Featured Stories
Lawmakers promise more big wins for New Mexico as governor signs year’s first bills
Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth estimated legislators are “90% of the way” to an agreement on medical malpractice reform.
Early childhood workers laud proposed $60 million wage and career ladder
MJ Lord, a teaching assistant at an Albuquerque preschool, works three jobs just to make ends meet. The 25-year-old wants to be an early childhood educator — she’s completing a bachelor’s degree in human development and family sciences and has plans to pursue a master’s degree in early childhood as well — but she said…
‘We’re willing to do what it takes’: New Mexico health councils push for state funding
Health councils work to tackle public health problems in ways specific to a community’s cultural, political and resource context.
New Mexico House passes $11 billion budget, rejects paying counties with ICE facilities
Most Republicans opposed the bill and pushed changes to help counties that could lose money if jails holding immigrants close.
Interstate doctor, social worker compacts head to governor’s desk
The compacts would ease licensure processes for out-of-state doctors and social workers to practice in New Mexico.
In Rio Arriba County, new naloxone distribution sites appear to be reducing overdose emergencies
Initial data indicates an association between the installation of the boxes and a sharp reduction in 911 calls related to overdose emergencies.
Rural hospitals brace for ‘last hope’ as lawmakers take up malpractice
“I’ve had a few people that were interested, and then once they check into New Mexico, all of a sudden they back out and they’re not interested anymore,” said Kaye Green, CEO of Roosevelt General.
Another fight brewing over medical malpractice reform in New Mexico
As lawmakers prepare for the start of a jam-packed 30-day legislative session Tuesday, House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski said she’s starting to feel the enthusiasm. “The vibes are high-energy,” she said. “I’m feeling excited.” While the session will be focused primarily on drafting a budget for fiscal year 2027, lawmakers are nonetheless expected to take up…
State Sen. Candy Spence Ezzell keeps her boots on the ground
The best part of ranching, according to Candy Spence Ezzell, is when everyone helps each other out — whether it’s branding time or there’s a broken center pivot sprinkler. She would know. The self-proclaimed “staunch conservative” state senator, who represents parts of Chaves and Eddy counties, has been a full-time farmer and rancher since 1993 —…
New Mexico, other states in sprint to launch rural health plans
Imagine starting the new year with the promise of at least a $147 million payout from the federal government. But there are strings attached. In late December, President Donald Trump’s administration announced how much all 50 states would get under its new Rural Health Transformation Program, assigning them to use the money to fix systemic…
Power players: Women take on lead roles in New Mexico’s energy sector
A growing number of women are in high-profile energy jobs, and many are mentoring young women to continue the trend.
Health
Free Villa Therese Catholic Clinic seeks to open wider after surge in patients
The clinic, located on Hopewell Street in Santa Fe since 2022, is recruiting more volunteer providers and trying to establishing a mobile clinic.
Comunidad de Colores free clinic set to open to patients in 2026
Organizers of new free clinic plan to open to patients in June, offering an array of adult primary and behavioral health care.
State-run Turquoise Lodge Hospital in Albuquerque offers path to sobriety
The facility, which has struggled with underutilization, is one of two adult drug and alcohol treatment programs operated by the state.
child & Family Welfare
Growing pains: Challenges emerge as New Mexico rolls out no-cost child care for all
A lack of child care capacity still leaves parents desperately seeking care, while providers face new hurdles to participate in the program.
Data: Little progress so far in expanding New Mexico child care capacity
Data shows capacity in licensed facilities and registered homes increased by just 10 slots between July and mid-December.
Early Childhood Department pitches $1.2B budget as it grows child care access
Amid an expansion of New Mexico’s child care assistance program to universal access, the state Early Childhood Education and Care Department pitched a $1.2 billion budget for the coming fiscal year to the Legislative Finance Committee on Tuesday. The proposed spending plan, which includes an additional $160.6 million to expand a state-subsidized child care program…
Government
From DACA recipient to New Mexico Senate, Cindy Nava charted her own path
“Growing up being undocumented shaped my entire life: Everything that I am, everything that I do was shaped by that,” she said.
‘I’ve lived it’: Valeria Alarcón pushes for state funding for rural, tribal health councils
“As a woman of color, cancer survivor in this field of work, it feels like all of my life experiences are … to inform the work that I do — because I’ve lived it,” Alarcón said.
55,000 New Mexico SNAP recipients face work requirements starting Jan. 1
The changes are the result of a federal reconciliation bill signed into law earlier this year by President Donald Trump.
Want to see more? Click here to view our full archive.
Support investigative journalism.
We are independent and nonpartisan.
We are focused on New Mexico issues.
We hold people in power accountable.