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Data Centers Are Coming to the Desert. The Price Tag? Millions of Gallons of Water.

Juan Oliveros
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Data Centers Are Coming to the Desert. The Price Tag? Millions of Gallons of Water.

Hundreds of ranchers, retirees, and university staff crowded the auditorium at New Mexico Tech one warm evening in May, carrying signs that read “Big Data, Big Lie” and “NMT = No More Transparency.” Their grievance targeted a Canadian developer’s proposal for what could become one of the world’s largest ‘renewable‑led’ data centers—a sprawling complex covering up to 10,000 acres, with a massive solar array and atmospheric water generators designed to avoid draining local sources.

Barely a month later, on June 9, the Socorro County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data centers and their supporting infrastructure. The decision came after New Mexico Tech withdrew from the partnership, citing insufficient contiguous land and growing community concerns.

The episode captures an increasing tension playing out across New Mexico. Recently, the state has pushed aggressively to diversify its economy beyond oil and gas. It courted the aerospace, film, tech, and renewable energy sectors. But the explosive growth of artificial intelligence is bringing a new kind of suitor: data centers hungry for land, power, and, critically, water in one of the driest states in the Southwest.

Lujan Grisham Champions Shift

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has championed the shift. She announced in early 2025 a $5 billion partnership with BorderPlex Digital for a “Digital Infrastructure Campus” in Santa Teresa, Doña Ana County, near the border with Mexico. Project Jupiter represents a transformative opportunity, offering thousands of temporary construction jobs, hundreds of long‑term positions paying $75,000–$100,000 annually, and significant economic output.

Project proponents highlight the potential. Oracle, a tenant for the Jupiter campus, projected significant boosts to the local economy, generating hundreds of millions in annual output while partnering with community colleges and universities for workforce development. Company officials argue the facilities represent the high-tech future of New Mexico, veering away from its dependence on volatile fossil fuel revenues.

The backlash, however, has been swift and loud. Socorro residents worry about big-sale industrial development blotting out the vast desert panorama, straining the electrical grid, and draining the aquifers. Similar concerns have led Santa Fe County to have its own moratorium. Data centers across the Western U.S. are confronting historic drought conditions.

“The Rio Grande is completely dried up in Albuquerque. We’re completely relying on groundwater. And you want to have this water-hungry data center in the middle of Socorro. It’s kind of offensive to even suggest that,” one resident said at a New Mexico Tech town hall.

Statewide Emergency

Lujan Grisham declared a statewide drought emergency on May 20 amid record-low snowpack and extreme fire danger. Much of the state remains in drought conditions, ranging from severe to extreme. Data centers, consuming millions of gallons of water annually for cooling, add new pressures to already strained systems

Western Resource Advocates and others have estimated that data centers in several Southwestern states could drain billions of gallons yearly by 2035 for their on-site needs alone. The estimate does not count the indirect thirst from power generation. Agriculture has historically been the largest consumer of water in New Mexico, yet it now confronts mounting pressures of its own. Officials and residents question whether the projected jobs justify the trade-offs.

“We really appreciate you guys. You listened to us,” Socorro resident Jon Hertz told commissioners after the moratorium vote. “I do believe and support the development of renewable resources, but not those that gobble up our local resources for the sheer benefit of billionaires and large cities outside of New Mexico.”

Developers like Green Data’s Jason Bak tried to allay fears. He proposed using solar energy alongside atmospheric water generation systems that extract moisture from the air. But skepticism runs deep. Bak admitted at public meetings that his company has yet to build a full-scale data center.

Debate Around Data Centers Echoes National Struggle

The debate echoes national struggles. With the surge in AI demand, data centers are multiplying, mostly in places with cheap land and power but with fragile environments. In New Mexico, the push comes as the state steers through an energy transition. On one hand, there is abundant sunshine and wind potential; on the other, an aging grid and drought.

County leaders in Socorro said the moratorium will give them time to study the project impacts and formulate regulatory measures in a locality lacking comprehensive zoning. They hope to balance openness to responsible business with safeguarding agriculture, ranching, and overall quality of life.

Some residents recognized the importance of economic development in a county with a declining population. That economic development, they insisted, must be calibrated.

The stakes are high for the state. Despite its natural resources and the presence of federal laboratories in Los Alamos and Sandia, New Mexico has long ranked near the bottom in economic indicators. Well-regulated data centers could mean diversification and high-wage jobs. But mishandling them risks repeating old patterns, with extractive industries delivering only short‑term gains and long-term costs to rural communities.

Bak told skeptical residents in Socorro: the concerns are real and shared nationwide. “We understand that some Socorro County residents are skeptical of our claims about the project,” Bak said. “That skepticism is being reflected by the opposition to other projects all across the country. But we’re not other projects all across the country.”

The question for New Mexico is whether it can write a different ending — a future that respects the desert’s boundaries while embracing the digital era. For now, in places like Socorro, the answer is a cautious moratorium.

145 New Violations Issued: Who Made It to New Mexico’s Environmental ‘Enforcement Watch’ List?

Juan Oliveros
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145 New Violations Issued: Who Made It to New Mexico’s Environmental ‘Enforcement Watch’ List?

State regulators documented 145 additional violations on New Mexico’s public “Enforcement Watch” list in May, while resolving 93 cases, according to data released by the New Mexico Environment Department.

The monthly report is part of a transparency program launched in 2023. It highlights the scope of oversight across water quality, food safety, workplace hazards, and air emissions in a state where energy production, manufacturing, and retail operations have converged on delicate environments and public health risks. Seventy-five violation notices, the largest share of new actions, come from the Water Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau.

Food safety inspectors issued 38 violation notices to retail establishments. Twenty cases came from the Occupational Health and Safety Bureau. Smaller numbers involved resource conservation paired with expanded environmental oversight.

Among the resolved cases, food safety topped the list with 60 closures. Water protection cases added 12 resolutions.

Refinery Fire Draws $34,000 Penalty

One Occupational Health and Safety Bureau action involved a flash fire at the HF Sinclair refinery in Artesia last October. During scaffold setup, a pipe leak released a vapor cloud that caught fire. The incident left three workers injured.

State investigators found that insufficient worker training on compression fitting assembly, combined with the absence of a quality assurance system for safety equipment, had elevated the risks of equipment failure, hazardous chemical releases, and fires. The bureau issued a citation and notification of a fine amounting to $34,002 for serious violations.

“Safety must remain the highest priority in every New Mexican workplace,” said Bob Genoway, Deputy Director of the Compliance and Enforcement Division. “The HF Sinclair incident highlights the importance of assuring workers receive proper training, that safety-critical equipment is correctly installed and verified, and that employers maintain effective systems to identify and address hazards before an accident occurs.”

Other Violations Spotlight Diverse Concerns

Environmental regulators also issued a Notice of Violation to Matador of Dallas for allegedly exceeding the allowable emission limits at seven oil and gas facilities in southeast New Mexico. In the capital region, Santa Fe’s Trash Talk Hauling LLC received a notice for operating without required commercial hauler registration.

Occupational safety inspectors issued a notice to Gallatin Operational Solutions in Santa Fe over blocked exit routes that may hinder emergency evacuations. Several water-related actions included a notice to Cubero Elementary School near Grants for unaddressed deficiencies from the sanitary survey, and another notice to Lovington’s Lea County Electric Cooperative for missing required microbiological sampling.

Transparency Tool Enters Fourth Year

Introduced in May 2023, Enforcement Watch makes violation data publicly accessible online. It places the entities cited for violations on the lists until issues are corrected and penalties paid. Officials say the initiative promotes accountability through visibility, encouraging timely compliance while raising community awareness of potential risks.

The environment department publishes monthly reports detailing new actions and resolutions, with datasets available for download. As of mid-2026, the program continues to highlight routine compliance concerns, such as retail food handling, and major industrial incidents. Critics often push for stricter oversight, while business groups underscore regulatory burdens. NMED balanced these concerns by framing enforcement as a measure to protect health and the environment without unnecessary disruption.

The complete May 2026 list and data are publicly accessible online. Residents may visit the New Mexico Environment Department’s Enforcement Watch webpage.

How Optical Interferometer Could Change Space Warfare and Commercial Tracking Forever

Juan Oliveros
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How Optical Interferometer Could Change Space Warfare and Commercial Tracking Forever

Scientists at New Mexico’s desert observatory have displayed a capability that could reshape how humanity watches an increasingly crowded frontier. They have demonstrated that a ground-based optical interferometer can decipher details of a satellite stationed 22,000 miles above Earth. The feat comes at a crucial moment in the modern space age.

Governments and private companies launch thousands of satellites into orbit every year, crowding the skies above Earth with communications platforms, navigation systems, military assets, and commercial space vehicles. Knowing exactly where those satellites are, what condition they are in, and what they are doing has progressed from mere technical curiosity into an urgent strategic need.

Researchers at the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer (MROI) declared that they had successfully secured observational data from a communications satellite in geostationary orbit. The achievement marks a breakthrough in using an optical interferometer to investigate a human-made object at such great distances.

Geosynchronous satellites occupy an orbital lane roughly 35,786 kilometers, or about 22,236 miles, above Earth. At that distance, their orbital period matches Earth’s rotation, enabling them to remain fixed over the same longitude. That orbital lane hosts many of the world’s most critical assets, including communications and weather satellites.

Novel Use of Optical Interferometer

Until recently, many considered obtaining information about those satellites from the ground to be beyond reach. But the MROI team accomplished what was impossible through optical interferometry, a technique that combines light collected by a vast array of telescopes. Together, these telescopes serve as a single giant “virtual telescope,” achieving an angular resolution impossible for traditional instruments of similar size.

“This is a moment highlighting long-term development efforts,” said Dr. Van Romero, professor of physics at New Mexico Tech and principal investigator for MROI. “There has long been skepticism that a ground-based optical system could resolve a man-made object in geosynchronous orbit. This evaluation provides data indicating that it can be done.”

Over the years, astronomers have used interferometry to study distant stars and galaxies, but employing the technique on satellites orbiting Earth posed a different challenge altogether. “Many in the astronomy community believed this was not possible,” said Dr. Michelle Creech-Eakman, MROI project scientist and professor of physics. “Others have attempted it previously. This evaluation provides data on both the instrument and the underlying technique.”

The implications may reverberate far beyond scientific prestige. Modern satellites are becoming sophisticated, equipped with expansive solar arrays, sensitive antennas, and, in some cases, maneuvering systems. Some analysts at the Modern War Institute warned that next‑generation spacecraft might feature concealment and possess adversary‑interference capabilities.

In that environment, tracking a satellite’s orbital coordinates is no longer enough. Military planners and commercial operators need to know whether a satellite has exhibited anomalies or configuration changes. “We want to quickly assess a satellite’s position and orientation — and understand its behavior,” Romero said. “This is an evaluation toward providing that level of insight.”

Low-Earth Orbit Transformation

The critical nature of this mission continues to intensify. Large satellite constellations of hundreds or even thousands of spacecraft have transformed low-Earth orbit, while vital infrastructure has crowded the geosynchronous belt. Collisions, technical malfunctions, and intentional disruptions present risks with far‑reaching global impacts.

That scenario makes precise monitoring a cornerstone of space security and economic resilience. Such capabilities strengthen space domain awareness among governments. Commercial operators, on their part, can deploy high‑resolution imagery to diagnose technical issues, evaluate aging spacecraft, and guide decisions on insurance, servicing, and replacement.

Previously, researchers noted that it remains unclear whether the optical interferometer can produce usable satellite images at such vast distances from the ground. “We have now gathered data showing that the technology works,” Romero said.

Wider Horizon

But the scientists behind the project see a wider horizon. The same technology that may help monitor crowded orbital lanes could also transform astronomy itself. Creech-Eakman said future expansions of the observatory’s telescope array could eventually produce real-time images, creating moving pictures of deep-space events. “With this level of resolution, we will be able to measure changes across the universe in great detail,” she said. “Ultimately, we aim to produce time-resolved imaging — even ‘movies’ of distant astrophysical systems.”

The MROI is a major astronomical facility led by New Mexico Tech, in collaboration with the University of Cambridge and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. It was built with expansion in mind. Additional telescopes could enhance the facility’s sensitivity and imaging precision.

The desert observatory stands at the junction of two realities of the modern era. On one hand, humanity’s dependence on space is growing. On the other, the desire to better understand the cosmos continues to deepen. The same instrument that helps scientists safeguard satellites essential to today’s world also opens new frontiers in discovery. It may provide unparalleled glimpses into some of the universe’s deepest mysteries.

Smoke Shops to Uphold Same Standards as Dispensaries – City Councilor

Ruben Reyes
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Smoke Shops to Uphold Same Standards as Dispensaries – City Councilor

Albuquerque City Councilor Renée Grout said she want smoke shops father apart, including a proposed 1,3200-foot buffer between shops. This is because she wanted to have smoke shops same standards similar to cannabis dispensaries before more open across the city.

Jose Vialpando, owner of Chronic Kings on Lomas said he used to run part of the business as a smoke shop says the updated ordinance would mean less competition near his dispensary.

“I don’t really like it. I would like some distance, you know. It’s kind of clutter full of dispensaries. It’s good for the customer, maybe they have options, so it’s not totally bad,” he said.

He said he love to help the medical people out as well as the recreational people out. He also pointed out the issue is smoke shops clustering in one area, not the cannabis dispensaries themselves.

Meanwhile, Grout clarified the issue is smoke shops clustering in one area, not cannabis dispensaries themselves.

“They need to be away from cannabis, and smoke shops need to be at least 1,320 feet from another smoke shop,” said Grout.

Grout said the proposal will add more restrictions on where smoke shops can operate.

What Is In The Proposal?

In the proposal, the smoke shops have to be at least 350 feet away from a school or a daycare. Nicotine products and paraphernalia shouldn’t be displayed within five feet of a window or a door. They can’t have a dive-through, and they can’t be in main street corridors.

“They also need to be at least 350 feet away from a school or a daycare. Nicotine products and paraphernalia shouldn’t be displayed within five feet of a window or a door. They can’t have a drive-through, and just like we made some changes to the IDO in the spring with this, we kind of, we left this one out, we needed to put in smoke shops, they can’t be in the main street corridors,” she said.

Grout clarified Central and San Pedro are included in the new proposed ordinance.

Vialpando sees this as a good opportunity to open a business but also worries that they might end up hurting each other because they’re all opening by each other.

“I just think it’s just a good business for them to open. I guess it’s good, profitable business for them to open. So everybody’s trying it, but they’re also hurting each other, because they’re all opening by each other,” said Vialpando.

The Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee will hear the proposed changes on Wednesday and by next Monday, the proposal could reach the City Council agenda.

The initiative is good as it can prevent students from buying from smoke shops, creating a better environment for students. However, it also has its downside on businesses since their earnings would decrease or become stagnant.

10 First Responders Hospitalized in a Single Call: The Terrifying New Reality on the Front Lines of the Fentanyl Crisis

Juan Oliveros
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10 First Responders Hospitalized in a Single Call: The Terrifying New Reality on the Front Lines of the Fentanyl Crisis

A routine welfare check for a possible overdose in a simple trailer park in Silver City turned into a hazmat-level emergency. First responders arrived at the scene and found one resident dead, but the disturbance sent powder into the air. Within minutes, an emergency medical worker collapsed. By the end of the response on June 1, officials hospitalized 10 first responders — firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, and paramedics — for medical examination.

Laboratory results later confirmed the presence of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine in the home. Doctors treated and released all 10 responders. But the incident heightened alarms across the state about a growing occupational hazard linked to exposure to potent synthetic drugs during daily calls.

Only weeks earlier, a similar scene unfolded in Mountainair with even graver consequences. Three people died inside a home, and 18 first responders fell ill with symptoms including nausea and dizziness after exposure to powdered fentanyl, methamphetamine, and para-fluorofentanyl. The incident affected more than two dozen people, prompting decontamination and hospital evaluations.

A Pattern Emerges in a Hard-Hit State

These back-to-back incidents do not stand isolated. New Mexico has ranked among the states with the highest drug overdose rates. Recently, the state has had to confront a dual crisis: the prevalence of fentanyl-laced drugs on the streets and the dangers those substances pose to emergency responders.

State officials have observed an increase in suspected powdered fentanyl exposures. The drug’s extreme potency — just a few grains can be lethal. It can affect multiple people quickly when responders handle, disturb, or aerosolize it during chaotic scenes. In both the Silver City and Mountainair cases, responders complained of symptoms similar to opioid exposure.

According to the New Mexico Health Department, opioids, particularly fentanyl and its analogs, have driven a significant share of overdose deaths in the state. These substances, mixed with meth or cocaine, have complicated responses and escalated risks for law enforcement and emergency medical services.

Heightened Precautions, Lingering Questions

Departments across New Mexico are now emphasizing enhanced personal protective equipment, specialized training, and on-scene caution. Hazmat teams, including those from the Drug Enforcement Administration, are increasingly called in to process contaminated scenes. The incidents, however, raise uncomfortable questions about the adequacy of standard protocols when facing powdered synthetics.

Some experts have historically downplayed the risk of casual skin or airborne exposure to fentanyl. But recent events have prompted local officials to treat every overdose call with caution. “Fentanyl is particularly dangerous because it requires only a tiny amount to cause an overdose. The tiniest possible dose of fentanyl can cause serious symptoms in an exposed individual,” Steve McLaughlin, chief medical officer at the University of New Mexico hospital, said.

Fentanyl Overdose: Broader Implications

The psychological and physical toll has heightened for first responders. Each call now carries the possibility of not only finding dead bodies but also of becoming casualties themselves. Health officials emphasize the importance of Naloxone availability as a critical overdose prevention measure, proper decontamination, and interagency coordination.

Silver City investigation continues, and Mountainair’s aftermath settles as officials confront a stark reality that the fentanyl crisis has blurred the line between drug users and responders. A new reality has emerged in New Mexico’s rural towns and trailer parks: the front line of the drug overdose crisis now includes the emergency responders themselves.

How a Retired Professor Honored His Late Wife Through a Reading Fund

Gregg Morgan
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How a Retired Professor Honored His Late Wife Through a Reading Fund

Even after leaving the classroom, some educators continue to influence students’ lives in meaningful ways. In Albuquerque, a retired professor is carrying on that mission–to honor his wife and preserve their shared legacy in education.

Retired University of New Mexico professor Richard Van Dongen paved the way for a new literacy chapter in Albuquerque Public Schools. Earlier this month, he donated $100,000 to the APS Education Foundation. The donation established the “Van Dongen Books Kids Want to Read Fund.” 

He created the fund to honor his late wife, Barbara Chamberlin Van Dongen, and their lifelong partnership in education. Demonstrating his enduring devotion to the district, Richard also pledged part of his legacy gift to support the fund.

The effort highlights the commitment and generosity of two of Albuquerque’s most dedicated educators.

“This is an extraordinary gift for our students,” said APS Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey. “Literacy is the foundation for everything we do, and this donation will help us engage students and foster their love of reading. Words cannot express how grateful we are to the Van Dongens for this generous gift.”

Partners in Education

Richard and Barbara grew up in Albuquerque. They spent their professional lives championing student learning.

Barbara, who passed away in 2016, earned her undergraduate degree at Stanford University. She then received a PhD in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Maryland. She worked as a classroom teacher and librarian at APS before becoming the head of District Library Services. 

Richard began his career in elementary education at APS. He later returned to UNM to earn a doctorate in education. He then stepped into senior leadership in UNM’s College of Education.

“Both educators dedicated their long careers to the education of teachers and students in Albuquerque and beyond,” said APS Education Foundation Executive Director Shannon Barnhill. “This spirit of commitment continues through the Van Dongen Books Kids Want to Read Fund.”

How the Fund Benefits School Libraries

The initiative addresses a persistent challenge in education: keeping school library collections current, relevant and engaging. The fund provides resources directly to library staff. It allows them to purchase popular literature, graphic novels, the latest nonfiction, and other genres that resonate with today’s students.

“This gift will provide APS students a say in the books they have in their school libraries,” said Rachel Altobelli, senior director of Library Services at APS. “Keeping school library collections current, relevant and inspiring can be a challenge without easily accessible funding.”

The fund is designed to be user-friendly for educators. It will be administered by the APS Education Foundation. School librarians can access the resources through a simple application process. The process enables them to tailor acquisitions to the specific interests and needs of their school communities.

The library serves as one of the most vital learning spaces in school. It acts as an extension of the classroom, where students expand upon their lessons and explore new ideas. The new fund keeps these environments dynamic and aims to inspire a lasting love of reading.

Community members can support this ongoing legacy by donating directly to the fund through the APS Foundation.

She Came to Albuquerque for a Rodeo. Forty-Three Years Later, DNA Led Police to the Man Accused of Killing Her.

Juan Oliveros
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She Came to Albuquerque for a Rodeo. Forty-Three Years Later, DNA Led Police to the Man Accused of Killing Her.

The murder of Agnes Tybo remained as one of Albuquerque’s unresolved tragedies — a chilling case marked by a ransacked motel room, a discarded purse and a composite sketch that led to no arrest. Now, advances in DNA technology have done what generations of detectives could not.

Prosecutors have charged Charlie Brown Jr., a 73-year-old Illinois man, with first-degree murder in the 1983 killing of Tybo, a 71-year-old woman who had traveled to New Mexico to reunite with family and attend the Indian National Finals Rodeo.

Authorities announced the arrest warrant this week. The issuance of the warrant signaled the end of a painstaking investigation that spanned 43 years. It underscored the growing power of modern DNA technology to solve the puzzle tucked in decades-old evidence.

On Nov. 11, 1983, a staff member at Albuquerque’s Sundowner Motel, a defunct hotel that once stood along Central Avenue Northeast, found Tybo dead inside a room. Investigators of the case described the scene as being in “complete disarray.” The Office of the Medical Investigator said that Tybo had been strangled, ruling her death a homicide.

Tybo came to Albuquerque with her sister “eager to experience the energy, heritage, and celebration of the Indian National Finals Rodeo.” Instead, inside Room 252, a weekend of celebration ended in tragedy. Agnes’s life was stolen—leaving an empty chair, a grieving family, and a room heavy with unanswered questions.

Detectives investigating her death recovered Tybo’s missing purse from the bed of a dump truck parked in the motel lot. A white cotton towel was found along with her belongings; the investigators preserved it as evidence.

Witnesses also told investigators they saw a man attempting to enter motel rooms almost at the same time as the killing. Police produced a composite sketch of a suspect and sent it out to the public and tribal agencies. Despite the efforts, the investigation yielded no results. The case eventually went cold.

The case remained inactive until October 2021, when a civilian investigator with the Albuquerque Police Department reopened the probe and ordered advanced DNA testing on evidence collected at the scene of the crime decades earlier.

Then, the breakthrough came in July 2022. The National DNA Index System informed investigators of a possible match linking the evidence to Brown, who was living in Champaign, Illinois. Detectives traveled to Illinois and obtained a warrant that authorized them to collect a direct DNA sample from Brown.

Subsequent forensic analysis, according to court filings, conclusively put Brown at the crime scene. Investigators also tied the suspect’s DNA to the white towel found with the victim’s purse. The findings led prosecutors to file murder charges on Monday, seeking Brown’s extradition to New Mexico.

“This case highlights our department’s unyielding commitment to victims and their families, no matter how many years pass,” Albuquerque Police Chief Cecily Barker said in a statement. “Generations of detectives protected this evidence so that modern science could eventually bring the truth to light. We hope this arrest provides long-overdue closure to the Tybo family and the Indigenous community.”

The announcement offers something that seemed impossible 43 years ago. According to the Albuquerque Police Department’s statement posted on social media, “To the Tybo family, we know that time does not erase the deep pain of a stolen life. But we hope this arrest finally brings the long-overdue answers you have waited a lifetime to hear. To every family still searching for answers in the dark: APD does not forget. We do not stop looking, and we will never stop fighting for your loved ones.”

The charges against Brown remain as allegations. He remains innocent until the courts prove him guilty. But the Tybo case is a reminder that even as memories fail and witnesses disappear, carefully preserved evidence can still speak — even decades after the suspect committed a crime.

Fast Food Employees in Deming Hospitalized After Exposure To An “Unknown Substance” in Bathroom

Ruben Reyes
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Fast Food Employees in Deming Hospitalized After Exposure To An “Unknown Substance” in Bathroom

Another “unknown substance” exposure has caused hospitalization of two employees. The police suspects it is exposure to fentanyl or another hazardous substance.

The two employees were sent to a hospital Saturday night after breathing smoke that made them feel sick.

According to Deming Police District report, officers went to the restaurant around 9:30 P.M. in response to a report of suspicious person in the restroom. The person left before the police arrived.

The employees went to the restroom after the suspect left. After that, they began feeling ill, and were taken to the hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Due to the symptoms indicated, the police assumed possible exposure to fentanyl or another hazardous substance. DPD has requested assistance from the New Mexico State Police hazmat team and the Luna County Management Unit.

The scene was closed off as a precaution until 3 A.M., when it was determined to be safe.

Police say the incident was thought to have been isolated. However, a DPD spokesperson says local businesses should keep an eye out for people who are not customer going into restrooms and staying inside for unusual amount of time. If it happens, the business should report the activity to police as a precaution in order to reduce the risk for employees customers, and first responders.

The investigation

A Flesh-Eating Parasite Has Reached New Mexico. Here’s What Every Pet and Livestock Owner Needs to Know.

Juan Oliveros
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A Flesh-Eating Parasite Has Reached New Mexico. Here’s What Every Pet and Livestock Owner Needs to Know.

Federal officials confirmed the first case of New World screwworm in New Mexico, raising concerns among pet owners, ranchers, and wildlife managers about the flesh-eating parasite that is capable of wreaking havoc on animals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Tuesday that a case first reported in Texas has been determined by investigators to have been in Lea County, New Mexico.

The veterinarian who diagnosed the infestation lived in Andrews County, Texas. But the dog’s home was across the state border in southeastern New Mexico, making it the state’s first confirmed case of the deadly parasite in decades.

Authorities say it appears the infestation is an isolated case. The dog’s recent travel history and possible exposures, however, remain unknown, prompting a sweeping investigation involving federal and state animal health officials. “This situation is evolving, and we expect new information to emerge as our investigation continues,” Dudley Hoskins, USDA’s Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, said in a statement. “USDA is committed to sharing what we learn quickly, accurately, and transparently so animal owners and local communities have the information they need to stay vigilant.”

The New World screwworm is not a worm at all. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the parasite is a fly whose eggs hatch into maggots that burrow into and feed on the living tissue of warm‑blooded animals and people. Infestations cause painful, foul‑smelling wounds that could get worse over time. It can be fatal if untreated.

The parasite poses a threat to cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pets, and wildlife. Its discovery comes at a time when livestock producers are wary of the parasite that once devastated the American cattle industry before the USDA eradicated it in 1966 and in Florida Keys deer in 2016. Officials are now preparing to deploy that same strategy if necessary.

USDA and New Mexico veterinarians have activated the steps outlined in the agency’s New World Screwworm Response Playbook. Investigators are monitoring the infected dog’s movements and examining other animals in the household. They also set fly traps in the surrounding area and are preparing for possible deployment of sterile flies to interrupt the parasite’s reproductive cycle.

Meanwhile, officials confirmed a separate case of infestation in a goat in Gillespie County, Texas. State and federal agencies have widened surveillance and testing efforts there as well.

What Pet and Livestock Owners Should Watch For

Animal health officials urged the public to inspect their animals every day, especially those with recent wounds. They say warning signs of New World screwworm infestation include wounds that appear to worsen; maggots or clusters of fly eggs in the wounds; animals displaying unusual discomfort, agitation, or irritability; and the presence of lesions around natural body openings, such as ears, nose, genital area, and the umbilical region of young animals.

Officials explain that the larvae feed rapidly on living tissue, and early detection can spell the difference between successful treatment and severe complications.

Anyone who suspects a New World screwworm infestation should contact a veterinarian immediately. State animal health officials or USDA authorities may also receive reports. Officials stress that awareness—not panic—is the most effective defense against the parasite.

Have Something to Share? State to Hear From Black Students, Families on Education Needs

Gregg Morgan
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Have Something to Share? State to Hear From Black Students, Families on Education Needs

Everyone deserves access to education, regardless of race or background. In New Mexico, state officials continue to promote equity in education. They ensure that students, including Black and African American learners, receive equal opportunities to grow, learn, and succeed. 

New Mexico continues to promote inclusivity and foster a sense of belonging in schools. As part of these efforts, the state will hold its first statewide community listening session on June 11.  Officials aim to hear directly from students, families, and community centers on how schools can better support Black education.

The Public Education Department (PED) and the Office of African American Affairs (OAAA) will co-host the event. Organizers will hold the listening session from 6–8 p.m. at the African American Performing Arts Center (AAPAC) in Albuquerque. They invite all community members to attend the activity. They will also provide a virtual participation option. 

Officials designed the listening session to identify the support systems Black students need to thrive academically and socially. Facilitators will guide discussions with prompts and allow participants to submit questions in advance to help shape the conversation.

The Purpose of the Listening Session

“Every family deserves to know their voice matters in their child’s education,” said Public Education Secretary Mariana Padilla. 

Padilla said the listening session gives PED an important opportunity to hear directly from Black students, parents, families and community members. She said participants will share their experiences, challenges and hopes for the future. 

“By partnering with the Office of African American Affairs, we are creating space for honest conversation and meaningful collaboration that will help us build stronger, more inclusive schools where every student can succeed,” she said.

“Our office is proud to partner with the PED on this effort, particularly through the livestream option, so families and students from every corner of the state can participate,” said Gene Grant, executive director of OAAA.

Organizers offer the event for free, but they require registration for both in-person and remote attendees. AAPAC provides free parking at its venue located at 310 San Pedro Dr. NE, Expo New Mexico. Organizers will provide light food and beverages.

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