upgrade ALPRs and biometric surveillance cameras for municipalities and local law enforcement. 

Meanwhile, communities across the United States have begun removing or rejecting Flock cameras, while other devices have been vandalized or torn down.

The stegan0gram took the device apart and opened a window into what the roadside system was actually doing rather than simply pulling a camera from a pole and walking away, resulting in a trove of images, videos, software, and logs offering an unusually detailed look at a technology designed to quietly watch America’s roads.

Why It Took 84 Years to Bring This New Mexico Hero Home From a Japanese Hellhole in the Philippines

Juan Oliveros
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Why It Took 84 Years to Bring This New Mexico Hero Home From a Japanese Hellhole in the Philippines

A young New Mexico National Guardsman has finally been laid to rest 84 years after his death in the Philippines. Why did it take so long for his body to be brought home? 

Sgt. Melvin E. Jones, who was 22 when he died on 28 July 1942, was buried with full military honors this week at Portales Cemetery. His remains lay unidentified in a mass grave, marked only as “unknown” beneath a white cross in the Philippines.

Born in Clayton, New Mexico, in 1919, Jones served with Battery E of the 200th Coast Artillery Regiment. The unit was deployed to the Philippines months before the attack on Pearl Harbor.

American and Filipino forces, after months of fighting against the Japanese on Bataan, surrendered on 9 April 1942. Jones and thousands of others were forced on the notorious 65-mile Bataan Death March.

Those who survived the Death March were sent to the brutal Cabanatuan Prison Camp in Luzon, where overcrowding, starvation, and disease ran rampant.

More than 2,500 prisoners died there. Jones, weakened by malaria, was one of them. He was buried in Common Grave 215 alongside other fallen comrades, in a mass pit marked by little more than a number.

After the war, American Graves Registration teams recovered the remains. But the cemetery sat in a high water table, leaving bones badly degraded and making identification extraordinarily difficult.

Efforts to identify the remains in the late 1940s and early 1950s relied on dental charts and basic anthropology.  The identification of the remains ultimately stalled, so that in 1951, officials concluded as “unidentifiable” those nearly 1,000 who died in Cabanatuan prison.

Jones’s remains were interred as an unknown at the Manila American Cemetery. His name was added to the Walls of the Missing, a memorial to those who perished during the war but has not been properly recovered.

That was where the story stood as families waited, technology lagged, priorities shifted. The sheer volume of wartime losses, combined with the chaos of mass graves, left hundreds of New Mexico soldiers and other Americans in limbo.

But in 2014, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency launched the Cabanatuan Project to systematically re-examine the unidentified remains armed with the advances in DNA analysis, including next-generation sequencing capable of working with highly degraded samples.

The remains from Common Grave 215 were carefully exhumed and sent to a laboratory in June 2018. Scientists sorted the commingled bones, compared DNA with family reference samples, and cross-checked historical records. Then on 23 September 2025, the remains that belonged to Sgt. Melvin E. Jones was identified. And on 15 September 2026, he was finally home.

During the ceremony, New Mexico National Guard members folded the flag and presented it to relatives, including his 91-year-old nephew. Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Carper declared, “Sgt. Jones gave his life in service to our nation, but time does not diminish his sacrifice, nor does it diminish our responsibility to honor him and his family.”

Tourism Boost? New Mexico Welcomed 760,000 International Visitors in 2025 Despite Nationwide Decline

Gregg Morgan
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Tourism Boost? New Mexico Welcomed 760,000 International Visitors in 2025 Despite Nationwide Decline

New Mexico tourism continues to draw thousands of visitors from around the world. A leading travel research firm reported that more international travelers visited the state last year.

According to Tourism Economics, New Mexico welcomed about 10,000 more international visitors in 2025 than in 2024. That marked a 1.1 percent increase. An estimated 760,000 international travelers visited New Mexico in 2025, the Tourism Department said.

Federal policy shifts and global economic conditions created challenges for tourism across the U.S. Despite these hurdles, the state exceeded the national average in several key tourism performance indicators in 2025.

New Mexico’s international visitation increased year over year even as foreign visitors to the U.S. declined. The U.S. Travel Association reported a 5.5 percent drop in international visits nationwide. 

“The country as a whole faced a number of challenges to tourism growth in 2025, but New Mexico was able to defy the national trend thanks to informed marketing strategy and dynamic partnerships,” said Acting Tourism Secretary Lancing Adams. “We will continue to position New Mexico as a welcoming and worthy destination for leisure travel, which is what travelers across the globe are seeking in 2026.”

Meanwhile, New Mexico also recovered faster than the national average as tourism rebounded after the pandemic. 

U.S. Travel Association data shows that domestic travel nationwide has grown 3 percent since 2019. New Mexico saw a 9 percent increase over the same period. International travel to the U.S. fell 14 percent from 2019, while travel to New Mexico grew 12 percent. 

New Mexico welcomed 41.6 million visitors in 2025, who spent an estimated $8.8 billion directly in the state.

The report also found that visitors spent more on food and drinks, retail, and recreation in 2025 than in 2024. The increase shows that travelers continue to prioritize outdoor activities and dining in New Mexico. 

Tragic Drowning in Newcomb Claims Three Lives as Flash Flood Threat Continues in Parts of New Mexico 

Gregg Morgan
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Tragic Drowning in Newcomb Claims Three Lives as Flash Flood Threat Continues in Parts of New Mexico 

Three people died in a drowning incident reportedly caused by floodwaters in New Mexico’s Four Corners region early Wednesday, police said. 

The Navajo Police Department said its Shiprock District responded to a possible drowning at around 12:30 a.m. Officers received a report of floodwaters sweeping people away near a flooded area in Newcomb on the Navajo Nation. 

Responding officers discovered two adults and a juvenile who had drowned when they searched the scene. All three were declared dead in the incident, police said. 

According to authorities, the drowning remains under investigation. The Navajo Nation Fire and Rescue Newcomb and Shiprock stations, Navajo EMS, and 4Corners K-9 Search and Rescue joined the search effort. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those affected. We respectfully ask the community to honor the family’s privacy during this time,” the Navajo Police Department said in a statement.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren is calling for privacy as he thanked first responders. He also extended his condolences to the victims’ loved ones.

“There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a loved one so suddenly,” Nygren said. “To the family, relatives, and loved ones who are grieving today, we offer our deepest condolences. We pray that you are surrounded by strength, comfort and the love of your family and community in the difficult days ahead. We are grateful for their service, courage and commitment to our people.”

Flood Threat Remains

Nygren urged the public to exercise extreme caution around flooded roadways, washes, and other areas affected by heavy rainfall.

Rain began falling in Newcomb around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and continued intermittently until shortly after midnight. The area received about 0.5 to 1 inch of rain, with most of the rainfall occurring within an hour Tuesday evening. 

New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado are under a serious flood threat from Wednesday into Thursday. A surge of moisture moving into the region could bring heavy rains and flooding. In New Mexico, northern/eastern McKinley County and southern San Juan County remain areas of concern. 

A flash flood watch remains in effect across those states for nearly 8 million people until Thursday morning. Parts of New Mexico and south-central Arizona are under a rare Level 3 of 4 threat of flooding rainfall.

New Mexico Hits Highest Animal Rabies Numbers Since 2019, With 22 Positive Tests Recorded Already This Year

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico Hits Highest Animal Rabies Numbers Since 2019, With 22 Positive Tests Recorded Already This Year

New Mexico has recorded 22 animals tested positive for rabies so far this year, marking the highest annual count recorded since 2019. These cases include a rogue fox in McKinley County, a trio of rabid skunks in Curry County, and 15 infected bats across the state from Taos all the way to Doña Ana County.

Dr. Erin Phipps, public health veterinarian for the New Mexico Department of Health, admitted experts are at a loss to explain the spike. “I do not have a good answer for why we’re seeing that increase here in New Mexico.” 

The state typically records a total of 10 to 15 animal rabies cases per year. This year, however,  bat cases alone have spiked to 15, doubling the seven cases recorded in both 2024 and 2025.

The bizarre surge comes as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) takes the rare step of issuing a national health advisory following a cluster of mass-exposure events nationwide:

  • Petting Zoo Horror: North Carolina health authorities confirmed multiple rabies infections among baby goats at a mobile petting zoo, potentially exposing hundreds of unsuspecting children and parents.
  • Beaver Attacks: A Maryland state park was forced into partial lockdown after aggressive, rabid beavers savaged two terrified park-goers.

The series of encounters triggered a 17 percent spike in emergency rabies inquiries to the CDC over the summer. At least eight state health departments are reporting a rush on post-exposure treatments.

Rabies is one of the world’s most fatal zoonotic diseases. Once an infected carrier bites a human, the virus initially triggers flu-like symptoms before it progresses to a severe neurological breakdown, including severe anxiety, confusion, aggression, brain swelling, and ultimate death.

Human deaths in the U.S. remain rare due to rapid emergency room treatment.  Health officials warn, however, the lifesaving vaccine protocol carries a price tag of up to $14,000 per person.

Dr. Phipps urged the public to stay vigilant for “abnormal” animal behavior. He zeroed in on bats found crawling indoors or unable to fly.

“The average bat out there flying and eating mosquitoes is good for the environment,” Dr. Phipps said. “What concerns us is an abnormal bat. We’re not seeing anything that is particularly alarming per se, but we are seeing an uptick in the number of positive cases—and it’s a good reminder for everyone to think about their pets.”

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