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Governor Lujan Grisham Declines Trump’s Idea Renaming New Mexico as ‘New America’ in a New Social Post

Juan Oliveros
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Governor Lujan Grisham Declines Trump’s Idea Renaming New Mexico as ‘New America’ in a New Social Post

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has declined President Donald Trump’s idea that New Mexico could be renamed ‘New America.’

The Democratic governor made clear the state’s identity was not up for debate, declaring: ‘It’s been ours since before the United States existed.’

The row erupted after Trump posted a map on social media Monday showing the words ‘New America’ in place of New Mexico.

The president offered no explanation or context for the post, which the White House later reshared on X.

But Grisham was quick to comment. ‘New Mexico’s name isn’t up for debate — it’s been ours since before the United States existed,‘ she wrote.

‘You know what is up for debate? Who’s showing up for working families.‘

The governor said Trump is using the controversy to distract Americans from more pressing problems.

She pointed to what she called his ‘disastrous war in Iran,’ soaring gas prices, rising grocery bills, concerns over access to health care, and the growing struggle for many Americans to afford a home.

‘Americans are spending more at the grocery store, losing access to health care and wondering if they’ll ever be able to afford a home,‘ she wrote.

Former Interior Secretary and New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland also blasted the idea.

‘You can’t be serious. New Mexico is not for renaming. Not up for sale,’ Haaland wrote on X. ‘My promise: I’ll always stand up for what makes New Mexico, New Mexico.‘

Not everyone was opposed. Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah appeared to embrace the idea, writing: ‘New America? Kind of catchy.’

Trump’s latest apparent flirtation with renaming a geographic landmark comes just days after he reportedly floated changing the name of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to ‘Trump Strait.’

It also follows his August 27 executive order renaming Lake Ontario ‘Lake America‘ for U.S. federal references. The order does not determine what Canada or other countries call the lake. But U.S. users of Google Maps and Apple Maps have seen the new name reflected.

The move triggered a backlash on both sides of the border. American lawmakers and Canadian politicians insisted that Lake Ontario would remain Lake Ontario.

An Ipsos/Reuters poll conducted between August 28 and 30 found that 63 percent of Americans opposed Trump’s renaming of Lake Ontario.

Grisham made clear that, at least in her view, the name remains the same. New Mexico has had its name for centuries. And the governor stressed she has no intention of letting Trump change it.

Police Launch Investigation to Determine What Led to Infant’s Death in Mysterious ‘Quiet’ Incident

Gregg Morgan
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Police Launch Investigation to Determine What Led to Infant’s Death in Mysterious ‘Quiet’ Incident

Police are investigating the death of an infant on Sunday in northeast Albuquerque.

An Albuquerque Police spokesperson says the death occurred in the 3500 block of Lafayette Drive NE. Authorities said they do not know the circumstances surrounding what happened to the infant at this time.

Officers and detectives were seen going in and out of the area. The New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD) was also at the scene. 

Jeffrey Martinez lives across the street from the scene and said he did not hear any commotion inside the building. He said he realized something was wrong when law enforcement arrived.

“I was trying to figure out what it was because I heard no racketeer. [There was] no noise, no gunshots. No one yelling. It happened very quietly,” Martinez told KOAT Action News.

He said the street typically sees a lot of activity.

“There’s a lot of drug activity in the street, and it brings in a lot of people, but it’s also safe,” he said. “I’ve lived here for seven years and I love living here.”

This is a developing story. Brant.One will continue updating this article as more information becomes available, helping readers stay informed about the latest developments. 

[UPDATED: 09/07/2026] Albuquerque Teeters on the Edge of Climate History as a 43-Year Heat Record is Set to Fall This Week

Juan Oliveros
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[UPDATED: 09/07/2026] Albuquerque Teeters on the Edge of Climate History as a 43-Year Heat Record is Set to Fall This Week

Albuquerque is edging toward rewriting its climate history as the hot New Mexico city approaches its all-time record for days at 90°F or higher, a mark set during the intense summer of 1983.

By the end of last week, Albuquerque International Sunport had recorded 88 days with temperatures over 90 degrees.

Experts predict that temperatures will stay in the 90s into early September, and the 43-year-old record of 92 days is likely to be surpassed this week.

This milestone is not new for many longtime Albuquerque residents, who remember 1983 as one of the city’s toughest summers. 

The record, however, has come close to falling several times, including more than 90 days over 90°F in 2011; both 2020 and 1994 saw 88 such days. But none of these years has surpassed the 1983 record.

Unusually early heat

This year, the heat started much earlier than usual. On March 21, Albuquerque hit 91°F, breaking the record for the city’s earliest 90-degree day.

Prior to 2026, the earliest 90-degree day was May 3, so this year’s first arrived more than six weeks earlier. The rest of the summer brought steady heat, with only short breaks from the high temperatures.

By late August, Albuquerque had seen more 90-degree days than almost any other year since weather records began in 1931. 

Forecasters think temperatures will stay in the low-to-mid 90s at least through the week. This means the city will likely pass the 90-day mark and could break the 92-day record.

A sudden stretch of cooler weather could still keep the 1983 record intact. But with forecasts calling for more 90-degree days, the record will probably be broken. 

How the relentless summer affects people

The record heat has adverse effects on people’s health and lifestyle.

Hospitals have seen an increase in heat-related emergency room visits. Health records showed more than 900 heat-related illnesses since April, breaking the record for the same period. 

Officials said the toll on health may intensify. Describing this grim picture as a serious threat to public health, they warned that heat-related illness can be particularly dangerous to children, adults aged 65 and older, outdoor workers, and people with pre-existing health conditions. Health officials advised outdoor workers to consider shifting their work hours to avoid the hottest part of the afternoon.

As residents struggle to escape the heat, air-conditioning systems have been running for hours, driving up electricity costs.

A warming trend

Climate scientists say New Mexico is getting warmer over time, with more hot days, especially at lower elevations.

The stronger greenhouse effect is the main driver of extreme weather. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, operating factories, and changing land use trap heat in the atmosphere.

Climate Central noted that Albuquerque’s average temperatures have increased by almost 4°F in recent decades, leading to more frequent and longer summer heatwaves.

If the forecast is right, just a few more 90-degree days will be enough for Albuquerque to break a record that has lasted 43 years.

[UPDATE: 09/07/2026]

Albuquerque’s 43-year heat record for the most days with temperatures at or above 90°F in a single year was broken on September 7, 2026, after the city recorded its 93rd day at or above that threshold.

On September 4, the city had already recorded 91 days, the second-most, tying the 2011 record.

Additional days on September 5 (91°F) and 6 (93°F) sealed the new high, and by the afternoon of September 7, it was already at or above 90°F, with a forecast high near 92°F. 

Forecasters expect more days in the low-to-mid 90s in the coming week.

Where Are The Cats? Animal Advocates Question How Three Cats Were Moved From an Albuquerque School to an Isleta Farm, Highlighting the Need for Proper Acclimation 

Gregg Morgan
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Where Are The Cats? Animal Advocates Question How Three Cats Were Moved From an Albuquerque School to an Isleta Farm, Highlighting the Need for Proper Acclimation 

Have you heard of animals making a school their home? At Adobe Acres Elementary, three cats lived on the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) campus for more than three years.  

APS staff member Shannon Porch said she cared for the cats during that time. After APS moved them to an Isleta farm, developments left animal welfare advocates questioning what happened to the three. 

“I guess I felt devastated because on one hand, first I was asked, what can we do about them? They need to be moved,” Porch told KOB 4. 

Porch said she discovered the cats outside her office and reached out to Street Cat Hub. The nonprofit provides free spay and neuter services for community cats.

Street Cat Hub spayed or neutered and vaccinated the animals, then returned them to the school. Porch said students even knew the cats and interacted with them from a distance.

“So they saw them and enjoyed them from a distance, but they grew to love them. And honestly, I always had little water bowls outside my office and so they would ask, can I refill their water bowls? Absolutely. So personally, I took it also as not only my love for these little cats, but also as an amazing teaching moment for these kids to teach compassion and care,” she said.

Health and Safety Concerns Surface

As APS geared up for the new school year, administrators spotted five or six cats on campus. A district representative said the animals raised health and safety concerns.

APS said stray and feral cats could carry diseases, leave dead prey on school grounds, and scratch or bite curious children. The district said an outside contractor trapped three animals.

“And what was more, I guess, sad and devastating was that a pest control company was used to trap these cats,” Porch said.

APS said the contractor first contacted the county but received no response. The district said workers then transported all three cats to an open farm in Isleta. There, the farm uses cats to control rodents.

Questions Emerge Over the Release of Cats

Street Cat Hub questioned how the cats were released and whether they went through a proper acclimation process.

Chelsea Winter, Community Cat Program Manager at the nonprofit, said cats relocated without proper acclimation may try to return their original territory. This puts them at risk of being hit by cars or attacked by predators. 

“With a proper acclimation process, that means you’re putting them somewhere where there is access to resources. So not only is there that acclimation process, but there’s food, there’s water, there’s shelter,” Winter said.

Winter said someone told her the cats had not undergone the acclimation process.

She said all they want to know is where the cats are and whether they are alive, fed, and doing well on the farm.

“They should be able to tell us where they are and we can just double check, make sure they’re okay,” Winter said.

Street Cat Hub said it wants to work with APS on trap, neuter, and return (TNR) efforts.

“I think it’s just about TNR being the most effective way and like us wanting to, there’s no blame. It’s like we want to work with APS, we want to work with pest control companies, we want to educate,” Winter said.

After some of the cats were removed, Porch transferred to another school, where she now works as a counselor.

Street Cat Hub said it has worked with staff at other APS campuses to promote a safe cat community. The organization hopes to expand its TNR efforts with the district.

New Mexico’s Famous Dark Skies Are About to Put on One of Their Most Spectacular Shows of the Year, With a Harvest Moon, Shooting Stars, and More to Light Up September

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico’s Famous Dark Skies Are About to Put on One of Their Most Spectacular Shows of the Year, With a Harvest Moon, Shooting Stars, and More to Light Up September

New Mexico’s famously dark skies offer another celestial show this September. Bright planet pairings, shooting stars, a glowing Harvest Moon, and the start of autumn will be on display. 

Early September brings a waning Moon, leading up to the New Moon on September 10 and 11.

Because the sky will be at its darkest, it is ideal for viewing faint stars, distant galaxies, and other deep-sky objects.

Around September 26, the Harvest Moon will rise near sunset and cast its golden light across New Mexico.

The September full Moon is traditionally associated with the autumn harvest. It will provide a spectacular sight for photographers, romantics, and anyone simply looking for an evening outdoors.

A parade of planets

Early risers can look forward to the mornings of September 6 to 8, when a thin crescent Moon will appear close to Mars and bright Jupiter low in the eastern sky.

Saturn is already standing out in the evening sky. 

Another never-to-miss view involves a crescent moon and a super-bright planet. Right after sunset on September 13 and 14, the thin waxing moon will sweep past brilliant Venus, which is still at its greatest brilliancy this week.

Later in the month, another distant object will take center stage as Neptune reaches opposition around September 25-26. It will give skywatchers a rare opportunity to hunt down one of the solar system’s most distant worlds. For the best viewing of this giant planet, you’ll need binoculars or a telescope.

Shooting stars

September also brings a smaller but worthwhile meteor shower. The September epsilon-Perseids will peak around September 9 and 10, under nearly moonless skies.

Under ideal conditions, the meteor shower may produce up to eight meteors per hour, which is nowhere near the spectacular displays produced by the Perseids in August.

Still, New Mexico’s dark skies can turn even a modest meteor shower into something memorable. Away from city lights, each meteor can stand out brightly against the darkness.

The start of autumn

The autumn equinox arrives on the evening of September 22, marking the end of summer. Day and night will be nearly equal, and cooler evenings will begin.

And as evenings become cooler, September offers one of the most inviting times of the year to escape city lights and head into New Mexico’s wide-open spaces.

New Mexico is the ideal place for those who want to escape the city lights. Its stargazing locations across its vast landscape become an extraordinary window into the universe.

‘Hit-and-Miss’ Fishing Nightmare Grips New Mexico

Juan Oliveros
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‘Hit-and-Miss’ Fishing Nightmare Grips New Mexico

Fishing in New Mexico this September has turned into a frustrating gamble. Sometimes, anglers pull in nets full of prized trout, but other times they come up empty.

Anglers across New Mexico are coping with unpredictable conditions. Critically low water, higher temperatures, and toxic algae blooms have changed many favorite fishing spots for the worse. Many sportsmen now call it a classic “hit-and-miss” nightmare.

Some rivers still offer good catches of brown and rainbow trout. Others have shrunk to shallow, clear streams where fish flee away at any indication of movement.

Even some reservoirs that still produce good catches need enough water to launch a boat.

The San Juan River offers some of the best fishing in New Mexico right now, with water flows at 850 to 900 cubic feet per second, and the temperature at 48°F. Anglers are catching quality brown and rainbow trout using midges, small dry flies, and larva patterns.

One angler even reported landing a 25-inch brown trout on a size-22 red larva fly. But travel north to the Rio Grande near Cerro, and the picture changes dramatically. There, flows have collapsed to just 37 cubic feet per second.

The river is now so clear that trout are easy to spot but very hard to catch. With lots of anglers and rising afternoon temperatures, the fish are stressed. Most people now fish early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the hottest part of the day.

Another risk as well. Parts of the Rio Grande have a hazardous algal bloom warning. Anglers are being told to rinse their fishing gear thoroughly after leaving the water. Fishing picture remains frustratingly patchy elsewhere. The Pecos River near Pecos has produced “very good” trout fishing on worms for some families, while Bonito Lake and Grindstone Reservoir have been yielding limits of rainbow trout on PowerBait and spinners.

Catfish and bluegill are still biting at places such as Bill Evans Lake and Bluewater Lake, where anglers have also reported tiger muskies prowling the water. But the bad news is piling up.

Quemado Lake remains closed due to a harmful algal bloom. And Charette Lake is under a full Danger Advisory.

Low water levels have closed or made boat ramps dangerous at Heron Lake, parts of Elephant Butte, Santa Rosa, and El Vado.

Smaller streams are struggling, too. Their flows are running well below average following poor snowpack and weak spring runoff.

Weekly reports from the New Mexico Department of Wildlife show that fishing is getting harder. Some popular spots have not had any angler reports for weeks. Those who do go out are being told to fish during the coolest times of day and to handle trout very carefully.

Monsoon storms have brought isolated bursts of rain and the possibility of more disruption.

Free Fishing Weekend is still set for September 26-27, during which residents and non-residents are allowed to fish without a fishing license. However, parts of the Rio Grande south of Albuquerque are already running dry.

To make the most of the last weeks of summer, anglers should check the latest river gauges, algal bloom warnings, and park updates before they go fishing.

Free School Lunches Will Continue Until 2030 Amid SNAP Cuts, Other States Pull the Plug on Universal Meals

Juan Oliveros
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Free School Lunches Will Continue Until 2030 Amid SNAP Cuts, Other States Pull the Plug on Universal Meals

Thousands of students in New Mexico will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch at school every day through at least 2030. This comes as SNAP cuts across the country have led big school districts in states like Florida and Texas to stop offering free meals to all students.

Because of the SNAP cuts, large school districts like Miami-Dade, Houston, and San Antonio have had to stop their free-meal programs for all students. Fewer families on SNAP made it harder for these districts to qualify for CEP or keep their funding.

These federal changes have affected about 1 million children across the country. In New Mexico, around 10,060 children have lost SNAP coverage since July 2025.

New Mexico officials, however, have moved quickly to shield students from the federal cut.

The Public Education Department said schools will continue to receive their usual federal reimbursement rates. District leaders have also worked to ensure schools remain eligible for a federal program that supports high-poverty schools, hoping to secure support before new federal rules might reduce meal funding.

A four-year safety net

The protection comes through the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows schools in higher-poverty communities to provide free meals to every student without requiring parents to submit household income applications.

Eligibility instead depends largely on the number of students directly certified through government assistance programs such as SNAP.

This system became a problem when federal cuts and stricter work rules caused thousands of children to lose food assistance. With fewer kids on SNAP, fewer students are directly certified.

Having fewer directly certified students can put a school’s CEP eligibility at risk or lower the amount of federal funding it gets.

No changes right now

Albuquerque Public Schools is one of the districts benefiting from this setup. The district renewed its CEP status in July 2026 and says it does not expect any changes in the rates used to decide free and paid meal reimbursements.

State officials say New Mexico’s universal meals program will continue to use the same mix of federal and state funding.

Free meals for all

New Mexico’s 2023 Healthy Universal School Meals law started this program to help fight the state’s high rates of food insecurity. New Mexico is one of nine states that provide free breakfast and lunch to all public school students, especially those from lower-income households and families receiving SNAP.

The state covers any remaining amount. That amount grew from roughly $206 million in its early years to approximately $248 million, driven by rising food prices and increased participation.

Officials estimate that changes to SNAP and Medicaid could lower direct certification among students by about 3 percent, or around 8,800 children. This could affect CEP eligibility at about 20 schools.

As fewer families participate in SNAP, it may become harder for districts to qualify for CEP. The state may then have to decide whether to spend more of its own money or seek other funding, depending on how the universal meals program is structured.

APD Arrests Suspect in Two Albuquerque Shootings After Bus Driver Spots Him

Ruben Reyes
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​Juan Maestas, 36, who police linked to two separate shootings in Albuquerque on Friday, was arrested Saturday after a city bus driver recognized him.

Police had warned the public that Maestas was considered dangerous as officers searched for him following a deadly shooting.

Maestas was found near a transit center at Central Avenue and Unser Boulevard. Police said they suspected him of shooting and killing Tavis Kimbrough at a bus stop near Marquette Avenue NW and 2nd Street NW on Friday.

The Albuquerque Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center deployed a drone and monitored surveillance cameras at the transit center as officers tracked Maestas.

At about 7:40 a.m., officers approached him as he walked toward an arroyo. Maestas then ran toward a nearby neighborhood before officers used less-lethal force to subdue him.

Police said Maestas was armed when he was arrested.

Investigators also linked him to two other shooting incidents that same day.

In one, police said Maestas fired at a security officer at Presbyterian Hospital at about 12:30 a.m. In another, he was accused of opening fire at a Maverik gas station near Montgomery Boulevard NE and Carlisle Boulevard.

APD Chief Cecily Baker praised officers for their quick response and credited the department’s use of technology in tracking suspects.

She also emphasized the importance of witnesses and alert members of the public, whose observations can help police locate suspects and piece together what happened.

Maestas faces charges of murder and tampering with evidence. He is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque.

Editor’s note: Brant.One will update this case once more information will be available.

​

New Mexico Land Chief Vows to Clean Up Abandoned Uranium Mines Instead of Opening New Ones, Bans Fresh Leases on State Land

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico Land Chief Vows to Clean Up Abandoned Uranium Mines Instead of Opening New Ones, Bans Fresh Leases on State Land

New Mexico’s land chief wants to clean up the radioactive scars left behind by decades of mining rather than dig for more uranium.

In an executive order issued on Friday, Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard bans new uranium mining leases across millions of acres of state trust land. Her bigger priority, according to Garcia Richard, is tackling the abandoned mines that dot New Mexico.

Garcia Richard said there are more than 1,000 uranium mining, drilling, and exploration sites across the state. More than 250 of them are considered abandoned.

And about 50 of those abandoned sites are on state land and currently under review by her office.

These figures underscore the need for New Mexico to address the environmental damage left by the uranium industry before allowing a new generation of mines to open. “I have not allowed any uranium mining on state lands, and today’s action solidifies this prohibition to protect our communities and our land and water,” Garcia Richard said.

The order was issued amid the Trump administration’s push to accelerate domestic uranium production, reviving interest in New Mexico’s vast deposits and putting areas around the sacred Mt. Taylor landscape back under scrutiny for potential mining.

Garcia Richard is pushing back. “The Trump administration’s push for aggressive uranium development is a low blow to these communities, and I will keep doing everything in my power to fight back,” she said.

The battle is particularly sensitive in New Mexico, where the uranium industry is inseparable from the history of Native American communities and the devastation left behind by nuclear weapons development.

New Mexico was once the center of America’s uranium industry. The state supplied some of the country’s largest domestic deposits. But the industry left a legacy of contaminated land and fears about the effects of radioactive exposure.

The scars are not only historical for the tribal communities. Many Native Americans living in uranium-producing areas became known as Downwinders, while others lived near mines and mills or worked in the industry. Some have only recently begun receiving financial compensation for damage from the uranium era.

In 1979, the Church Rock uranium mill released about 94 million gallons of radioactive material in northwest New Mexico. The spill has been described as one of the largest radioactive environmental disasters in U.S. history.

Garcia Richard’s executive order explicitly cites tribal opposition to new uranium development, including concerns raised by the All Pueblo Council of Governors about potential damage to sacred sites.

The order also points to a 2011 agreement involving the New Mexico Land Office, the Hopi Tribe, and the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni concerning the Mt. Taylor landscape. That agreement recognizes the importance of the area and the need to consult tribal nations when managing lands around it.

As Washington seeks to expand domestic uranium production, the consultation has become even more urgent.

Garcia Richard said her order is a pushback against efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to change portions of the National Historic Preservation Act. That could weaken tribal participation in decisions involving projects such as uranium mines, she said.

The ban, however, has limits. It does not cancel existing permits or business leases protected by valid existing mineral rights. It also acknowledged the federal law’s precedence over the state order in many circumstances.

Nevertheless, Garcia Richard’s order draws the line on where she believes the state should direct its attention. Instead of opening the door to more uranium extraction, she wants the Land Office focused on the mess already left behind.

The political stakes are getting bigger. Garcia Richard will remain commissioner until the end of the year. She is running for lieutenant governor in November on the Democratic ticket alongside Deb Haaland, who is seeking to be New Mexico’s first Native American governor.

However, Democrat Juan de Jesus Sanchez III, who is running for land commissioner, vowed he would keep the uranium ban in place if elected.

Garcia Richard frames the issue beyond mining policy. It is about land, water, and communities that she says have already paid the price for New Mexico’s uranium legacy.

Bizarre Urban Blight Sees Shoes, Teddy Bears and More Dangling from Power Lines Across Albuquerque, Officials Warn Stuffed Animals Could be a Sinister Sign of Human Trafficking

Gregg Morgan
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Bizarre Urban Blight Sees Shoes, Teddy Bears and More Dangling from Power Lines Across Albuquerque, Officials Warn Stuffed Animals Could be a Sinister Sign of Human Trafficking

It’s a bizarre urban blight of shoes, teddy bears, and even vegetables strung up on power lines across Albuquerque that has puzzled locals.Many Albuquerque residents, including City Councilor Nichole Rogers, find that sight a major pet peeve.

City Councilor Nichole Rogers describes the dangling debris as more than just an eyesore. “They are visible signs of despair that I’m trying to focus on in my district,” she told KRQE News.

According to experts, the strange displays may carry darker meanings. “We’ve had some experts from our orgs that deal with human trafficking; they did find some teddy bears, and that’s a sign of prostitution,” Rogers warned.

Rogers, alarmed by the possible links to crime, raised the issue at a recent council meeting.

In response, the city teamed up with the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) to clear the clutter; crews spent hours this week removing more than 100 objects, including sneakers, stuffed animals, and even a pair of squash, from overhead lines.

PNM spokesman Eric Chavez said the bizarre practice isn’t just unsightly. It is dangerous. “It’s possible that throwing things in power lines could cause outages in the surrounding areas, but it could also be dangerous to our crews as well.”

Southeast Albuquerque is mostly shoe‑free. For now. But Rogers insists the fight isn’t over. “We have a lot to keep clean as a city; the last thing that we should have to worry about is making sure that debris, shoes, anything, squash, whatever makes it on these lines gets removed.”

Officials say the cleanup was a one‑time project, but both the city and PNM hope to act quickly if the problem persists.

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