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Meta to New Mexico: Regulate Us Too Hard, and We Might Leave Entirely

Juan Oliveros
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Meta to New Mexico: Regulate Us Too Hard, and We Might Leave Entirely

Critics have accused Meta of caring less about children’s rights, treating child safety as a public relations problem rather than a design problem. Now, as the parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp faces one of the most aggressive state-level crackdowns ever attempted against a social media giant, it threatens New Mexico: Push too far, and we’ll take our platforms and go home.

That threat came after New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sought sweeping court-ordered restrictions. The injunctive relief Torrez filed on April 30 would radically redefine how Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp operate for children and teenagers in the state.

Meta’s response was blunt. “While it is not in Meta’s interests to do so,” the company said in a statement, “if a workable solution to Attorney General Torrez’s demands is not reached, we may have no choice but to remove access to its platforms for users in New Mexico entirely.”

To Torrez, Meta’s statement sounded more like corporate intimidation. “Meta is showing the world how little it cares about child safety,” he said Thursday. “Meta’s refusal to follow the laws that protect our kids tells you everything you need to know about this company and the character of its leaders.”

The simmering confrontation between New Mexico and Meta has become one of the nation’s most consequential legal battles. At stake is the question of whether states can force social media companies to redesign products that critics say were engineered to maximize addiction, engagement, and advertising profits — even at the expense of children.

A Fake Teenager and a Flood of Predators

The lawsuit against the social media giant stemmed from a covert operation in 2023 that investigators from the New Mexico Department of Justice conducted using a decoy account.

The fake account posed as a 13-year-old girl. Court filings said the profile was rapidly inundated with sexually explicit messages, exploitative solicitations, and unsolicited images from adult men. Investigators said Meta neither flagged nor interrupted the interactions with its safety systems.

That operation became the foundation for a lawsuit. It accused Meta of deceptive business practices, helping child sexual exploitation, and intentionally designing platforms to keep young users hooked.

The case was notable because state prosecutors set aside the formidable legal shield of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Under Section 230, tech companies are granted immunity for most user content, which frequently results in dismissal of lawsuits against them. Prosecutors instead pursued the case under the state’s consumer protection statutes.

In March, a jury in Santa Fe held Meta liable for 75,000 violations of New Mexico’s Unfair Practices Act. The jury ordered the company to pay $375 million in civil penalties — the maximum allowed under state law. The verdict marked the first trial victory by a state against a major technology company over allegations linked to child safety.

The court battle had also exposed internal company discussions about the consequences of encryption policies. Jurors reviewed documents revealing that Meta employees believed Zuckerberg’s 2019 encryption expansion would hinder the company’s ability to spot and report child abuse content. One Meta researcher, one testimony claimed, identified hundreds of thousands of potential child exploitation cases daily across Facebook and Instagram.

What New Mexico Wants Meta to Change

New Mexico will seek injunctive relief when a bench trial begins May 4 before Chief Judge Bryan Biedscheid, which could alter Meta’s operations for minors in New Mexico.

Among the proposed changes are the following:

  • Mandatory age verification for users.
  • Removal of children under 13 from Meta platforms.
  • Linking every minor account to a parent or guardian account.
  • Blocking adults from messaging minors unless directly connected.
  • Ending algorithmic recommendations of minors to adults.
  • Permanent “one-strike” bans for users involved in child exploitation.
  • Disabling end-to-end encryption for users under 18.
  • Restricting infinite scroll, autoplay and push notifications during school and sleeping hours.
  • Capping minors’ platform use at 90 hours per month.
  • Installing a court-appointed Child Safety Monitor funded by Meta for at least five years.

The demands could amount to something less than a traditional regulatory settlement. They are closer to a court-supervised redesign of social media.

Meta argues the demands are impractical. “The State’s demands are technically impractical, impossible for any company to meet, and disregard the realities of the internet,” the company said. The social media giant also argued that focusing on a single platform overlooks the broader ecosystem of apps teenagers use and unfairly burdens parents’ decision-making authority.

But Torrez rejected the claim that Meta lacks the technical ability to comply. “For years, the company has rewritten its own rules, redesigned its products, and even bent to the demands of dictators to preserve market access,” he said. “This is not about technological capability.”

A National Reckoning for Big Tech

The case arrives as lawmakers across the United States struggle to catch up with a digital ecosystem that evolved far faster than federal regulation.

More than 40 attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta claiming that its platforms have harmed the youth’s mental health. Meanwhile, Congress has repeatedly failed to pass major legislation to protect children from online harm.

Lawmakers enacted COPPA in 1998. The law predates the rise of algorithmic feeds, influencer culture, and TikTok-style recommendation engines, reshaping the internet into a behavioral marketplace.

The New Mexico case is especially explosive, not because of the size of the penalties or the aggressive legal theory. It is because a state court could effectively dictate how Meta, one of the world’s largest technology companies, designs its products for millions of users.

Meta may have intended its threat to leave New Mexico entirely as leverage. Torrez framed the threat as a “PR stunt.”

But the threat also revealed something deeper about the escalation between governments and Silicon Valley. That is when regulation threatens the design that drives engagement and profit; even the world’s most connected tech companies may decide disconnection is the better option.

Safety Warning Sparks After a Hiker Found Dead on La Luz Trail

Ruben Reyes
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Safety Warning Sparks After a Hiker Found Dead on La Luz Trail

This season is perfect for hiking; however, hikers must observe safety regulations regularly during the activity no matter how tricky the trail system is.

Authorities issued this reminder after they discovered a hiker dead this week along the famous La Luz Trail in Sandia Mountains. Hikers heading to this mountain should never underestimate Albuquerque’s trail system.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office has identified Samuel Gurule as the man and found no signs of foul play or obvious trauma. Investigators are still continuing their work. Details remain limited as of now; however, officials say the tragedy serves as an important reminder for hikers to carefully prepare before heading to the mountains.

“Respect the mountains, respect the outdoors,” said Steve LaRese with the New Mexico Search and Rescue Council. “We want to see everybody outside. Everyone deserves to be outside.”

With hiking season in full swing, more visitors flock to trails throughout Sandias. Meanwhile, officials have closed Sandia Crest, but lower-elevation routes such as La Luz remain open and can appear manageable.

“It looks very obtainable and very two‑dimensional,” LaRese said. “But when you get in there, it’s a lot of rolling terrain.”

La Luz’s terrain features steep terrain, heat, elevation, and winding paths, where conditions can change quickly and easily turn hikers around.

“Little things turn into big things,” LaRese explained. “It’s very easy to get off the main trail and end up in a steep area or somewhere you don’t want to be.”

Authorities’ Reminders For Hikers

Search and Rescue officials emphasize that hikers must prepare critically even on shorter hikes.

The New Mexico Search and Rescue Council encourages hikers to over-prepare even if they don’t expect trouble. They recommend bringing a light source, whistle, plenty of water, and protection from the sun.

Hikers should not hesitate to call for help if something goes wrong.

“Search and Rescue in New Mexico is free,” LaRese said. “You won’t be charged for calling 911 or for a rescue team coming out to get you off the mountain.”

As temperatures continue to rise across New Mexico, hikers must closely monitor their bodies and avoid pushing themselves to their limits.

“Check your heart rate. Be realistic about your physical abilities,” LaRese said. “There’s nothing wrong with hiking two miles up and saying, ‘That’s a good day,’ and heading back. The mountain will always be there.”

One final reminder for hikers planning a summit route: never assume Sandia Tram will be operating for a ride back down.

Certain weather conditions or maintenance closures can leave hikers stranded, sometimes forcing them to face a long descent after dark.

Officials state that preparation, awareness, and knowing when to turn around can make the difference between a great hike and a dangerous situation.

New Mexico Opened Its Primaries to Independent Voters. Many Counties Haven’t Told Them Yet.

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico Opened Its Primaries to Independent Voters. Many Counties Haven’t Told Them Yet.

Thousands of voters who have long been left out of the process are now eligible to participate for the first time as New Mexico prepares for its June 2 primary election. But many counties have not yet relayed that message to the public.

Twenty of New Mexico’s 33 county clerk websites, according to a review, still do not explain a major election law change allowing independent voters, officially known in New Mexico as “decline to state” voters, to vote in Democratic or Republican primary elections without changing their party registration. The lapse comes only days before early voting begins on May 5.

The June 2 election is the first for New Mexico to use a “semi-open” primary system. Lawmakers approved the system last year after years of debate over whether independent voters should have access to primary elections.

New Mexico’s previous system barred voters who were not registered as either Democrats or Republicans from participating in the primary races that often determine who ultimately wins office in heavily Democratic or Republican districts. Independent voters who wanted to participate had to switch party affiliation before the registration deadline.

Now, “decline to state” voters can pick either a Democratic or Republican ballot on Election Day without officially joining a party. The term “decline to state” refers to voters who choose not to affiliate with any political party upon registration to vote. People commonly call them independent voters, although some remain members of minor political parties or prefer no party affiliation at all.

Independent voters have grown steadily in New Mexico and across the country, a signal of a broader frustration with partisan politics. According to one analysis, their registration has increased in both rural and urban parts of the state, covering regions where Republicans and Democrats hold sway.

That growth, according to advocates of the reform, is precisely why educating voters about the change is crucial — and why the silence on many county websites is a concern.

“County election sites are where many voters get their information,” Jeremy Gruber, senior vice president of Open Primaries, said in an email to Source NM.

The reasons for the missing information vary from county to county. Some counties, especially rural ones with limited staffing and resources, depend heavily on links to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office rather than providing comprehensive local election updates. Some counties display election pages that are not properly maintained.

Deputy Clerk Joey Dominguez of Sandoval County, one of the most populous counties, said the office had delayed publishing educational materials because draft documents contained errors. “There are a couple of documents that had some errors that we are not able to release yet,” Dominguez explained. He assured, however, that “we will definitely add it before Tuesday.”

Elsewhere, the gaps were more striking. Colfax County’s election FAQ page has not had any updates in years. And Quay County’s elections page has a ‘suspended’ mark as of Friday.

Critics say the lack of information risks disenfranchising voters at the very moment the state is attempting to broaden participation. Bob Perls, chair of the New Mexico Forward Party, alleged that county clerks failed to adequately prepare voters in spite of months of advance notice regarding the law change.

“What’s more important than letting 25 percent of voters know that they can vote?” Perls said. “If you haven’t planned that months ahead of time, then it’s negligent.”

Election officials say county clerks are the ones responsible for maintaining their own websites. The Secretary of State’s Office has urged counties to update their information and provided graphics and outreach materials explaining the transition to semi-open primaries. It is now mailing notices directly to independent voters to avoid confusion ahead of balloting.

The law change represents more than a procedural adjustment. It is a recognition that more voters are distancing themselves from both major parties — yet still want a voice in choosing who governs.

7 Pizza Places That Prove New Mexico is More Than Green Chile

Juan Oliveros
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7 Pizza Places That Prove New Mexico is More Than Green Chile

Most people think of New Mexico as smoky green chile, stacked enchiladas, and roadside tamales. Pizza rarely enters their mind.

That may be a mistake.

Across New Mexico, from mountain ski to desert towns, pizza makers are turning out pies at par with those in far larger food capitals. Some pizza makers lean into East Coast traditions. Others embrace wood-fired pizza and local ingredients. A few remain loyal to New Mexico’s unmistakable flavors — sauce and toppings.

The result is a pizza that tastes both deeply regional and uniquely diverse.

Here are seven pizza spots across the state worth planning a road trip around.

1. JC’s New York Pizza Department Brings Manhattan Energy to a Historic New Mexico Town

This is a local favorite in the old railroad town of Las Vegas; it serves the kind of thin, foldable slices that instantly evoke New York City.

The crust lands in that difficult sweet spot — crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside — while the environment feels unpretentious and welcoming. It is the sort of neighborhood pizza parlor where conversations linger as long as the cheese pulls.

It is an unexpectedly authentic slice of the East Coast in the Southwest for travelers crossing northern New Mexico.

JC’s New York Pizza Department/ Google Map

2. Goodfellas Pizza Delivers Big Portions and Bigger Comfort

Goodfellas Pizza is in South of Albuquerque. The store has built a loyal following on abundance alone.

The pies come heavy with toppings, bubbling cheese, and the unmistakable aroma of fresh dough wafting from the oven. Goodfellas Pizza leans into familiarity. It does not reinvent, which makes it a dependable stop for families and road trippers looking for comfort food done right.

Sometimes, a good pizza place does not need a theater. It simply needs consistency.

Image: Goodfellas Pizza website

3. Angel Fired Pizza Turns Mountain Dining Into an Art Form

Wood-fired pizza feels almost essential after a day on the slopes in the ski town of Angel Fire.

Angel Fired Pizza pairs crispy blistering crusts with toppings that are so delicious, from traditional pepperoni to combinations built around local ingredients. The mountain setting helps elevate the experience. So does the warmth of the staff, who seem to be happy serving hungry hikers, skiers, and cyclists right off the trail.

The restaurant captures something larger about northern New Mexico dining: rustic, relaxed, and ambitious.

Image: Angel Fired Pizza website

4. Outer Edge Pizzeria Embraces the State’s Creative Spirit

Few towns in America have a name as unique as Truth or Consequences. Some pizza shops there could afford to be ordinary.

Outer Edge Pizzeria combines classic pizza traditions with distinctly Southwestern creativity. The menu plays with unexpected toppings and bold flavor combinations without losing the taste of what makes pizza satisfying in the first place.

After soaking in the town’s famous hot springs, the restaurant offers the kind of relaxed, satisfying meal guests hope to find.

Outer Edge Pizzeria, New Mexico/ Google Maps

5. Pizza 9 Espanola Specializes in Deep-Dish Excess

Not all New Mexico pizza is thin crust and artisanal restraint.

In Española, Pizza 9 skews heavily into Chicago-style indulgence. Thick buttered crusts support towering layers of cheese, sauce, and toppings. The portions are undeniably large.

It is hearty food for people who are looking for satisfaction. And in a state popular for rugged landscapes and long drives, that kind of food has enduring appeal.

Pizza 9 Espanola/ Google Maps

6. Pizanos Reflects the Eclectic Character of Taos

Pizanos mixes tradition with experimentation like Taos itself.

The restaurant serves classics alongside inventive combinations built with local ingredients. The setting — mountain scenery around and a steady flow of artists, skiers, and travelers — offers an easygoing energy that fits naturally within Taos culture.

This pizza is part of a broader lifestyle: casual, creative, and community-based.

Pizanos/ Google Maps

7. Main Street Pizzeria Feels Like a Small-Town Reward After the Trail

In Red River, outdoor adventure most often ends with pizza.

Main Street Pizzeria becomes a place where visitors gather after returning from hiking, skiing, and fishing trips. The pies have generous toppings, the crusts evenly baked, and the ambiance unmistakably local.

Warmth distinguishes the restaurant, not culinary reinvention. It feels like a place where everyone arrives hungry and leaves happy.

Main Street Pizzeria/ Image: Facebook/Main Street Pizzeria

And sometimes, that is exactly what great pizza should offer.

New Mexico Deputy for Prostitution Solicitation in El Paso

Ruben Reyes
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New Mexico Deputy for Prostitution Solicitation in El Paso

Deputy officers should be the frontline of security, keeping the community safe and peaceful, as they take their oath. However, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office fired a deputy after police arrested him in Texas and accused him of soliciting prostitution.

Lincoln County Sheriff Michael Wood revealed the arrest on Thursday morning by posting a candid video on Facebook. He said the deputy identified as Michael Gallardo has spent almost two decades in law enforcement, and he just hired Gallardo a couple of months ago.

According to court records, authorities jailed him in El Paso on counts of solicitation and prostitution. Wood said the arrest occurred during a sting operation, but he did not provide any further details.

“Yesterday, he went to El Paso on his day off and got caught up in a prostitution sting. Police arrested him,” said Wood. “Now, everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but police arrested him. That’s all I know.”

Deputy officers should not only perform their sworn duties while in uniform. Whether in uniform or not, they should uphold their duty and integrity wholeheartedly.

Woods confirmed that Gallardo no longer works for him. “Now, in New Mexico, deputy sheriffs are employed by the county, but they work for the sheriff. Michael doesn’t work for me anymore.”

What Happens Now?

Woods said Gallardo spent 18 years with another law enforcement agency before he joined the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in recent months.

He added that he will now have to inform the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board about Gallardo’s arrest, so they can review his certification to operate as a peace officer in the state.

If he served in the force for nearly two decades, how could he not know the law and the weight of his duty? Although they had just accused him, the consequences of his allegations are severe considering his employer already kicked him out of his work.

Woods then followed his statement, talking about a favorable forecast over the next few days; with a neutral expression, he said, “That’s a good thing, right?”

The video has garnered more than 150,000 views on Thursday with hundreds of comments, many praising Wood for his transparency.

According to Texas court records, Gallardo posted bail of $150,000 for his release. The deputy has not yet pleaded guilty to the charge.

However, this case serves as a reminder to officers to do their job righteously, be an example to the people, and remember what they swore when they first entered this line of work.

UNM Scientist Targets Hidden Brain Cancer Cells to Stop Recurrence

Victoria Padilla
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Sara G. M. Piccirillo, a UNM scientist, studies how glioblastoma brain cancer cells hide in the brain and evade killing. She hopes her work will prevent deadly recurrences of the fast-growing cancer, which has a five-year survival rate of 7%.

This study is important because glioblastoma destroys people’s lives. Despite the use of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, the tumors recur almost inevitably. Identifying the location of any remaining cells may revolutionize patients’ survival chances.

In most cases, patients undergo surgery believing the tumor is gone, but it returns within months. According to Piccirillo’s findings, residual cells are present in the subventricular zone in 65% of cases. Microglia, brain cells of the immune system, promote tumor growth in this part of the brain.

Piccirillo aims to identify genetic and molecular differences by isolating glioblastoma cells from this region and comparing them with tumor cells. This may lead to individualized therapies targeting these cells, thus preventing the cancer from regrowing and offering hope of extended survival time.

The headline stresses the need to act to find ways to stop the growth of hidden cancer cells, as this will save lives. Otherwise, the same cancer will keep recurring, keeping survival rates extremely low. Piccirillo’s research is addressing this treatment challenge.

The UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only NCI‑designated center within 500 miles, drives this research. Policymakers and funding agencies should take note that discovering information about hidden cancer cells can revolutionize treatment methods.

New SNAP Rules Threaten Food Security for Thousands in New Mexico

Victoria Padilla
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On May 1, 2026, New Mexico will enforce new SNAP rules that could cut food assistance for thousands. Families must meet stricter work requirements and submit more paperwork to keep their benefits.

SNAP supports more than 440,000 New Mexicans, including 113,000 in Bernalillo County. Families who cannot provide the required documents risk losing access to food. In a state already burdened by high child poverty, the impact would be devastating.

At a food bank in Albuquerque, a mother of three clutches her paperwork, unsure if she has the right forms to continue receiving help. Her struggle reflects the anxiety spreading across households statewide.

Officials say the new rules will ensure families receive accurate benefit amounts. They require proof of housing, utilities, and dependent care costs. The governor’s office also points to free job training and career support through the SNAP Employment and Training Program, which helps recipients meet the 80‑hour monthly work requirement.

Yet the urgency remains: thousands risk losing food assistance if they cannot meet the new standards. The rules highlight the tension between accountability and accessibility in public welfare programs.

Food pantries such as Storehouse New Mexico expect demand to surge as families struggle with renewals every six months. Legislators are debating funding solutions, but the larger conflict persists — balancing fiscal limits with the moral responsibility to ensure no family goes hungry.

Students Serve Gratitude and Knowledge in Unique School Events

Gregg Morgan
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Students Serve Gratitude and Knowledge in Unique School Events

Marking a major milestone, how do you thank the people who helped you get here? Graduating seniors at a school under Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) has a fun and meaningful way to do it. 

The Early College Academy recently hosted a special tradition that honors both hard work and gratitude.

During the school’s annual Senior Parent Breakfast, all 52 graduating seniors from the Class of 2026 welcomed more than 150 parents, grandparents, and family members. They prepared and served the entire meal themselves.

Students arrived early to set up, cook breakfast, serve guests, and clean up everything after the event. The breakfast gave seniors a chance to personally thank the families who supported them throughout their high school journey.

The event has become a meaningful tradition at Early College Academy. It brings students and families together to celebrate graduation and the community that helped make it possible.

Families Treated to a “Readers Restaurant”

Speaking of celebration of student-family connections, another APS school offered its memorable experience. This time, young students took the lead. 

The cafeteria at Pajarito Elementary recently transformed into a restaurant with a special menu, where students served stories instead of food. 

Young readers welcomed families to a dining-style “Readers Restaurant,” complete with menus and table settings, creating a fun, immersive literacy experience. Instead of ordering food, guests enjoyed something just as meaningful as students proudly read books aloud to them.

Throughout the evening, students acted as hosts, guided their families, and shared their literacy skills in English and Spanish. The event celebrated reading, family engagement, and built students’ confidence as they shared their voices with others. 

For many families, the event let them see their children shine as readers while enjoying a creative, memorable night together. 

Governor Orders Resumption of Food and Health Inspections Across New Mexico

Victoria Padilla
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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered the New Mexico Environment Department to resume statewide food and health inspections on April 30, 2026. Inspections had stopped several days earlier due to budget constraints.

The governor called the pause “premature” and stressed that inspections are a core duty of the state. Regular checks protect sanitation in restaurants, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities, and public pools.

Meanwhile, other jurisdictions are reinforcing oversight. For example, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration pledged to conduct continuous inspections of health product establishments in February 2026 to enforce safety rules. In the U.S., the FDA launched the BRIDGE Project in March 2026 to modernize food facility inspections with a data‑driven approach through 2030. These efforts show how governments are strengthening public health safeguards despite funding challenges.

By resuming inspections, New Mexico ensures that 35 inspectors can complete 17,500 checks annually. These inspections reduce contamination risks, uphold food safety, and build public confidence in health standards.

The governor’s directive reinforces the headline’s message: public health cannot be sacrificed for budget shortfalls. New Mexico’s move aligns with national and international efforts to prioritize safety and accountability.

Legislators are now seeking alternative funding after rejecting a $1.2 million proposal. This debate highlights a broader tension in U.S. health policy—balancing fiscal limits with the need for consistent, equitable public health enforcement.

UNM Health to Offer Free Skin Cancer Screenings in Albuquerque Metro

Victoria Padilla
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UNM Health will host free skin cancer screenings on Saturday, April 27, 2026, at the UNM Hospital dermatology clinic in Albuquerque and Sandoval Regional Medical Center in Rio Rancho. Screenings run from 9–11:30 a.m. on a first‑come, first‑served basis, assisted by medical students.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and early detection greatly improves survival rates. Free screenings give residents access to preventive care they might otherwise miss.

Similar efforts are happening nationwide. The Skin Cancer Foundation’s “Destination Healthy Skin” program will visit 40 U.S. cities in 2026 with a mobile RV clinic offering free screenings and education. The American Academy of Dermatology’s program has conducted more than 2.9 million screenings since 1985, detecting over 33,700 suspected melanomas.

These programs have identified cancers in their earliest stages, when treatment is most effective. They also provide free sunblock and educational materials, helping communities lower risks and improve outcomes.

UNM Health’s initiative fits squarely into this national movement. Local screenings reinforce the headline’s message: community‑based preventive care is becoming a cornerstone of public health policy.

Participants in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho will receive screening results and follow‑up options if needed. Together with national programs, UNM Health’s effort reflects a growing commitment to equitable, preventive healthcare that saves lives.

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