New Mexico governor declares state of emergency in rural county afflicted by crime, drug use

Albuquerque teen shooter suspect of homeless man to remain in jail

SIX TEENS CHARGED IN CONNECTION TO THE FATAL SHOOTING OF A HOMELESS MAN IN JULY, ALL RANGING IN AGES FROM 12 TO 19 YEARS OLD. ONE OF THE SIX TEENS IS 15 YEARS OLD. THURSDAY, A JUDGE ORDERING THAT TEEN TO REMAIN BEHIND BARS AS THE ALLEGED SHOOTER....

Failed New Mexico candidate gets 80 years after shootings at officials’ homes

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A failed political candidate was sentenced to 80 years in federal prison Wednesday for his convictions in a series of drive-by shootings at the homes of state and local lawmakers in Albuquerque in the aftermath of the 2020...

First-ever Big 12 football student media poll unveiled

By Jackson Posey | Sports Editor For the first time in Big 12 history, student media is taking things into its own hands. Conference commissioner Brett Yormark decided to end the Big 12’s annual media preseason poll after the ranking’s disastrous...

Former New Mexico candidate gets 80 years for shootings at Democrats’ homes

Solomon Peña, a former candidate for the New Mexico House of Representatives, has been sentenced to 80 years in prison for orchestrating a politically motivated shooting spree and plotting to murder witnesses to obstruct justice, according to...

State of emergency declared in New Mexico following rise in crime and drug use

Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

You’ll Be Pleasantly Surprised by This Whimsical Trail in New Mexico

The only thing I enjoy more than a waterfall hike is a trek with unexpected gems along the way. For instance, when you’re hiking the trails at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, you discover the most mind-bending rock formations that you...

This Tiny Town in New Mexico Feels Like a Living Time Capsule

In major cities across America, life is fast, time feels surreal, and the next adventure is always demanding your attention. I have lived in enough of these cities to know that the energy is electrifying, especially in New York, where it’s true...

Albuquerque launches mural grant program for property owners and artists

The City of Albuquerque has announced the launch of the Murals of Possibilities Grant, a program aimed at supporting property owners, businesses, and artists interested in creating public murals within the city’s Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas...

Can Western New Mexico U Recover a Golden Parachute?

Western New Mexico University is looking to claw back $1.9 million in severance already paid to former president Joseph Shepard, who stepped down in January following a spending scandal. Shepard, who led the university for nearly 14 years,...

Failed New Mexico candidate gets 80 years in prison for shootings after election loss

A failed political candidate was sentenced to 80 years in federal prison Wednesday for his convictions in a series of drive-by shootings at the homes of state and local lawmakers in Albuquerque in the aftermath of the 2020 election. A jury...

Failed New Mexico GOP candidate sentenced to 80 years for organizing drive-by shootings at Democrats’ homes

A wannabe Republican representative in New Mexico was sentenced to 80 years in prison for organizing shootings at Democrats’ homes after he was easily crushed in an election for a state House seat. Solomon Peña, 42, originally ran for the...

New Mexico to officially mark Ukraine's Independence Day

The leadership of New Mexico has approved a proclamation officially designating August 24, 2025, as Ukraine's Independence Day in the U.S. state. This was announced on Facebook by Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova,...

Failed New Mexico candidate gets 80 years for convictions in shootings at officials’ homes

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A failed political candidate was sentenced to 80 years in federal prison Wednesday for his convictions in a series of drive-by shootings at the homes of state and local lawmakers in Albuquerque in the aftermath of the 2020...

New Mexico State University volunteers earn regional honors for contributions to youth development

Two New Mexico volunteers have received regional recognition for their work with the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Youth Development program. Margie McKeen of Catron County was named the 2025 Western Region...

New Mexico EDD Accepting Applications For FY26 Science And Technology Business Startup Grant

CHAMBER News: The New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Technology and Innovation Office is now accepting applications for the FY26 Science and Technology Business Startup Grant. The initiative is a competitive state-funded grant that...

Crime Sparks State of Emergency in New Mexico: What We Know

By Gabe Whisnant is a Breaking News Editor at Newsweek based in North Carolina. Prior to joining Newsweek in 2023, he directed daily publications in North and South Carolina. As an executive editor, Gabe led award-winning coverage of Charleston...

Failed New Mexico House candidate sentenced to 80 years for shooting at local officials’ homes

Solomon Peña, center, is taken into custody by Albuquerque Police officers on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in southwest Albuquerque. Roberto E. Rosales/The Albuquerque Journal via AP, File × House Speaker: ‘Peña’s conviction demonstrates that political...

Business Briefs — August 2025

Architects West announces 2 new hires Architects West, which has designed projects in the Tri-Cities and is based in Coeur d’Alene, has announced two new hires: Helen Casey joins the team as a landscape designer. She earned her Bachelor of Science...

Governor Declares State of Emergency in N.M. City over Spiking Crime Rates

By Dan Boyd Source Albuquerque Journal, N.M. SANTA FE, NM — In a move rife with political undertones, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday announced an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Española and its surrounding areas due to...