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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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​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.

Albuquerque’s New Trade Cafe Blends Thrifting and Caffeine in One Stop

Ruben Reyes
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A new Albuquerque business is combining coffee and secondhand shopping, offering customers a place to browse for thrifted clothing, sell unwanted items, and enjoy a cup of coffee under one roof.

Trade Cafe, located at Las Villas Shopping Center off Juan Tabo Boulevard near Menaul Boulevard, is scheduled to open July 25.

The concept allows customers to thrift, donate, or sell clothing while relaxing with coffee and snacks. Co-owner Dasha Sanchez said the idea grew out of her and her husband, Jeffery Sanchez’s, shared passion for thrifting and coffee.

The couple invested about $40,000 to launch the business and spent five months turning the concept into reality.

“We wanted to create a space where people can connect, shop at their own pace, and then sit down to enjoy a coffee or snack,” Dasha Sanchez said.

The cafe is designed to blend the atmosphere of a thrift store with a coffee shop, creating what the owners hope will become a welcoming community gathering place in Albuquerque’s East Side.

Ahead of the grand opening, Trade Cafe is accepting gently used clothing from the public. Customers can exchange accepted items for cash or store credit, allowing them to participate in the store’s inventory before opening day.

The owners said they are encouraged by the community’s response and look forward to welcoming customers when the business opens on July 25.

APS Student Groups Improve in Early Literacy, but Middle School Math Falls Short of Goals

Gregg Morgan
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APS Student Groups Improve in Early Literacy, but Middle School Math Falls Short of Goals

Yazzie-Martinez and African American students at Albuquerque Public Schools improved their early literacy skills during the past school year. However, interim assessment results presented to the Board of Education on Wednesday showed they continue to struggle in middle school math.

“We’re excited about the gains we’re seeing in early literacy but know we need to do more to help our middle school students in mathematics,” Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey said. 

“We are committed to doing everything we can to get our students back on track in math,” she said in an APS report.

Blakey, Deputy Superintendent Randy Mahlerwein, Chief Academic Officer Sheri Jett, Executive Director of Accountability and Reporting Chris West, Associate Superintendent Anna Chavez and Associate Superintendent Chris Sanchez presented progress monitoring reports. They discussed the district’s progress toward its interim goals for early literacy and middle school math. 

Early Literacy Results Exceed Interim Goals

This year, the district began using Amira as an internal assessment tool. It is a state-required literacy assessment for students in kindergarten through third grade. Although the district is still in the early stages of implementation, the end-of-year data shows how students are progressing in foundational reading skills.

The results show APS is on track, according to the district. 

At the end of the school year, 29.2% of first-grade students in groups identified in the Yazzie-Martinez decision and African American students scored proficient or above. The result surpassed the district’s annual Interim Goal 1.1 target by more than 6.2 percentage points.

Among second graders in the same student groups, 33% reached proficiency. The result was more than 8.7 percentage points above the district’s annual Interim Goal 1.2 target.

Middle School Math Improves but Falls Short

Yazzie-Martinez and African American sixth- and seventh-graders also improved their performance on the internal i-Ready assessment compared with the previous year. However, they fell short of the annual targets.

For Interim Goal 2.1, which focuses on sixth-grade students, APS recorded a 21.2% proficiency rate. The result marked a 0.8 percentage point increase from 2024-2025 but fell 1.4 percentage points short of the 22.6% target.

For Interim Goal 2.2, seventh-grade students achieved 17.9% proficiency rate, up 1.3 percentage points from 2024-2025. However, they fell short of the 19% goal by 1.1 percentage points. 

In its analysis, the Goal 2 team noted that many students struggle to move from basic arithmetic to algebraic thinking. Deficits in sixth-grade “numbers and operations” make it harder for students to master expressions and equations in seventh grade. 

The team also cited another challenge. Schools often pulled students with disabilities from general education classrooms for specialized services, limiting their exposure to grade-level standards and advanced math concepts.

APS Outlines Steps to Improve Math Performance

APS leaders will begin active, daily tracking of leading skill indicators and specific missing student capabilities. They will also work with school leadership teams to address those gaps. The district will deploy co-teachers to deliver targeted 10-minute mini-lessons to students who need them before the main instruction begins. These lessons will give students the specific tools they need for that day’s work.

Students will use physical objects and visual diagrams to model math problems. They will then move on to formulas and written equations. This approach aims to help students build confidence by starting with concepts they can see and touch.

Special education and English Language resource staff will work with math teachers. Together, they will provide integrated accommodations and language support to help students understand math concepts. 

Background on APS Interim Goals

In 2023, the Board of Education adopted four five-year goals. They cover literacy; math; college and career readiness; and skills, habits, and mindsets for life success. 

The first two goals focus on early literacy and middle school math. They aim to improve academic outcomes for African American students and those identified in the Yazzie-Martinez court decision. Those students include Native American students, English language learners, students with disabilities, and students who are economically disadvantaged. 

The early literacy goal calls for a 10 percentage-point increase in grade-level proficiency on the state English Language Arts summative assessment. It focuses on third-grade students in these groups who have historically struggled academically. Specifically, the goal aims to increase proficiency from 27.3% in May 2023 to 37.3% in May 2028.

The middle school math goal aims to increase grade-level proficiency on the state mathematics summative assessment by 10 percentage points. It focuses on eighth-grade students in these groups. Specifically, it calls for an increase from 11.1% in May 2023 to 21.1% in May 2028.

To stay on track, APS established interim goals focused on internal assessments. The district regularly reports to the board on its progress toward achieving those interim goals.

Delivery Robots in New Mexico? DoorDash Explores Expansion with Lawmakers

Gregg Morgan
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Delivery Robots in New Mexico? DoorDash Explores Expansion with Lawmakers

Ever wondered what food delivery would look like if robots handled the job? A major delivery service unveils plans to introduce delivery robots in New Mexico.

DoorDash representatives met with state lawmakers Tuesday to discuss the future of autonomous robot food delivery. They urged lawmakers to establish standardized regulations so the robots can operate on streets statewide. 

“Steps toward a legal pathway begin with these conversations to ensure we have support at the state and local levels before moving forward,” said a DoorDash spokesperson as reported by KOB 4.

DoorDash’s autonomous robot, “Dot,” is already operating in several U.S. cities. It primarily uses bike lanes, but it also travels on streets, including those in Phoenix and San Francisco.

Mixed Views on Robot Food Delivery 

According to KOB 4, some New Mexicans said they worry Albuquerque, in particular, could pose a much greater challenge for the robots.

“You know, again, we don’t know until we try.  And I know in Albuquerque, you do see the vandalism, the graffiti, and things like that,” said UNM worker Andrew Lovato. 

Autonomous robot delivery already exists on college campuses, so some people may already be familiar with it. 

For one, Grubhub has operated robots on the UNM campus for about two years. However, some still question whether the robots should operate beyond a college campus. 

“People are overestimating how much people are going to, like, kick them. I think they might get kicked,” said UNM student Cheyenne Hajagos. “But I really don’t know how often that would happen.”

Meanwhile, some New Mexicans hope DoorDash will expand the service across the state. They believe robot deliveries could help bring fast food and groceries to people who would benefit from them.

“But I do feel like it is an opportunity for Albuquerque to grow and experience something new,” said Albuquerque resident Allicia Moya. She noted she saw similar robots often when she lived in Los Angeles.

Robot Delivery Plan Remains Under Discussion

DoorDash has not set a timeline for rolling out the robots in the state as it continues discussions with lawmakers.  The company said the initial meeting was part of its efforts to “explore an expansion in New Mexico.”

“Although we presented to the New Mexico Transportation Infrastructure Revenue Subcommittee on Tuesday, we have no immediate plans to roll out Dot in New Mexico,” said a spokesperson via email through KOB 4. 

DoorDash has maintained that its robots are not meant to replace human workers. The company made the statement in response to concerns that a full rollout could leave many people jobless. 

However, the company has said Dot is designed to handle short-distance deliveries between three and five miles. It said those trips typically are not as profitable for human delivery drivers.

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