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BCSO Deputy Removed From Service After Rifle-Killing

Ruben Reyes
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BCSO Deputy Removed From Service After Rifle-Killing

Bernalillo County Sheriff Office has fired one of its officers and plans to terminate a second after conducting an internal affairs investigation.

Sheriff John Allen said that the office fired Deputy Jacob Zamora on April 7. Zamora was a probationary deputy who recently graduated from the police academy.

BCSO has initiated an internal affairs investigation into Zamora following a notification from the ATF that a rifle used in a recent homicide had a serial number matching that of a BCSO department rifle.

The administration then immediately placed Zamora on administrative leave.

Someone committed a homicide during the New Year in downtown Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Police Department is investigating it.

BCSO discovered that Zamora’s department-issued AR-15 was stolen from his personal vehicle, but he did not report the theft. Instead, Sheriff Allen stated that Zamora replaced it with a personal rifle.

“You’re always supposed to secure your firearm no matter what, even if it’s in your personal vehicle. My question would be, if he was still here…One, why is it in your personal vehicle? Two, why wasn’t it stowed away like the way you were trained in the BCSO Academy that you graduated in October of 2025? And if it’s left unlocked and unsecure, why?” said Allen.

On April 2025, BCSO hired Zamora and he graduated from police academy October of the same year. The department issued him his firearms in August of 2025.

Zamora’s Plan Against Deputy Bryan Lassley

Sheriff Allen told that Zamora plans to fire Deputy Bryan Lassley after a use-of-force incident near the Youth Detention Center.

A body camera footage dating back from December 3, 2025, shows a possible use of excessive force involving Lassley and a 16-year-old girl.

In the video, Lassley is seen shoving the teen’s face into the backseat of a police car multiple times, all while she is handcuffed.

Deputies called to Youth Detention Center for a disturbance involving the teenage girl who left the center.

According to deputies, she had already injured a few deputies at the scene before Lassley arrived to assist his fellow deputies.

The police placed the teen in the back of the police car and that’s when Lassley begins documenting her injuries.

At first, she appears calm but eventually gets agitated with Lassley.

Body camera video shows Lassley slamming the girl’s head into the floorboard until other deputies intervene to stop him. Lassley claimed the teen kicked him.

After receiving the information, Sheriff Allen initiated an internal investigation into Lassley, placed him on administrative leave, and requested a Multi-Agency task Force investigation.

New Mexico State Police became the lead agency on the investigation and shared their findings with the district attorney’s office.

“Once I saw the video, I will be very upfront with you. I was pretty pissed, and I was appalled,” said Allen.

Due to the possibility of criminal charges, the department put the internal affairs investigation on hold.

“Deputy Lassley, I will be going to terminate. This is not what the public expects, nor are we perfect. But this is not acceptable behavior, and if you cannot control your temper, your emotions, how you control yourself, and even more specifically with juveniles, and from what I saw in the body cam, it is not acceptable,” said Allen.

The district attorney’s office has been investigating for more than two weeks whether it will file any charges against Lassley.

Once criminal investigation is finished, BCSO will reopen its internal investigation into him, and once it’s complete, he will fire Lassley.

Lassley was involved in a deadly crash dating back to August 2024. Investigators say he rear-ended a car and killed the driver.

Child Care & Early Learning Standards

Victoria Padilla
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Child Care & Early Learning Standards

The New Mexico Early Childhood and Care Department (ECECD) released its April 13, 2026, newsletter. It announced new Early Learning Standards (ELS) and highlighted major updates for families, providers, and communities.

The department introduced Early Learning Standards (ELS) for children from birth to age five. These standards replace older guidelines and reflect current child development research.

ECECD also opened applications for FY27 Home Visiting programs. The deadline was April 13, 2026, with priority expansion in Albuquerque and several counties.

A workforce survey is underway, led by UC Berkeley and UNM. Participants can earn gift cards for sharing feedback on pay parity and child care investments.

Governor and legislators passed the Child Care Assistance Program Act (SB241). This law establishes universal child care, waives copayments for families at or below 600% of the poverty level, and ensures fair reimbursement rates.

ECECD recognized nominees for its Nursing Excellence Award from its Family Support and Early Intervention Division.

The Professional Development Information System is now live. It centralizes credentials, training, and wage data for early childhood professionals, with deadlines in May and July.

Environmental Air Quality on Funding, Monitoring & Health Outcomes

Victoria Padilla
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Environmental Air Quality on Funding, Monitoring & Health Outcomes

The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board approved the Environment Department’s proposal to raise air quality fees. This marks the first increase since 2009.

The new fees cover Title V annual charges, modeling fees, minor‑source application review fees, and annual minor‑source fees.

The board made its decision on April 13, 2026. The changes will take effect on June 1, 2026.

“Our air quality program now meets the demands of the twenty‑first century,” said James Kenney, Environment Secretary. He emphasized that the increase balances business investment with clean air for future generations.

Since 2009, New Mexico has not raised permit costs. Yet general construction permits tied to oil and gas have surged more than 2,000%. Overall, permitting actions have risen 126% since 2012.

$600 Summer Flight Cost are Expected Due to Rising Oil Prices

Ruben Reyes
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$600 Summer Flight Cost are Expected Due to Rising Oil Prices

Rising oil prices could hike summer flight costs from about $400 last year to $500 to $600, adding pressure on family travel budgets.

Families in New Mexico are already facing higher travel costs as summer break gets closer and oil prices makes it even harder to afford.

According to Reilly White, a finance professor at the University of New Mexico, jet fuel makes up about 25 to 35 percent of the cost of flying a plane.

White said when oil prices rise globally, airlines would often pass those cost to travelers through higher ticket prices or extra fees.

“Right now, a lot of airlines have already priced in some of these changes that they’re expecting in fuel prices,” White said.

“And so we’re seeing that. Those trips that might cost $400 last year might be more like $550 or $600 this summer.” he added.

White also emphasized that oil prices can rise quickly but takes time to fall.

Daniel Armbruster, spokesperson for AAA New Mexico said families can still find ways to save if they stay flexible and plan early.

“But as we go into the summer, it’s going to be really important that if you do have a bucket list trip coming up, you plan ahead as early as possible, especially if you don’t have a lot of room for change or you need a certain flight to get everyone on your family on board, that type of situation,” he said.

White said New Mexico is one of the top oil-producing states in the country, but oilk still trades on the global market, which means international conflicts and market shifts can still affect families planning summer trips.

Fuse Energy to Build Radiation Testing Hub in New Mexico, Aims to Cut Deployment Delays

Juan Oliveros
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Fuse Energy to Build Radiation Testing Hub in New Mexico, Aims to Cut Deployment Delays

Fuse Energy Technologies is pouring tens of millions of dollars into a new radiation testing facility in Albuquerque. The facility will address a critical chokepoint in the rollout of defense, space, and semiconductor technologies: limited testing capacity.

The planned site will offer “radiation-as-a-service” for public and private users, providing developers with the tool to validate how electronics perform in high-radiation environments without waiting months for access to existing facilities.

Fuse facility to address bottleneck

Industry players have long identified radiation testing as a bottleneck, with just a small number of facilities to handle the growing demand from satellite makers, chip developers, and defense contractors. These constraints can potentially delay deployment timelines for mission-critical systems.

The California-based company said its Albuquerque facility will ease that pressure by expanding access and shortening the queues for testing. Operations may begin by summer 2026.

The facility, located near Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory, will support testing for satellites, defense platforms, and advanced semiconductors. Fuse has also signed cooperative research agreements with both Albuquerque laboratories, virtually making its services an established national security research corridor.

“The demand for radiation effects testing is growing rapidly as governments and companies deploy increasingly sophisticated defense platforms, satellites, and semiconductor technologies,” said CEO JC Btaiche. “Expanding access to testing is key to getting these systems into the field faster.”

With this new capacity, the company aims to help developers move from design to deployment more quickly — a critical advantage as governments race to launch next-generation defense systems and resilient space architecture.

Buildup

The Albuquerque project will also create dozens of engineering and technical jobs, cementing New Mexico’s role in advanced energy and defense R&D. Fuse’s project is a welcome addition to a broader buildup of manufacturing and research capacity in the state this year.

In March, AeroVironment announced plans to invest over $30 million to expand its manufacturing operations in Albuquerque, scaling up production of counter-drone and laser systems.

And in January, Castelion announced the launch of Project Ranger, a 1,000-acre hypersonic manufacturing campus in Sandoval County. The project aims to support high-cadence production of hypersonic strike systems. 

New Mexico Wants to Grow Its Own Bioscience Talent — Starting With Internship

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico Wants to Grow Its Own Bioscience Talent — Starting With Internship

New Mexico Bioscience Authority (NMBA) is getting bullish on investing in the young people to power the future of bioscience, as it announced a new internship program.

The NMBA’s internship program aims to provide college students and recent graduates with hands-on experience in labs, startups, and research institutions across the state. The program, officials say, seeks to strengthen the pipeline of local talent and reduce reliance on out-of-state hires.

Executive Director of the New Mexico Bioscience Authority Stephanie Tofighi said the program aims to “support the growth of New Mexico’s bioscience industry while opening doors to a new sector for our workforce.”

Bioscience is flagged as one of New Mexico’s strategic growth industries, alongside technology and aerospace. A report published by the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) states that the state’s bioscience industry has grown by 21 percent since 2018. 

The internship connects talents and industry throughout the state. It is facilitating a pipeline from college to career.

For students, the program offers more than just laboratory work. It is a chance to network with employers, gain hard skills, and step into a sector that promises high wages and long-term stability. For companies, on the other hand, it’s a way to nurture talent locally and invest in the state’s future workforce.

The April cohort included 13 interns from four state institutions working at startup companies, while 10 companies have signed on for the summer.

The internships will run for 10 to 12 weeks. Participating companies provide stipends to ensure accessibility for students from diverse backgrounds.

Applications for the summer program are open until May 2026. Placements are expected to begin in the summer.

Art Mart Encourages APS Students to Make the Most of Their Craft

Gregg Morgan
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Art Mart Encourages APS Students to Make the Most of Their Craft

Making money from art? Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) is guiding students to transform their artwork into earnings and entrepreneurial skills. 

APS Visual and Performing Arts department is once again sponsoring a district-wide Art Mart for the second consecutive year. More than 50 APS high school students will showcase and sell original art, prints, and a variety of handmade goods.

Art Mart began at Albuquerque High School and has since expanded to five other high schools. Any high school student in the district can become a vendor and share their artistic talents through this opportunity. As young entrepreneurs, they can also contribute to New Mexico’s creative industries. 

Students applied by watching video interviews with two local artist-entrepreneurs and reflecting on their tips. They also shared details about the work they plan to sell. High school students from across the city will be represented. 

Art Mart will take place on Saturday, April 18. Doors will open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Meanwhile, the Metro Youth Art Exhibit opens at 9 a.m. The Art Mart and Metro will be at the APS Berna Facio Professional Development Complex, 3115 Louisiana Blvd. NE.

Metro spotlights 1,200 samples of APS middle and high school visual students this April. Every APS middle and high school is represented at the juried art exhibit, the highest participation in its history.

The show officially opened on April 8 and runs through April 28. It will close with an awards ceremony, live music, and reception for the students and their families. 

Both events reflect the district’s Goal 3, which aims to prepare APS students for post-graduation readiness. According to APS, student artists persevere and engage in community involvement as they enter the world as creative and productive citizens.

Historic Investment in Higher Education: Record $1.5B Approved by Gov. Lujan Grisham

Gregg Morgan
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Historic Investment in Higher Education: Record $1.5B Approved by Gov. Lujan Grisham

New Mexico ramps up investments in higher education. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a record $1.5 billion higher education budget for fiscal year 2027. The measure represents a 15.4% increase over last year. This marks the largest investment in higher education in state history. 

The budget sustains and expands the state’s nation-leading tuition-free college programs while accelerating workforce development and training initiatives. It also supports students’ basic needs and provides major funding for campus infrastructure. 

“Higher education has become an engine for growth in New Mexico,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez. 

Rodriguez said the budget represents a historic investment in the state’s public colleges and universities. It supports employment in essential fields like education and health care and helps the next generation of New Mexicans reach their career goals. She added that it will improve the quality of life for students pursuing their degrees.

Budget boosts student support and access

Governor Lujan Grisham’s budget ensures that cost is never a barrier to student success. It sustains the nation-leading free college programs and provides critical support to students facing challenges in pursuing higher education.

The governor approved $186 million for the Opportunity Scholarship, $146 million from the general fund, and $40 million from the Higher Education Program Fund. This comes alongside a $37 million increase to the Lottery Tuition Fund, maintaining 100% tuition coverage for eligible students. 

These investments preserve 100% tuition coverage for students and strengthen long-term support for free college programs. Since 2022, the Opportunity Scholarship has helped over 118,000 New Mexicans, boosting enrollment and graduation rates statewide. 

An additional $2.5 million will support students facing food and housing insecurity on campuses across the state. The Higher Education Department and the New Mexico Health Care Authority will partner on the program. This investment helps students struggling with housing access and food security to stay enrolled and continue reaching their academic goals.  

State invests heavily in UNM medical school and campus infrastructure

The governor is making the largest infrastructure investment in the state’s public university system to date. This includes a transformational commitment to New Mexico’s only public medical school, reflecting the need for world-class facilities in higher education. 

The University of New Mexico School of Medicine is slated to receive $546 million for a new facility. Funding will come from Supplemental Severance Tax Bonds, General Fund dollars, and General Obligation Bonds, subject to voter approval in November. Construction will proceed in phases, with Phase I already submitted for consideration at the April hearing. 

The budget also includes $185 million for campus infrastructure statewide. It allocates $20 million for building renewal and replacement to support infrastructure and demolition. It also sets aside $3 million for equipment renewal and replacement to support the purchase and replacement of equipment at eligible institutions.  

Funding strengthens New Mexico’s workforce pipeline

Governor Lujan Grisham is investing in the programs that recruit and retain talented New Mexicans. These programs place workers where they are needed most, in classrooms and clinics across the state.  

The budget includes $5 million to sustain the Teacher Loan Repayment Program. Last year, the initiative supported 916 educators who committed to working in communities in exchange for student debt relief. The Tribal College Dual Credit Teacher Preparation Program receives $5 million, double its prior funding. The program aims to help more Native American students earn high school and college credits simultaneously on a path to becoming educators 

The $25 million Health Professional Loan Repayment Program and a new $1.5 million Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program will support recruitment and retention efforts. These programs will help doctors, nurses, and food animal veterinarians in rural and underserved communities. 

New Mexico’s adult education programs receive $7.82 million. The state ranks 20th nationally in adult education outcomes, according to the U.S. Department of Education. This investment strengthens literacy, workforce readiness and access to adult education across New Mexico. 

New Mexico’s Tech Workforce Trails the Pack — But Growth Hints at Brighter Days Ahead, Report Says

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico’s Tech Workforce Trails the Pack — But Growth Hints at Brighter Days Ahead, Report Says

New Mexico remains in the cellar among lower-ranked states in terms of tech workforce size, a study said. But new data suggest it could be on a gradual upward path if current trends hold.

The state’s tech sector, according to the State of the Tech Workforce 2026 report by CompTIA, ranked 38th nationally in 2025 with a tech labor force of more than 97,000 workers. It is steadily expanding, however, with emerging demand in areas like artificial intelligence (AI).

New Mexico posted an estimated 40,798 net tech workers, with tech jobs accounting for 4.3 percent of its total workforce, which is below the national average of 5.8 percent. Despite its modest size, the sector has shown signs of growth. Tech occupation employment is expected to reach 28,495 by 2026, growing from around 21,600 in 2020 — a slow but consistent upward trend.

The state’s tech industry has contributed about $5.7 billion to the local economy, with roughly 3,682 tech businesses supporting it.

Hiring demand, AI skills on the rise

For the period between January 2025 and January 2026, employers posted 16,935 tech job openings across the state. Of this number, 6,415 listings required AI-related skills, indicating a growing demand for advanced digital skills, though still emerging.

Industry data suggests that while the state is not yet a major tech hub, hiring activity remains steady, the report noted. This is particularly true in professional services, government, and finance-related sectors.

Smaller market, competitive wages

Median tech wages in the state are estimated at $95,568 yearly. Top earners are earning over $172,000, according to the report.

These figures trail those of leading tech states such as California, Texas, Washington, Virginia, New York, and Florida. But they are seen as competitive when adjusted for the state’s lower cost of living, a factor that the report underscores, which helps sustain its appeal to workers and employers.

Interestingly, the state lands in the top quartile overall in CompTIA’s composite index, which factors the cost of living, wage competitiveness, and job demand. This ranking suggests that even with a smaller workforce, New Mexico performs well in terms of efficiency and value.

Outlook: modest but promising

The report does not consider New Mexico a major tech player. It highlights, however, the state as a developing market with brighter days ahead.

The trajectory is clear, for now. New Mexico’s tech sector trails the pack. But it is moving forward with steady job growth, rising AI demand, and a relatively affordable business environment as growth drivers.

Rain Runner Train Halts Services Due to Active Shooter

Ruben Reyes
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Rain Runner Train Halts Services Due to Active Shooter

Authorities shut down the Rail Runner train tracks through Sandia Rail Runner station to Santa Fe station until further notice due to an “active shooter” from a possible road rage incident.

Rail Runner operators first reported an active shooter north of Sandoval/U.S. 550 station Tuesday at around 6 A.M.

The sheriff says they are trying to track the suspect near Bernalillo High School.

The director of operations said the Town of Bernalillo and the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office shut down the tracks and informed them at around 5 A.M.

The authorities shut down the tracks until they catch the perpetrator or until they tell the operators they can open up again, according to the director.

Bernalillo Public Schools have implemented a two-hour delay and school officials say students and faculty should not report to campus until notified since buses cannot leave the transportation area at this time.

The director further said that it will affect all morning trains and they are working to accommodate passengers whom the situation has affected.

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