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Conflict Stemming from Spilled Water? Man, 39, Faces Murder Charges After Allegedly Stabbing 22-Year-Old Neighbor in Albuquerque

Gregg Morgan
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Conflict Stemming from Spilled Water? Man, 39, Faces Murder Charges After Allegedly Stabbing 22-Year-Old Neighbor in Albuquerque

A complaint over spilled water escalated into a fatal stabbing on Monday. Albuquerque police have launched an investigation into the incident near Lomas and Eubank.

According to KOAT Action News, detectives say 39-year-old Michael Cain is accused of stabbing his neighbor, 22-year-old Esmeralda Romero, multiple times. The attack happened outside the leasing office at the Albuquerque Encore Apartments, located at 810 Eubank Blvd., NE.

Cain complained to an apartment employee that water from Romero’s patio was spilling onto his own. The employee told him they would handle the issue.

Cain left the leasing office and got into a verbal altercation with Romero. He then returned to the office to complain again about the leak. The employee reiterated that the issue would be handled. Cain walked outside and waited.

While Cain waited, Romero went to the office and complained about him to an employee. She said water sometimes dripped from her dog’s bowl, and Cain accused her of purposely pouring water onto his patio.

Romero told the employee that Cain had gone to her apartment and banged on her door. She said he was harassing her over the water, according to the news report. The employee said she told Romero she was trying to resolve the conflict between them. She also advised Romero to call security or 911 if Cain threatened her.

How the Alleged Stabbing Happened

As Romero walked out of the office, the employee said she saw Cain run from the parking lot and attack her. The employee said Cain held Romero while stabbing her multiple times. Romero then fell to the floor.

According to the employee, Cain turned toward and walked toward her with the knife after the stabbing. He walked past the employee and fled on foot. He reportedly dropped a knife with a white hand towel on the sidewalk behind the apartment. 

Cain then called 911 and made statements about stabbing someone. Officers located him in an alleyway near 10509 San Jacinto NE and took him into custody. The report said there was a knife located at that location as well. Cain had a few cuts on his hand.

Authorities booked Cain into the Metropolitan Detention Center.

A judge ruled Tuesday that Cain will remain in custody as his case goes through the judicial process. He is charged with an open count of murder and tampering with evidence.

Look Up! The Buck Moon Will Light Up New Mexico’s Dark Skies

Juan Oliveros
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Look Up! The Buck Moon Will Light Up New Mexico’s Dark Skies

The Buck Moon will bathe New Mexico’s high desert in silvery light Wednesday night, casting long shadows across gypsum dunes, ancient pueblos and some of the nation’s darkest skies.

The full moon will be at its brightest at 10:36 a.m. EDT (8:36 a.m. MDT) on Wednesday. Across New Mexico, people will see it rise in the southeast just after sunset. When it’s near the horizon, the moon can look bigger and may appear orange before it moves higher into the sky.

Male deer grow their antlers quickly in July, giving the full moon its name, the Buck Moon. Summer storms give the July full moon its name, the Thunder Moon, while the harvest season inspires its other name, the Hay Moon. Indigenous peoples across North America used moon cycles as a natural calendar for planting, hunting and rituals. The growing antlers were seen as a sign of strength and renewal.

New Mexico is one of the best places to view the Buck Moon because of its dark skies. Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Capulin Volcano National Monument and White Sands National Park all offer clear views. White Sands will host a Full Moon Night with live music, talks and extended hours until 11 p.m., giving visitors a chance to watch the moonlight over the dunes.

If you plan to go outside and look, here are a few tips. The moon will be so bright that it will hide fainter stars and the Milky Way, but it’s perfect for casual viewing and taking photos of the moonrise. For the best view, find a high spot away from city lights with a clear view to the southeast. Binoculars can help you see details on the moon’s surface. You might also spot some bright meteors from the Southern Delta Aquariids shower, even with the moon’s glare.

Whether you watch from a dark-sky park or just step outside in Albuquerque, the Buck Moon is a good reason to pause and enjoy a sky tradition that people have followed for generations.

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Could Be Tom Holland’s Most Emotional MCU Movie Yet

Juan Oliveros
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‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Could Be Tom Holland’s Most Emotional MCU Movie Yet

The world has forgotten he exists, his closest friends have moved on, and the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man has devoted himself to protecting New York as an anonymous vigilante.

Set four years after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Brand New Day follows Tom Holland’s Spider-Man as he enters a new phase of his life, leaving behind high school for adulthood marked by isolation and new challenges.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, the Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures film opens in theaters Friday. It is Holland’s fourth standalone Spider-Man film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the first in the series not directed by Jon Watts.

Cretton, who previously directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, brings a new creative approach to a story centered on Peter Parker grappling with the consequences of his sacrifices.

In the film, Parker lives alone in a modest apartment while working full time as Spider-Man. Zendaya and Jacob Batalon reprise their roles as MJ and Ned, who have continued their lives without any memory of Parker.

New additions to the cast include Sadie Sink in an undisclosed role, Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, also known as the Punisher, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner, also known as the Hulk, and Michael Mando returning as Mac Gargan, also known as Scorpion.

The movie gets its title from the 2008 Marvel Comics storyline “Brand New Day,” which picked up after “One More Day.” In the comics, Peter Parker makes a deal with the demon Mephisto that wipes his marriage to Mary Jane Watson and restores his secret identity. The film borrows that same fresh-start premise after a memory wipe, though it isn’t a direct page-to-screen adaptation.

Tom Holland has said in interviews that this film is a more emotional and mature chapter, exploring identity, loss, and what it costs to be a hero.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day comes as Marvel Studios keeps growing the Marvel Cinematic Universe after the huge success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which made almost $2 billion worldwide. Filming finished in late 2025 in England and Scotland. The movie runs for 145 minutes and is rated PG-13.

The story includes things comic book fans will recognize, like new changes in Spider-Man’s abilities that are similar to earlier stories. Still, the filmmakers focus on Peter Parker’s personal struggles and relationships.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is both a new beginning for the character and a link to future Marvel Cinematic Universe stories. Holland has said he would be happy to keep playing Spider-Man if he gets the chance.

Federal Case Reveals Former Navy SEAL’s Plot to Attack Officers at ‘No Kings Day’ Protest

Ruben Reyes
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Federal authorities said a 49-year-old former Navy SEAL has been sentenced to prison after purchasing fireworks in New Mexico and planning to use them against law enforcement during protests in California.

According to federal prosecutors, Gregory Vandenberg was traveling from El Paso, Texas, to San Diego on June 12, 2025, to attend the “No Kings Day” protests scheduled for June 14.

During a stop in New Mexico, Vandenberg visited a travel center off Interstate 10 near Lordsburg, where he purchased multiple fireworks. Court records said he told a store clerk he intended to throw the fireworks at police officers during the protests.

Store employees notified law enforcement after Vandenberg allegedly asked detailed questions about the amount of gunpowder in the fireworks, their impact and their potential to injure people. Authorities said he also attempted to persuade employees to join him at the protest.

Employees recorded his vehicle’s license plate and provided the information to investigators.

Federal agents tracked Vandenberg to Tucson, Arizona, where he was arrested the following morning while sleeping in his vehicle near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Investigators said Vandenberg initially claimed he was traveling for work despite being unemployed and later falsely told authorities he was visiting friends in Phoenix for the weekend.

Investigators found extremist material

A search of Vandenberg’s vehicle uncovered the fireworks he had purchased, along with clothing displaying antisemitic, anti-Israel and extremist imagery, according to court records. Investigators said the clothing included a shirt bearing an Al-Qaeda flag and another calling for the destruction of Judea.

Authorities also examined his cellphone and found a Taliban flag displayed on the device, prosecutors said. Investigators further determined that Vandenberg wore a custom-made shirt bearing the word “AMALEK” during his visit to the travel center. Prosecutors said the term was intended as a reference to the biblical Amalek and reflected antisemitic beliefs.

Court records said investigators also found antisemitic, anti-Israel, anti-U.S. and extremist content on the phone, including internet searches and messages expressing hostility toward Jews and Israel.

According to prosecutors, investigators concluded Vandenberg believed the U.S. government was controlled by Israel and Jewish people and that those beliefs motivated his plan to target law enforcement officers during the protests.

Prosecutors claimed his extremist and antisemitic views were a motivating factor in the offenses and posed a significant threat to public safety.

Conviction and sentence

On Jan. 12, 2026, after a five-day trial, a federal jury convicted Vandenberg of transporting explosives with intent to kill, injure or intimidate and attempting to transport prohibited fireworks into California.

A federal judge later sentenced him to prison. Upon his release, Vandenberg will serve one year of supervised release.

Mother Bear and Cub Caught Roaming Albuquerque Neighborhood Before Dramatic Rescue

Ruben Reyes
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After multiple bear sightings in Albuquerque, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish captured a mother bear and her cub in the city’s northwest area and plans to release them into suitable habitat.

Video shared on social media showed the bears roaming a neighborhood, eating apples and drinking from a backyard swimming pool before wildlife officers captured them and reunited them.

Tsigabu Seyoum said a bear entered his backyard Sunday while he was out of town. A neighbor sent him a video showing one of the bears climbing into his yard and drinking from his pool. The footage quickly circulated on social media.

Rachel Mysza said she was in her garage when a neighbor warned her that a bear was approaching her home.

“I heard some commotion and people freaking out,” Mysza said. “My neighbor rang the doorbell and told me a bear had just come up to my door.”

She said she immediately opened the dog door to let her pets inside, and everyone stayed indoors until the bear moved on.

Wildlife officials responded after receiving reports of the bears. They tranquilized the mother bear Sunday but were initially unable to locate the cub.

The cub was found and captured later Sunday night, allowing wildlife officers to reunite it with its mother.

Officials said the bears will be released in an area with adequate moisture and natural food sources. They expect monsoon rains to improve conditions in the mountains, providing more food and water and reducing the likelihood of bears wandering into residential neighborhoods.

The Albuquerque encounter is the latest of several bear sightings in New Mexico. In Clayton, a bear was electrocuted after climbing a utility pole, while another was seen roaming neighborhoods near the Rio Grande.

Mark Your Calendar: APS to Hold “Back to School & Wellness Fair!” on August 13

Gregg Morgan
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Mark Your Calendar: APS to Hold “Back to School & Wellness Fair!” on August 13

Albuquerque Public Schools will host its free “Back to School & Wellness Fair!” on August 13. It will run from 4-7 p.m at the APS City Center. The district invites the entire community, including those not affiliated with APS, to attend.

Many activities and opportunities await attendees. The event will offer on-site Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), LIHEAP (energy assistance), and TANF (cash assistance). Staff will also provide bilingual assistance and help attendees complete recertifications.

Organizers will also give away free school supply backpacks. Each school-age child may receive one backpack while supplies last, but students must be present.

A state insurance broker will offer on-site Medicare enrollment and educational assistance. Meanwhile, Dion’s Pizza will provide one free slice per person while supplies last. 

Additionally, BEWELLNM representatives will share information about financial assistance and affordable health insurance options. Non-citizens will receive information on healthcare assistance.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Care Van will also provide free childhood immunizations, including measles, meningitis, Menveo, Tdap, and Covid-19 immunizations. The team will also offer free medical screenings, including blood pressure, pulse, oxygen, blood glucose, cholesterol, A1C, and more.

Blue Cross Blue Shield, Presbyterian, United, Molina, and local healthcare providers and organizations will be available throughout the event. They will answer questions and assist families and staff. 

A Medicare specialist will answer questions about Medicare coverage options and assist eligible attendees with on-site enrollment, if needed. Representatives will also share information about healthcare services available to non-citizens.

On-Site Medicaid Enrollment

Healthcare enrollment experts will be on-site to help families and individuals enroll in Medicaid. They will answer questions and provide emergency cards to adults and children, subject to certain conditions.

APS said enrollment can take less than an hour at the event. The district highly encourages all APS families and staff to attend if they are still uninsured and/or struggling financially. Medicaid can also be used as secondary insurance. 

“Hope to see you there! Again, ALL are welcome, even those from the surrounding neighborhood or anywhere. You DO NOT have to be an APS student or APS family or staff member to attend! Security will be on site,” APS said in a recent news release. 

Attendees should bring the required documents to speed up on-site Medicaid enrollment. These include:

  • Proof of citizenship
  • Immigration status or tribal enrollment
  • A photo ID
  • Proof of residency
  • Proof of all household income, including benefits (for the past month)
  • Current insurance information and/or recent unpaid medical bills

Non-citizens may also qualify. Those seeking recertification only need to bring updated proof of income and a photo ID. Organizers encourage applicants to bring all required documents because doing so may expedite enrollment process. 

“Because health-related issues can be barriers to learning, APS is working on ways for students and families to be healthier,” said Brian Bolding, Medicaid enrollment coordinator in the APS Student, Family, and Community Supports Division. “We at APS believe that a healthier student is a more successful student.”

T-Mobile Crashed the Internet: Phones Stuck in SOS Mode for Tens of Thousands

Juan Oliveros
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T-Mobile Crashed the Internet: Phones Stuck in SOS Mode for Tens of Thousands

A major network outage left tens of thousands of T-Mobile customers across the United States without cellular service Monday afternoon.

Outage tracking website Downdetector recorded more than 60,000 user reports at the peak of the disruption, which began around 4 p.m. Eastern time. Customers nationwide—including in California, New York, Florida, Ohio, and Minnesota—reported lost signals, failed text messages, and unavailable cellular data. Many mobile devices were pushed into “SOS” mode, which limits phones to emergency calls only.

T-Mobile acknowledged the outage. The tech company said its technical teams were “actively working on reports of challenges affecting some customers.”

By Monday evening, report numbers began to decline as service gradually returned for affected users.

The disruption also impacted mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that rely on T-Mobile’s network infrastructure, including Mint Mobile and Boost Mobile.

Reports spread nationwide, not just in certain states, and they placed New Mexico in the broad impact zone along with neighboring states like Arizona and Utah.

No major spikes showed up for Albuquerque, Santa Fe, or other New Mexico cities, but users in affected areas saw SOS mode, dropped calls, lost signal, and data failures starting around 4 p.m. ET (2 p.m. MT). Service began recovering for many by late evening, and by early July 28 most regions were back online or improving.

T-Mobile has not yet released a full, detailed explanation for the network failure.

National Guard Sends Team to Support Flood Recovery Efforts in Zuni Pueblo

Gregg Morgan
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National Guard Sends Team to Support Flood Recovery Efforts in Zuni Pueblo

After severe flooding inundated Zuni Pueblo last week, emergency response and relief efforts remain underway. To aid those efforts, the New Mexico National Guard deployed 14 service members to support emergency response operations. 

The Guard, in a social media post, said the mission began on July 24. Earlier, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an emergency order authorizing the military force to respond.

The team includes 13 Army National Guard Soldiers and one Air National Guard Airman. Six of the 14 guardsmen serve on the New Mexico National Guard’s specially trained Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Guard members are assisting local and state officials with engineering support. They are reinforcing berms and clearing roads to help restore access and protect critical infrastructure.

On Standby for Swift Water Rescue

The team also stands ready to conduct swift water rescue operations if conditions require.

The floods two summers ago in Ruidoso prompted the Guard to ensure CERT members are swift water rescue certified.

Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the Adjutant General of New Mexico, said the Guard’s rapid response reflects the state’s continued investment in preparedness. He also credited the specialized capabilities of its service members.

“When disaster strikes, readiness matters. New Mexico funds a small, dedicated standing team of National Guard personnel who train year-round for precisely these moments,” said Aguilar.   “Their ready expertise in heavy equipment operations, swift water rescue, and emergency management support is increasingly critical to the safety of our state. Today, that highly capable force is on the ground, bringing essential support to the people of Zuni Pueblo during their time of need.”

The Guard has responded to multiple flooding emergencies across the state during the past three consecutive monsoon seasons. It has supported response efforts through engineering assistance, search and rescue capabilities, emergency management, and humanitarian aid.

According to the Guard, those recurring missions have strengthened its disaster response capabilities. They have also improved its ability to rapidly integrate with tribal, local, state, and federal partners during natural disasters.

State and Community Step Up Relief Efforts

Following the severe flooding in parts of New Mexico, Lujan Grisham responded by allocating $500,000 for emergency response. As recovery efforts continue, a local business has also launched a donation drive to help affected families. 

KOAT Action News earlier reported that Lujan Grisham signed an executive order allocating half a million dollars for flood response efforts. The funding will help provide sandbags, communications equipment, and National Guard support to affected communities. 

Meanwhile, Pueblo Collective transformed its Christmas in July sale into something more meaningful. The local business turned its Bernalillo event into a donation drive supporting families affected by the recent Zuni Pueblo flooding.  

State officials urge residents to take preventive steps to protect their homes from severe flooding. 

“We Are in a Nightmare That Will Not End.” Savannah Guthrie Begs for Her Missing Mother’s Safe Return.

Juan Oliveros
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“We Are in a Nightmare That Will Not End.” Savannah Guthrie Begs for Her Missing Mother’s Safe Return.

Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC’s “Today” show, issued another emotional public appeal nearly six months after her mother disappeared from her Arizona home.

In a video posted Monday to social media, Guthrie said her family remains devastated by the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who authorities believe was abducted Feb. 1 from her home near Tucson. “It has been months since our mom was taken from us. Our family is in agony. We are in a nightmare that will not end,” Guthrie said. “Nothing about our situation has changed.”

Guthrie directly addressed those she believes are responsible. “I’m asking you, begging you, to do the right thing now. Make the right choice,” she said. “I believe there is always a way home. Please make the right choice.”

Investigators said Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will. Authorities found blood near the residence’s front doorstep, and the FBI later released surveillance video showing a masked man on the porch the night she disappeared.

The investigation has also involved multiple ransom notes sent to news organizations demanding millions of dollars. The FBI’s Phoenix field office said it is investigating the legitimacy of the demands.

Guthrie has repeatedly used social media to appeal for information to help locate her mother.

The case remains under investigation.

New Mexico Gets Ready to Launch First-in-Nation Broadband Affordability Program to Replace Expired Federal Program

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico Gets Ready to Launch First-in-Nation Broadband Affordability Program to Replace Expired Federal Program

New Mexico is asking for public feedback as it prepares to launch a statewide broadband affordability program. This program aims to help low-income households pay for high-speed internet now that the federal Affordable Connectivity Program has ended.

The Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program started on July 1. It was created by Senate Bill 152 and is run by the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion. People can start signing up on December 1, after the state finishes setting the rules.

State officials say this is the first statewide program made to replace the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP. The ACP ended in 2024 because Congress did not provide more funding.

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission has suggested rules for how eligible residents can get broadband discounts from participating internet providers. Providers would tell customers about the discounts, check income eligibility using a federal database, and apply the savings to monthly bills before asking the State Rural Universal Service Fund for reimbursement.

People can send in comments about the proposed rules until September 11. Reply comments are due by September 21. There will be a public hearing on October 1.

The state program is similar to the old federal ACP. It gives monthly discounts of up to $30 for most eligible households and up to $70 for those on tribal lands. However, unlike the ACP, the state program does not offer a one-time discount for computers, tablets, or other devices.

State officials think about 27,000 New Mexico households will get help in the program’s first year. If more funding becomes available, the program could help up to 100,000 households. Before the federal program ended, over 180,000 New Mexico households got federal broadband help.

Jeff Lopez, who leads the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion, said the program will help families stay connected to important online services like education, telehealth, job training, and job opportunities.

The state program will use money from New Mexico’s State Rural Universal Service Fund, not federal funds like the ACP. This fund helps pay for telecommunications in rural, high-cost, and underserved areas.

The fund will give about $10 million for the program’s first year. In future years, the Public Regulation Commission could allow up to $45 million each year. The money will come from a $1.50 charge on voice and cell phone bills.

The old program offered monthly broadband subsidies of up to $30 for most households and up to $75 for eligible tribal households until funding ended in 2024.

New Mexico is one of the first states to set up a statewide replacement program. Other states like New York, Connecticut, California, and Oregon have started similar programs, but each one uses a different way to fund and structure benefits.

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