New Mexico’s child welfare agency has failed to protect children in its care for years — and used state confidentiality laws to hide it, according to a new investigative report from the New Mexico Department of Justice. Attorney General Raúl Torrez released the report Wednesday and filed a lawsuit in Santa Fe District Court seeking […]
■ Courts & Justice
Federal judge dismisses Rio Rancho lawsuit but plaintiff says the fight isn’t over
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit accusing Rio Rancho of enacting ordinances without following its own procedural rules — but the lead plaintiff argues the court never actually ruled that the city did anything right. U.S. District Judge Sarah M. Davenport granted the city’s motion to dismiss March 31, ruling the federal court lacked […]
Family sues Sandoval County, medical provider over 29-year-old’s fentanyl overdose in jail
The family of a 29-year-old woman who died of a fentanyl overdose while in custody at the Sandoval County Detention Center has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county and its private medical provider, alleging staff ignored her severe mental health crisis and failed to prevent lethal drugs from circulating in the jail. The […]
APD investigating hate crime in Old Town after Muslim mom with kids spit on by man asking, “Are you Christian?”
An Albuquerque mother taking photos of her children in Old Town says she was spit on and harassed all because she was wearing a hijab, and she caught it on video. Editor’s note: This story was updated Wed. afternoon after APD confirmed the name of the suspect they identified in this case. That update is […]
A.G. asks N.M. Supreme Court to invalidate Otero County ICE detention contract
Otero County’s on-again, off-again contract to hold ICE detainees is headed to the state’s Supreme Court where justices are being asked to decide if the county’s attempts to rush a new agreement into place before a new state law banning them violated state law. In February, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 9 which […]
Rio Rancho firefighters get $26K state grant for new gear
Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue will receive $26,112.50 in state equipment funding to outfit 11 new firefighter positions, part of a $1.6 million grant program the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration announced. The funds will cover personal protective equipment for new hires, including turnout coats, pants and helmets. Rio Rancho is one of […]
Rio Rancho man faces felony charges after hospital attack on nurse, officer
A patient at Sandoval Regional Medical Center in Rio Rancho attacked a nurse and a responding police officer — and attempted to grab the officer’s firearm — in an early-morning emergency room incident last week, according to court documents filed in Sandoval County Magistrate Court. Rio Rancho police responded around 1 a.m. on March 24 […]
Commentary: Ethical rules apply to judges and judicial candidates in New Mexico
Karl Refisteck is the director of New Mexico’s Administrative Office of the Courts, which oversees operations of the state’s court system. By Karl Reifsteck, Administrative Office of the Courts — The founders of our nation viewed a fair, impartial, and independent judiciary as a cornerstone for the government they envisioned 250 years ago when breaking […]
Bernalillo firefighters set to get new gear from $1.6M state grant program
Bernalillo firefighters could soon get new protective gear and breathing equipment under a $1.6 million state grant program targeting 30 fire departments across New Mexico, the Department of Finance and Administration announced. The grants fund high-priority equipment for new hires — including self-contained breathing apparatuses, turnout coats and pants, helmets, face shields and safety goggles. […]
New Mexico jury finds Meta guilty of putting profits over child safety, ordering $375 million fine
After hearing more than seven weeks of evidence, a Santa Fe jury took less than two days to decide that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, prioritized profits over the safety of children who were targeted and exploited on its platforms. The jury set a fine of $375 million, a maximum available of […]


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