A middle schooler said she was raped. Then she was suspended from classes.
After a 13-year-old reported sexual assault, she was left to navigate a system where limited state and federal oversight leave school districts to decide how allegations are handled.
As feds scale back sex assault oversight, school districts have final say
New Mexico provides no oversight of sexual assault between students in schools. A recent case in Hobbs shows what that can mean.
Hobbs police struggle with sex crimes
Police in Hobbs said an alleged rape was consensual. The department has a long, troubled record with sex crimes.
How we reported on sexual assault in schools
Sexual violence is a particularly difficult topic for investigative reporters to cover.
Featured Stories
U.S. senators grill UNM-trained doctor tapped to lead FDA
Heidi Overton provided few clear answers on whether she’ll resist political interference from President Donald Trump.
A ‘who’s who of power brokers in New Mexico’ lobbying for Project Jupiter
The names range “from a former Executive Director of the state Democratic Party to a family of lobbyists married to legislators.”
Toward healthier horizons?
The initiative is part of the Rural Health Transformation Program created by the 2025 federal budget reconciliation bill.
State officials, child welfare plaintiffs strike deal reaching into next governor’s term
The Kevin S. plaintiffs and the state both acknowledged CYFD’s progress but said it continued to lag in some areas.
New Mexico insurance superintendent defends hikes in marketplace insurance premiums
New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance Alice Kane on Wednesday defended her decision to approve a significant health insurance rate increase before members of the powerful Legislative Finance Committee. Kane on Sept. 1 OK’d an average rate increase of 24.4% for 2027 individual insurance plans sold on and off BeWell, the state health insurance exchange established…
High-level New Mexico Democrats push for new social media protection bills
The bills would increase penalties for consumer protections violations and curb addictive or exploitative tactics.
New Mexico is spending big to fix behavioral healthcare. Why is there so little to show?
The Behavioral Health Services Division asked the state for another $7.2 million in general fund dollars for its FY 2028 budget.
Two Project Jupiter foes accused of disorderly contact at commission meeting
Two people were cited at a Doña Ana County meeting a year after commissioners voted to approve Project Jupiter’s bonds.
Some New Mexico hospitals still not posting required price lists, report finds
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has since 2021 required all U.S. hospitals to post pricing info online.
New Mexicans and school choice: A clear-cut preference, or a sticky financial reality?
Respondents to a statewide survey overall favored school choice, while a union leader said the financial implications are tricky.
Albuquerque apartment tenants form union, spur city code-enforcement blitz
“We are unionized now, we hit majority, and with that being said, we’re a lot more powerful than just being one person,” tenant Alyssa Harper said.
Health
CYFD uses ‘loophole’ in state law to refuse records requests involving dead children
CYFD is allowed to decide to whom it releases records related to child deaths, a loophole a state senator wants to close.
Second New Mexico case of New World screwworm confirmed ahead of border reopening
The case in Grant County is not expected to delay the reopening of the Santa Teresa port, said Dr. Samantha Holeck, state veterinarian with the New Mexico Livestock Board.
New Mexico’s early childhood department offers childcare facility loan program
The state plans to ask lawmakers for an additional $10 million next year for the program, and is now seeking new providers.
child & Family Welfare
Las Vegas, N.M., ex-teacher sentenced to prison after admitting to sexual abuse of student
A civil case filed on behalf of the girl’s family accused Las Vegas City Schools of negligence and missteps.
Why childcare advocates are criticizing New Mexico’s pay plan
State officials argue rolling out the program as a pilot will be more manageable and bring raises to under-prioritized workers.
CYFD sent a 15-year-old to Mexico. Why the teen may not come back.
The state Justice Department made the request after the teen was left to cross the border alone to reunite with his mother.
Government
Timeline: The evolution of Project Jupiter
Friday marks the anniversary of the Doña Ana County Commission’s approval of $165 billion in industrial revenue bonds for Project Jupiter — a massive artificial intelligence data center campus in Santa Teresa under development for companies like Oracle and OpenAI.
New Mexico Supreme Court allows Project Jupiter permit proceedings to advance
The state high court on Thursdayd denied petitions filed by environmental groups against the hyperscale data center.
Project Jupiter partners make pitches to NMSU students
New Mexico State University engineering and science students at a recent career fair saw how they can work for Project Jupiter.
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