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.
The federal government is scaling back civil rights enforcement for students. What does that mean for K-12 schools?
This inaugural podcast episode of “Searchlight New Mexico with Ed Williams” delves into the complexities of sexual assault in schools. Student advocates Sabrina Bernadel and Susan Moen offer their takes on the issue.
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.
Reporta violación y la suspenden de clases
Read in English. Advertencia de contenido: Esta historia contiene descripciones de acusaciones de agresión sexual que involucran a niños. Si usted o alguien que conoce ha sufrido una agresión sexual, visite la Línea Nacional de Ayuda para Víctimas de Agresión Sexual de RAINN para obtener asistencia. Llame al 800.656.HOPE (4673), chatee en RAINN.org/hotline o envíe un…
Featured Stories
How will Medicaid changes affect older New Mexicans?
People over 65 won’t be subject to the new work requirements, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be unaffected by them.
UNM Health System hit by ‘cybersecurity issue’
Patients “should not show up to UNM Health facilities on October 26,” an announcement on the health system’s website stated.
‘A terrible crisis’: Flooding prompts rescues, evacuations in San Juan County
Farmington police in a Facebook post around 9 a.m. Friday wrote emergency responders were still rescuing people throughout the area.
Early voting numbers surpass 2022 as more Democrats, independents vote
Midterm turnout remains lower than presidential cycles, but the Democratic early voter advantage has increased compared to 2022.
‘We’re all on heightened alert’: New Mexico election officials prepare for ICE agents at polls
Election officials are preparing for a various scenarios in the upcoming November midterm elections, including the possibility of federal interference.
Lawsuit alleges Tijeras daycare failed to prevent 1-year-old’s choking death
The daycare has said it immediately responded to the choking, but the lawsuit alleges staff failed to recognize and address it in time.
‘Appalled’ and ‘betrayed’: Candidates for office in Southern New Mexico sound off of Project Jupiter
Doña Ana County commissioner candidates pledged to be more transparent at a forum in Las Cruces earlier this month.
State Sen. Carrie Hamblen, discusses concerns around Project Jupiter.
One of the biggest stories of the year in New Mexico has been the construction of Project Jupiter, a controversial hyperscale data center in Southern New Mexico.
Grant County commissioners approve data center moratorium
A developer of a proposed data center in Grant County spoke at the meeting Thursday, before the commissioners voted to approve a one-year moratorium.
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains opens new Albuquerque clinic
Tens of thousands of women seeking abortions have traveled to New Mexico since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022.
New World screwworm detected in Otero County cow
The case is New Mexico’s fifth since the parasitic fly made its return to the United States this summer.
Health
Gun rights groups file new federal lawsuit challenging New Mexico waiting period
Plaintiffs, including major gun rights groups, filed another lawsuit challenging New Mexico’s seven-day firearm waiting period.
CYFD withheld records after death of 10-month-old girl, lawsuit alleges
CYFD gave little explanation in denying requests for information about 10-month-old Skylar Magana’s death, an attorney alleges.
Two new cases of New World screwworm identified in New Mexico
They’re the state’s third and fourth cases since the sometimes-deadly pest made its return to the United States this summer.
child & Family Welfare
CYFD fails to implement long-awaited case management system by deadline
CYFD has not yet set a new timeline for the project’s rollout, prompting concerns from lawmakers over the seemingly endless delays.
CYFD sent documents to incorrect foster families, leaking child information
The agency apologized for the error on Friday, and said a printer malfunction was to blame for the mistake.
Lawmakers, attorney say New Mexico’s child welfare system has a long way to go
Legislators expressed concerns over CYFD’s slow progress toward reform, and said it must better professionalize its workforce.
Government
‘We’re not aliens’: Santa Fe students walk out to protest recent ICE arrests
“Today we walked out to show our support to the immigrants and to stop ICE and to try our best to abolish it,” one student said.
Four New Mexico IT projects exceed cost estimates by $450 million, LFC says
New Mexico should focus less on rolling out complete systems all at once and more on an incremental approach, an evaluator said.
Five arrested in alleged Southern New Mexico drug trafficking ring
Police say the ring was coordinated by a man who was incarcerated in Ciudad Juárez, with five people now facing federal charges.
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