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What is a Microgrid, and Why Could it Erase New Mexico’s 20 Years of Air Quality Gains?

Juan Oliveros
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What is a Microgrid, and Why Could it Erase New Mexico’s 20 Years of Air Quality Gains?

A microgrid is a local energy system that can produce its own electricity without depending on the main power grid. Although microgrids can operate on their own, they often rely on natural gas or fuel cells. Experts point out that these sources emit large amounts of greenhouse gases.

Project Jupiter is a large data center campus for Oracle and OpenAI that is being built in Doña Ana County. At first, the developers asked for permits to build two natural gas plants to power the site. Later, they changed their plan and decided to use fuel cells, which make electricity by converting natural gas, biogas, or hydrogen.

Will switching to fuel cells help protect the environment?

State environmental reports show that the fuel cell system would create less pollution than the original natural gas plants, but its emissions would still be very high. Western Resource Advocates, a conservation group, testified that Project Jupiter alone would emit more greenhouse gases than all current power plants in New Mexico combined. This would push the state’s electric sector CO2 emissions back to their 2005 level.

David Baake, an attorney and energy policy consultant for Western Resource Advocates, told the interim Water and Natural Resources Committee that data centers building microgrids — power sources separate from the existing grid — often use natural gas or fuel cell technology that emits significant greenhouse gases.

A 2025 New Mexico law exempts off-grid microgrids. A New Mexico law taking effect in 2025 lets off-grid microgrids avoid the strict rules of the Energy Transition Act (ETA). The ETA says public utilities must get 50% of their energy from renewables by 2030 and 80 percent by 2040.

When the ETA was written in 2019, huge data centers like these didn’t really exist, so the law didn’t cover big, off-grid industrial power users. Under current law, if a private microgrid does not interconnect with the main electrical grid, it remains outside the commission’s regulatory jurisdiction.

What are lawmakers doing to try to solve this problem?

Lawmakers from both parties are debating how to balance data center growth with New Mexico’s climate goals. Some have suggested that developers should build these facilities in the Permian Basin to use local natural gas. On the other hand, some lawmakers are working together to propose a temporary pause on the construction of large data centers in the next legislative session.

Environmental groups also want officials to bring back the Microgrid Oversight Act, a bill that did not pass earlier this year. This law would require microgrids to comply with all renewable energy rules in the ETA.

A Refugee Advocacy Group in New Mexico Was Just Forced to Shut Its Doors. Here’s Why.

Ruben Reyes
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A Refugee Advocacy Group in New Mexico Was Just Forced to Shut Its Doors. Here’s Why.

An Albuquerque immigrant and refugee advocacy group has been forced to suspend operations at its headquarters and work from private homes following a series of burglaries and vandalism that leaders say have made the building unsafe.

New Mexico Women’s Global Pathways, which moved to its facility near Central Avenue and Louisiana Boulevard in 2018, reports ongoing security issues, including cut fencing, blocked entrances, and trash-strewn walkways.

The nonprofit organization teaches immigrant women English and sewing skills to create items like pillows and tote bags, which are then donated to the local unhoused population. However, organizers said individuals from that same community are among those repeatedly breaking into the property.

Nkazi Sinandila, the organization’s founder and director, said she was warned about safety concerns in the area before purchasing the property but chose to move forward with the acquisition anyway.

A break-in three weeks ago left the facility ransacked and its perimeter fencing severed. Sinandila said she believes a group of individuals stole donated jackets, handmade pillows, and tote bags.

In June alone, the organization reported three separate break-ins, including an incident in which a suspect drove a vehicle through the property’s fencing, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

While the organization has repeatedly contacted the Albuquerque Police Department’s non-emergency line, leaders say they no longer feel it is safe for participants to attend tutoring or sewing classes at the site.

The group is currently repairing the perimeter fencing and hopes to resume in-person training for women and children at the building soon.

Organization leaders have filed multiple police reports, and the Albuquerque Police Department said investigators are looking into the incidents.

‘In Sickness and In Health’ Came Early for This Newlywed After a Nightmare Honeymoon at Yellowstone

Juan Oliveros
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‘In Sickness and In Health’ Came Early for This Newlywed After a Nightmare Honeymoon at Yellowstone

A Wisconsin woman’s honeymoon camping trip to Yellowstone National Park took an unexpected turn when she contracted Cyclospora, a foodborne parasite linked to a multi-state outbreak.

Gretchen Pleuss said she felt fine until a few days into her outdoor honeymoon, when she began experiencing severe gastrointestinal symptoms.

“I felt fine until we got out here, and a couple of days into camping here, I started having symptoms,” Pleuss said. “It was just like incessant diarrhea.”

As the illness intensified, Pleuss sought medical treatment at a local emergency room. Doctors confirmed she had contracted the Cyclospora parasite, which infects the small intestine and causes severe cramping and watery diarrhea. “It feels like your intestines are really tight, like something is seizing them,” Pleuss said.

Despite the medical setback, Pleuss said she and her husband are maintaining a positive outlook on their new marriage. “Our vows said in sickness and in health, so we’re just getting an early start on that,” Pleuss said.

Federal health officials on Thursday identified shredded iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico and served at Taco Bell locations as the source of the Cyclospora outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning advising consumers to avoid shredded lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants across five states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

Road Rage Turned Deadly. Digital Evidence Told the Story.

Victoria Padilla
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Investigators solved a deadly road rage shooting involving teenagers in New Mexico by using digital evidence. This case shows that technology is becoming more important in solving crimes.

Authorities said investigators used electronic data, surveillance video, cellphone records, and other digital evidence to build a timeline and figure out what happened before, during, and after the shooting.

Law enforcement officials said that new digital forensic tools have made technology even more useful in investigations. Evidence from cellphones, security cameras, and other devices can back up witness statements, help identify suspects, and show the order of events in criminal cases.

Investigators said the technology in this case helped them understand what happened more clearly and strengthen their evidence.

Public safety officials used this case to remind drivers to avoid getting into arguments on the road. They encouraged people to stay calm around aggressive drivers, not to fight back, and to call law enforcement rather than put themselves in danger.

Authorities warned that road rage can quickly get out of hand and sometimes cause serious injuries or even death. They advised drivers to report reckless or aggressive driving instead of trying to handle it themselves.

Law enforcement officials said digital forensic tools helped agencies solve tough cases and present stronger evidence in court. They stressed that technology is now a key part of modern policing, an aid to investigators in finding suspects, checking facts, and piecing together events more accurately.

New Mexico Expands Free Childcare System with New Statewide Strategies

Victoria Padilla
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New Mexico is rolling out new policies to expand its free childcare program, facilitating access for families while also improving early childhood education in the state. The New Mexico free childcare system is designed to help meet the rising need for childcare services.

Officials claim that the expansion measures include adding childcare options, improving provider support, and creating better access for qualifying families. Leadership indicates that the New Mexico free childcare system continues to receive state investments, ensuring more children receive a proper education in their early years.

Education and early childhood authorities point out that improving childcare systems should take into account the need to employ well-qualified specialists. The new plan includes several measures to support providers through workforce development, financial assistance, and program improvements relevant to the New Mexico free childcare system.

According to officials, accessible child care programs help New Mexico’s working population access job training and education programs. They added affordable early childhood care programs, which also benefit children by providing a safe environment for development before they enter school.

The state leaders reiterated that maintaining financial support for early-childhood education is a priority for the future. Expanding childcare services will stabilize family homes, improve educational performance, and promote economic development in New Mexico. In fact, the success of the New Mexico free childcare system will be crucial for families and the local economy moving forward.

Both the community organizations and the childcare providers will continue collaborating with state agencies to roll out the new techniques and identify areas that require further assistance. Officials stated that cooperation between public and private organizations will help ensure that the childcare initiatives remain available and effective.

Have You Registered Your Child for the New School Year? APS Urges Families to Use ParentVUE

Gregg Morgan
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Have You Registered Your Child for the New School Year? APS Urges Families to Use ParentVUE

In just a few weeks from now, the new school year will begin. First- through 12th-grade students start school August 7, while prekindergarten and kindergarten students begin classes August 11.

Ahead of the opening of classes, Albuquerque Public Schools reminds parents to register their children. The district encourages the public to complete the registration via ParentVUE.

Parents of already-registered students should update phone numbers, email addresses, and emergency contacts through ParentVUE. APS uses the contact information to communicate with families, including during emergencies. 

Families can access the student information system on a computer, mobile phone, or tablet. They can also use a device with a camera to upload required documents, including proof of residency.

For parents who are still undecided which school they want their student to attend, APS has options. These include schools focused on dual language, the arts, STEM, early college, and more. Parents may explore options through APS.edu/spark.

APS encourages families to register all children at the same time. Those needing assistance should contact their child’s school. 

How to Register Your Child?

  • Login to ParentVUE and click the “Online Registration” button at the top right of the screen. If you don’t have a ParentVUE account, visit the ParentVUE website and select the Activate Account button under the Create New Account section.
  • Update your child’s details, including address, phone number, email address, and emergency contacts.
  • Each year, families need to provide proof of residency. These may include a current New Mexico driver’s license, deed or mortgage payment receipt, property tax bill, lease or housing agreement, and utility bill. 
  • If you have more than one child in school, use one ParentVUE account to update all their information.
  • Log in to ParentVUE anytime to update your information.
  • At the beginning of each school year, log in to verify that APS has your most up-to-date information on file.
  • ParentVUE  is available in English and Spanish.

APS said online registration is available for all grade levels. Parents can also download ParentVUE for free in the Apple App Store or Google Play.

What Else Can You Do With ParentVUE?

ParentVUE does more than handle registration. You can also use it to check:

  • Grades
  • Assignments
  • Attendance
  • Calendars
  • Teacher contact information
  • And more.

Students can also sign up for StudentVUE to access their grades, assignments, attendance and more.

Renting in Albuquerque? New Ordinance Boosts Tenant Protections

Gregg Morgan
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Renting in Albuquerque? New Ordinance Boosts Tenant Protections

Albuquerque is adding an extra layer of protection to the city’s renters. Mayor Tim Keller signed a new ordinance on Wednesday, July 15, to strengthen rental housing standards. The measure targets dangerous living conditions and holds landlords with repeated housing code violations more accountable.

The Rental Unit Habitability Enforcement Ordinance establishes a faster response process for violations that threaten residents’ health or safety. It covers issues, such as the lack of heat, cooling, running water, ventilation, or safe exits, according to KOAT Action News.

Property owners must correct serious violations within 72 hours or submit a city-approved repair plan with a completion timeline. 

The ordinance imposes financial penalties on landlords who fail to comply.

Owners who fail to resolve serious habitability issues on time may face fines of up to $500 per day. Landlords who accumulate multiple habitability violations within a year face additional penalties.

Additionally, landlords must pay for temporary housing if repairs lasting over seven days make rental units unsafe to occupy.

If owners fail to arrange relocation, the city can relocate affected tenants. It can recover the costs through legal means, including property liens, the report said. 

City officials said they will prioritize enforcement of life-safety complaints. Residents are urged to document unsafe housing conditions and notify their landlords. They should contact 311 if the problems remain unresolved.

Bernalillo County, UNM Hospital to End Detention Center Health Care Partnership in 2027

Ruben Reyes
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Bernalillo County and the University of New Mexico Hospital will stop working together to provide health care at the Metropolitan Detention Center when their agreement ends in July 2027, officials said.

Bernalillo County Manager Cindy Chavez said working with UNM Hospital has improved health care at the detention center by leveraging the university’s expertise and bringing in outside specialists.

“We have the chance in the next year to build on what we’ve achieved, learn from our challenges, and plan the next steps for care,” Chavez said.

County Commissioner Adriann Barboa said the county and UNM Hospital decided last week to end the partnership, which began in 2023. She explained that the arrangement was always meant to be temporary because national correctional health care providers could not meet the jail’s needs at the time. The hospital now provides round-the-clock medical, dental, and behavioral health care for thousands of people at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Officials said they will keep working with the hospital during the last year of the agreement to make sure the switch to a new health care provider goes smoothly before the contract ends in July 2027. The county has asked state lawmakers for funding and help as it searches for a new provider for inmate health care services.

Man Who Convinced His Girlfriend To Kill Is Now Convicted For Murder

Ruben Reyes
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A jury found a Santa Fe man guilty on Wednesday of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder of a woman in 2022. Prosecutors said he had convinced his then-girlfriend to carry out the attack.

Isaac Apodaca was convicted of planning the killing of 21-year-old Grace Jennings. Prosecutors said Jennings was stabbed and slashed to death with a sword in October 2022.

Prosecutors showed text messages, forensic evidence, crime scene findings, as well as expert testimony that they said proved Apodaca planned and directed the killing.

During the trial, Apodaca’s former girlfriend, Kiara McCulley, testified that he lied to her many times throughout their relationship. She said he claimed to be the archangel Gabriel and told her, falsely, that he had killed 40 people. McCulley also said Apodaca arranged prostitution clients for her and pressured her for about 15 hours on the night of the killing until she agreed to kill Jennings.

On Feb. 10, 2025, McCulley pleaded guilty to aggravated second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. She faces up to 30 years in prison and testified for the prosecution during Apodaca’s trial.

After the verdict, authorities took Apodaca into custody. He could face a life sentence. The court set his sentencing for Aug. 24, 2026.

Santa Fe police said Jennings spent the night at the home Apodaca and McCulley shared in October 2022. Investigators found her dead the next day with multiple stab and slash wounds.

At the trial, defense attorneys argued that McCulley acted alone and that Apodaca arrived to find her attacking Jennings.

Prosecutors disagreed, pointing to text messages between the couple. They said these messages showed the killing was planned ahead of time and that Apodaca pressured McCulley to commit the crime.

McCulley testified that Apodaca manipulated her into believing his lies and convinced her that killing Jennings was necessary.

Before deliberations, Judge T. Glenn Ellington allowed jurors to consider second-degree murder as a lesser charge, as the defense requested. The jury still found Apodaca guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

Why New Mexico Just Won a Major Fight Over Voter Privacy

Juan Oliveros
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Why New Mexico Just Won a Major Fight Over Voter Privacy

A federal judge has thrown out a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit seeking to force New Mexico to hand over unredacted voter data. State officials called this a big win, saying the demand put voter privacy at risk.

With this ruling from U.S. District Judge Judith C. Herrera on Tuesday, New Mexico has stopped the federal government from obtaining sensitive personal information, such as full Social Security numbers and birth dates.

In her decision, Herrera wrote that the federal government’s demand “fails because it altogether lacks an identifiable ‘basis.'” She pointed out that the Department of Justice did not show any evidence that New Mexico broke federal voting laws, such as the National Voter Registration Act or the Help America Vote Act. She also said the department did not explain why it needed unredacted personal information to check for compliance.

For people in New Mexico, this dismissal means their private information will stay protected by current state and federal laws.

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who strongly opposed the federal lawsuit, said the decision pleased her. “Federal and state legal guardrails on Social Security numbers and dates of birth exist for the identity protection of every voter in our state,” Toulouse Oliver said. She added that she would not risk sharing private data that could have “severe consequences” for voters.

New Mexico is now the 14th state to secure a dismissal in similar federal voter-data cases. The state’s Department of Justice worked with the Secretary of State’s Office to fight the lawsuit.

Attorney General Raúl Torrez said the ruling shows the federal demand had no legal basis. “New Mexico voters can rest easy knowing their personal information will stay out of this administration’s hands,” Torrez said. He said the state’s elections are conducted with integrity and promised that officials will continue working to protect voter privacy.

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