Home Blog Page 6

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

Ruben Reyes
-
0
Bernalillo County, UNM Hospital to End Detention Center Health Care Partnership in 2027

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
-
0
Man Who Convinced His Girlfriend To Kill Is Now Convicted For Murder

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
-
0
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.

Astronomers Just Found Raspberry Sugar Floating Between Stars

Juan Oliveros
-
0
Astronomers Just Found Raspberry Sugar Floating Between Stars

Astronomers have found a type of sugar drifting through the Milky Way. This is the same chemical that appears in raspberries and self-tanning lotions.

Scientists detected the sugar erythrulose in the interstellar medium. These are the huge, thin clouds of gas and dust that float between stars.

Most people think of sugar as something that sweetens coffee or doughnuts, but it also powers living cells and helps build DNA. Because of this, sugar is a basic building block of life. Scientists study how these organic molecules form in deep space to better understand how life could begin.

Presence of Erythrulose

A study published Monday in Nature Astronomy describes how researchers in Spain used two radio telescopes to observe a massive gas cloud near the galaxy’s center. They matched the telescope signals with lab samples and confirmed that erythrulose was present in the gas.

This region is so far away that NASA’s Voyager probes, which are the most distant human-made objects from Earth, once traveled through its outer edges.

Astronomers have found other complex organic chemicals in space before, including components of genetic material. About 25 years ago, they discovered a simple sugar similar to table sugar near the center of the galaxy. More recently, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission brought back asteroid samples that contained sugars connected to DNA.

Not Essential But…

Erythrulose is not essential for life on its own. However, it can easily change into a sugar that might have been important in the early development of life on Earth.

“It’s a pristine example of the stuff that’s just floating out in the galaxy,” said astrophysicist Erika Hamden at the University of Arizona, who was not involved in the study.

Izaskun Jiménez-Serra, one of the study’s authors from the Center for Astrobiology in Spain, said this discovery broadens the chances for life beyond Earth. “The key ingredients for the origin of life could be present in other regions across the galaxy, opening the possibility for life to develop elsewhere in the universe,” Jiménez-Serra said.

DoorDash Seeks Approval to Deploy Delivery Robots on New Mexico Roads

Victoria Padilla
-
0

DoorDash is asking the state for permission to use more delivery robots in New Mexico. If approved, more food and small retail orders could be delivered by robots.

If the state agrees, self-driving robots could use sidewalks and some streets to deliver orders from local restaurants and stores. DoorDash says these robots are meant to make deliveries more efficient and will work with human drivers, not take their jobs.

Supporters think these robots could speed up deliveries, lower costs, and improve service in busy places. They also believe the technology could help businesses handle the growing demand for food and retail deliveries.

Some community members and transportation advocates are concerned about how the robots will safely share sidewalks with pedestrians, especially people with disabilities. State officials say they will look at public safety and listen to community feedback as they review the plan.

Delivery robots are already working in several U.S. cities, carrying food and small packages over short distances. If New Mexico says yes, it will join other states that allow this technology for commercial deliveries. Officials have not yet made a decision and say they will continue reviewing DoorDash’s proposal before deciding whether the company can use delivery robots across the state.

New Mexico United Earns Franchise-Best Road Win with Four Goals Against Lexington SC

Victoria Padilla
-
0

New Mexico United played one of its best games this season, beating Lexington SC 4-0 on the road and setting a team record for most goals scored in an away match.

This win was another important result for New Mexico as the team keeps moving up in the USL Championship standings. It also showed the club is becoming more confident when playing away from home.

New Mexico took control of the match, maintaining possession and creating scoring chances. Their high-pressure style kept Lexington on the back foot and stopped the home team from finding any rhythm.

Coaches praised the players for working together, staying disciplined, and following the game plan, even though they were playing away from home.

Scoring four goals set a new team record for goals in a road game and showed how much the club’s offense has improved this season. New Mexico also played strong defense to keep a clean sheet.

The win helped New Mexico move up in the league standings and keep building momentum in the second half of the season.

Team officials said the game showed the squad’s depth, resilience, and ability to compete anywhere. They also said staying consistent on the road will be important as the team faces more challenges.

For now, New Mexico United is focused on its next match, hoping to build on this record-setting win and keep playing well for the rest of the season.

Heading Out? Heavy Rain, Lightning to Hit Several Areas on Wednesday Night

Gregg Morgan
-
0
Heading Out? Heavy Rain, Lightning to Hit Several Areas on Wednesday Night

Residents heading outdoors on Wednesday evening should keep an umbrella handy as showers and thunderstorms continue across western and northern New Mexico, with some mountain areas expected to receive more than an inch of rain.

A weather update issued at 5:24 p.m. reported that the greatest storm chances Wednesday night are expected in Farmington, Chama, Gallup, Grants, Silver City, Socorro, and the Jemez Mountains.

The primary hazards include heavy downpours, frequent lightning, and gusty, erratic winds. Some locations in the northern and western mountains could receive more than an inch of rainfall.

A gusty east canyon wind is also expected to develop Wednesday evening in Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Belen, and Socorro, with gusts up to 40 mph.

Meanwhile, low clouds are forecast to develop late Wednesday night over Roswell, Hobbs, Carlsbad, and other parts of southeastern New Mexico.

Thursday forecast

Thursday’s forecast remains uncertain, with afternoon thunderstorms most likely in Farmington, Chama, Gallup, Grants, Silver City, the Gila region, Ruidoso, Roswell, Carlsbad, and Hobbs.

Forecasters said Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Vegas, Clovis, and Portales could see fewer storms if drier air moves into the region.

Any storms that do develop are expected to move slowly, increasing the potential for localized heavy rainfall.

Lightning Disrupts Power to Over 20K Santa Fe Consumers; Electricity Restored After More Than an Hour

Gregg Morgan
-
0
Lightning Disrupts Power to Over 20K Santa Fe Consumers; Electricity Restored After More Than an Hour

Power outages remain a concern because they can interrupt daily operations, threaten public health, and cause economic losses. More than 20,000 Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) customers in Santa Fe lost electricity Wednesday afternoon. The outage affected a wide area of the city for over an hour. The culprit: lightning. 

Lightning struck a transmission line at around 1:15 p.m., triggering the outage, PNM said in a social media post. Crews restored the line and returned power to affected customers by about 2:30 p.m., according to the utility.

As of 2:30 p.m., a little more than 100 PNM customers scattered in and around Santa Fe remain without power. However, PNP had restored electricity to everyone affected by the larger outage. This was disclosed by PNM spokesperson Eric Chavez, according to a report by Santa Fe New Mexican. 

By 5:45 p.m. PNM had restored power across the Santa Fe area. The only remaining outage was reported shortly before 5 p.m. It affected fewer than five customers near the intersection of Rufina Street and Henry Lynch Road.

PNM urges consumers to report an outage on the outage map or by texting #OUT to 78766. 

What to Do During an Outage?

As reported by KOAT Action News, PNM outlined the steps customers should follow during a power outage:

For electrical equipment

  • Turn off appliances, including stoves, and unplug electrical equipment in use when the power goes out.
  • Turn off all lights except one to know when power has been restored.
  • Turn off and unplug TVs, stereos, and game systems.

For food

  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold. 
  • Buy dry or block ice if the outage is expected to last more than four hours. Place it in your refrigerator to keep food cold as long as possible.

Inside your home

  • Use flashlights for emergency lighting. Choose flameless LED candles instead of regular candles to reduce the risk of fire. 
  • During summer, move to the lowest level of your home, where cooler air settles. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty. 
  • During winter, wear layers of warm clothing. Avoid using the oven as a source of heat. 

For generator safety

  • Consult an electrician or engineer before buying and installing a home generator.
  • Operate generators only outdoors and away from your home. Never run a generator inside a home or garage, and never connect it to your home’s electrical system.

How to Prepare for a Power Outage

Assemble an Emergency Kit

Build an emergency preparedness kit to help you get through a power outage. Here’s what you should include:

  • At least 1 gallon of water per person
  • A flashlight with extra batteries
  • Portable cell phone charger and a charger for your phone in your car
  • Important documents
  • Extra cash
  • Portable hand crank radio or radio with batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Nonperishable food

Take These Additional Precautions

PNM also recommends the following steps during an extended power outage:

  • Keep alternative charging methods available for your phone and other devices that require power. Charge your cell phones and any battery-powered devices before an outage.
  • Locate the manual release lever for your electric garage door opener. Learn how to use it in case you need to leave your home.
  • Keep at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle. Gas stations need electricity to operate their fuel pumps.
  • Talk to a doctor or health care provider if  you or a family member uses medical equipment that requires electricity. Create a plan to keep the equipment running during a power outage.

Back In Jail: Albuquerque’s Crime Couple Are Arrested Again

Ruben Reyes
-
0
Back In Jail: Albuquerque’s Crime Couple Are Arrested Again

If you think Bonnie and Clyde didn’t reincarnate in this lifetime, think again. A couple in Albuquerque is back in jail after officers released them for a week.

Aidan Prevatt and Kaylyn Reynold were reportedly inside a stolen truck after police said two other suspects, Hailee Lovato and Terrance Jackson, held employees at gunpoint as they stole merchandise from the Savers on Carlisle Blvd.

According to the reports, Jackson was driving. A video shows the car driving erratically, crossing into the opposite lane of traffic, and driving through a park.

The Albuquerque Police Department shared helicopter and body-cam video showing how officers on the ground and in the air tracked them down.

Albuquerque Police reported that all four were in a getaway car until they dropped off Prevatt and Reynolds. After that, Jackson and Lovato crashed into a parked car.

APD Spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos said they do not chase people who are driving recklessly, so they have their helicopters up for the safety of officers and the public.

Meanwhile, Jackson allegedly left his gun in the car. Officers arrested all four, recognizing two of them.

Back In Jail After A Week

APD arrested Prevatt and Reynolds on June 29 after they stole one of the department’s bait cars and several other items, such as guns, cash, and more.

In a video released by APD during their initial arrest, Reynolds said she is so smart, and Prevatt replied that he loves Reynolds and she is his “ride or die.”

The authorities released the couple on July 2 under conditions. Gallegos said it isn’t surprising they went back into jail just a week after being released. He also hopes that the couple will stay in jail and that this doesn’t happen again, to determine whether they’re a danger to society.

Meanwhile, Jackson and Lovato also have criminal histories. Jackson served time for voluntary manslaughter in 2018, and Lovato was charged with DWI in 2025.

The Charges of All Suspects

All four are now in jail. Both Jackson and Lovato are facing charges of armed robbery with a deadly weapon. Both Jackson and Lovato are facing charges of armed robbery with a deadly weapon. Meanwhile, authorities charged Reynolds and Prevatt with receiving or transferring stolen motor vehicles and with conspiracy to do so.

Meanwhile, Jackson and Lovato are also facing their individual charges. Jackson is facing charges of receiving or transferring stolen motor vehicles, receipt, transportation, or possession of a firearm or destructive device by a felon, and more.

While Lovato is facing charges for conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

New Mexico Launches Algal Bloom Map to Help Protect Public Health

Victoria Padilla
-
0

New Mexico officials have introduced an online algal bloom map so residents and visitors can check water conditions before swimming, boating, fishing, or enjoying other outdoor activities.

The map shows where harmful algal blooms have been found and gives up-to-date water conditions. This helps people decide if a lake or river might be unsafe before they go in.

State environmental and health officials say the tool helps keep people informed about harmful algal blooms and the health risks linked to contaminated water.

Officials explain that harmful algal blooms can create toxins that are dangerous for people and animals. These risks come from touching contaminated water or eating fish and shellfish from affected areas.

Authorities urge everyone to check the map before visiting lakes or rivers, especially in areas with advisories or warnings. They also suggest keeping pets away from water that may be affected.

Officials say the map improves public safety by bringing together information about harmful algal blooms and water quality. This lets users keep track of changes in water conditions over time.

Environmental experts recommend avoiding water that looks discolored, has scum on the surface, or smells odd. They also advise keeping children and pets away from suspected harmful algal blooms and following any health advisories at recreation sites.

Officials say the new map shows New Mexico’s ongoing efforts to improve environmental monitoring and raise public awareness of water quality. They hope the tool will help people avoid harmful algal blooms and enjoy outdoor activities safely.

1...567...96Page 6 of 96