The Santa Fe New Mexican

New Mexico legislation focusing on K-3 math education aims to improve stubbornly low scores A key reform passed this year banks heavily on cementing math basics for lower grades — before the work gets harder.

While reading proficiency scores for New Mexico students have improved over the years, math scores have remained stagnant — and relatively low. Senate Bill 29 is designed to improve these scores by tackling math education from every angle. sfnm.co/4d4MJSR

American Home Furniture & Mattress closing Santa Fe, Farmington stores Officials emphasized the company is not liquidating and said inflation, tariffs and Albuquerque roadwork have taken a toll.

Another large retailer is pulling out of the Santa Fe market as officials at American Home Furniture & Mattress announced Wednesday they are closing the St. Michael’s Drive store as the company undergoes a Chapter 11 reorganization. sfnm.co/4ud2s8z

Santa Fe shuts down Fallen Angel boutique for selling adult items against city code The Cerrillos Road shop sold the items without the proper license and in the wrong zoning area, according to city staff.

Santa Fe shut down retail business Fallen Angel last week for operating without a business license and selling “adult items” in an unauthorized area and without the appropriate city license. sfnm.co/3P1Mtdn

Police still investigating highway crash that killed Bernalillo County sergeant Rio Rancho police identified Miguel Orlando Perez as the semitruck driver who struck and killed the sheriff's sergeant.

A semitruck driver who struck and killed a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office sergeant last week is still hospitalized from his injuries while an investigation into the crash is ongoing. sfnm.co/4d4LX8p

Police still investigating highway crash that killed Bernalillo County sergeant Rio Rancho police identified Miguel Orlando Perez as the semitruck driver who struck and killed the sheriff's sergeant.

Sgt. Michael Schlattman was outside his vehicle on Interstate 40 east of Albuquerque conducting a traffic stop when he was struck and pinned underneath his cruiser by the truck driver. The incident is being investigated by Rio Rancho Police Department.

New case of measles crops up in Doña Ana County jail All six confirmed cases this year have occurred in Southern New Mexico jails in Doña Ana, Hidalgo and Luna counties.

All six measles cases involve federal inmates in Southern New Mexico jails. While information about how they were exposed to measles remains scant, the affected facilities and state Health Department have implemented quarantine, testing and vaccination protocols to minimize the risk of spread.

American Home Furniture & Mattress closing Santa Fe, Farmington stores Officials emphasized the company is not liquidating and said inflation, tariffs and Albuquerque roadwork have taken a toll.

Another large retailer is pulling out of the Santa Fe market as officials at American Home Furniture & Mattress announced Wednesday they are closing the St. Michael’s Drive store as the company undergoes a Chapter 11 reorganization.

Facebook founder Zuckerberg testifies by video in Meta trial in Santa Fe court Mark Zuckerberg reiterated his commitment to "free expression" on Meta's platforms while defending the company's investments in safety.

In the fourth week of a high-profile civil trial in Santa Fe, jurors heard recorded testimony Wednesday from Meta Platforms Inc. CEO and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who defended the company's approach to safety.

Santa Fe shuts down Fallen Angel boutique for selling 'adult items' against city code The Cerrillos Road shop sold the items without the proper license and in the wrong zoning area, according to city staff.

The city of Santa Fe shut down retail business Fallen Angel last week for operating without a business license and selling "adult items" in an unauthorized area and without the appropriate city license.

Governor appoints longtime employee to lead Transportation Department A longtime state Department of Transportation employee has been tapped to lead the agency following the abrupt departure of former Secretary Ricky Serna last month.

A longtime state Department of Transportation employee has been tapped to lead the agency following the abrupt departure of former Secretary Ricky Serna last month. sfnm.co/4ubfyTY

‘We’ve come a long way’: Interim AD Ryan Berryman discusses UNM athletics' growth and ambitions The 31-year-old discusses his path to attaining his position, the figures who served as his influences, UNM’s recent success and the department’s ambitions for the future.

The interim tag is gone. New Mexico native and UNM graduate Ryan Berryman has been named the school's vice president and director of athletics. Check out our interview with Berryman in a recent episode of "The Sports Den" podcast.
sfnm.co/4qMDIlG

Senate committee advances former New Mexico congressman's nomination to lead BLM Pearce's nomination will now go to the full Senate.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has advanced Steve Pearce's nomination to lead the Bureau of Land Management. sfnm.co/4siOtwe

It's fine to protest high court justice — but listen, too The appearance of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett next week at the Lensic Performing Arts Center — no surprise — is being met with resistance by many in Santa

OUR VIEW: Santa Fe should welcome Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Part of rebuilding a United States of America that works for all its citizens will be an engaged population — people who can discuss, disagree and find common ground. sfnm.co/4cmtVON

The Roundhouse Report: Española mayor loses reelection Española Mayor John Ramon Vigil lost his reelection bid Tuesday night; according to preliminary results, former city councilor Dennis Tim Salazar appears to have beaten him handily. Catch up on

Roundhouse Report: Española Mayor John Ramon Vigil lost his reelection bid Tuesday night; according to preliminary results, former city councilor Dennis Tim Salazar appears to have beaten him handily. sfnm.co/4u9MYSW

Santa Fe County buys $6.75 million property to open youth behavioral health facility on south side Santa Fe County is taking steps toward establishing a "one-stop shop" for youth behavioral health treatment in the city.

Santa Fe County has taken another step toward the opening of a new youth behavioral health center with the purchase of a 35,000-square-foot building on the south side of the city amid plans to offer services advocates say is much needed in the region. sfnm.co/4leiFXg

Quiet death for a relentless protector of animals Marcy Britton used the state public records law and citizen grand juries to improve shelters and natural habitats.

RINGSIDE SEAT: Marcy Britton devoted most of her 76 years to saving animals from cruelty and pressing to hold their abusers accountable. She exposed the slaughter of thousands of roosters, hens and chicks by a reckless task force. sfnm.co/4ratDhO

Lawyer for Santa Fe suspect in sword slaying asks judge to toss case over late witness disclosure The defense attorney accused prosecutors of violating rules of evidence by disclosing a key witness shortly before trial.

The attorney for a Santa Fe man accused of encouraging his girlfriend to kill another woman with a sword in 2022 is asking a judge to dismiss the charges, alleging prosecutors violated rules of evidence. sfnm.co/4cntkMP

'Sleeping giant': Cañada de los Alamos water system invests in uncertain future The water association is finalizing designs to transport water from Santa Fe County's system to the Cañada de los Alamos tank.

The Cañada de los Alamos Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association has been in dire straits for years. After an infiltration gallery ran dry in 2020, the small water system has struggled to keep up with demand and address aging infrastructure. sfnm.co/47qLMRd

Highlands loses overtime heartbreaker in RMAC Tournament The Cowboys were eliminated from the tournament with a 91-90 loss to the Mavericks, sending Mesa (20-9) into the semifinals later this week.

Opportunity knocked for the New Mexico Highlands men’s basketball team on Tuesday night in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament. Twice, in fact. The Cowboys were unable to answer either time. sfnm.co/4suJ19T

A state basketball tournament bracket breakdown, plus a chat with Highlands skipper Steve Jones The North is well represented in the state tournament, sporting top contenders in a at least a few of the brackets.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, sports writers Will and James take a look at all the brackets in the state basketball tournament and chat with Highlands baseball coach Steve Jones about his return to Las Vegas. sfnm.co/4ravi72

Lobos' senior night vs. Colorado State likely farewell to The Pit this season When the lights in The Pit come on, and the Lobos take to their home court for likely the final time this season, the team will honor half a dozen

When the lights in The Pit come on, and the Lobos take to their home court for the final time this season, the team will honor half a dozen players on a roster filled with names some fans are just now starting to feel comfortable with. sfnm.co/4u93ZN0

Seeding 'error' drops Española Valley, Pojoaque Valley girls in 4A bracket The error resulted in changes for the teams seeded 11th through 15th and affected five of the eight first-round games set for Friday.

As coach Bobby Romero, school athletic director Sean Jimenez and Superintendent Chanell Segura sat in front of players to inform them of their new reality in the Class 4A girls state basketball tournament, he saw the disappointment they couldn’t hide. sfnm.co/4u9RwbI

CYFD had a mandate to cease office stays by March 1. Where did it send those foster kids? Some lawmakers questioned the state's placements of children, expressing concerns they may still be in subpar settings.

CYFD placed about a third of children previously staying in offices in foster homes, while others went to congregate care settings, residential treatment centers and other housing options, the agency said Tuesday. sfnm.co/4cYoq98

Santa Fe charter school searching for new head after abrupt departure Karla Haas Moskowitz is out at The MASTERS Program amid conflicting accounts over whether she resigned or was pushed out.

Karla Haas Moskowitz, head of state-chartered high school The MASTERS Program, is out while the Santa Fe school searches for a new leader. But whether she was pushed out or resigned on her own depends on who you ask. sfnm.co/3PegFlA

Lions and bears, oh my! Santa Fe trail cam captures wildlife parade There are some 3,500 cougars across the state, according to the Wildlife Department, with many in Northern New Mexico.

VIDEO: A stunning cougar — a shadowy nocturnal predator — was caught on a trail camera on Christmas Eve, followed by two young-looking mountain lions, wandering the foothills on the edge of Santa Fe. sfnm.co/4rLDPyb

Epstein had petroglyphs moved for décor at Zorro Ranch, federal records show The Justice Department files show Epstein and his employees discussing multiple times moving petroglyphs at the ranch.

Over the years at Zorro Ranch, Jeffrey Epstein instructed his staff multiple times to move petroglyphs estimated to be hundreds of years old for the purpose of decoration, U.S. Justice Department emails and photos released in January show. sfnm.co/3N3cGYy

Española overwhelmingly elects new mayor, sweeping aside incumbent Vigil Unofficial election results showed Dennis Tim Salaz with almost 49% of the vote compared to 32% for John Ramon Vigil and 19% for write-in candidate Joann Salazar.

Dennis Tim Salazar, a former Española city councilor, appears to have handily unseated incumbent Mayor John Ramon Vigil in Tuesday's municipal election. sfnm.co/4blPMVr

Española mayor loses reelection in landslide, unofficial results show Dennis Tim Salazar beat the current mayor John Ramon Vigil as well as write-in candidate Joann Salazar.

Former Española city councilor Dennis Tim Salazar unseated Mayor John Ramon Vigil in the city's municipal election Tuesday, according to unofficial election results provided by the city clerk.

Quiet death for a relentless protector of animals Marcy Britton used the state public records law and citizen grand juries to improve shelters and natural habitats.

RINGSIDE SEAT: Marcy Britton devoted most of her 76 years to saving animals from cruelty and pressing to hold their abusers accountable.

"I tried to make sure animals were euthanized humanely. Now I'm euthanizing myself," Britton said one recent day, matter-of-fact as could be.

Epstein had petroglyphs moved for decor at Zorro Ranch, federal records show The Justice Department files show Epstein and his employees discussing multiple times moving petroglyphs at the ranch.

"The destruction and removal of petroglyphs and cultural sites at Zorro Ranch is deeply troubling, yet not surprising considering what has come to light about Jeffrey Epstein," Joey Sanchez, chairman of the All Pueblo Council of Governors, said in a statement.