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Forest Officials Use Infrared to Contain Fire

Ruben Reyes
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In 2022, the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon fire burned over 300,000 acres and destroyed numerous ranches, homes, and buildings due to an inadequately extinguished fire.

Terrance Gallegos of the Santa Fe National Forest Service says they are using every piece of technology and protocol to ensure the same incident doesn’t happen again.

“We’re utilizing every piece of technology and protocol here on the forest that we can to make sure that something like that doesn’t happen again,” said Terrance Gallegos with the Santa Fe National Forest Service.

Gallegos reported that infrared cameras on a plane identified residual heat sources from prescribed burns following the 2022 forest fire, detecting sources as small as a dinner plate from the air.

“It’s a really neat technology in terms of, yep, there’s the heat right there. Here’s the lat and long. And we can get folks out there and take care of it right away,” said Gallegos.

“When they’re flying over it, they can concentrate the infrared camera from the aerial platform exactly on that perimeter and adjacent to that perimeter.” he added.

Terrance Gallegos of Santa Fe National Forest Service says they are utilizing every piece of technology and protocol so they won’t cause the same incident again.

“With prescribed fire, we try to mimic that natural process where fire comes through, kind of burns the stuff lying on the ground, some heavier dead and down fuels,” said Gallegos.

After their latest flyover, forest official in Santa Fe say all their prescribed burns from the fall and winter are now completely extinguished.

Forest officials plan no prescribed burns for this spring. Forest officials say they are focusing instead on preparing for what they anticipate will be a busy wildfire season.

Atty. Gen. Torrez Files Lawsuit Against CYFD Over Its Anomalies

Ruben Reyes
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Attorney General Raul Torrez announced on Wednesday that he had filed a lawsuit against the Children, Youth, and Families Department after a year-long investigation uncovered systematic failures, tragic child deaths, and alleged misuse of confidentiality provisions.

According to the Attorney General during the press conference, an effective system that protects children could have prevented the lost lives of children in the last two years.

“In the last two years, 14 children have lost their lives in the state of New Mexico, who should have been protected by this state. And if we had an effective system, they would still be with us today,” he said.

“The era of CYFD stonewalling, of hiding behind confidentiality, of threatening and intimidating people and retaliating against people is over,” he added.

Jayden’s Unfortunate Case

Jayden Garcia’s aunt Carla Garcia is suing CYFD, citing that they mistreated her nephew under their watch, resulting in her nephew taking his own life.

“In the time that Jayden was in state custody, he was shuffled between sleeping in CYFD offices to AMI Kids, which was where he ultimately took his life on April 12, 2025,” she said.

Garcia family’s attorney Sara Crecca says that the lawsuit will show how officials treated Jayden not only before his death, but also when someone discovered his body.

Jayden’s death made Torrez launch the Department of Justice’s investigation into CYFD.

“This agency will not tolerate it, and we will do everything in our power to put an end to it,” Torrez said.

More Unfortunate Events Unfold

The investigation has also revealed disturbing cases of neglect and abuse. One of these cases involves a developmentally delayed teenage girl who died of malnutrition and dehydration despite CYFD responding seven times to reports of neglect and abuse.

Police found insect bites and maggots during an autopsy of the girl’s body and discovered her bed stained with hair and feces.

Another case lies in Silver City which involved a young girl found unresponsive in a trailer strewn with trash and dog feces.

Her parents appeared sedated, and officers attempted CPR, but it was too late. The investigation found CYFD had previously filed incomplete and insufficient reports on neglect and abuse calls related to the family.

Torrez’s Findings

Torrez’s reports also accuses CYFD of undermining law enforcement by withholding evidence, including deleting photos from investigators’ phones.

“They have turned a system which was originally designed to protect the privacy interests of kids in this system into a blanket shield,” Torrez said.

The report underscores failures related to the Comprehensive Addiction Care and Recovery Act, which allows babies born addicted to drugs to be sent home with their parents under a plan.

The investigation asserts CYFD failed to follow up on CARA plans, contributing to over a dozen deaths. One case involved a 4-year-old who died partially due to meth exposure after CYFD failed to follow up on his CARA plan.

Regrets on CARA

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has recently expressed its regret over signing CARA into law back in 2019.

“2020 hindsight. I regret that I signed the bill in ’19 for CARA,” she said in a news conference earlier this year.

Statistics show that nearly half of families given CARA plans did not receive referrals to drug addiction treatment services with only 15% accepting referrals.

Last year, Grisham signed a directive to remove drug-addicted infants from their parents and place them in CYFD custody, however the report alleges CYFD has inconsistently followed the directive.

Torrez emphasized the need for accountability, saying that the agency will not tolerate it and will do everything in power to put an end to it.

CYFD responded to the report in a statement on Wednesday morning,

It says in a part, “We are still reviewing the attorney general’s report, but it’s clear that it underplays or ignores significant, measurable progress the department has made in the last seven months — progress acknowledged by outside partners, the plaintiffs and co-neutrals in the Kevin S. settlement and sister agencies.”

Kevin S. Settlement

In 2018, a lawsuit that alleged trauma-impacted children in state foster care lacked safe, appropriate, and stable placements, as well as behavioral health services to meet their needs resulted in the Kevin S. settlement.

CYFD added that they did not have the opportunity to review Atty. General Torrez’s findings, recommendation, and conclusions before he released them on Wednesday, which prevented CYFD from assessing them and taking any immediate action to protect the children.

The office of the governor also released a statement on Wednesday following the release of the report, saying the Attorney General’s report is shocking however the shock value won’t solve any problem and so, they will keep doing important daily work of keeping New Mexico’s children safe.

The governor’s office also referenced her CARA directive from last summer, saying it has resulted in authorities removing 168 children from dangerous homes.

Childhood Obesity? NMDOH Says Healthy Habits Can Help Prevent It

Gregg Morgan
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Childhood Obesity? NMDOH Says Healthy Habits Can Help Prevent It

Is your child maintaining a healthy weight? The New Mexico Department of Health urges families to prioritize healthy eating and regular physical activity as a state report shows rising childhood obesity rates. 

A recent NMDOH report indicates that obesity rates among elementary school students increased in 2025. The department emphasizes that findings underscore the need for sustained investment in children’s health and physical activity. 

Based on body mass index measurements of nearly 4,600 students at 49 schools in 15 counties in 2025 fall, the report found:

  • Obesity rates among kindergarteners rose from 17.3% to 18.6 %, 
  • Obesity rates among third graders increased from 24.1 % to 26.7%, 
  • Boys’ obesity rates were 5.4% higher than girls.

“Obesity is a complex, serious public health concern with multiple contributing factors, including poverty, food insecurity, and a lack of infrastructure for safe physical activity,” said Gina DeBlassie, cabinet secretary for NMDOH.

“A trend we see is obesity rates rising significantly between kindergarten and third grade, which is why NMDOH continues to invest in developing healthy eating and activity habits in early childhood and elementary school,” she added. 

State Interventions to Address Childhood Obesity 


NMDOH’s Obesity, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Program (ONAPA) partners with about 530 state and local organizations and community coalitions in six counties and one Tribal community. It also works with 83 preschools statewide to expand healthy eating and physical activity opportunities. 

ONAPA and its partners implement sustainable policy, systems, and environmental changes. These efforts follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) best practices for preventing obesity. 

Meanwhile, Healthy Kids Healthy Communities (HKHC) coordinators work in schools to promote healthier lifestyles. They establish salad bars, edible gardens, nutrition education, and walking, biking, and farm-to-school programs. 

Additionally, they integrate locally grown produce into snacks and meals through the NM Grown program in participating schools. Coordinators also promote shared schoolyards, healthy fundraisers, the Healthy Kids 5-2-1-O Challenge, the Walk and Roll to School, and more.

Healthy Kids 5-2-1-O Challenge

NMDOH introduced the Healthy Kids 5-2-1-O Challenge, highlighting that every day is a new chance to improve kids’ health habits.

  • 5 – Eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day. Keep cut fruits and veggies in the fridge for handy, healthy snacks.
  • 2 – Limit screen time to less than 2 hours a day. Choose TV shows or computer games in advance so children plan their screen time.
  • 1 – Be active for at least 1 hour each day. Plan a safe walking route with your child to a school, park, or nearby spot.
  • 0 – Drink plenty of H2O every day. Make water your first drink of choice! Give your child a water bottle to carry so it’s ready when thirst strikes. 

Each year, NMDOH’s Statewide Childhood Obesity Surveillance System selects 70 public elementary schools across the state using stratified cluster sampling. Teams then collect height and weight measurements from kindergarten and third-grade students at those selected schools. Measurements are collected by trained nursing students and volunteers from August to November using a standard protocol. 

Portales Grass Fire Now Under Control

Ruben Reyes
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Portales firefighters and other aids cleared a fast-growing 30-acre fire grass fire under control just over an hour.

According to Portales Fire Department Chief Timothy J. Cathey, crews responded at 5:51 P.M. Friday to a grass fire about one-half mile south of mile marker 416 on U.S. Highway 70.

Initial crews reached the scene at about 6:09 P.M. and found the fire has spread to an estimated 30 acres.

PFD sent first six people in four units. Cathey says the department called in off-duty at 5:58 P.M. and asked for help from Elida Volunteer Fire Department, Dora Volunteer Fire Department and Roosevelt County Road Department at 6:12 P.M.

An unknown number of structures are damaged and at risk, so crews started protecting buildings and helping with evacuations.

More Portales firefighters brought the department’s total response to nine fighter in six units.

Around 6:58 P.M. the crews got the fire under control and no injuries or structural losses have been confirmed,

Kids’ Obesity Rates Climb — Health Officials Boost Schools and Community Programs

Juan Oliveros
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Kids’ Obesity Rates Climb — Health Officials Boost Schools and Community Programs

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is ramping up school- and community-based initiatives to enhance access to healthy food and safe physical activity amid rising obesity rates among elementary school students.

Obesity rates have increased in 2025 based on body mass index (BMI) data from nearly 4,600 students across 49 schools in 15 counties, according to the latest report by NMDOH. Data showed that obesity prevalence rose from 17.3 percent to 18.6 percent among kindergarten students. Among third graders, obesity rates climbed from 24,1 percent to 26.7 percent. Boys had 5.4 percentage points higher obesity rates than girls, the report noted.

Childhood obesity in the United States affects about 1 in 5 children and adolescents aged 2 to 19, according to recent national data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And nearly 1 in 5 school-aged children is obese, particularly those aged 6 to 11.

NMDOH officials said the findings highlight the urgency of strengthening early interventions. “Obesity is a complex, serious public health concern with multiple contributing factors, including poverty, food insecurity, and a lack of infrastructure for safe physical activity,” said Gina DeBlassie.

She noted that obesity rates tend to increase significantly between kindergarten and third grade. The health official underscores the need to establish healthy habits early in life.

In response, the health department is scaling up initiatives through its Obesity, Nutrition and Physical Activity Program and the Healthy Kids Healthy Communities initiative. The state implemented these programs in schools and communities statewide to expand access to nutritious food and safe spaces for exercise.

Interventions under these programs include developing school and community gardens, supporting farmers’ markets, and creating safe walking and biking routes. These efforts aim to shape healthier environments for children both in and beyond the classroom.

Suspects in Shooting in Old Town, Now Arrested

Ruben Reyes
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The deadly shooting of a 20-year-old Gabriel Montano outside a residence west of Old Town on Tuesday night led to the arrest of Xavier Torres, 22, and John Gonzales, 19, according to Albuquerque Police Department report

Officers went to 3216 Don Gabal Lp. Northwest just before 8 p.m. Tuesday, where they found a dead man, later identified as Montano.

Torres and Gonzales surrendered in the crime scene with their hands in the air.

While in custody, Torres and Montano claimed they shot Montano due to self-defense, but police found it inconsistencies such as asking Montano to come to their home because they suspect Montano would be armed, so they had their own guns when he arrived.

During the initial investigation, police found surveillance video which showed Torres, Gonzales, and Montano together. Suddenly, one of the men stepped back and shot Montano 10 to 15 times before falling to the ground. Shots were fired more at his fatally wounded body.

During house search, they found a backpack filled with additional gun magazines and handguns. A shortened 12-gauge shotgun was in Torres’ vehicle, and a Glock handgun was in the children’s bedroom.

Both Torres and Gonzales were charged with an open count of murder and will be booked soon at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Young Talent on Display at 2026 Metro Youth Art Exhibit

Gregg Morgan
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Young Talent on Display at 2026 Metro Youth Art Exhibit

Curious about how Albuquerque students express their art? The Albuquerque Public School (APS) Visual and Performing Arts department sponsors another event to showcase the creativity of young artists.

The Metro Youth Art Exhibit spotlights 1,200 samples of APS middle and high school visual students this April. Every APS middle and high school is represented at the juried art exhibit, the highest participation in its history.

Metro launched with a Preview Merit Night on April 7. Donors, community partners, administrators and teachers viewed the works, and selected pieces to receive merit and purchase awards. 

The show officially opened on April 8 and runs through April 28. It will close with an awards ceremony, live music, and reception for the students and their families. 

Awards Await Young Artists 

Experienced artists and educators serve as jurors in their respective categories. Additionally, high school art teachers select advanced art students to evaluate entries. These students choose one piece in each category for the Students’ Choice Award.

Organizers will present ribbons for first through third place in each category and for honorable mentions. 

The City of Albuquerque Public Arts Program will continue its tradition of purchasing several pieces from the show. These selected works will join the city’s permanent public art collection. Bernalillo County also selects some pieces for their permanent collection. 

Meanwhile, UNM Art, Frank Frost Photography, and NM United will each award a scholarship to a high school senior. 

The APS Berna Facio Professional Development Complex at 3315 Louisiana Blvd. NE will host the exhibit. The display is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visitors can view the exhibit from  9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 and April 18.

On April 18, community partners Sandia Federal Credit Union will be present. They will also offer Merit Awards to student artists. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

New Mexico WW2 Veteran to be Honored at Yearly Commemoration

Ruben Reyes
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The Bataan Memorial Building will honor Valdemar DeHerrera, New Mexico’s last living survivor of Bataan Death March, who passed away July of last year at the age of 105, on Thursday, April 9.

At the ripe age of 17-years-old, DeHerrera was a sheepherder from ranching community of Costilla, north of Questa in Taos County. The military then drafted him to be sent to Asia in 1941, where Japanese forces took him captive for years.

Rescuers found him under the jungle canopy of the Philippines, among some of the same plants and herbs he grew up with.

While out on work, he would pick plants and smuggle it back to his fellow prisoners to treat their complications during their captivity.

DeHerrera, the last living survivor of the state, passed away in July of last year.

In honor of his legacy as a lifelong rancher and his service in the 200th and 515th Coast Artillery Units, the Department of Veterans Services selected him for a new commemorative exhibition as part of the state’s annual tribute.

The walkway of the Bataan Memorial Building in downtown Santa Fe, outside the DVS, now displays DeHerrera’s collection of regalia—from local to congressional figures, and his extensive military marks of esteem to the lifelong rancher and his years of service.

The exhibit opens Thursday with a ceremony, a lecture by officials from the New Mexico Military Museum, and family remarks.

It will run until April 2027, after which organizers will honor a new veteran to commemorate the Bataan Death March, which significantly impacted New Mexico, where only half of the 1,800 New Mexicans sent to fight in the Philippines returned home.

Life During War

He regularly attended the memorial in Alamogordo until his later years but did not participate in the Bataan Death March that the Japanese forced U.S. and Filipino soldiers to endure after their surrender in the Philippines.

Instead, he and others fled into the jungle, where they hid from Japanese forces for months as guerrilla fighters before being captured in an abandoned bunker, making him a captive for the remaining years.

Every American soldier experienced what he endured—forced marches and boarding “hell ships,” which Imperial Japan used to transport prisoners to conduct forced labor.

Imperial Japan brought DeHerrera to Manchuria, China, where they made him work in a textile factory until the end of the war.

Life After War

Upon his liberation, DeHerrera returned to New Mexico to resume ranching in Taos, and eventually married and had seven children.

Valerie Rael, one of DeHerrera’s daughters, described her dad as an amazing man and said he cared deeply for his fellow soldiers.

Rael reminisced about spending time with her father and sibling, who imparted knowledge about local plants, including boiling chamiso evergreen shrubs for colds and cooking wild spinach for meals.

She said her father grew up doing that, and that was all he knew when he became a prisoner.

DeHerrera seldom discussed his military service or his almost four-year captivity, revealing only snippets of his experiences.

He followed his doctor’s guidance to face memories from the Pacific Theater during World War II to aid in his coping.

Rael presumed that his father, a devout Catholic, might have felt conflicted about the violence he had participated in during the war. Still, he felt proud of his service, and toward the end of his time, he would, unprompted, sing “God Bless America.”

DeHerrera’s dog tag now lay in the entryway of the state building along his father’s—just two of a five-generation tradition of U.S. military service, which included DeHerrera’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Rael, while looking upon the items, only sees “a man who gave to his country without even hesitating.”

Aaron Kresbach emphasized the ordinary aspects underlying the heroism of the individuals he honored, drawing a parallel to DeHerrera, who reflected on his purple hearts, uniforms, and images of himself on his ranch.

“An  average guy in an extraordinary situation who managed to find a way to survive,” said Krebsbach.

“Kind of in a nutshell, that’s what a lot of history is.” he added.

NMTD Welcomes Travelers from 50 States and 108 Countries in 2025

Ruben Reyes
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New Mexico Tourism Department welcomed an estimated 337,498 travelers from all 50 states and 108 countries in 2025.

In 2025, all visitors used one of the four information centers of the Tourism Department, with approximately 4% being international travelers, primarily from Arizona and Canada.

Data from NMTD visitor information centers highlights that California, Texas, and Oklahoma are significant domestic markets, while Mexico, Germany, the UK, and France lead internationally.

Acting Cabinet Secretary Lancing Adams notes that both domestic and international travelers show considerable interest in New Mexico’s leisure travel experiences.

“Knowing that folks from around the country and across the globe stopped by one of our visitor information centers in 2025 demonstrates that travelers are keen to learn more about the leisure travel experiences offered here in the Land of Enchantment, no matter the reason for their travel,” he said.

In 2025, the Manuelito visitor information center near the Arizona border was the most popular of the four NMTD centers, attracting over 61,000 visitors.

The Glenrio visitor information center near the Texas border received over 47,000 visitors, while the Lordsburg center had an estimated 3,000, and the Santa Fe center welcomed just over 6,000 visitors.

“For many visitors who travel by vehicle, our state-operated visitor information centers are the first touchpoint these folks receive from the state,” said Marketing and Fulfillment Coordinator Toby Martinez. 

“We’re very grateful of the friendly and hardworking customer services representatives who staff our visitor information centers to ensure that every traveler who crosses into the Land of Enchantment receives a great first impression.” he added.

NMTD has improved its visitor information centers by adding interactive kiosks for travelers to explore local attractions and create itineraries.

Additionally, the Lordsburg visitor information center underwent a comprehensive renovation, featuring enhancements in landscaping, paint, lighting, storage, display units, and restrooms.

ABQ Police Investigates a Potential Hate Crime

Ruben Reyes
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Police are investigating a viral video online that shows a man spitting on a Muslim woman with young children at Old Town Plaza and saying she would “burn in hell.”

Sana Ali, 31, was walking with her young children when she met Daniel Bernal, 70, who works for a company that has contracts with the Kirtland Air Force Base.

The Albuquerque Police said in an incident report that someone asked Ali if she was a Christian, insulted her children, and later spat at her through his rolled-down car window.

Ali captured the incident, and her friend posted it on Facebook, gaining views and efforts towards identifying the man, while the police track his plate number caught on video.

Officers mailed out summons directing Bernal to appear at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court on April30.

Bernal is currently facing only a battery crime.

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