Crime & Public Safety

They Thought They Scored an Easy Car Theft. It Was an Albuquerque Police ‘Bait Car.’

A couple accused of stealing a vehicle in Albuquerque instead drove off in a police bait car that recorded them, KOB 4 reports.

A Southwest Albuquerque Neighborhood Was Targeted for a Year—Now, a Woman Is Behind Bars for Allegedly Attacking Her Neighbors

Southwest Albuquerque residents say a woman targeted their neighborhood for at least a year, repeatedly throwing objects into their yards, KOB 4 reports.

Three Deaths in Mountainair Exposed the Terrifying Reach of Fentanyl — and the Unanswered Questions About America’s Synthetic Drug Era

Three people died and 18 emergency responders were hospitalized after a welfare check at a Mountainair home where police found fentanyl and methamphetamine, the Albuquerque Journal reports.

Soaring Housing Costs Push Santa Fe Police Into Rio Rancho

Only 39 of the Santa Fe Police Department's 159 officers live in the city, as soaring housing costs push many to commute from Rio Rancho, the Santa Fe New Mexican reports.

Audit Reveals Former Taos School Official Allegedly Funneled Nearly $250K in School Contracts to a Company He Owned

A forensic audit accuses a former Taos Municipal Schools facilities director of funneling nearly $250,000 in district contracts to a fencing company he owned, KOAT reports.

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Health Groups Urge New Mexico to Expand Medicaid Coverage for Obesity Drugs

Five national health and Hispanic advocacy groups are pressing Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to widen Medicaid coverage of GLP-1 obesity drugs, the Santa Fe New Mexican reports.

Medicaid Changes: The Facts Behind New Rules Affecting New Mexicans

New Medicaid rules have caused thousands of immigrants to lose their coverage, but they’re not the only ones affected. Did you know that other New Mexico residents could also lose coverage under the recent changes? Our team breaks down the facts to help you understand what’s changing and how to prepare for the new requirements.

Drought is Driving New Mexico Bears into Neighborhoods, and it’s Costing Them Their Lives

Drought has left New Mexico’s bears short on natural food, causing them to wander into neighborhoods in search of easy meals. With bear reports climbing and a record 307 bears killed this year, wildlife officials say keeping bears from getting used to human food is key to keeping them alive.

Cooler Weather May Slow New World Screwworm, NMDA Intensifies Response in Otero County

New Mexico confirmed a New World screwworm case in an Otero County beef cow, and officials say cooler weather will not end the risk, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture said in a news release.

Santa Fe City Hall Operations Interrupted After Employee Receives Suspicious Package Meant for Mayor Michael Garcia

Santa Fe police evacuated City Hall after a city employee was handed a suspicious package meant for Mayor Michael Garcia, the Santa Fe Police Department said.