Courts

NMSP Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting In Artesia

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NMSP News:

ARTESIA — Jan. 21, 2026, the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau was requested by the Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force to investigate an officer-involved shooting (OIS) involving one of their detectives.

Investigations Bureau agents learned earlier that day, the United States Marshals Service requested assistance from the Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force, in apprehending Aaron Cane Vasquez (27). Vasquez was wanted on a no-bond probation violation warrant with nationwide extradition. Vasquez was also identified as a person of interest in Read More

Rep. Gabe Vasquez On Lack Of Reform And Accountability In Department Of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill

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U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) released the following statement today ahead of his vote opposing the FY26 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill. In July 2025, DHS received a $150 billion “blank check” under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is now being used to fund ICE with no guardrails or oversight.

“As long as Secretary Noem continues to run DHS as a rogue agency that directs masked agents to create chaos in our communities and detain our citizens with impunity and no regard for our rights Read More

New Mexico Legislators Introduce ‘Inclusion In Healthcare Act’ To Address Provider Shortage And Expand Patient Access To Non-Pharmacological Pain Treatment

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From New Mexico Senate Democrats:

SANTA FE – New Mexico State Senators Linda Trujillo and Peter Wirth today announced the introduction of the “Inclusion in Healthcare Act” legislation designed to address New Mexico’s critical healthcare provider shortage by expanding insurance coverage to include licensed naprapaths, chiropractors, and acupuncturists.

The proposed bill models language from the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination against licensed healthcare providers working within their scope of practice. The legislation would ensure that insurance Read More

FBI: Cubero Man Charged In Fatal Shooting

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Cubero man is facing federal charges in connection with the fatal shooting of another tribal member during a confrontation at a cemetery.

According to court records, Jan. 1, 2026, Donald Thompson, 49, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna, allegedly shot and killed another Laguna Pueblo member during a confrontation at a cemetery within the Pueblo of Laguna in Cubero, New Mexico. Law enforcement responded to reports of a shooting and found the victim deceased at the scene with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest and back. Witnesses reported that Thompson was Read More

Dannemann: It’s Time For The State To Act

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By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2025 by Merilee Dannemann

The state of our Union is frightening. That is why we need New Mexicans to engage intensively at the state and local level. We are at a moment of unprecedented contradictions.

Yet again, as in Iraq in 2003, a Republican president has found alleged justification for using military force to remove the president of another nation. The contradiction is apparent.

Near-universal public opinion seems to be that Nicolas Maduro was an evil dictator and Venezuela is better off without him, but President Trump had no legal justification Read More

Judge Allen Swears In UNM-LA Advisory Board Members

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Municipal Judge Elizabeth Allen after she swore in newly elected University of New Mexico-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) Advisory Board members from left, David Hampton, Conner Tharp and Andrew Wright on Monday evening at the college. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailyposttest.ortizaudio.net

Municipal Judge Elizabeth Allen swears in newly elected UNM-LA Advisory Board member David Hampton Monday evening at the college. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailyposttest.ortizaudio.net

Municipal Judge Elizabeth Allen swears in newly elected UNM-LA Advisory Board member Andrew Wright Monday evening Read More

State Sen. Crystal Brantley Seeks Attorney General Guidance After Court Halts Gun Waiting Period In New Mexico

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Sen. Crystal Diamond Brantley

STATE News:

ELEPHANT BUTTE — State Sen. Crystal Diamond Brantley (R-Elephant Butte) has sent a formal letter to Attorney General Raúl Torrez requesting guidance on the enforcement of New Mexico’s seven-day firearm waiting period law following federal court action that has placed the statute on hold. A copy of the full letter is attached.

Brantley’s request follows recent decisions by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit blocking enforcement of the waiting period while litigation continues. Despite the ruling, firearm retailers across New Mexico Read More

NMSP: Burglary Probe In 2024 Ruidoso Fires Nets Arrest

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NMSP News:

RUIDOSO — During the 2024 Ruidoso fires, agents with the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Crime Suppression Bureau (CSB) assisted NMSP uniform personnel with evacuations, roadblocks, and other assigned public safety missions in the affected area.

While operating in Ruidoso, CSB agents encountered a burglary in progress at Johnston Jewelry, at 1304 Sudderth Drive. The business exhibited clear signs of forced entry, including a broken window and damaged display cases.

While on scene, CSB agents observed multiple items of evidentiary value inside the business, including the hammer Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Celebrates 114th Anniversary

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Courtesy photo

COURT News:

SANTA FE — The public is invited to attend a ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 8, to commemorate the 114th anniversary of the establishment of New Mexico’s highest court.

Justice Michael E. Vigil will speak about the history of the Court and its building during an event starting at 1 p.m. in the Supreme Court courtroom. Click here for a live stream of the event.

Jan. 10 is Supreme Court of New Mexico Day — the anniversary of when the first state Supreme Court justices took their oaths of office in 1912. New Mexico became the 47th state four days earlier, and the Territorial Supreme Read More

Competency Diversion Pilot Program Beginning In Bernalillo County

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NMSC News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court is starting a program to guide newly arrested people with mental illness to treatment and divert them from the justice system.

Individuals charged with misdemeanor and nonviolent felony offenses, except DWI, may qualify for the competency diversion program. It is the fifth such program piloted in a New Mexico court. 

“We improve public safety by connecting people with a history of severe mental illness to the treatment and community-based support services they need for potential recovery,” said Justice Briana H. Zamora, Read More