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Have Babies or Young Children at Home? Health Officials Urge Extra Protection from Summer Heat 

Gregg Morgan
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Have Babies or Young Children at Home? Health Officials Urge Extra Protection from Summer Heat 

As summer heat persists across New Mexico, health officials are urging parents to take extra precautions to protect their babies and young children. They warn that younger ones face a much higher risk of heat-related illnesses than adults. 

KOAT-UNM Health Expert Dr. Abinash Achrekar said infants and young children overheat much more quickly. He explained that their bodies are less efficient at regulating temperature.

“Babies and young children get hot much faster than adults,” Achrekar said. “They don’t sweat as well, and their bodies absorb heat more quickly. They also can’t always tell you when they’re thirsty or overheated. That’s why parents need to watch them closely during hot weather.”

If you are a parent or guardian, watch for early signs of dehydration, according to KOAT Action News. Babies may produce fewer wet diapers or cry without tears. Older children may become unusually irritable, tired, or develop red, flushed skin.

Keep children indoors during the hottest part of the day whenever possible. Dress them in lightweight, light-colored clothing to help prevent heat-related illness. Also apply sunscreen before children spend time outdoors.

Make sure children stay hydrated throughout the day. Offer breastfed or bottle-fed babies smaller, more frequent feedings. Make sure older children drink plenty of water throughout the day. Give children water-rich fruits, such as watermelon and strawberries, to support hydration.

Common Heat Safety Mistakes to Avoid

Parents are also urged to avoid common mistakes that can unintentionally increase a child’s exposure to dangerous heat.

“One mistake is covering a stroller with a blanket,” Achrekar said. “It may seem like it blocks the sun, but it also traps heat and reduces airflow, making the stroller much hotter inside.”

Instead, use the stroller’s built-in canopy to provide shade while allowing air to circulate. Additionally, check metal buckles, car seat hardware, and other surfaces before placing a child in a stroller or car seat. They can become hot enough to burn a child’s skin after sitting in the sun.

Doctors also remind everyone to never leave a child unattended in a car. Even cracked windows cannot prevent the inside temperature from rising quickly.

NM Healthcare Authority Replacing SNAP Benefits for McKinley County Households Affected by Flooding

Olivia Woodard
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NM Healthcare Authority Replacing SNAP Benefits for McKinley County Households Affected by Flooding

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Health Care Authority (NMHCA) is giving SNAP households in McKinley County the opportunity to request replacement benefits for food that was lost in recent flooding. 

Heavy rain on July 21 caused floods in Gallup, Zuni Pueblo, and surrounding McKinley County. Multiple areas were ordered to evacuate, and many people left behind food and belongings. Now, the NMHCA is giving SNAP households the opportunity to request replacement benefits for food that was lost in the flooding.

About 1,223 people living in McKinley County are eligible to request replacement benefits. Households that can request replacements are:

  • Households in zip codes 87301, 87305, or 87327, or who were evacuated due to flooding
  • Households that lost food purchased with SNAP benefits between July 21 and August 10

These replacement benefits can cover the value of food lost, up to the household’s regular monthly SNAP benefit amount. 

“No family should have to choose between recovering from a flood and putting food on the table,” said Niki Kozlowski, director of the New Mexico Health Care Authority’s Income Support Division. “If you lost food because of the McKinley County floods, contact us. We want to help you replace your groceries, so you have one less thing to worry about.”  

Requests for replacement benefits must be completed and signed by calling the Healthcare Authority at 1-800-283-4465 as soon as possible. All requests must be submitted by Aug. 10, 2026.

Olivia Woodard is a journalist for Brant One News. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Instagram at @brantonenews.

What a Higher Social Security COLA and a New Reform Bill Could Mean for Retirees

Juan Oliveros
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What a Higher Social Security COLA and a New Reform Bill Could Mean for Retirees

A larger cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, in 2027 for Social Security recipients if current inflation trends continue. At the same time, lawmakers have reintroduced legislation that would increase benefits and overhaul the retirement program.

These developments underscore the challenges in helping retirees keep up with rising costs while preserving the program’s finances for future generations. Advocates say the proposed reforms address many of seniors’ concerns, but the legislation faces an uphill battle in Congress.

What is the projected COLA for 2027?

The nonpartisan advocacy group, The Senior Citizens League, projects a 3.8 percent COLA for 2027. If that estimate holds, the average monthly Social Security benefit would increase from $1,937.53 to $2,011.15, or a $73.62 change.

This projection remains unchanged from the group’s previous forecast, which is higher than the 2.8 percent COLA beneficiaries received this year.

The Social Security Administration will release the official 2027 COLA in October after the government releases third-quarter inflation data.

Why does Social Security receive annual COLAs?

Officials design COLAs to help beneficiaries keep their purchasing power steady as prices rise.

At present, the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, known as the CPI-W, is the basis of annual adjustments. Critics claim the index reflects the spending habits of working-age Americans but not of the retirees, who spend more on health care, prescription drugs, and housing.

What is the Social Security 2100 Act?

The Social Security 2100 Act is a proposal that would make sweeping changes to the retirement program.

Among its key provisions, the bill would increase benefits by 2 percent across the board; raise the minimum benefit to 125 percent of the federal poverty level; base future COLAs on the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly, or CPI-E; and update the formula used to calculate benefits.

Supporters of the bill view the changes as providing greater financial security for retirees, especially the lower-income seniors. 

The proposed measure would gradually increase the Social Security payroll tax and apply it to annual earnings above $400,000.

Those changes would extend the program’s trust fund solvency by about 32 years, The Senior Citizens League said.

Why do advocates support the bill?

The advocacy group says many older Americans want both higher benefits and an inflation measure that reflects the expenditure patterns of seniors.

One provision receiving particular attention would increase the minimum monthly benefit above the federal poverty line. That is $15,650 a year, or about $1,304 a month for a household of one person. TSCL estimates that roughly 1 in 10 seniors, or about 5.6 million seniors, live on less than $1,000 a month.

Executive Director Shannon Benton said the legislation represents the most comprehensive measure to strengthen Social Security while addressing rising poverty among the elderly. 

But instead of one-time payments, the bill focuses on permanent benefit changes.

That is why TSCL has supported a separate bill, the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act, which would provide an additional $200 a month for six months, or a total of $1,200.

Why is the bill unlikely to pass?

Despite support from advocacy groups, the legislation faces significant political obstacles.

Firstly, the measure would increase federal spending while raising payroll taxes on higher-income earners. These issues usually divide Congress. Democrats have generally favored expanding benefits by raising taxes on wealthier Americans. But many Republicans oppose tax increases and are inclined to support changes such as slowing future benefit growth or raising the age of retirement.

The measure does not have broad bipartisan support. Several versions of the Social Security 2100 Act have been introduced to Congress since 2017. These versions, however, failed to advance beyond committee.

Lawmakers will address Social Security’s finances before the trust fund is projected to become insolvent in late 2032.

GovTrack, a legislative tracking service, projects that the bill has a zero percent chance of becoming law, citing the lack of momentum in the present Congress to act.

New Mexico Braces for Dangerous Triple-Digit Heat, Temperatures Near 107 Degrees as Heat Advisory Issued

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico Braces for Dangerous Triple-Digit Heat, Temperatures Near 107 Degrees as Heat Advisory Issued

A heat advisory is in effect on Monday from noon until 8 p.m. MDT across most of eastern, central, and western New Mexico as temperatures rise to triple digits and daily record highs are expected, the National Weather Service said.

The agency forecast high temperatures of 100 to 105 degrees in lower elevations, such as Rio Grande and San Juan river valleys. Some eastern areas are forecast to reach 107 degrees. Albuquerque’s temperature is likely to reach about 103 degrees. Temperatures in some parts of the Gallup area and other higher elevations are expected to climb to the mid- to upper 90s.

The heat advisory covers portions of the West Central Plateau and Highlands, Northwest Plateau, Jemez Mountains, Española Valley, Santa Fe metropolitan area, Middle and Lower Rio Grande Valley, including the Albuquerque metropolitan area. It also covers Sandia and Manzano Mountains, including Edgewood, Estancia Valley, Northwest Highlands, Far Northeast Highlands, Guadalupe County, Harding County, Quay County and eastern San Miguel County.

Cities and communities such as Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Farmington, Gallup, Grants, Santa Rosa and Tucumcari are under the advisory.

“Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses,” the National Weather Service in Albuquerque said in the advisory.

NWS forecasters said record high temperatures are likely across much of the state, forecasting the hottest conditions in the San Juan River Valley, including Bloomfield and Shiprock, Farmington, and along the Rio Grande Valley.

Most lower elevations of New Mexico will experience moderate to major heat risk. Officials said people involved in flash flood recovery activities near Gallup and Zuni Pueblo should take extra precautions while working outdoors.

Forecasters expect extremely hot conditions to continue into early this week. The best chances for afternoon thunderstorms will remain over the mountains of northern and western New Mexico.

Heat Advisory: Albuquerque, Santa Fe May See Temperatures Up to 105 Degrees

Gregg Morgan
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Heat Advisory: Albuquerque, Santa Fe May See Temperatures Up to 105 Degrees

Are you heading out today? Bring an umbrella and drink plenty of water to stay protected from the heat.

According to KOAT Action News, a heat advisory is in effect Monday for the Santa Fe and Albuquerque metro areas.

As of 8:16 AM, forecasters expect temperatures to reach 100 and 105 degrees in the Albuquerque metro. Meanwhile, Santa Fe could see highs between 96 and 100 degrees. 

Residents should take precautions, as the high temperatures may cause heat-related illnesses.

If you’re going outside today, wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing.

You should also try to limit activities to early morning or early evening hours, the report stated. 

How to Protect Yourself From the Heat

Summer heat poses the greatest risk to children, adults over 65, outdoor workers, and people with chronic health conditions. These groups face a higher risk of heat-related illnesses as temperatures climb. 

It is important to spot signs of a heat-related illness for immediate intervention. The New Mexico Department of Health says symptoms include:

  • Warm, red skin that can progress to cold, pale and clammy skin. 
  • Fast, weak pulse. 
  • Nausea, vomiting and muscle cramps. 
  • Tiredness, weakness, or dizziness that may lead to passing out.

To protect yourself from heat-related illness, NMDOH advises taking these steps:

  • Stay cool indoors by keeping window shades closed during the day to block the heat. If you go outside, seek shade when possible. 
  • Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. 
  • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing. 
  • Plan outdoor activities for the cooler parts of the day. 
  • Never leave children or pets in the car.

68-Year-Old Man Killed After Opening Fire on Police in Raton Standoff

Ruben Reyes
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A 68-year-old man was fatally shot by law enforcement officers after he reportedly fired multiple times at police responding to a domestic violence call in Raton.

The New Mexico State Police said its Investigations Bureau took charge of the case after the Raton police and state police responded on Saturday.

The Raton Police Department dispatched officers to a home in the 400 block of Third Street following a report of domestic violence. Officers located and interviewed a woman outside the residence.

During the interview, authorities said Paul Andrew Terry, 68, emerged from the house and fired multiple rounds at officers before going back inside.

After Raton police requested NMSP for assistance, officers from both agencies established a perimeter around the home.

Authorities said officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and negotiate with Terry. But the 68-year-old had increasingly become confrontational, stopped communicating, and continued firing at officers from inside and outside the home.

An exchange of gunfire ensued, where officers returned fire and struck Terry at least once, state police claimed.

Terry was taken to a local hospital. Attending medical personnel pronounced him dead.

No officers were injured during the incident. Some law enforcement vehicles, however, were hit by gunfire.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Dead Fish Wash Up From New Mexico to Minnesota as Extreme Heat Fuels Growing Freshwater Crisis

Juan Oliveros
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Dead Fish Wash Up From New Mexico to Minnesota as Extreme Heat Fuels Growing Freshwater Crisis

Extremely high water temperatures and depleted oxygen levels have killed large numbers of rainbow trout and fathead minnows in Monastery Lake over the past two weeks. The fish kill prompted concern among residents and an investigation by New Mexico wildlife officials.

According to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, staff investigating the lake on July 27 found more than 100 dead fish along the shoreline and said the die-off was associated with elevated water temperatures coupled with low dissolved oxygen.

The fish kill spotlights an increasing problem that affects fisheries as prolonged summer heat threatens lakes and ponds. Wildlife officials say such die-offs are more common during periods of extreme heat. 

Teresa Bustillos, a San Miguel County resident, said she and her two sisters have removed 176 dead fish from the shoreline since the fish kill began. “It broke my heart,” Bustillos said.

Many of the fish had already decomposed into skin and skeletons, she said. Others showed red sores, white lesions, missing eyes and other signs of disease, Bustillos added.

According to her, she had never seen the lake’s water temperature reach 80 degrees. A foul odor from the decomposing dead fish hangs over the area, and she believes bacteria associated with the die-off may endanger surviving fish.

She said state wildlife officials are planning to meet in the coming days to consider a possible temporary closure. Until then, she said she will continue removing dead fish and warning visitors about the die-off.

Monastery Lake, a 6-acre pond on Benedictine monastery grounds north of Pecos at about 7,000 feet in elevation, is a popular trout-fishing destination. The state regularly maintains the lake through the Department of Game and Fish’s Open Gate program, allowing public access for bank fishing during daylight hours. Wildlife officials prohibited ice fishing.

Wildlife biologists said the event is consistent with a summer fish kill, which usually happens when water temperatures exceed the tolerance of cold-water species and dissolved oxygen levels drop.

Warm water holds less oxygen while increasing fish metabolism, which raises the demand for oxygen from animals. Hot weather drives algae blooms, which will worsen conditions when they die and decompose, a process that further depletes oxygen. Calm weather also limits surface mixing that is necessary in replenishing oxygen from the air.

Similar heat-related fish kills have been documented elsewhere during periods of extreme weather.

In Minnesota, for instance, the Department of Natural Resources had received more than 200 reports of die-off involving about 100 lakes and rivers by late July. Officials said prolonged heat pushed surface water temperatures beyond the tolerance of cold-water species, such as cisco and trout.

Hundreds of fish also died this year in Delhi’s Sanjay Lake following a drop in oxygen levels amid extreme heat and low water levels. In Liverpool, England, anglers blamed heat-driven algae blooms for the deaths of hundreds of fish in Calderstones Park lake. California’s Lake Elizabeth had also documented a similar die-off in 2024 after high temperatures and low oxygen levels killed up to 1,000 fish.

Wildlife officials said small, shallow waters are vulnerable during prolonged hot weather because rising temperatures and limited water volume can create conditions unsuitable for stocked trout.

The Department of Game and Fish has yet to determine whether Monastery Lake will be closed temporarily or restocked.

With unusually high summer temperatures to persist across the Southwest, wildlife managers warn that other small lakes and ponds are vulnerable to similar heat-related fish kills unless cooler weather improves water conditions.

Hundreds of Fish Found Dead in Monastery Lake as Heat Triggers Massive Fish Kill

Ruben Reyes
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Large numbers of rainbow trout and fathead minnows have died in Monastery Lake over the past two weeks. New Mexico wildlife officials attributed the fish kill to unusually high water temperatures and low oxygen levels.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish said it investigated the lake on July 27 after staff discovered more than 100 dead fish along the shoreline. The fish kill, officials concluded, was due to elevated water temperatures coupled with depleted oxygen levels.

San Miguel County resident Teresa Bustillos said it broke her heart to see fish dying and decomposing in the lake. Together with her two sisters, she has been removing dead fish from the water and shoreline. Her family has collected 176 fish so far.

The sisters have been walking around the lake carrying buckets and trash bags to gather dead fish floating in the water. Bustillos said many of the fish have deteriorated into skin and skeletons, while others have red sores, white lesions, missing eyes or other signs of disease.

Bustillos said it is the first time she has seen the lake’s water temperature climb to 80 degrees. She said the lake has developed a foul odor from the decaying fish and believes surviving fish are becoming sick from bacteria linked with the fish kill.

Bustillos also said the Department of Game and Fish plans to hold a meeting in the coming days to discuss the possibility of closing the lake temporarily.

Until then, Bustillos said she plans to continue removing dead fish and warning visitors about the conditions at the lake.

Mass Shooting at Idaho In-N-Out Burger Leaves 3 Dead, 7 Injured as Gunfire Erupts Days After Grand Opening

Juan Oliveros
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Mass Shooting at Idaho In-N-Out Burger Leaves 3 Dead, 7 Injured as Gunfire Erupts Days After Grand Opening

A shooting incident at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Twin Falls on Saturday afternoon left three people dead and injured seven others, authorities said.

Police responding to the incident found the body of the suspected gunman near the restaurant, Twin Falls public information officer Josh Palmer said. It was not yet clear whether the suspect was included in the death toll.

Officials had not publicly released the names of the victims and other information related to the shooting while still working to notify victims’ families. Several of the wounded remained in critical condition, Palmer said.

Twin Falls Police Chief Matthew Hicks said they are in the process of identifying the shooter and determining a motive. “We believe the threat to the community is over,” Hicks said during a Saturday news conference. “It was a very chaotic scene.”

Investigators had already interviewed witnesses to the shooting, which occurred about 2 p.m. at the In-N-Out Burger restaurant, a busy shopping plaza where hundreds of people were present, Palmer said.

Lane Koehn, 34, said he was stopped at a traffic light near the restaurant when he saw a person emerge from the drive-thru carrying an AR-style rifle. He said another armed man with a handgun began firing at the suspect.

Afterward, Koehn claimed he saw an In-N-Out employee drag another employee, who apparently had been shot in the chest, across the parking lot. He said the armed bystander remained with the wounded worker until responders arrived. “She was pretty bad off, but I don’t know. I hope she made it,” Koehn said.

Police told Koehn to leave because the shooting was still active. According to his estimates, the suspect fired at least three or four rounds, but he was not sure whether anyone was specifically targeted.

Based on the video recorded by a driver across the street, a person dressed in black was seen carrying a long rifle to a white vehicle, opening the driver’s door before accessing the trunk. The driver evacuated the scene, fearing the gunman was retrieving additional weapons.

Haley Dodaro, 43, a resident of Twin Falls, said she and her mother were in the drive-thru when they saw people scampering away from the restaurant and employees fleeing the building. “That’s when we knew there was a shooting,” Dodaro said in a text message to The Associated Press. “People were running out crying and screaming. It was very scary.”

The restaurant opened on July 24 as part of In-N-Out Burger’s expansion into Idaho.

According to the police, multiple victims were taken to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center. Twin Falls, a city of about 56,000 residents, is about 130 miles southeast of Boise and about 75 miles north of the Nevada border.

NWS Issues Flood Watch as Heavy Rain, Storms to Persist Across New Mexico Despite Brief Lull

Juan Oliveros
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NWS Issues Flood Watch as Heavy Rain, Storms to Persist Across New Mexico Despite Brief Lull

The National Weather Service forecast thunderstorms across much of New Mexico through the coming week, with the risk of damaging winds, heavy rain, hail, and flash flooding. Forecasters warned that rain-soaked ground and intermittent rains could trigger localized flooding, although there will be a brief lull in rainfall on Sunday and Monday.

The agency said rain showers and thunderstorms moved south across the state on Saturday, with the eastern part of the state having the greatest chances for heavy rain.

The agency issued a flood watch from noon Saturday through midnight for parts of southern Lincoln County and areas around Otero County.

Forecasters also discussed the possibility of thunderstorms developing near the Albuquerque metropolitan area Saturday evening, with strong wind gusts possible. They expect rain chances to decrease on Sunday and Monday, with only isolated rain showers and thunderstorms across much of the state. Temperatures in the Albuquerque area could climb to near 100 degrees by Monday.

Despite the temporary break in widespread rainfall, the agency warned that flash flooding will remain possible in areas that receive repeated rounds of thunderstorms or experience multi-day heavy rain.

Forecasters said daily afternoon thunderstorms are likely to continue through at least the next seven days, with frequent lightning, gusty winds, hail and localized heavy rainfall.

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