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Suspect Arrested More Than a Year After Fatal Albuquerque Sidewalk Shooting, Police Say

Ruben Reyes
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Suspect Arrested More Than a Year After Fatal Albuquerque Sidewalk Shooting, Police Say

Albuquerque police have arrested the suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of a 26-year-old in 2025, according to authorities.

Police say Andrew Armijo was taken into custody after an officer found him unconscious with drug paraphernalia in the 10100 block of Central Avenue Southeast. The officer found an outstanding warrant for Armijo and arrested him.

The arrest is related to the killing of Eldrick Miller on May 1, 2025.

Police say surveillance video showed Armijo riding a motorcycle along the 7800 block of Central Avenue Southeast before allegedly shooting Miller, who was sitting on the sidewalk. Investigators said the video then showed the suspect fleeing south on Dallas Street on a chrome-colored motorcycle.

Before Armijo was arrested, detectives identified and interviewed the motorcycle’s owner. Police said this owner had been arrested the day before the shooting. Video from that earlier arrest showed another man holding a bicycle and a black backpack, which investigators believe Armijo had the next day.

After months of investigation, detectives got an arrest warrant on Thursday charging Armijo with murder and tampering with evidence.

Armijo was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center and is being held until his court hearings.

Oracle’s Massive AI Project Hits a $100M+ Wall in New Mexico

Victoria Padilla
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The largest artificial intelligence (AI) project in New Mexico has encountered new obstacles on its path to full operation as construction costs rise and energy concerns prompt developers to rethink their strategy.

Oracle and its partners on Project Jupiter are working to build a multimillion-dollar AI data center in Doña Ana County. Local company officials said building out the facility’s extensive power infrastructure pushed expenses beyond initial estimates.

Investors and engineers consider the center one of the most substantial recent investments in AI development, but its growing energy requirements have posed engineering and budgetary challenges during construction.

By July, developers reported new cost pressures as they revised the project’s energy strategy and navigated a complex state permitting process.

Earlier this year, Oracle abandoned plans to use gas turbine systems and switched to Bloom Energy fuel cells. Company representatives said the shift aims to lower emissions, reduce water consumption and satisfy local community standards.

Oracle said the project will boost New Mexico’s artificial intelligence and cloud computing capabilities, creating thousands of construction jobs and dozens of permanent positions.

However, environmental groups and local organizations expressed concern over the facility’s projected electricity use, estimated greenhouse gas emissions and impact on surrounding neighborhoods.

Those objections triggered additional regulatory inspections, delaying the permitting process and further driving up costs.

Heavy Rain and Flash Flood Warning Across New Mexico Due to Monsoon Storms

Victoria Padilla
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Monsoon storms will return to New Mexico this week, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, frequent lightning, and localized flooding to the central, western, and northern parts of the state.

The unsettled weather will last through July 20 as tropical moisture streams into the Southwest. Afternoon heat and humidity will likely trigger thunderstorms each day, with the heaviest rain affecting communities including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Farmington, Gallup and Taos.

While the rain offers relief after weeks of hot, dry weather, meteorologists warn the storms pose severe risks, particularly in flood-prone areas.

State emergency management officials warned that western and central New Mexico face the greatest impact. They urged residents living downstream from recent wildfire burn scars to prepare for rapid runoff, flash flooding, and debris flows. Authorities also cautioned drivers to avoid flooded roadways.

Although the moisture will help ease ongoing drought conditions, dry lightning and gusty winds ahead of the rain could spark new wildfires and complicate firefighting efforts.

This Overlooked New Mexico Town Might Be the Best Weekend Getaway Yet

Juan Oliveros
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This Overlooked New Mexico Town Might Be the Best Weekend Getaway Yet

This lesser-known New Mexico town is welcoming visitors again, a must-visit weekend getaway as the community continues to recover from last year’s wildfires and flash floods.

Ruidoso is located in the Sacramento Mountains, about 180 miles southeast of Albuquerque. This village of 7,500 people, surrounded by pine trees, offers a cool escape in southern New Mexico’s desert. With its outdoor adventures, vibrant art scene, and rich local history, it remains a favorite summer destination.

Visiting is now easier because Contour Airlines has started new nonstop flights from Denver to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport. These are the first commercial flights the airport has seen in more than 15 years. “It gives our locals access to other markets, where they can fly to Denver and then anywhere in the world,” Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford said. “It also opens our doors to visitors from the Denver market so they can discover what makes our town special.”

Most restaurants, hotels, shops and attractions have reopened, but some areas remain under repair after the 2024 South Fork and Salt fires and flooding.

Ruidoso has much more to offer than just mountain views. There are year-round outdoor activities, horse racing at Ruidoso Downs, casinos, and family attractions. Lincoln National Forest is nearby, where you can hike, mountain bike, fish, watch wildlife, or take scenic drives through the Sacrament. You can also visit the Hubbard Museum of the American West, explore historic Lincoln, famous for its connection to Billy the Kid, or enjoy local wineries, breweries, and artisan shops.

Ruidoso is usually 20 to 30 degrees cooler than lower areas, attracting summer visitors for live music, festivals, and outdoor markets.

Tourism officials say that when visitors spend money, it directly supports small businesses, hotels, and restaurants affected by the disasters, and helps keep local jobs. Some burn scars are still visible, and travelers should follow any posted closures, but most of the village is open and ready to welcome guests.

Congress Tackled the Housing Affordability Crisis Without the President’s Signature — Here’s How

Juan Oliveros
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Congress Tackled the Housing Affordability Crisis Without the President’s Signature — Here’s How

A major bipartisan bill to tackle the nation’s housing affordability crisis is now law. It is the most significant federal housing legislation in decades.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law automatically on July 11 after President Donald Trump did not sign it within the 10-day constitutional window. Trump had supported the bill but chose not to sign it because of disagreements on other issues.

The bill passed Congress with strong support. The Senate approved it 85-5 on June 22, and the House passed it 358-32 on June 23.

The law includes many steps to increase housing supply, such as reducing regulatory barriers, speeding up environmental reviews, and supporting local zoning changes. It updates programs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, expands financing for manufactured homes, and restricts large investors from buying new single-family homes so that individual buyers have a better chance to own a home.

Housing Affordability Within Reach

“This law moves us closer to making homeownership within reach for more Americans,” Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said in a statement. “It reduces unnecessary barriers to building and ensures families — not institutional investors — have a fair shot.”

The package was the product of months of negotiations led by Hill and Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., in the House, alongside Sens. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., in the Senate. It reauthorizes and reforms key affordable housing initiatives, including the HOME Investment Partnerships program, provides new tools for rural communities and veterans, and offers regulatory relief to community banks to expand local lending.

Supporters of the measure from both aisles called the bill a rare example of cooperation on a major voter concern. Economists and housing experts have pointed to a shortage of millions of units as the main driver of high prices and rents. The law’s impact on costs is expected to unfold gradually as its provisions are implemented.

Opera at an Opera House, But the Pre-Show is on the Train for Only $25

Ruben Reyes
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Opera at an Opera House, But the Pre-Show is on the Train for Only $25

​The New Mexico Rail Runner Express offers a $25 round-trip late-night package, including shuttle service, on Fridays and Saturdays through August.

The promotional package is a joint effort between the Santa Fe Opera and the Rio Metro Regional Transit District, celebrating the opera’s 69th season and the 20th anniversary of Rail Runner service.

To kick off the promotion Saturday, award-winning soprano Amy Owens surprised passengers riding the train from Albuquerque to Santa Fe with an unannounced performance. The performance coincided with the opening day of Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin,” the third production of the opera’s season.

“Both Rio Metro and the Santa Fe Opera are essential to this community, so they worked to create a relaxing, beautiful experience along the way to the opera,” Owens said.

It marks the second year in a row that the Santa Fe Opera and Rio Metro have partnered to provide special summer transportation. The package includes a shuttle from the station to the opera house, with trains scheduled to arrive roughly 30 minutes before showtime.

Tickets for Opera are sold separately and can be purchased online or at the box office. The Santa Fe Opera is also offering a special discount for first-time ticket buyers.

What the Supreme Court Rio Grande Settlement Means for New Mexico and Texas

Juan Oliveros
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What the Supreme Court Rio Grande Settlement Means for New Mexico and Texas

After 13 years of legal disputes, Texas and New Mexico have settled their fight over the Rio Grande’s water in the U.S. Supreme Court. Although the lawsuit is over, the settlement begins a long, complicated process of managing the West’s shrinking water supply.

Here’s what the agreement means, how much it could cost, and the challenges that lie ahead.

What was the dispute about?

In 2013, Texas sued New Mexico, claiming that New Mexico farmers were pumping too much groundwater, reducing the Rio Grande’s flow before it reached Texas. Texas said this violated the 1938 Rio Grande Compact, the agreement that sets the rules for sharing water among Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.

What does the settlement require?

The settlement will change how water is managed in the Lower Rio Grande basin in New Mexico.

Key terms include:

  • Pumping Reductions: Over the next 10 years, New Mexico must cut groundwater pumping by about 18,200 acre-feet annually between the Caballo Reservoir and the Texas border.
  • State Line Measurements: For the first time, water flow at the Texas-New Mexico border will be officially measured with a new method to check deliveries.
  • Deadlines and Penalties: New Mexico has until May 2036 to fully comply. If it misses the targets, the state could face fines or more federal lawsuits.

How much will compliance cost?

State officials in New Mexico estimate that starting the program will cost at least $150 million. The state has set aside this money, but officials admit that ongoing management and changes to the program could make costs go up.

The state’s first plan is a voluntary buyback program. New Mexico will buy groundwater rights from farmers who agree to sell, then shut down those wells and take the farmland out of use to leave more water in the river.

Since over 80 percent of the basin’s groundwater is used for farming, retiring water rights leaves fields empty, causing serious economic concerns. Famous for its chile crop, local producers worry that widespread fallowing will devastate the secondary businesses and agricultural economies built around farming generations.

In Mesilla Valley, the area is full of pecan orchards, and growers face a tough problem. Unlike seasonal crops, mature pecan trees need a lot of water every year and cannot go without it, even in dry years.

What role does climate change play?

A shrinking water supply makes the agreement harder to manage. Higher temperatures have reduced the mountain snowpack that feeds the Rio Grande, caused reservoirs to lose water faster, and made a 24-year drought even worse.

New Mexico state projections show the regional water supply could decrease by 25 percent over the next 50 years. If the state’s voluntary buyback program fails to meet compliance targets amid worsening drought conditions, water managers may have to implement mandatory water-use reductions.

What are the broader implications?

Experts say this settlement highlights a broader issue for water users in the American West: legal deals can divide up water rights, but they cannot create more water.

Local governments, including Las Cruces, along with irrigation districts and industry leaders, have already begun making contingency plans for a future with less water.

NMDOT Addresses Nation’s Highest Pedestrian Fatality Rate

Nolan Rodrigues Walsh
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NMDOT Addresses Nation’s Highest Pedestrian Fatality Rate

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) says this year’s progress towards reducing pedestrian fatalities is encouraging. Officials say improving roadway safety remains a long-term priority.

In a statement released July 15, the department emphasized its mission remains focused on reducing fatalities across New Mexico’s roadways, adding that “every life lost is one too many.” 

“Statistics show it is twice as dangerous to be a pedestrian in New Mexico, we need to build a better traffic culture for them,” NMDOT Cabinet Secretary Ricky Serna said during National Pedestrian Safety Month.

Despite signs of progress reflected in the latest statistics, reports from the United States Department of Transportation and the Governor’s Highway Safety Association show that New Mexico has had the nation’s highest per-capita pedestrian fatality rate for a decade, since 2016. An NMDOT press release reported, based on preliminary data, that New Mexico’s national pedestrian fatality ranking dropped from No. 1 to No. 9. However, finalized reports showed that New Mexico remained ranked first. Acknowledging the lives lost in communities across the state, Serna said that the department is committed to eliminating pedestrian fatalities in New Mexico. 

In their efforts toward pedestrian safety, NMDOT said it continues to use the Safe System Approach, which invests in safer street designs and speeds, along with traffic safety community education. The recent statement also reiterated the department’s commitment to Target Zero, an initiative started in 2024 that aims to eliminate roadway fatalities in New Mexico by 2050. Along with the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, the initiative includes highway, railway, bicycle, and community transportation safety plans.

NMDOT encourages drivers to follow speed limits and yield to pedestrians to improve pedestrian safety. The department encourages pedestrians to wear high-visibility clothing and use crosswalks when available.

While NMDOT officials say that recent statistics are encouraging, they stress the importance of driver, pedestrian, and community cooperation across New Mexico in reducing pedestrian fatalities and achieving the state’s Target Zero goal.

Nolan Rodrigues Walsh is an Albuquerque-born journalist covering community news and events. They prioritize empathy, transparency, and a community-centered approach. They can be reached on Instagram at @brantonenews.

TXNM Energy, Blackstone Delayed Merger Deadline Pending Final Regulatory Approvals

Juan Oliveros
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TXNM Energy, Blackstone Delayed Merger Deadline Pending Final Regulatory Approvals

TXNM Energy and Blackstone Infrastructure have extended their merger deadline to May 31, 2027. The companies are still working to get the final regulatory approvals needed to complete the deal.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, and federal antitrust regulators have already approved the merger. TXNM Energy shareholders gave their approval last year.

The companies are still waiting for decisions from the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

In New Mexico, regulators have put their review on hold until they receive a compliance report about a separate 2025 stock transaction involving TXNM Energy and Blackstone Infrastructure. The companies expect to submit this report by the end of July, allowing the review to continue.

“This merger is important to the utility’s long-term ability to deliver clean, affordable and reliable power,” TXNM Energy President and CEO Don Tarry said in a statement.

“The extension demonstrates both parties’ commitment to working with regulators and stakeholders to complete the transaction,” said Sean Klimczak, global head of Blackstone Infrastructure.

TXNM Energy also announced it has secured a $400 million term loan to reverse the canceled 2025 stock transaction. The company plans to issue common stock to pay back the loan.

If New Mexico regulators resume their review as expected and grant approval, the companies expect to complete the merger in the first half of 2027.

Many people are watching this proposed merger because it would put TXNM Energy, which owns New Mexico’s largest electric utility, under Blackstone Infrastructure, one of the world’s biggest infrastructure investors.

Escape New Mexico’s Summer Heat: These 5 Mountain Towns Stay Cool All Summer

Juan Oliveros
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Escape New Mexico’s Summer Heat: These 5 Mountain Towns Stay Cool All Summer

This summer, people head to the state’s mountain towns for cool, fresh air, the smell of pine trees, and the excitement of afternoon monsoon showers. These high-altitude spots offer a quick break from the summer heat and invite you to hike, fish, mountain bike, or just enjoy a drive along scenic roads.

Here are five great towns to check out this summer:

Red River

Red River is one of New Mexico’s best summer getaways, sitting over 8,750 feet up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. In July, temperatures stay in the comfortable mid-70s, making it a great place for outdoor fun in the Carson National Forest. You can hike, mountain bike, ride horses, or relax by the river. The town used to be a busy mining spot and still has an Old West feel, with friendly shops, galleries, and restaurants along its main street.

Cloudcroft

Cloudcroft sits at 8,668 feet in the Sacramento Mountains, just east of Alamogordo. Summers here are mild, with highs in the low to mid-70s, making it a cool place to get away.

Nestled within the village is Lincoln National Forest, which offers shady hiking trails, wide mountain views, and one of the highest golf courses in the country. It’s also a starting point for scenic drives with amazing views of the Tularosa Basin and White Sands National Park. Ski Valley

Taos

Taos sits almost 7,000 feet above sea level, and July temperatures usually reach the mid-80s. If you want even cooler weather, Taos Ski Valley is nearby and sits over 9,300 feet high.

This area mixes outdoor fun with a rich cultural history. You can hike in alpine meadows, raft the Rio Grande, or ride a chairlift for great views. Taos also has famous art galleries, interesting museums, and old adobe buildings. Close by, Taos Pueblo is one of the oldest communities in North America that people have lived in continuously.

Ruidoso

Ruidoso is nestled at around 6,729 feet in the Sierra Blanca Mountains. It is a favorite spot for hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and scenic drives. You can explore Lincoln National Forest’s winding trails or check out the well-known Inn of the Mountain Gods resort.

Thanks to its cool mountain air, Ruidoso attracts summer visitors from southern New Mexico and West Texas who want to escape the heat.

Angel Fire

Angel Fire is 8,600 feet up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and summer days here usually stay in the low 70s. In summer, it transforms into a hub for mountain biking, hiking, zip-lining, and more. Visitors are also treated to sweeping views of Wheeler Peak, the tallest summit in New Mexico.

Before you go

If you want to visit the mountains this summer, try to book your stay early because places fill up quickly during the busy season. Afternoon monsoon storms can happen suddenly, so pack some rain gear. Temperatures can also drop a lot after sunset, especially at higher elevations.

If you want to get away from New Mexico’s summer heat, these mountain towns offer cool breezes, fresh air, and plenty of outdoor activities, all just a short drive from the desert.

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