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Albuquerque just climbed to 23 on the ParkScore index, a major win for the city’s green space efforts—up from 24 last year. Ranked among the nation’s 100 largest cities, this top-25 spot highlights Albuquerque’s progress in making parks accessible and usable for all residents. The Trust for Public Land’s report celebrates cities that balance park acreage with equitable access, proving that public...

FEMA just paid out over $3.5 billion to wildfire victims in New Mexico — but attorneys say it’s not enough and is an insult to those still waiting for full compensation. The Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon fire, sparked by a failed prescribed burn, destroyed 900+ homes and scorched 340,000 acres — the state’s worst blaze ever. While no lives were lost, families are still reeling. Attorney Brian S. C...

A Venezuelan national, Cristhian Ortega Lopez, sentenced to 19 months in federal prison and deportation after admitting to handling firearms and covering up his arrest, narrowly avoided being labeled a gang member tied to Tren de Aragua — a designation that would have sent him to a harsher prison in El Salvador. Despite DHS’s push to link him to the gang via tattoos and emojis, the judge found ins...

Tijeras is in a water crisis as their main well just failed, forcing them to reactivate the contaminated Well 3 — the same one flagged for PFAS “forever chemicals” earlier this year. The mayor had pushed to shut it down, but the village says it’s safe for non-ingestive uses like showering and laundry since PFAS don’t absorb through skin. For anything you drink, cook with, or brush your teeth with...

A 33-year-old woman, Jovanni Celeste Ortega, pleaded guilty to cyberstalking her former colleagues at a Las Cruces wellness clinic, sending terrifying anonymous threats—including car crashes, shootings, and data leaks—through the clinic’s own scheduling system. The court documents reveal her messages were specific, calculated to instill fear, exposing how digital platforms can become weapons of ha...

New Mexico’s Attorney General Raúl Torrez is sounding the alarm as the U.S. Department of Justice continues to block his office’s renewed probe into Jeffrey Epstein’s activities in the state, withholding critical unredacted files that could be vital for prosecution—especially as statute of limitations loom. Torrez points to a history of federal interference, recalling how a 2019 investigation into...

Wally Funk, the fearless aviation trailblazer who shattered glass ceilings in space and aviation, has died at 87 — but her legacy soars on. One of the original 13 women astronaut trainees in 1961, she proved women belonged in space, earned her pilot’s license at 17, and later became the oldest woman to fly to space at 82 — with Jeff Bezos. Beyond space, she was the first female FAA inspector and a...

New Mexico’s Attorney General Raúl Torrez is frustrated as the U.S. Justice Department stalls on releasing unredacted files critical to his investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes at Zorro Ranch. Despite multiple legal requests over months, federal authorities remain silent—despite millions of documents already released, many are so heavily redacted they’re nearly useless. Torrez insists these...

This weekend, Albuquerque’s Book Fest invites you to meet local authors and book lovers, while Santa Fe’s International Folk Art Market dazzles with global crafts from 53 countries. In Gallup, adrenaline junkies gear up for the WildThing Bullriding showdown, complete with fireworks and prize money for a kids’ home. Las Cruces’ Desert Bloom Festival offers food, music, and art in a vibrant communit...

Wally Funk, the fearless aviation pioneer who dreamed of space since childhood, has passed away at 87 — but her legacy soars on. In 1961, she trained alongside 13 other women in NASA’s secret “Women in Space Program,” excelling beyond male candidates — only to be denied the chance to fly. Undeterred, she shattered glass ceilings as the first female FAA flight inspector and NTSB investigator, loggi...

Servando Castillo Pleads Guilty to Wife’s Murder | Santa Fe News

Wally Funk, the fearless trailblazer who defied gender barriers in aviation and space, has passed away at 87. A pioneer whose dream of space finally took flight at 82 aboard a Blue Origin rocket, she became the oldest woman in space — 60 years after being part of the groundbreaking Mercury 13 program. Beyond her historic flight, Funk shattered glass ceilings as the first female FAA inspector and N...

The New Mexico Supreme Court just overturned Judah Trujillo’s first-degree murder conviction — a shocking reversal for the teen who was 15 when he shot and killed Samuel Cordero in 2022. The court ruled the prosecution failed to prove deliberate intent, sending the case back for a second-degree murder conviction and resentencing — with credit for time already served. While the evidence tampering c...

A Rio Rancho man faces serious charges after allegedly sabotaging high-tech license plate readers worth over $10,000 — smashing cameras, stealing solar panels, and even documenting his crimes on his phone. Jevon Martinez, 44, admitted to the vandalism during an unrelated arrest, joking about “free solar panels” while leaving flags at each site. Police found videos of his destruction and parts of s...

When temps soar, stay alert to heat dangers—hydrate constantly, spot early signs of heat exhaustion, and act fast if symptoms escalate to heat stroke. Don’t wait—call 911 immediately if confusion, dizziness, or loss of consciousness occur. Protect the most vulnerable: seniors, kids, and pets, especially in desert heat. And never leave anyone—or any pet—in a parked car, even for a minute. Stay cool...

Servando Lujan sentenced to 18 years for stabbing and killing his wife, Minerva Marquez Dominguez, in front of their child in April 2025; he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, avoiding harsher charges, and now faces prison time as the legal chapter closes on a devastating tragedy. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: adverti...

New Mexico’s Attorney General Raúl Torrez is launching a probe into alleged fraud targeting the public comment period for Project Jupiter, a massive Oracle data center in Santa Teresa, after residents and officials report comments supporting the project were submitted under their names without their consent. The Environment Department’s online portal, used to gather public input on the facility’s...

New Mexico’s Department of Justice is investigating a major scandal where fake public comments—using elected officials’ names and emails—were submitted in support of Project Jupiter, sparking outrage in Doña Ana County. After multiple complaints, including one from State Rep. Cristina Parajón, Attorney General Raúl Torrez warned that the integrity of public processes is at stake and that fraudster...

A grieving Albuquerque author found unexpected solace in a five-foot rubber duck named Lucky, who became her emotional companion and community beacon during pregnancy loss and postpartum depression. What began as quirky distraction turned into a symbol of resilience, sparking conversations and healing across town. Now, she’s sharing her story in a new memoir, “Lucky the BYRD: Turning the Page,” an...

Albuquerque’s sweltering heat is here — temps hitting 100°F today, possibly soaring to 104°, with a heat advisory in effect from noon through early evening. It’s not just a one-day ordeal: triple digits are expected Friday and Saturday too, before temps dip back toward the seasonal average of 92° by Sunday and Monday. While most stay dry, a slight chance of thunderstorms looms — potentially severe...

Albuquerque’s about to bake under 100-degree heat — and it’s not just uncomfortable, it’s dangerous. From muscle cramps to life-threatening heat stroke, this episode breaks down the warning signs and what to do when the mercury climbs. No monsoon relief in sight, so staying cool and hydrated is non-negotiable — especially if you’re feeling dizzy, nauseous, or just plain hot and dry. Know the diffe...

New Mexico’s been named the worst state to move to for the third straight year, trailing behind in affordability, safety, education, healthcare, and economic strength — with Louisiana, California, Arkansas, and Oklahoma also ranking poorly. Consumer Affairs’ latest analysis highlights a troubling pattern, warning relocators about what to expect before they pack their bags. Listen in comfort: Get a...

New Mexico’s state treasurer is launching “baby bonds” — $7,000 invested for every child born, growing until age 18 for college, housing, or business. Designed to break poverty cycles and give every kid a financial leg up, this bold plan could keep young New Mexicans home, boost the state economy, and cut future aid costs — even as legal and funding questions linger. Listen in comfort: Get a disco...

Your package might be gone—here’s what you need to know after a USPS truck caught fire on I-25 near Avenida Cesar Chavez in Albuquerque. If your mail was on that truck, contact your local post office right away. Insured items? Head to usps.com/claims to file a refund. Don’t wait—act fast to see if you can recover what’s lost. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.co...

Kimberly Skaggs, a public figure with a history of civic service, is locked up without bond after a fatal crash — but her legal team is fighting to get her out, arguing the judge misapplied New Mexico law by ignoring key factors like her clean record and nonviolent charges. They’re challenging the prosecution’s claim she tried to hide her car, pointing out it was found on her own property and unto...