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Home Cooks Invited to Compete for Cash and Prizes in 2026 Televised Cook-Off

Victoria Padilla
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Home Cooks Invited to Compete for Cash and Prizes in 2026 Televised Cook-Off

A statewide cooking contest invites amateur home chefs to compete in a bracket-style televised competition, featuring elimination rounds, judging panels, and a grand prize package. The televised competition allows the participants to showcase their culinary skills and compete for cash and sponsor-provided prizes.

The contest organizer, KOB-TV, has already released the official rules for its 2026 Cook-Off Contest.

According to the official rules, the contest is open to eligible amateur cooks who live in New Mexico or within the KOB broadcast area. Prospective participants must submit a video demonstrating their cooking abilities and meal preparation techniques. The organizer will review submissions and choose contestants based on creativity, personality, and cooking presentation.

Selected contestants will compete in a bracket-style cooking competition, according to KOB. Participants will provide their own ingredients and prepared dishes, while KOB will tape, edit, and produce the event for television. A panel of judges will evaluate entries based on taste and presentation.

The contest will feature multiple elimination rounds leading to the championship round. Contestants who move to the next level will face new cooking challenges at each stage of the competition.

Each grand prize package will include cash awards and additional prizes donated by contest sponsors, according to the rules. There will also be a runner-up prize to be awarded at the conclusion of the competition. Winners must meet all eligibility requirements and submit documentation before receiving prizes.

KOB, an NBC affiliate TV station, said the contest highlights New Mexico’s regional cuisine and the talents of home cooks throughout the state. Contest officials urged prospective participants to review all rules and requirements before submitting an entry.

Officials emphasized that all submissions must comply with contest guidelines and content standards. The competition remains subject to applicable laws, regulations and eligibility requirements established by KOB-TV.

Additional information, including entry deadlines, judging criteria and competition schedules, is available in the official contest rules.

NMHU To Go Cashless for Student Account Payments, Transition Starts on July 1

Gregg Morgan
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NMHU To Go Cashless for Student Account Payments, Transition Starts on July 1

New Mexico Highlands University will launch a new payment policy for student accounts. Starting July 1, 2026, the school will transition to a cashless payment system. 

Under the new process, NMHU will no longer accept cash for student account payments. Students and families may continue to make payments in person at the Bursar’s Office in the Felix Martinez Building. They may use checks, debit cards, or credit cards. Students can make online payments through the TouchNet system in the MyNMHU Portal using bank transfers, wire transfers, debit cards, or credit cards.

The university introduced the change as part of its ongoing effort to modernize student services. It also aims to simplify payment processes and align payment practices with those used by colleges, businesses, and public agencies. 

Stephanie Gonzales, CPA, vice president for finance and administration, said the transition will provide a more consistent and efficient payment experience. She added that the change will support the university’s financial operations.

“Payment systems continue to evolve, and this update reflects the way students and families increasingly manage financial transactions today,” Gonzales said. 

She said the cashless process streamlines payments and ensures efficient, secure transactions for students and families. 

Gonzales emphasized that the university focuses on helping students and families understand the new process and payment options.

“This is a straightforward change to how payments are made, not to the payment options themselves,” Gonzales said. 

“Students will continue to have multiple ways to pay their accounts, and our staff will be available to assist anyone who has questions during the transition,” she added. 

Students can contact Student Accounts Receivable at 505-454-3444 or [email protected] with questions about payment options.

How Reinvention and Self-Improvement Shaped UNM Alum Carol Cochran’s Career

Gregg Morgan
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How Reinvention and Self-Improvement Shaped UNM Alum Carol Cochran’s Career

Every person navigates life according to their own principles. For Carol Cochran, one simple principle has guided her throughout her career: continuously improve and learn new things. With this mindset, she spent over 40 years as an accountant and recently embarked on a new chapter as an attorney.

Cochran started at the University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management. At the time, she did not see accounting as her future career. She grew up with a CPA mother during a time when women were just starting to enter the field.

“I actually grew up doing bookkeeping and helping her from a pretty early age. Enough so that when I went to UNM, the last thing I wanted to major in was accounting,” said Cochran. “Then I went to Anderson and I actually found that I was good at accounting and I liked accounting. It all fell into place after that.”

This discovery led Cochran to pursue accounting. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting in 1984 and immediately began working as a senior accountant for Ernst and Young.

She moved to Hondo Oil and Gas Company, serving as corporate tax manager and assistant treasurer. Eventually, Cochran joined REDW, LLC. She worked there for 33 years. She left in 2023 as a principal who grew and developed the firm’s Human Resource consulting, business software, and retirement plan administration.

From Accounting to Law

While working at REDW, Cochran returned to UNM to earn her Executive MBA and further develop her leadership skills. During the program she sharpened her strategic thinking and decision-making abilities. Additionally, she embraced the philosophy of servant leadership, making it a guiding principle throughout her career.

“Your purpose as a leader is to create opportunities for the people you work with to excel and succeed, while also helping your clients achieve success. Leadership is not internally focused, it’s external,” Cochran said. 

In 2022, she pursued a law degree, fulfilling a longstanding dream. She now works at Wiggins, Williams & Wesenberg, P.C. focusing on employment laws, Native American law, and Civil defense. Cochran adapted to the world of law as she transitioned into her new career. She has found that her comprehensive understanding of finances gives her an advantage in practicing law. 

“Everything is changing so fast, that really learning how to change at the same time, how to reinvent yourself, how to continuously improve your skills, and broaden your areas of interest are a good thing,” she said. 

Continuing to Serve UNM

Cochran remains an active member of the UNM community. She is an adjunct professor in the EMBA program, where she teaches financial reporting systems. She is also a current member of the UNM Foundation Board of Trustees.

Cochran champions student and faculty success at UNM. In addition to supporting the Presidential Scholarship Program,she established the Cochran Accounting Fund in 2023 to promote faculty research in accounting.

The school inducted Cochran into its Hall of Fame in 2010 for her professional achievements and community service. 

Most recently, the New Mexico Society of CPAs honored Cochran with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025.

Interstate 40 Reopens After Fatal SUV Crash Closes Eastbound Lanes

Ruben Reyes
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Interstate 40 Reopens After Fatal SUV Crash Closes Eastbound Lanes

Interstate 40 has reopened after a fatal SUV crash closed down eastbound traffic Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

The Albuquerque Police Department said officers and Albuquerque Fire Rescue personnel responded to the scene near Eubank Boulevard around 4:30 p.m.

According to police, a silver Toyota 4Runner was moving slowly on the Eubank Boulevard off-ramp before navigating through the intersection, crossing a curb and descending an embankment toward traffic. Eventually, the vehicle came to a stop on the shoulder.

APD officers and Police Service Aides closed northbound Eubank Boulevard at Copper Avenue after the crash. The New Mexico State Police also shut down eastbound I-40 at Wyoming Boulevard while investigators processed the scene.

According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation and NM Roads, the right lane and right shoulder of eastbound I-40 at Eubank remained closed for a time, advising motorists to expect significant delays and seek alternate routes. Officials noted that road closures may change as the investigation continues.

Emergency responders transported the driver to a hospital, where doctors later pronounced him dead. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the SUV crash.

Another Wildfire Ignites Near Clines Corners as Deer Canyon Fire Evacuations Continue

Ruben Reyes
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Another Wildfire Ignites Near Clines Corners as Deer Canyon Fire Evacuations Continue

Another fire is happening at Clines Corner and Osita Draw following the Deer Canyon Fire that has forced the evacuation of residents in the area.

The said fire is at Canyon Venado Fire and is burning east of Highway 285 and south of Interstate 40 (I-40). It has burned 10 acres and no containment is happening.

Meanwhile, authorities have already contained Osita Draw Fire, which is located west of Highway 285.

According to New Mexico Fire Information, the fire in Canyon Venado is active and exhibiting running, crowning, and spotting behavior. These behaviors can affect winds farms and structures around the area.

The state, county and federal resources are being utilize for full suppression tactics on both fires, including air support on both sides.

Apart from that, Central New Mexico Electric Cooperatives have temporarily shut down electricity in the area due to the fire’s distance to electrical lines. They restored the service early Wednesday morning.

Authorities does not need to evacuate residents for the fires happening.

Road Closures

The Canyon Venado Fire has led to the closure of the eastbound lane of I-40 near Clines Corner between US 210 and 226.

New Mexico State Police said the closure would last for the next few hours. They reminded drivers to use alternate routes and plan for delays. They are diverting traffic to I-285 north and southbound.

The Canyon Venado Fire is burning east of U.S. Highway 285 and south of Interstate 40. The fire has razed about 10 acres and remains at zero containment.

Update As Of June 25, 9:12 A.M.

The lines continue to hold although the fire remains active near infrastructure to the east and wind turbines within the perimeter. Some interior hear is torching and smoking within unburnt islands.

The crews will continue to maintain and improve line, watch out for sparks from the interior and mop up.

There are no evacuations up to this date despite its has already affected 908 acres.

The cause is still undetermined.

Pentagon Unveils Next-Generation Laser Weapons They’re Using to Melt Drone Swarms Out of the Sky

Juan Oliveros
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Pentagon Unveils Next-Generation Laser Weapons They’re Using to Melt Drone Swarms Out of the Sky

The Defense Department conducted a rare live demonstration of high-energy laser and high-power microwave weapons for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, providing one of the clearest signals that the Pentagon is intensifying efforts to move directed-energy systems from experimental programs to frontline capabilities.

The Pentagon held the event at the Army’s White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on Tuesday. It marked the first publicly known occasion a sitting defense secretary personally observed live multiple directed-energy weapons, according to people familiar with the demonstration. Emil Michael, the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, along with other senior Defense Department leaders, attended the live demonstration.

Turning Science Into Weapons

Military planners, over the decades, have envisioned lasers and microwave systems as next-generation technologies capable of defeating enemy aircraft and missiles without relying on conventional ammunition. Despite years of development, however, the developers of those systems have struggled toconvert them from laboratories to widespread deployment.

Pentagon officials now say the escalation of inexpensive drones has changed the equation. “We have dramatically increased investment in scaling directed energy technologies, signaling to our manufacturing partners that the War Department is focused on delivering rapid solutions to the warfighter,” Michael said in a statement. “We are directly tackling manufacturability, reliability and integration — areas that have challenged transition under previous administrations.”

A New Arsenal Against Drone Swarms

The demonstration presented a series of advanced systems against unmanned aerial vehicles and mass attacks that can overwhelm traditional air defenses. Among the weapons on display were the Army’s Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser, or AMP-HEL, built around AV’s 20-kilowatt LOCUST Laser Weapon System; a 50-kilowatt version of the Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense system, known as DE-MSHORAD, developed by nLight; Lockheed Martin’s 300-kilowatt Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Energy Laser, called Valkyrie; an Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Power Microwave system based on Epirus’s Leonidas platform; and a high-power microwave variant of Raytheon’s Coyote interceptor, believed to be the Block 3 Non-Kinetic system.

Together, the systems showcased Pentagon’s effort to build multiple-layer defenses that are capable of countering swarms of drones and other low-cost threats.

Seeking an “Infinite Magazine”

Directed‑energy weapons have long fascinated military planners because of their economics. Traditional interceptors can cost hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars per use. But a laser shot consumes only electricity and costs just a few dollars. The 2022 National Defense Strategy and the House Armed Services Committee’s bipartisan Future of Defense Task Force Report identified directed energy as a technology that could shape U.S. national security in the coming years.

A senior Pentagon official said Tuesday’s demonstration “affirmed the ability of directed energy systems, particularly high-energy lasers, to defeat high-density, highly proliferated threats from a variety of sources and power levels.” The official added: “Scaling directed energy enables our warfighters to fight beyond the limits of magazine capacity and no longer be limited by how many bullets are in the chamber,” the official said.

Building a Common Framework

The Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering has taken on an even bigger coordinating role through the Joint Laser Weapon System program although the Army, Navy, and Air Force independently manage many of its programs.

The broader “Golden Dome for America” missile defense initiative launched the program last year. It seeks to establish common technologies and accelerate the transition of directed-energy systems into frontline services. 

Lessons From Ukraine and the Middle East

The Pentagon’s fresh focus on next-generation technologies reflects hard lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and across the Middle East, particularly Iran, where large numbers of inexpensive drones and loitering munitions have strained conventional air defenses.

Military officials view the directed-energy weapons as a potential answer to that imbalance. But bigger strategic hurdles remain, knowing that laser performance can degrade in dust, rain, and other adverse weather conditions. Systems also need sophisticated targeting and tracking, along with platforms capable of providing sufficient electrical power and cooling.

Tests have demonstrated success against smaller drones, but combat experience remains relatively limited.

From Experiment to Battlefield

White Sands Missile Range has traditionally served as a testing ground for missile and energy technologies. Tuesday’s live demonstration suggested that Pentagon leaders increasingly look at directed-energy weapons not as distant possibilities. Their presence at the military range could be a signal that the systems approaching operational relevance.

Officials hope advances in power scaling, beam control and manufacturing will allow lasers and microwave weapons to bed part of the routine elements of U.S. and allied air defenses in the years ahead. 

A successful test of these new technologies is a shift that could alter one of the central equations of modern warfare, giving nations confronted by swarms of cheap aerial threats the ability to respond without exhausting stocks of costly missiles — and possibly change how air defense itself is fought.

From Atomic Bombs to AI Data Center Era: Can New Mexico’s Giant Data Centers Save a Struggling State — or Drain It Dry

Juan Oliveros
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From Atomic Bombs to AI Data Center Era: Can New Mexico’s Giant Data Centers Save a Struggling State — or Drain It Dry

The sunbaked reaches of the Chihuahuan Desert, where pecan groves and chile fields flourish, are churning out a different kind of harvest. North of the Mexican border, bulldozers are carving through the scrubland in Santa Teresa, preparing the nearly 1,400-acre site for Project Jupiter — a proposed $165 billion artificial intelligence data center campus backed by Oracle and linked to OpenAI’s expanding ambitions.

Developers describe the project as the largest private investment in New Mexico’s history. It could bring thousands of construction jobs, hundreds of permanent technology positions, and hundreds of millions of dollars for schools and infrastructure in one of America’s poorest states. But in a region shaped by grand promises —and disappointments— many residents are asking a familiar question: Will this boom be different?

From Atomic Bombs to Data Center

New Mexico has seen volatile booms before. The Manhattan Project brought the atomic age from secret laboratories in Los Alamos. Oil and gas wealth from the Permian Basin has filled state coffers, only to recede as global markets crashed. Federal investments in Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories have given the state prestige and scientific achievement. Prosperity has been uneven, however, leaving behind environmental scars and communities still struggling with poverty and brain drain.

Now that artificial intelligence is driving an insatiable demand for computing power, the state is placing another bet — this time on data centers and digital infrastructure — hoping it can deliver the economic diversification that generations of policymakers have pursued.

But the stakes are high.

New Mexico lags behind nationally in per capita income and among the highest in poverty, with rural counties especially vulnerable. Young scientists and engineers trained at the state’s universities only to leave for opportunities in Texas, Colorado and California. Oil and gas revenues, while lucrative, are cyclical, leaving the state’s finances vulnerable to swings beyond its control.

“The economic benefits are real,” State Economic Development Department Division Director Mark Roper said. He added that data centers have been a “financial boon” for the state, referring to Meta’s facility in Los Lunas, which he said boosted the population, increased tax revenue, and spurred growth for other businesses in the area. He said Project Jupiter could deliver massive economic gains for the region and the state if completed.

Construction of the data center could employ as many as 4,000 workers, with up to 1,500 permanent jobs paying between $75,000 and $100,000 annually. The project also promises $360 million in payments for schools and infrastructure, $50 million to improve the water system,  and yearly contributions to county government.

Pecans Need Water, Not Data

New Mexico’s scientific legacy helped define the nuclear era. But the shift to artificial intelligence carries a certain symbolism: harnessing new technologies once again, not for weapons but for economic resilience.

The desert, however, imposes its own limits. Environmental groups, farmers, and nearby residents have raised their concerns about the project’s immense appetite for electricity. Plans call for as much as 2.5 gigawatts of power — eclipsing New Mexico’s current capacity. Earlier proposals involving natural gas-powered microgrids aroused fears that the data campus could become a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Developers have since revised their plans. They proposed fuel cells, closed-loop cooling systems and the reuse of agricultural water rights to reduce both emissions and water consumption. But skepticism persists.

Lawsuits have challenged Doña Ana County’s approval process and the issuance of industrial revenue bonds tied to the project. Farmers worry that the complex may compete demands on Rio Grande water supplies at a time when drought and interstate obligations are already tightening access.

As they say in Doña Ana County, pecans need water, not data. “I have a little plot of land out here, grow some pecans,” says Eddie Estrada, a weekend farmer who works at the state capital. “I had 28 trees, but due to the water shortage many of them died.”

Others wonder if the jobs promised by the developer will truly benefit local residents or the complex will function as an isolated technological enclave with only limited ties to the surrounding community.

State officials and business leaders argue that modern efficiencies and specialized infrastructure can mitigate those risks. Similar facilities elsewhere, they note, brings no catastrophic consequences. Turning away such investment, they argue, would leave New Mexico trailing behind competitors like Texas and Arizona in the race to build the infrastructure powering artificial intelligence.

A Question of Identity

Beneath the noise lies a larger question about identity. New Mexico’s story has long been shaped by extraction — uranium, oil, natural gas — and by federal agencies that brought prestige without always delivering prosperity. The data center represents a new kind of economy, anchored on invisible streams of information rather than barrels and minerals. Still, it is dependent on very tangible assets: land, water, and electricity.

Project Jupiter appears to be more than a development proposal as state lawmakers debate new policies for the industry amid growing skepticism. The project has become a test of whether New Mexico can finally translate technological promise into lasting prosperity.

Outside Santa Teresa, where heat shimmers above the desert floor, that question of prosperity feels less abstract than immediate. The state has spent generations balancing isolation with innovation; the data center that may soon hum beneath the desert sky could define whether its future will be brighter than its past.

Lobo Louie Levels Up. UNM Mascot Joins the Gaming Arena.

Victoria Padilla
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Lobo Louie Levels Up. UNM Mascot Joins the Gaming Arena.

Lobo Louie, the beloved mascot of the University of New Mexico, will soon become a playable character in an upcoming video game, offering Lobos fans a chance to take the school’s spirit into a national gaming release.

Game developers announced that Lobo Louie will join a list of college mascots featured in the new title. The addition highlights the growing connection between college athletics and the gaming industry, giving fans a new way to engage with school traditions.

University officials said the inclusion of Lobo Louie will give the University of New Mexico and its athletic programs broader national exposure by presenting the Lobos brand to millions of players and college sports fans. Its appearance could help raise boost the image of the university, attract prospective students and supporters, and exhibit New Mexico’s flagship institution to audiences beyond its existing fan base. The mascot, considered a symbol of school pride, represents the spirit of the university and its community.

Students, alumni, and fans welcomed the announcement. They said the addition places the university in the national scene and provides a rare opportunity to showcase New Mexico through college sports and gaming.

Developers will include an assortment of college and university mascots in the game as part of a planned feature. In addition to providing an enjoyable experience for players, developers view this mascot mode as a way to showcase some of the most prominent figures in college athletics.

According to university representatives, Lobo Louie’s appearance in the game helps strengthen connections with current students, alumni, and supporters. Additionally, they expect that exposing the mascot and university to game players who may not be familiar with New Mexico’s flagship institution will also facilitate engagement.

The next game will feature mascots from colleges and universities across the nation. According to developers, they created the mascot mode to give players a fun way to experience the game. It also offers players the opportunity to encounter some of the most recognizable mascots in college sports.

University representatives believe that Lobo Louie’s presence in the game can increase engagement with current students, alumni, and supporters. Moreover, university representatives hope that by including the game, Lobo Louie will be able to introduce himself and the university to new gamers unfamiliar with New Mexico’s flagship university.

Dangerously Hot: A Broken Air-Conditioning System Turns Senior Center Gym Into a Heat Hazard.

Victoria Padilla
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Dangerously Hot: A Broken Air-Conditioning System Turns Senior Center Gym Into a Heat Hazard.

Seniors seeking relief and exercise at a popular multigenerational center are instead facing dangerous indoor heat. A broken air-conditioning system left the gym sweltering at over 80 degrees during peak summer.

One regular measures 88 degrees inside the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center gym with no one exercising. The situation prompted staff warnings that classes could be canceled if temperatures climb past 78 degrees.

Why It Matters

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults are more prone to heat-related illnesses because their bodies regulate temperature less efficiently. Many of them manage chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, or take medications that increase the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. Triple‑digit summer heat can turn routine exercise into a health risk as physical activity adds to the body’s internal temperature.

The center is a vital community hub, offering affordable fitness programs, classes, and social activities for seniors, as well as youth and family programming. For those with limited income, it provides essential space to stay active, maintain physical activity, and reduce social isolation — essential to independence and well-being.

City officials said they will replace three 20-year-old rooftop HVAC units. Crews have installed one portable cooler and two fans as temporary measures.

The issue underscores broader challenges with old public infrastructure at a time when extreme heat events are intensifying. Reliable cooling in facilities for seniors is critical not just for comfort, but for preventing medical emergencies in a population that depends on these spaces as lifelines.

NMSU Awarded $500,000 Grant to Support Food Sovereignty and Healthy Eating Program

Gregg Morgan
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NMSU Awarded $500,000 Grant to Support Food Sovereignty and Healthy Eating Program

The New Mexico State University Agricultural Science Center at Farmington secured a $500,000 grant to address food concerns in local communities. This funding will support the center in continuing its work with Navajo communities by advancing food sovereignty and related health issues. 

The center recently received a grant from the National Institute for Food and Agriculture. The grant supports a project titled “Seeds of change: Training elementary educators to implement the Yéego! Healthy eating and gardening program.” 

At least 60 elementary school teachers serving Navajo students in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah will receive training over the next three years. This is to increase their knowledge and skills in healthy eating and gardening practices in their classrooms. The program uses Yéego!, a Diné word that translates to work hard and persevere to guide its approach.

“Navajo communities are working to increase food sovereignty and address related health disparities such as childhood obesity and diabetes. However, they face unique challenges,” said Kevin Lombard, research director for the NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Farmington.

“Fresh fruits and vegetables are difficult for families to access on the Navajo Nation due to their high cost and the need to travel long distances to purchase them.”

How the Program Benefits Navajo Communities 

Lombard said Navajo families have expressed interest in growing their own fruits and vegetables. However, they face harsh growing conditions, lack of water, and limited knowledge of how to maintain gardens, especially around schools. 

Elementary schools play a major role in teaching Navajo children about healthy eating and gardening while sustaining cultural traditions. However, teachers often lack the knowledge and skills to incorporate these topics into their curricula. Some are also unfamiliar with technologies like drip irrigation, greenhouses, and hydroponics used in school campus gardens.

“Our project team and the science center have over 20 years of experience in collaborating with Navajo community partners to address food sovereignty and health inequities,” Lombard said. “We bring expertise in agriculture, gardening, health, and education that strives to respect regional cultural values.”

Lombard said he expects the program to reach more than 1,500 Navajo youth over three years. He also expects it to increase gardening and healthy eating behaviors among participants. To achieve this, the center will hold workshops on how to deliver the Yéego! Healthy Eating and Gardening curriculum in classrooms. 

The program will recruit teachers from 86 schools in the Navajo Nation and neighboring towns with significant Navajo student populations. Selected educators will participate in the workshops and receive travel reimbursement and a stipend to attend. The first cohort completed the Seeds of Change program earlier this month.

The Yéego program was developed and rigorously tested by a research team from NMSU, Diné College, and the Fred Hutch Cancer Center. The team worked in collaboration with Navajo Nation community leaders. The program serves as a school-based intervention that promotes healthy eating behaviors among elementary school children in the Navajo Nation.

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