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Police: 4 Men Plotted Deadly Ambush Near UNM

Juan Oliveros
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Police: 4 Men Plotted Deadly Ambush Near UNM

The killing of 23-year-old Eden Rock happened in a narrow alley south of Central Avenue, near the edge of the University of New Mexico campus — an area within southeast Albuquerque where students, residents, and late-night traffic often converge after dark. Now, police say the shooting was not random.

Albuquerque Police Department investigators said Thursday they had already placed four young men into custody in connection with the fatal shooting. The incident unfolded shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday between Cornell Drive and Stanford Drive.

The police identified the suspects as Tenard Weekly, 20; Evan Rogers, 20; Junior Lewis, 19; and Jaylen Hopewell, 20.

Surveillance footage captured the four men arriving in a vehicle, APD said. The suspects positioned themselves behind a dumpster in the alleyway, apparently waiting. When Rock walked past, the four men rushed him and knocked him to the ground.

Weekly shot first, investigators allege. A second shot was fired while Rock was already on the ground. Officers responding to reports found Rock suffering from gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

Police said acoustic gunshot detection technology recorded two shots fired at around 10:47 p.m. on May 13. By Thursday evening, the police said all four suspects had been arrested earlier in the day.

Detectives said the attack appeared to be “pre-planned.” But authorities have yet to publicly discuss a possible motive for the fatal shooting or detail the relationship, if any, between the suspects and the victim.

The latest shooting incident added to ongoing concerns about violent crime in areas surrounding the university zone, where student housing, nightlife, and traffic corridors intersect in a concentrated area.

Sip, Savor, Celebrate, and More —Cocktail Week Takes Over New Mexico

Juan Oliveros
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Sip, Savor, Celebrate, and More —Cocktail Week Takes Over New Mexico

New Mexico has a culinary reputation for smoky red and green chile, a thriving craft beer culture, and one of the oldest wine-crafting heritages in the United States. Now, another scene is steadily emerging: craft cocktails.

That evolution will be on display during the fourth annual New Mexico Cocktail Week, a nine-day celebration running from May 30 through June 7. The celebration will spread across bars, restaurants, and distilleries across Albuquerque to Santa Fe and smaller communities, such as Las Cruces, Silver City, and Las Vegas, New Mexico.

It started as a niche gathering for cocktail enthusiasts. Now, it has grown into a showcase of bartending talent across the state, artisan spirits, and food and beverage businesses offering new ways to bring people through their doors.

“Businesses, especially in the hospitality industry, are struggling a lot right now,” said Stephanie Cameron, publisher of Edible New Mexico and one of the event’s founders. “It’s been a great opportunity for folks to come together as a community and help uplift the community.”

Cameron and The Liquid Muse founder Natalie Bovis rolled out the event four years ago, hoping to create something that felt both celebratory and collaborative. This year, Cameron estimates that roughly 35 establishments are taking part in some form.

Some participating venues are going all in with pairing dinners, tastings, brunches, and cocktail classes. Others are taking a simpler approach: they offer a signature drink created specifically for the week-long celebration. “There are options for everyone,” Cameron said.

The schedule is available through the event’s official website, New Mexico Cocktail Week. Guests can browse the website for participating venues and ticketed events.

Unofficially, the festivities start May 28 with Taco Wars at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market. Bovis will host the event during which attendees vote for their favorite taco and cocktail pairings. The official kickoff follows on May 30. It will open with parallel events: Milk of the Poppy tasting, a Bloody Mary brunch at Tractor Brewing Co., Wells Park, and a Corpse Reviver Party at As Above, So Below Distillery.

The distillery will host the event’s unofficial finale, ‘Apertivo in the Afternoon,’ on June 7.

Cameron said that many businesses focused mainly on hosting events last year. This year, more businesses appear interested in creating featured cocktails as a marketing central attraction — perhaps, signalling that the state’s cocktail culture is becoming more integrated into everyday dining and nightlife.

Even so, the Edible New Mexico publisher expects some 25 to 30 organized activities throughout the week.

The event also reflects changes in American drinking culture. In particular, younger consumers are gravitating more toward low-alcohol or alcohol-free alternatives. A 2022 IWSR Drinks Market study documented that sales of no‑ and low‑alcohol beverages grew by more than 7 percent in volume across 10 major markets worldwide, including the U.S.

Organizers hope that this shift will be embraced more fully in the future. “I do think that the move, especially with younger audiences, is more towards mocktails,” Cameron said. “They still want to have an experience, but not necessarily the buzz.”

Organizers hope future Cocktail Week editions will encourage participating establishments to showcase cocktails alongside nonalcoholic options.

Beyond the shifting tastes, the festival’s growth reflects the rapid maturation of New Mexico’s cocktail industry. More restaurants are getting craft spirit licenses, more distilleries are opening, and more bartenders are treating cocktail‑making as a gastronomic art rather than simply a nightlife accessory. “It is definitely growing and progressing every year,” Cameron said. “We have more bars focused on the cocktail experience, and we definitely get more restaurants getting creative with New Mexico spirits on their menu.”

The movement is beginning to spread beyond the state’s major urban areas. Participating businesses this year include Blue Moon Bar & Grill, Little Toad Creek Brewery and Distillery, and The Skillet.

The cocktail shaker may now be earning its place in a state long celebrated for its beer taps and vineyards.

APS Superintendent Honors Graduates: ‘Make the World a Better Place’

Gregg Morgan
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APS Superintendent Honors Graduates: ‘Make the World a Better Place’

As graduation week begins Monday, Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey celebrates students and honors their successes. She said every graduate’s achievement deserves recognition, along with the dedication of APS staff who helped make those accomplishments possible.

“I’m always blown away when I hear their amazing stories of determination, perseverance and triumph. I am so proud of what they’ve achieved over these last dozen or so years, and I’m grateful to the teachers, principals and other APS staffers who were there for them throughout the journey,” Durán Blakey said. 

She highlighted some outstanding students she considers an inspiration to everyone. 

For one, Wealth Eze, a senior at Del Norte High School. She adjusted to a completely new way of life after moving from South Africa to Albuquerque. She persevered through the transition and now plans to attend Grand Canyon University in Arizona to study Business Information Systems.

Durán Blakey also recognized Alex Valdez, a Del Norte senior sidelined for a semester after a serious motorcycle accident. He pushed himself to recover and completed the work he missed, graduating with his class. Valdez plans to attend Central New Mexico Community College to earn his EMT license. 

Another is Luna Ortiz, a New Futures High School senior. She juggled her school work with caring for her son. She credits her family’s support throughout her journey. Ortiz also credits a school system that focuses on helping young parents reach graduation. 

“We have amazing graduates throughout our district,” Durán Blakey said as she continued recalling inspiring students. 

Kayla Garcia, who is graduating from Valley High School, will attend Duke University on a full-ride scholarship. She ultimately plans to go to veterinary school. 

Then, Ava Wagenman, who attends La Cueva High School and the Career Enrichment Center. She plans to pursue a career in medicine in New Mexico. She has been accepted into the BA to MD Program. The program at the University of New Mexico allows students to transition directly into medical school after completing their undergraduate degree.

Meanwhile, Anisha Jombo, who attends West Mesa High School, plans to study biochemistry at UNM. She aims to become an emergency physician.

Kacee Larrañaga, a senior at Valley High School, plans to attend UNM to study mechanical engineering. He’s a Horatio Alger Association National Scholarship recipient who has overcome so much to get to where he is. 

According to Durán Blakey, Larrañaga wrote in his scholarship essay about being diagnosed with Type I diabetes at the age of 5. He also wrote about his mother’s Stage 3 breast cancer. His mother beat the cancer, but when Kacee was in eighth grade, his father died of COVID pneumonia. A week and a half later, his grandfather suffered a heart attack and also passed away.

“These struggles would be a lot for anyone to deal with, let alone a young man. Rather than allowing those obstacles to derail his dreams, he overcame them, maintaining straight As throughout high school and securing a scholarship that will allow him to be debt-free when he graduates from college,” the superintendent said. 

“These are the types of amazing graduates we produce at APS, and I couldn’t be prouder!” she added. 

While expressing pride in APS graduates, Durán Blakey also recognized parents and staff supporting students’ success.

“But as I’ve said many times, they didn’t get there on their own. They had amazing families, teachers, principals and others along the way who encouraged them and helped them realize that they would succeed if they kept working hard. So, thank you to everyone who helped these kids,” she said. 

She said Larrañaga credits Serri Grube, his engineering teacher, for her constant support. Grube kept snacks on hand in case his blood sugar dropped and always checked in on him. Larrañaga said Grube made him feel seen.

“Thank you, Ms. Grube, for seeing this student was carrying a heavy load and stepping up for him, and thank you to the many other APS staffers who are doing the same thing each and every day,” Durán Blakey said. 

“Congratulations to the Class of 2026! You are amazing and you’re going to make the world a better place.”

Las Cruces Catholic Diocese Pushes Back Against Border Wall Land Grab That Threatens Sacred Mount Cristo Rey

Juan Oliveros
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Las Cruces Catholic Diocese Pushes Back Against Border Wall Land Grab That Threatens Sacred Mount Cristo Rey

A Roman Catholic diocese in southern New Mexico is resisting a federal government-initiated effort to seize church-owned land near the U.S.-Mexico border. The legal skirmish is setting up a constitutional clash between border security and religious freedom that threatens sacred Mount Cristo Rey, one of the region’s most revered pilgrimage sites.

In a civil action filed on May 7 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, the U.S. government moved to seize the land owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces. The court filing claims the land through eminent domain to expand border wall infrastructure in southern New Mexico.

DHS Offers Compensation

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requested the submission of the court filing. It said the land would be used to “construct, install, operate, and maintain roads, fencing, vehicle barriers, security lighting, cameras, sensors,” and other structures to secure the border between the United States and Mexico.

The property DHS wants to acquire lies northwest of El Paso, an area where the government plans to build an extensive border wall system. Federal officials said the government will compensate the defendants approximately $183,000 for the land. The filing also named the treasurer of Doña Ana County in the case.

Catholic Diocese Pushes Back

The Catholic diocese, however, argues the land is not merely real estate. The land seizure, according to the diocese in its court filing a day after the government’s action, would “substantially burden” the religious freedom of the church and worshippers. It stressed that they use the property for prayer and pilgrimage for nearly a century.

Mount Cristo Rey lies at the center of the dispute. It is a popular religious site overlooking the border between the U.S. and Mexico, where a 29-foot-tall statue of Christ stands on top of the mountain. The site draws thousands of pilgrims each year, particularly during religious observances and Holy Week rites.

Church officials contend that the federal seizure of the land would interfere with sacred land, associated with Catholic devotion in the region for a long time. The diocese informed the court that the takeover would amount to “a significant infringement on religious freedom and the rights of worship.” It cited protections under the First Amendment.

The filing of the Catholic diocese asked the court to halt the eminent domain proceedings unless the constitutional issues surrounding the site’s religious significance are resolved.

The case represents a new dimension to America’s ongoing border wall battles. These border wall skirmishes often centered on environmental concerns, private property rights, and immigration politics. In this instance, the battle reaches into a symbolic intersection of faith, land, and federal power — a towering statue of Christ, standing in the path of a proposed border wall.

Officials and U.S. Air Force Agree on PFAS Cleanup Plan at Cannon

Victoria Padilla
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In New Mexico, environmental officials have reached an agreement with the US Air Force concerning the release of PFAS from Cannon Air Force Base. The ongoing PFAS cleanup at Cannon Air Force Base has become a major priority for the region. Because of their long-lasting effects on drinking water, agriculture, and community health, remediation of the area surrounding Cannon AFB has become imperative. This is especially important for the surrounding communities.

PFAS‑based foam materials used for fire suppression contaminated groundwater near Clovis and Cannon Air Force Base. This contamination is due to the use of PFAS-based foam materials for fire suppression at Cannon AFB. Furthermore, local farmers and residents continue to press for accountability concerning PFAS contamination.

The PFAS cleanup approach includes actions such as managing water bodies and cleaning up contaminated soil. Additionally, it involves partnering up with the surrounding entities.

Officials outlined cleanup actions, including managing water bodies, cleaning polluted soil, and partnering with surrounding entities. Moreover, the actions aim to help restore confidence in the area. They also aim to provide safety for public health, along with the agricultural community.

The header signifies the progression of years of conflict between state officials and the military. It also emphasizes the importance of working together to resolve PFAS contamination.

In summary, the PFAS cleanup processes around Cannon AFB highlight the need for federal and state cooperation. The next steps for the PFAS cleanup will be outlined through the implementation of the above mentioned plan.

However, the cleanup indicates a commitment to protecting people and the environment in New Mexico from the long-term impacts of PFAS contamination.

Agencies Focus on Outreach as Screwworm Threat Approaches

Victoria Padilla
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As the New World screwworm moves closer to New Mexico, state agencies are focusing on outreach and early warning systems. Officials say the New Mexico screwworm outbreak response will depend on coordination between several organisations. However, they have not provided an outline of the overall response plan.

This headline is important because the US eliminated the screwworm many years ago. However, it is now prevalent in Mexico and is likely entering the United States. This underscores the need for a rapid response to the New Mexico outbreak of screwworm. This could potentially affect livestock, wildlife, and people.

For example, if an animal has a screwworm infestation, the maggots will invade through the animal’s wound. If not treated, they will kill the animal within 7–14 days. In response to the threat, New Mexico authorities may have to act quickly to address the screwworm outbreak.

In addition, ranchers in southern New Mexico are also concerned that the screwworm may spread into the area from approximately 180 miles away along a rugged border. This rugged area makes it difficult to monitor wildlife. As a result, it also complicates efforts to respond to screwworm outbreaks in New Mexico.

Agencies are undertaking a range of activities, including creating brochures, developing a communication system, and exploring the use of game cameras to help identify infestations. All of these efforts are designed to quickly educate ranchers and hunters. In fact, such education plays a major role in the response to the screwworm outbreak New Mexico is preparing for. It aims to show how to identify infestations early. Furthermore, it helps minimize cattle losses.

The headline speaks to the balancing act of outreach and the state’s inability to produce a detailed plan of action. Ranchers believe that communication is essential. However, without a specific action plan, the state may find it difficult to control the pest if it reaches New Mexico. Therefore, creating a robust New Mexico screwworm outbreak response strategy remains a priority for many.

In summary, the State of New Mexico is demonstrating that community monitoring and education are very important. Ranchers, however, want to see stronger, more coordinated plans of action to truly ensure an effective response to a screwworm outbreak in New Mexico.

Additionally, the dollar amount of beef is currently very high. However, if truckloads of screwworms arrive, it could aggravate the already difficult economic conditions for ranchers. This would prompt the need for a comprehensive New Mexico screwworm outbreak response.

UNM Steps Up to Cut Food Waste, Boost Food Access

Gregg Morgan
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UNM Steps Up to Cut Food Waste, Boost Food Access

Food waste remains a long-standing concern in New Mexico. Farms and consumer-facing businesses continue to contribute to significant environmental, economic, and social challenges through food loss and waste. At the University of New Mexico (UNM), students spearheaded an initiative aimed at addressing the issue. 

UNM students are driving a growing effort to recover surplus food, support peers, and reduce waste. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies food waste as a major contributor to landfill emissions in the United States. 

The university’s students tackle that challenge by redirecting edible food away from the trash to people in need. Their efforts also support UNM’s sustainability goals by reducing waste and emissions. 

This spring, campus dining, student volunteers, and organizations expanded UNM’s food recovery through stronger partnerships. The program diverts waste and strengthens a culture of care and resource sharing. It aligns with UNM 2040 goals and the 2025 UNM Sustainability Strategic Plan.

What the Data Shows

Recent March and April data underscore the scale of the effort:

  • 698 pounds of food recovered
  • 2,450 food items redistributed
  • 105 food pickups completed
  • 581 meals provided

Students and faculty mentors coordinate pickups, manage logistics, and deliver recovered food to the Lobo Food Pantry in the Student Union Building. The UNM Food Recovery Network chapter plays a central role in the initiative, supported by a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant. It transforms potential waste into a source of support for students.

“Through this effort, students are building systems that not only reduce waste but also ensure their peers have increased access to food. It’s sustainability in action, grounded in community care,” said Jessica Rowland, associate director of the Sustainability Studies Program and faculty adviser for the UNM Food Recovery Network.

Campus dining partners also played a role in the program’s growth. Mercado and Chick-fil-A helped build early momentum for the initiative. Einstein Bros. Bagels became a major contributor in April through regular bagel donations, now supplying a significant share of recovered food.

“We see food recovery as an important tool in addressing food insecurity on campus,” said Amanda Gerard, director of Dining and Hospitality. “Our goal is to make sure excess food doesn’t go to waste when it can instead support students who need it.”

How Technology Supports the Effort

Technology has also helped expand the initiative. App LoboEats connects departments and organizations with students, faculty, and staff by enabling real-time posting of leftover food from meetings and events. The platform reduces unnecessary and improves access to available food resources.

Students view its impact as both practical and personal. 

“It feels good knowing that something that might have been thrown away is actually helping someone get through their day,” said a student volunteer with the Food Recovery Network. “You’re not just talking about sustainability, you’re actually doing it, and you can see the difference.”

“Through the UNM Food Loss & Waste initiative, we’ve diverted close to 700 pounds of food from the trash, redirecting it to the campus food pantry to support students in need,” said sustainability student Kingsley Nelson. “This effort directly addresses student food insecurity while significantly reducing our community’s overall food waste, creating a more sustainable and supportive campus environment.”

As the initiative grows, organizers actively encourage more students and campus partners to join the cause. With increased participation, the program can evolve into a long-term system that supports student well-being while reducing environmental impact.

New Mexico’s Recipe for Hantavirus Risk—Climate, Deer Mice, and Country Living

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico’s Recipe for Hantavirus Risk—Climate, Deer Mice, and Country Living

Piñon forests meet brushland dotted with aging barns against the wind in the high desert of New Mexico, and a tiny creature has shaped one of the fatal health risk patterns. Over the years, the state has documented the highest number of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome cases in the United States.

Health officials say New Mexico’s geography, climate, housing patterns, and close human contact with deer mice are a recipe for hantavirus risk. A rare but often fatal disease, hantavirus spreads primarily through exposure to infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome first entered national consciousness in 1993. At the time, a mysterious respiratory illness claimed the lives of several young people in the Four Corners region, where the borders of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado intersect. Years later, scientists identified the culprit as the Sin Nombre virus, pointing to deer mice as carriers of hantavirus.

The virus exists elsewhere, particularly across the American Southwest. But New Mexico has remained a hotspot.

A Landscape Built for Deer Mice

Public health experts point primarily to ecology. Much of rural New Mexico offers ideal habitat for deer mice — the small brown-backed mice with pale bellies (Peromyscus maniculatus) that carry the virus without becoming sick themselves. These virus-hosting deer mice thrive in semi-arid environments, grasslands, woodpiles, sheds, cabins, and outbuildings, which are common across the state.

Increased rainfall over time can worsen the risk. Wet seasons create conditions of abundant food sources for rodents, with all the vegetation around. The possibility of human exposure increases as mouse populations grow. Over the years, that pattern has repeated across the Southwest: bursts of rain after droughts, then rodent activity increases.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is not like many infectious diseases that spread person to person. A person may contract the disease when contaminated dust is disturbed while sweeping cabins, cleaning garages, entering sheds, or opening long-unused buildings. These situations are common in rural New Mexico.

Rural Living Raises Exposure Risks

New Mexico is among the most rural states in the United States. Many people live near open land, agricultural areas, or forested terrain. In these areas, rodents regularly enter homes and storage structures.

Other factors, such as limited resources for pest control in some communities, may increase vulnerability.

The risk of contracting the deadly virus is especially acute in places where people may not realize mice have nested indoors during winter. Health officials have warned residents not to use vacuum cleaner or dry-sweep rodent droppings because it can aerosolize viral particles into the air.

Health officials advise residents to ventilate their enclosed spaces, wear gloves, and disinfect contaminated areas with bleach solution before cleaning.

Hantavirus: A Rare Disease — but a Deadly One

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a rare disease. But it is deadly.

Early symptoms resemble influenza. Patients experience fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and headaches. Within days, they can rapidly develop severe respiratory distress as fluid fills the lungs.

The fatality rate of the disease in the United States is roughly 35 to 40 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

State health officials say early medical attention is life-saving because patients can deteriorate quickly. There is no cure for the disease. Treatment focuses mainly on intensive supportive care, including oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation in severe conditions.

Climate Change May Be Complicating the Picture

Peer-reviewed studies have shown that climate variability could influence future outbreaks.

The American Southwest has experienced sharper shifts between drought and heavy rainfall. These conditions may periodically boost rodent populations. Wildfires and habitat disturbance may also affect how rodents interact with human communities.

Scientists cautioned that the relationship is complicated. Predicting outbreaks remains difficult amid climate variability, and every wet season doesn’t automatically lead to more infections.

Epidemiologists, however, warned that environmental instability may heighten long-term concern in states like New Mexico, where the virus is already embedded in local ecosystems.

A Persistent Threat in the Southwest

Over three decades after the Four Corners outbreak, hantavirus is still a quiet but persistent public health threat in the state.

Hantavirus is not like new diseases that dominate headlines during emergencies; it persists quietly, enough to avoid widespread alarm. But it is deadly enough that each new infection should draw attention to the hazards hidden in attics, barns, and abandoned buildings across the desert Southwest. In the state, that health hazard has never entirely disappeared.

Community Solar Program Took Years to Arrive. Now the Solar Panels Are Finally Rising.

Juan Oliveros
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Community Solar Program Took Years to Arrive. Now the Solar Panels Are Finally Rising.

Rows of newly installed community solar panels glinted beneath the morning sun on a windy stretch of land off Seventh Street in northern Las Vegas. State officials, renewable energy supporters, and local business leaders gathered on Wednesday to celebrate what many described as a long-awaited development.

The site, known as Pino, is the latest community solar project to come online in New Mexico. It is part of a statewide effort that advocates say could expand access to renewable energy for renters, low-income residents, and small businesses.

The celebration also marked something else. It is proof that a program years in the making is finally beginning to arrive.

“It’s a tremendous growth opportunity,” said Chris Pacheco, owner of Albuquerque-based Pluma Construction, one of the companies behind the project. “Even if you are a small New Mexico company, if you branch out and partner, you can grow your company.”

Pluma Construction, Forefront Power, Standard Solar, and Solstice developed the Pino facility as one of eight community solar projects through their partnership. The community solar projects together deliver 48.4 megawatts of solar capacity across communities such as Las Cruces, Silver City, and Clovis. The Alamogordo site is the only project still pending, with completion expected later this year.

Five years ago, New Mexico passed legislation creating the state’s community solar program. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Community Solar Act into law in April 2021. The law envisioned a system that would allow residents to subscribe to common solar arrays and receive credits on their electricity bills. It promised to broaden access to renewable energy beyond homeowners who can install panels on their own roofs.

But the rollout proved slower and more complex than many expected. Projects are delayed due to regulatory hurdles, utility coordination issues, and rising infrastructure costs. Even now, only a fraction of the projects the regulators approved are operating.

In 2023, New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission selected 47 community solar projects, representing about 196 megawatts of capacity. Only 13 are operating as of Wednesday, Patrick Rodriguez, a spokesman of the agency, said. Officials say project momentum is still building. They expect to wrap up 39 projects by the end of 2026.

Rep. Tara Lujan, a Democrat from Santa Fe, stood before the solar panels on Wednesday. The lawmaker described the project as the kind of economic investment she says the state should prioritize. “One of many reasons why I became a legislator is to ensure that our dollars and our economy and our budget are going toward what we see up here today,” she said. Lujan gestured toward the rows of panels behind her.

Supporters of the community solar program say it offers a rare intersection of climate policy and economic relief. Under the program, subscribers receive credits that reduce their electricity costs, while the projects contribute to the state’s clean-energy goals.

But industry leaders say the state must address systemic challenges that undermine the program’s sustainability as projects near completion. For instance, the cost of connecting solar projects to the electrical grid is one major obstacle.

Jim DesJardins, executive director of the Renewable Energy Industry Association of New Mexico, said developers faced unforeseen interconnection costs that can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars — or even millions. “If a developer knew ahead of time they would need a $10 million substation upgrade, they probably would have looked somewhere else,” he said. “We need to get better at sharing information.”

Industry groups are now urging utilities and regulators for greater transparency about interconnection costs during the current rulemaking process at the Public Regulation Commission.

Another battle is unraveling over the customer payment structure for community solar. Current rules allow subscribers to receive a separate monthly bill from the community solar company in addition to their regular utility bill, which critics describe as one of the program’s biggest weaknesses.

Tyler Yasa, an executive of Solstice, said the dual-billing system causes high turnover among subscribers. Many of these subscribers are low-income residents, he explained. Solstice manages subscriptions for several New Mexico projects.

Customers who fail to pay even one payment can lose access to the program, he said. Many of these customers would abandon their subscriptions rather than risk falling behind on their utility bills. “Because of how quickly we’re churning through customers, we’re going to reach a saturation point very soon,” Yasa said. “If we want this program to succeed long-term, we have to address where that default risk lands.”

Advocacy groups, including the Sierra Club and the Coalition for Community Solar Access, are pressing regulators to adopt a “consolidated billing” model. Other states like Maryland, Illinois, and New York already use this model.

Under the consolidated billing system, subscribers have their community solar credits applied directly to their utility bills. The system eliminates the need for separate invoices. Shifting from dual-billing to consolidated billing could stabilize enrollment and make the program more accessible to low-income households, according to proponents.

Despite the challenges, many supporters gathered in Las Vegas viewed the completion of the Pino project as a sign that the state’s long-delayed experiment in community solar may finally be finding its foothold.

Community solar, according to a study by the University of New Mexico Bureau of Business and Economic Research, has the potential to contribute significantly to the state’s economy. The benefits of community solar include up to $517 million in benefits, the creation of about 3,760 high-quality jobs in various sectors over the next five years, and over $2.9 million in tax revenue.

Pacheco said he hopes people will remember the community solar project for more than just clean electricity and revenue generation. But also for demonstrating what local partnerships can accomplish. “I hope this portfolio is remembered,” he said, “as an example of what can happen when local leadership and strong partnerships come together for New Mexico.”

Patient Voices Push New Mexico Lawmakers to Spotlight Healthcare Access and Affordability

Victoria Padilla
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After hearing patients discuss affordability, access, and workforce issues, New Mexico legislative leaders have made health care the center of attention. This year, New Mexico lawmakers spotlight healthcare access as one of their main priorities.

The significance of this headline is that lawmakers can now get a direct look at what families go through. Therefore, it is critical that they prioritize healthcare reform.

In addition to explaining how long patients have to wait to get in to see a doctor or another provider and the high costs of care, patients also illustrated how the lack of properly functioning systems has a very real impact on their daily lives. For example, delays in access and high costs make daily life difficult.

Legislators stated that listening to patients helps them develop policies that lead to practical solutions, such as expanding provider networks and improving affordability. Additionally, this strengthens rural health care systems. These benefits enable the reforms to be grounded in patients’ lived experiences, rather than in abstract policy discussions.

The title indicates that patients’ voices have directly affected where legislators placed their focus. Therefore, healthcare reform is not merely political language but instead is a result of the need demonstrated by the community.

To summarize, New Mexico legislators will continue to engage with patients and communities to emphasize that healthcare reform should prioritize access, affordability, and support for the health workforce. As a result, all New Mexicans will have equitable access to quality healthcare services.

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