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Three Santa Fe Speed Cameras Were Shot Just Hours After Catching About 500 Violations; Police Confirms the Damaged Devices Remained Operational and Continued Issuing Citations

Gregg Morgan
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Three Santa Fe Speed Cameras Were Shot Just Hours After Catching About 500 Violations; Police Confirms the Damaged Devices Remained Operational and Continued Issuing Citations

Gunfire struck three speed cameras in Santa Fe, two on Zia Road and one on Rodeo Road, just hours after they went live Monday morning. Police say the damaged devices remain operational and continue to issue citations.

The newly activated cameras recorded about 500 violations by 8 a.m. Monday. The Zia Road camera accounted for 200 of those violations. Just hours later, gunshots damaged the camera, but it never stopped working.

“One of them was at Zia Road, which was also our highest violation location, where we recorded a violation of 67mph in a 35mph zone,” Santa Fe’s Interim Police Chief Ben Valdez said via KOAT Action News. 

Valdez said the city reinstated the cameras after seeing a rise in dangerous driving following the pandemic. The initiative aims to curb risky driving habits and help everyone reach their destinations safely. 

The city installed three cameras on Santa Fe’s east side and three on the south side.

“As for deployment locations, when we looked at was crash data, speeding complaints and where people have concerns of unsafe driving,” Valdez said.

Valdez emphasized that the city of Santa Fe, not a third party, owns any data collected by the cameras.

“As they know in our contract we have spelled out that the data is the property of the city of Santa Fe, and it’s not being shared with any third parties,” he said.

How the Speed Cameras Work

Valdez also clarified how the technology operates. He said confusion over the type of cameras in use may have contributed to the devices being targeted. 

“First of all, these are not Flock Cameras. Secondly, what the device does is when it detects a speeding violation, it then triggers the recording device which captures the violation, then it stops recording. So they’re not recording street activity 24/7,” Valdez said. 

“I think because of the concerns nationwide about Flock Cameras, that could be one driving reason. I know some people are not pleased with having these devices up because of privacy concerns,” he added. 

Police are examining shell casings recovered at the scene to match the bullets to the firearm and identify the shooter.

“In addition, we’re looking at other things such as Ring cameras, surveillance and also information from the public. If someone is out there boasting that, hey, I just damaged these cameras, we intend to file charges and hold them accountable,” Valdez said. 

“If you’re speeding, it’s a civil penalty for your first time is 50 bucks. Now, if you use a firearm and destroy a camera, that’s a felony offense and it’s going to be more than 50 bucks in penalties are much steeper than the initial violation,” he said.

New Mexico Rockets to 22 Spots Up Higher Education Rankings Since 2019 Amid Question Whether the State is Really Improving Where it Counts

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico Rockets to 22 Spots Up Higher Education Rankings Since 2019 Amid Question Whether the State is Really Improving Where it Counts

New Mexico has climbed up America’s higher education ranking from 40th place in 2019 to 18th this year, a remarkable jump of 22 spots, including another two-spot improvement since 2025.

State officials hailed the improved ranking as evidence that New Mexico’s multi-billion-dollar experiment in making college more affordable is paying off. But beneath the headlines is the question of whether New Mexico’s higher education system is actually getting better — or simply getting cheaper.

According to the latest U.S. News & World Report Best States rankings, New Mexico has made significant gains in higher education, bolstered by affordability statistics.

Nationally, the state ranks second for the lowest student debt at graduation and eighth for the lowest tuition and fees. These numbers matter for students and families.

“Earning a diploma or credential to fulfill and high-paying careers right here in New Mexico has never been more achievable,” Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez said.

The New Mexico Higher Education Department credited the sustained investment in tuition-free college programs, student support, and initiatives to increase enrollment and completion.

There is little doubt, however, that the state’s aggressive push to expand access has changed the equation for thousands of New Mexicans.

Programs such as the Opportunity Scholarship have helped make college possible for students who may once have been priced out.

Enrollment has climbed, student debt has remained low, and more New Mexicans are earning degrees and credentials. But the ranking itself comes with an important caveat.

The scorecard that helped propel New Mexico from 40th to 18th is heavily influenced by affordability and access. It considers factors such as student debt, tuition and fees, graduation rates at public colleges, and the percentage of adults holding an associate degree or higher.

It does not directly measure either its academic prestige or research quality. And it does not determine whether New Mexico’s universities are competing academically with the country’s elite institutions.

In other words, New Mexico’s impressive ranking reflects major progress in increasing college enrollment and reducing the financial burden. But says less about what happens once they get there.

That distinction matters.

New Mexico’s public universities have continued to struggle with completion rates. Legislative analysts note that the state has ranked in the mid-40s nationally for four-year and two-year graduation performance in recent years.

Adult educational attainment also remains below the national average. 

Only about 3 in 10 New Mexico adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, while the state’s flagship universities rank low in national university rankings. Both the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University sit in the 200s in national university rankings.

Then there is another uncomfortable statistic.

New Mexico’s Education ranking in the same U.S. News survey sits at 50th in the nation. The state’s dismal Pre-K-12 performance continues to drag down its overall education standing.

That creates a stark contradiction. New Mexico ranks among the country’s fastest-rising higher-education rankings while simultaneously sitting at the bottom of the overall education table.

It appears that the state’s investments in education are beginning to turn the tide. And for many families, the benefits are undeniable.

Lower tuition means fewer students graduate burdened by debt. Free college programs have opened doors. And more students are enrolling.

Those are real achievements.

But critics argue that access is only the first step. The harder question is whether students are graduating at higher rates, securing better jobs, and emerging with the skills needed to strengthen New Mexico’s workforce.

Some say that the ranking does not include results because it only measures spending. New Mexico’s rise is not meaningless, and the state’s success in making college more affordable represents a genuine victory.

New Mexico has undeniably spent big, and it shows in the latest higher-education rankings. The next challenge, however, may be far more difficult: turning cheaper college into better outcomes.

The state has won the race for affordability. At least, for now. Whether New Mexico can win the race for quality, graduation, and economic opportunity remains its biggest challenge.

Bear on the Loose: New Mexico Authorities Tranquilize and Capture Animal in Rio Rancho Neighborhood as Sightings Surge Across the State

Gregg Morgan
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Bear on the Loose: New Mexico Authorities Tranquilize and Capture Animal in Rio Rancho Neighborhood as Sightings Surge Across the State

New Mexico authorities captured a bear spotted in the Cabezon neighborhood Tuesday morning. The latest incident adds to a long list of bear sightings across the state this year.

Rio Rancho police worked with the New Mexico Department of Wildlife (NMDOW) to safely capture the bear, city leaders said.

First responders said crews tranquilized the bear that will be relocated to northern New Mexico.

Rio Rancho has reported several bear sightings in recent months. A bear was spotted in the Enchanted Hills neighborhood in late July. Authorities captured another last month in the area of Jane Circle Southeast.

Officials confirmed that this bear is different from the one recently seen in Rio Rancho.

More Bear Sightings Recorded in 2026

New Mexico has seen an unusually high number of bear encounters in cities and suburban neighborhoods in 2026. Tuesday’s incident in Rio Rancho comes after a bear was spotted at Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe. Zozobra celebrations are set to take place at the park later this week.

On August 20, authorities confirmed that a bear killed a man in Crystal, New Mexico. This marks the state’s first fatal bear attack in 25 years. The Navajo Police Department’s Window Rock District said the victim succumbed to his injuries. 

As of August this year, NMDOW received around 230 bear reports, showing an increase from 159 last year. 

The state’s wildlife department says dry conditions have driven bears into neighborhoods in search of food.

If you see a bear, contact NMDOW at (888) 248-6866. Call 911 if the animal poses an immediate threat to public safety. 

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

81-Year-Old Albuquerque Rain Record Finally Falls in Last-Gasp August Downpour, But City’s Monsoon Misery Is Far From Over

Juan Oliveros
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81-Year-Old Albuquerque Rain Record Finally Falls in Last-Gasp August Downpour, But City’s Monsoon Misery Is Far From Over

It had survived for 81 years. Scorching summers came and went. Weak monsoons disappointed Albuquerque. But one late-August rainfall record, set back in 1945, fell.

After weeks of blistering heat, clear skies, and frustratingly little rain, Albuquerque was hit by a sudden downpour just as August was coming to an end.

And it was enough to make history. Rain hammered the official gauge at Albuquerque International Sunport on Sunday evening, where 0.38 inches were recorded.

That was enough to beat the previous mark of 0.33 inches set in 1945 — finally sending an eight-decade-old record into the history books.

The storm arrived with thunderstorms and delivered the largest 24-hour rainfall total of August. It was also the heaviest daily rainfall of Albuquerque’s 2026 monsoon season so far.

For residents who had spent much of the summer waiting for the skies to finally open, the timing could hardly have been more dramatic. But the record-breaking downpour was not enough to rescue Albuquerque from an otherwise dismal month.

National Weather Service data showed the storm pushed the city’s total August rainfall to just 0.67 inches. That remains 0.64 inches below the long-term August average of 1.31 inches.

In other words, one spectacular night could not wash away weeks of stubborn dryness as the broader monsoon season is still lagging behind average.

However, for one evening, Albuquerque finally got the relief it had been waiting for. Streets glistened beneath the sudden storm. And the desert air was filled with the unmistakable scent of wet earth.

And after weeks of dust and heat, the city was reminded what a proper monsoon downpour felt like.

Now, with September underway, the big question is whether Sunday’s dramatic finale was a one-night wonder. Or the first sign that the long-delayed monsoon has finally arrived.

Either way, Albuquerque ended August with something it had not seen in more than eight decades. And the 81-year-old record finally fell.

FACT-CHECKED: What’s True and What’s False About Bear Sightings in New Mexico 

Gregg Morgan
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FACT-CHECKED: What’s True and What’s False About Bear Sightings in New Mexico 

Have you ever wondered why bear sightings seem to be making headlines more often in New Mexico? Reports of bear encounters range from animals wandering harmlessly into homes to dangerous and deadly attacks on residents. These incidents not only draw public attention but also create rumors and false claims.

Some citizens say authorities kill most bears, which they believe are only searching for food and water. Some condemn euthanasia, arguing that the animals pose no threat to people or property. Other residents urge New Mexicans not to report bear sightings or encounters to the Department of Wildlife. Agency personnel will only shoot the large mammals, they claim. 

Some residents also accuse the government of staying silent about the encounters. Meanwhile, others claim that people themselves drive bears into neighborhoods by deliberately leaving out food and water for them.

But how much truth is there to these claims? Our team conducted an in-depth fact-check of bear sightings in New Mexico, separating truth from misinformation so you won’t have to.

CLAIM #1: Bear sightings are increasing in 2026.

If you live in New Mexico, you’ve probably seen videos and articles about bears showing up in some neighborhoods. This has raised questions about whether the state is seeing more bears or just getting more public attention.

TRUE: The New Mexico Department of Wildlife received around 230 bear reports this year. An August 11 report shows that the figure has increased from 159 last year.

FALSE: The New Mexico Department of Wildlife said it recorded fewer bear sightings this year. 

CLAIM #2: Bears can be active any time of the year. 

Bear activity is seasonal, so you may see more of them at certain times of the year. Some people believe these animals are active all year.

TRUE: Black bears remain active from mid-April through mid-November.

FALSE: You can spot bears year-round. 

CLAIM #3: Bears intentionally leave their habitat to explore. 

Bears sometimes leave the mountains to look for food and water. Some individuals think they go into neighborhoods for an easy meal, while others worry that they may be dangerous to people.

TRUE: In spring, rising temperatures bring bears out of hibernation and their winter dens in search of food. They often move to lower elevations, where plants sprout earlier, bringing them closer to homes.

FALSE: Bears enter neighborhoods because they want to hunt humans. 

CLAIM #4: Bears are naturally aggressive towards humans.

This question often comes up in communities and online groups. Because of their size and stories of encounters, people can get scared of bears. 

TRUE: Bears generally avoid conflict with people. Bears are most dangerous when they feel surprised, protect their cubs, or defend food such as a carcass. They rarely show predatory behavior towards humans. However, bears that associate people with food or garbage may become aggressive and threaten public safety.

FALSE: Bears consider humans as regular prey and attack people on sight. 

CLAIM #5: Bears pose a danger when they enter neighborhoods and communities.

Hundreds of bear sightings have been recorded as of August this year. Many residents wonder what these animals do when they enter some neighborhoods. 

TRUE: A bear wandered near a school in Santa Fe. In Las Vegas, a homeowner found a bear standing in front of her open refrigerator. Near the Tramway area, residents filmed the large animal stuck in a backyard tree. Meanwhile, a black bear bit a camper as he rested inside his tent in the Red River. 

Experts and state wildlife agencies say the winter brought unusually dry conditions. The drought wiped out plants, grasses, berries, and nuts that make up about 90% of bears’ diet. Their strong sense of smell can lead them to human food. Urbanization has also pushed people into areas where these animals once foraged. 

FALSE: Bears enter New Mexico neighborhoods looking to attack people. 

CLAIM #6: A person in New Mexico died in a bear attack.

Bear sightings have increased in New Mexico this year, raising concerns about the possibility of fatal encounters. A recent death in Crystal has also drawn attention to the risks of getting too close to the animals.

TRUE: Authorities said that a bear killed a man in Crystal, New Mexico on August 20, 2026, marking the state’s first fatal bear attack in 25 years. The Navajo Police Department’s Window Rock District confirmed the death, saying the victim succumbed to his injuries.

FALSE: No one in New Mexico has died from a bear attack. 

CLAIM #7: Authorities have killed thousands of bears in New Mexico so far this year.

As bears move into communities in search of food, some encounters end with authorities or landowners killing the animals. The growing number of bear deaths has also raised concerns among animal advocates. 

TRUE: Drought has reduced bears’ natural food sources, pushing them into cities more frequently. According to the state wildlife agency, officials and landowners have killed 187 bears in New Mexico this year. The figure marks the highest number recorded since 2011. 

FALSE: Authorities have not killed any bears so far. They do not kill bears because the animals do not threaten residents’ safety.

CLAIM #8: Authorities euthanize bears in New Mexico.

Authorities take action when bears enter neighborhoods, but that doesn’t always mean they shoot the animals. In some cases, they may euthanize them instead.  

TRUE: The Department of Wildlife said it euthanizes bears that return to homes in search of food or threaten public safety. As of August 19, the department has euthanized 129 bears in New Mexico this year. 

Meanwhile, wildlife officials relocated 35 adults and 16 cubs.

FALSE: The Department of Wildlife euthanizes bears immediately upon their first neighborhood sighting to control the overall population size. 

CLAIM #9: New Mexico authorities are not taking action amid the rising bear sightings. 

New Mexico officials and wildlife personnel are responding to the growing number of bear sightings across the state. Residents want to know what authorities are doing to manage these encounters and keep communities safe. 

TRUE: The Department of Wildlife confirmed that bears have appeared in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and other communities. The department said its officers and biologists actively secure scenes and safely remove them from affected areas. 

It likewise confirmed that more bears have become involved in human-bear encounters throughout New Mexico in 2026. The increase may reflect a temporary response to environmental and habitat conditions. Current observations show that bears are likely moving farther to find food. 

The department said it aims to prevent bears from becoming habituated to people. It urged the public to remove accessible food and water sources to help achieve that goal.

FALSE: The Department of Wildlife denied the bear sightings. Authorities immediately shoot bears whenever they find them to prevent public panic. 

How to Keep Bears Away From Your Yard

Bear sightings have become common in some neighborhoods. The state’s Department of Wildlife (NMDOW) shares tips to keep the animals out of your yard. 

According to NMDOW, dry conditions are a major factor driving bears out of their habitats in search of food and water. If you live in bear country, follow these tips to keep them away from your home:

  • Plant fruit trees away from your house and pick fruit as it ripens. It is important to remove any spoiled fruit that falls to the ground. Bears have a strong sense of smell and actively seek fruit trees, especially when the fruit is ripe or rotting. 
  •  Keep woodpiles away from your house because they can attract rodents, which may also attract bears. 
  • Keep compost piles away from your house and avoid adding melon rinds or other fragrant fruits. Food scraps and strong odors can draw bears to your home. 
  • Keep livestock and beehives away from your house because they can provide bears with easy access to high-calorie food. 

Meanwhile, NMDOW has issued safety measures to help you protect yourself from bears. Following these tips can prevent rare but dangerous attacks and keep the animals safe.  

  • Never feed or approach bears because they may defend themselves if you get too close. Protect yourself by giving them plenty of space.
  • Secure food, garbage, and recycling because food and its odors attract bears. Avoid leaving anything accessible that could encourage them to return.
  • Remove bird feeders when bears are active. Birdseed and other grains provide high-calorie food that can attract these animals.
  • Never leave pet food outside as it can bring bears closer. Give outdoor pets portions they can finish at each meal, then remove leftover food and bowls.
  • Clean outdoor grills thoroughly after each use and remove all grease and fat. Bears can detect leftover food odors and grease from miles away. Store clean grills and smokers in a secure area to keep them away.
  • Inform your friends and neighbors about recent bear activity and share tips for avoiding conflicts. Your advice could help others stay safe and protect these animals.

New Mexico Tech-Designed ‘SPIDER’ That Detects Impacts, Strain, and Dangerous Conditions Could Help Make NASA’s Future Moon Base Safer

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico Tech-Designed ‘SPIDER’ That Detects Impacts, Strain, and Dangerous Conditions Could Help Make NASA’s Future Moon Base Safer

​A spider may one day help keep the Moon base safer. Not the eight-legged kind, but the one with five legs that runs on remarkably little power and could form a web of sensors across NASA’s future lunar infrastructure.

Three Mechanical Engineering students from New Mexico Tech have designed SPIDER, a compact structural health monitoring device capable of detecting potential dangers inside space habitats, from micrometeoroid impacts to changes in temperature and humidity.

Their futuristic invention was so promising that the team won the Best Innovation Award at NASA’s 2026 Human Lander Challenge.

Shawna Dodge, Riley Morris, and Thomas Pierson were among just 10 teams from across the United States invited to the competition’s final round at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama this summer.

They had only 25 minutes to convince NASA and industry experts that their mechanical spider belonged in humanity’s future homes beyond Earth. And they had another 20 minutes to answer questions.

“The questions were grueling!” Pierson said. But the New Mexico students were ready to defend their project, formally called Sensor Package for Internal Detection in Extraterrestrial Regions, or SPIDER, which looks like one, resembling a five-legged spider, with thin wires and sensing nodes stretching outward from a compact central body.

Those nodes could be embedded throughout space habitats, constantly monitoring their surroundings and warning astronauts when something goes wrong, detecting a tiny impact from a micrometeoroid.

Even changes in temperature and humidity could trigger an alert, while strain within critical life-support systems could also be monitored.

The students did not stop there. They envision developing not just one SPIDER but an entire network by 2032, in which multiple sensors could communicate with one another, sharing information and creating what the team describes as a stronger web of protection throughout lunar infrastructure. 

“We placed a strong emphasis on the innovative capabilities of our sensor package and the value it could provide to future space missions, so it was incredibly rewarding to see those efforts recognized with the Best Innovation Award,” Dodge said.

The students design the project to tackle weaknesses in existing structural health monitoring technology.

Students Shawna Dodge, Riley Morris, and Thomas Pierson recently won Best Innovation Award at NASA’s 2026 Human Lander Challenge (HuLC). (Image courtesy of New Mexico Tech)

NASA currently combines its Fiber Optic Sensing System, known as FOSS, with the Stanford Multi-Actuator Receiver Transduction, or SMART, layer. The systems provide reliable monitoring, but they can require significant power and offer only a limited set of sensing modalities.

Power could be precious for astronauts living on the Moon. So the New Mexico Tech students attacked the problem from there.

First, they found ways to reduce SPIDER’s energy consumption so that, instead of continuously demanding data, the device could remain in a low-power state for longer periods, reducing how often it checks its sensors.

The team also cut telemetry transmissions to once a day, increasing SPIDER’s battery life to 60 days, twice the length of a proposed 30-day lunar mission.

But conserving power was only half the solution. The students also found ways to generate it by incorporating photovoltaic cells into SPIDER’s central power hub.

Unlike traditional solar panels, the cells could harvest energy from LED lighting inside an enclosed habitat. A thermoelectric generator and a battery would provide additional backup, a redundancy that enables the sensor to continue monitoring its environment even if one or more power systems fail. “Working on a project with direct applications to future human spaceflight showed me how classroom knowledge can be translated into real engineering solutions,” Morris said.

But SPIDER is designed to do far more than conserve electricity. The team gave their mechanical spider multiple ways to sense trouble. Its FBG optical sensors and piezoelectrics could measure strain in life-support systems and help pinpoint impact locations.

They also incorporated colorimetric sensing. The thermochromic paint could fluoresce or change color when it detects potentially dangerous conditions. Different colors could even signal different hazards.

It took months of research, design, testing, and refinement to transform the concept into a competition-ready project. During the first stage of the Human Lander Challenge, the New Mexico Tech students were selected as one of the top 10 teams to advance and received $9,000 from NASA to support their work.

They then built prototypes, validated their sensing methods, and prepared a technical paper and presentation. ‘Each interaction strengthened both our project and our understanding of the engineering design process,’ Morris said. “It was truly a team effort, and we learned a tremendous amount from working together.”

Their work may now reach an even larger audience. The team has had a paper accepted for the 2027 AIAA SciTech Conference, where the students will present their research to the broader aerospace community.

They hope the conference will help them continue developing SPIDER and establish connections within the space industry. And NASA engineers appear to be paying attention.

“Many of the NASA engineers are interested in seeing our sensor package idea come to fruition,” Pierson said. “I learned there really is room for innovation in this field.”

NASA’s Human Lander Challenge is designed to encourage college students to develop innovative solutions for the technologies needed to return humans to the Moon and support future human landing systems.

For New Mexico Tech, the competition marked its first appearance in NASA’s Human Lander Challenge (HuLC). But the university has already developed a growing record in NASA competitions, including NASA MINDS and NASA Lunabotics.

Mechanical Engineering Department Chair Mostafa Hassanalian said such challenges give students the opportunity to take what they learn in classrooms and apply it to real-world engineering problems.

In this case, that classroom project could eventually become part of a small, five-legged sensor and a network of machines that share information across a lunar habitat.

Perhaps, one day, the project could become part of a technological web that helps protect the first long-term human communities on the Moon, because when astronauts finally build a home more than 238,000 miles from Earth, they may need every warning system they can get, even from one called SPIDER.

How Hostile Hackers Could Plunge Power Grids Into Darkness by Targeting the ‘Loneliest’ Parts of the Network—And Why Drone Fleets and Driverless Cars Are At Risk

Juan Oliveros
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How Hostile Hackers Could Plunge Power Grids Into Darkness by Targeting the ‘Loneliest’ Parts of the Network—And Why Drone Fleets and Driverless Cars Are At Risk

Hostile hackers and rogue states could disrupt networks of self-driving vehicles or the national power grid by attacking their most isolated, least-connected components, turning the system’s smallest links into gateways to catastrophic failure.

The study, titled “Extreme vulnerability to intruder attacks destabilizes network dynamics,” found that what the researchers did not expect lurks within interconnected systems. Instead of focusing on the most connected parts of a network, attackers may be able to cause serious disruption by targeting agents with the fewest incoming connections.

Francesco Sorrentino, a professor of mechanical engineering at UNM, and Amirhossein Nazerian, who recently earned his Ph.D. from the university, led the research published in Nature Communications.

Other researchers involved in the study included Sahand Tangerami of K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Malbor Asllani of Florida State University, David Phillips of UNM, and Hernán Makse of the City College of New York.

Weakness hiding at the edge of the network

Cyber-physical systems, which are everywhere, are complex networks in which software communicates with physical components, such as sensors, hardware, and actuators, to monitor and control real-world processes.

Take the case of autonomous vehicles, where each of them relies on software and hardware and exchanges information with other vehicles to coordinate movement, avoid collisions, and travel safely.

Similarly, power grids are another enormous and complex example.

Until now, researchers have largely assumed the biggest threat would come from attacks on the network’s hubs through which vast amounts of information flow. But Sorrentino and his colleagues discovered that the weakest links lie in the least-connected agents.

The research examined what scientists call ‘intruder attacks,’ in which a physical component remains intact but its cyber component has been compromised. Approaching from the attacker’s perspective, the researchers wanted to determine how quickly a network could become unstable if just one of its agents were compromised.

Using mathematical models, they discovered that agents receiving fewer incoming connections have fewer reliable information sources. That translated to fewer signals being available to counteract or overwhelm malicious information.

In other words, a poorly connected part of the network may be less able to recognize when something has gone wrong. And that could make it an unexpectedly attractive target.

How about the power grid?

The researchers used power grids as one of their key examples.

Modern electrical grids have protective mechanisms to prevent localized disruptions from snowballing into catastrophic blackouts. One of those mechanisms is load shedding, which disconnects selected electrical loads when the system becomes unstable.

The goal is to sacrifice part of the system to save the rest. But the new research suggests that understanding how an attacker might exploit vulnerabilities within the network could help engineers develop stronger defenses.

Engineers may also need to pay closer attention to the quieter, less-connected corners of a network rather than simply focusing protection on the system’s largest hubs.

The research’s findings could ultimately help researchers design cyber-physical systems capable of surviving hostile or unpredictable environments.

New Mexico Green Chile Feud Turns Deadly as Roswell Man Accused of Shooting Cousin Over Argument Whose Enchiladas Were Hotter Before Police Tracked Him Down Using Automated License Plate Reader Technology

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico Green Chile Feud Turns Deadly as Roswell Man Accused of Shooting Cousin Over Argument Whose Enchiladas Were Hotter Before Police Tracked Him Down Using Automated License Plate Reader Technology

New Mexicans are serious about their green chile, but it can be deadly. The police say a family argument over whose enchiladas were hotter ended with a Roswell man allegedly shot his cousin three to four times before he fled.

The bizarre feud allegedly began over dinner.

Last week, a 22-year-old man from Roswell traveled to Albuquerque for a professional training class, according to court records obtained by The Paper.

Then, on Thursday afternoon, he arrived unannounced at his cousins’ apartment, where the family gathered, drank alcohol, and made green chile enchiladas.

In the beginning, there was no sign of trouble until they argued over the chile. The Albuquerque Police detective’s account in court filings states that the suspect allegedly began antagonizing his cousin by insisting that the green chile in his enchiladas was hotter than the chile on his cousin’s plates.

‘There was no conflict between any of the parties until [the suspect] began antagonizing [the victim],’ the detective wrote.

It started as a dispute over spicy enchiladas, but it quickly escalated. In an attempt to defuse the heated situation, three cousins went outside, police said.

But the argument did not end there. The suspect and the victim, who were both armed, eventually became involved in a physical fight. As they fought, the victim’s gun fell to the ground, according to court documents.

A cousin who was not involved in the fight told police that he picked up the weapon.

The victim then appeared to turn away, apparently trying to cool off and ‘walk it off.’ But police say the suspect allegedly pulled out his own handgun and opened fire.

His cousin was shot ‘three or four times’ and later succumbed to his injuries.

The accused gunman then escaped in a vehicle. But Albuquerque police were able to track his trail using automated license plate reader technology, which helped investigators locate the vehicle, leading them to the suspect and his eventual arrest.

He was taken into custody for killing his cousin. Metropolitan Court Judge Ramon Maestas ordered him to be held without bond.

The case remains under investigation. The suspect’s name and that of the victim were not identified until their conviction.

Elderly New Mexico Man Mauled to Death by Two Dogs as Grim Toll of Fatal Attacks Since 2006 Reaches At Least 14

Juan Oliveros
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Elderly New Mexico Man Mauled to Death by Two Dogs as Grim Toll of Fatal Attacks Since 2006 Reaches At Least 14

A 73-year-old Randy Wade died from his injuries after being attacked by two dogs outside his home in a quiet New Mexico town of Santa Rosa. This brings the total number of fatal dog attacks in the state to 14 since 2006, including the fatal dog attacks in New Mexico and on tribal lands. 

Wade’s death was not the first in the state.

New Mexico has recorded at least 14 fatalities from dog attacks since 2006, beginning with the death of Juan Garcia in Gallina, Rio Arriba County. The 53‑year‑old Garcia was killed in May 2006 by a pit bull that had escaped from a pen, according to investigators. 

Four years later, 55-year-old Larry Armstrong was attacked by a pack of dogs near Gallup on Navajo Nation land. Deputies found the dogs still biting him. Armstrong later died at the hospital, and authorities included his death in the 2011 fatality statistics.

It was followed by another death linked to the Easter Sunday killing in April 2011, when 48-year-old Margaret Salcedo died from her wounds after she was attacked by four pit bulls while walking in Truth or Consequences. 

The following year saw three people in New Mexico killed in dog attacks. These included 15-month-old Jazilyn Mesa, who was killed by her father’s pit bull in Las Cruces, 74-year-old Clifford Wright, who was mauled by a pit bull in Santa Fe, and eight-year-old Tomas Jay Henio, who was killed by a pack of dogs in Cibola County.

By the end of 2012, there had been six fatal dog attacks in New Mexico over the previous eight years. At that time, the state had one of the highest per-capita rates of fatal dog attacks in the country.

In December 2013, 41-year-old Michal Nelson was killed by one of her pit bulls at her property near Belen. She had about 12 pit bulls, and several were later surrendered and euthanized due to aggressive behavior.

In July 2016, a pack of dogs killed three-year-old Kayden Begay in Seba Dalkai on the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation later recognized this death as part of an ongoing problem with fatal dog attacks on tribal lands.

Dog attack deaths continued into the next decade.

A new decade of dog attacks

In January 2020, a caller told investigators that the lifeless body of 52-year-old Kay Torres was found surrounded by dogs. Authorities believe it was an attack by a pack of dogs on Taos Pueblo tribal land. 

Authorities recorded two separate fatal dog attacks in New Mexico the following year. 

A pack of dogs killed 53-year-old Jose Ortega in Veguita. Investigators took 10 pit bull mixes into custody. The owner faced felony charges, including having a dangerous dog that caused a person’s death and tampering with evidence.

In the same year, six-year-old Avery Jackson-Dunphy was killed by dogs fostered at his grandparents’ home in Doña Ana County. Three members of her family were charged over her death.

Two years later, Saudi-American Saad Al-Anazi was attacked by two German shepherds owned by neighbors outside his home in Fairacres near Las Cruces. Al-Anazi died from his injuries the following day.

And in February 2023, while walking near 11th Street in Tucumcari, 64-year-old Stanley Hartt was killed by a pack of five dogs. A deputy shot one dog, and the others were taken into animal control custody. Hartt died at the scene.

In 2024, the dogs’ owners, Kristopher Jaquarias Morris and his mother, Mary Olimpia Montoya, pleaded guilty to charges, such as prohibited acts involving a dangerous dog that caused a death. Morris received six years in prison, serving roughly four and three-quarters years after credit. His mother received a lesser jail term under a plea deal. 

New Mexico State Police said its Investigations Bureau is now handling Wade’s case.

New ‘One-Stop Shop’ for New Mexico Farmers Will Clean, Package and Sell Their Crops — And Put More Money Back in Their Pockets

Ruben Reyes
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A first-of-its-kind option for farmers is coming to the South Valley to improve how they process their crops. The Delicious New Mexico Aggregation Center, or DMAC, behind the South Valley Economic Development Center, is scheduled to open next month, on September 18. 

The construction is still ongoing; however, once it’s done, it will give farmers an easier way to get their crops ready for sale and remove barriers. 

DMCA Operations Manager Luis Nunez says the problem is that 30 percent of farmers actually have the power to wash their produce that comes from the field. And so, DMCA will serve as a one-stop shop for farmers to drop off their produce for cleaning, preparation, packaging, and distribution. 

The reason behind the DMAC coming into being is to create greater access for farmers and communities, and to act as a bridge to fill the gap between the two. 

The DMCA has partnered up with Delicious New Mexico, the Rio Grande Community Development Corporation, and the South Valley Economic Development Center. 

For RGCDC Operations Director Sean Humphrey, the center will help farmers not only by cleaning their aggregation but also by selling it to markets. 

DMCA Gives Farmers An Opportunity

Farmers will now have the option to either pick their crops back up once they’re packaged and ready to be sold, schedule them for delivery, or sell their fruits and veggies to DMAC, who will then sell them to the community, like schools and senior centers. 

Humphrey said the markets will be able to offer them money to plant the crops they need. Even if DMAC charges farmers for the aggregation service, their ultimate goal is to put more money back into farmers’ hands. 

Nunez clarified that the small fee they are asking farmers to pay will give them a way to process their produce. The fee is based on the number of pounds given by how much product farmers brought to them. 

DMAC will give preference to farmers in the South Valley, but they will service the whole state. Pickup and delivery will also be offered to farmers who can’t safely transport the products themselves. 

RGCDC Finance and Programs Director Briana Smith says confidently that their facility will be able to reach a farmer residing in Mora, or as far south as they have to go to pick up, and then bring them back to the facility. 

With the opening approaching, facility leaders say their long-term goal will be to open more of these centers across the state. 

For farmers who are interested in learning more about this opportunity, contact RGCDC at 505-217-2473. 

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