The Santa Fe New Mexican

Utah State beats Lobos 94-90 to win Mountain West regular-season title Michael Collins Jr. had 27 points to guide Utah State to a 94-90 win, helping the Aggies clinch first place in the Mountain West Conference.

Michael Collins Jr. had 27 points to guide Utah State to a 94-90 victory over New Mexico on Saturday, helping the Aggies clinch first place in the Mountain West Conference in the final game of the regular season.

Only two GOP governor candidates garner enough support to make primary ballot Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull got 239 votes from delegates to the preprimary convention. Doug Turner, a latecomer to the race, got 104.

Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull got 239 votes from delegates to the GOP preprimary convention and Doug Turner got 104 votes, meaning both will be on the ballot for Republican voters June 2.

Duke Rodriguez, state Sen. Steve Lanier and Jim Ellison got 39, 31 and seven votes, respectively.

New Mexicans express dueling views on Iran war at Albuquerque rallies New Mexicans are divided over U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, with debates over regime change, civilian deaths and the role of Congress.

“Make Iran Great Again,” and “Thank you Mr. President” read a sign at a rally of dozens demonstrating on a street corner in favor of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

A few minutes' drive east, calls of “stop the war” and “U.S. out of the Middle East” rang at Robinson Park.

'Hold Trump accountable every single day': New Mexico Democrats rally in Mescalero Democrats heard from candidates in numerous competitive primary races during a feel-good preprimary convention Saturday.

New Mexico Democrats rallied at the Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero Saturday afternoon for a feel-good preprimary convention that gave the state party the chance to present a unified front and fighting spirit as a series of candidates took the stage before an animated crowd.

Española battered 48-20 by larger opponent Albuquerque Academy ALBUQUERQUE — In a week full of gut punches for the Española Valley Sundevils, Friday night offered one more.

As senior guard Leah Vigil finished her final interview as a member of Española's girls basketball program after a 48-20 loss to Albuquerque Academy, she was asked about Shiprock’s 53-45 win over Bernalillo.

“It’s frustrating,” Vigil said. “But at the end of the day, not much we can do about it.”

PNM's stock sale to Blackstone: Illegal deal or 'standalone investment'? The attorney general, regulators and others believe a $400 million stock sale to a Blackstone holding company broke state law.

Advocacy groups and government agencies are demanding action from regulators in response to a massive stock sale by the parent company of Public Service Company of New Mexico to a private equity giant poised to acquire the utility.

Santa Fe High mauled in 50-25 loss to Albuquerque High “I thought we could come in here and give them a game,” said Santa Fe coach Nate Morris. “[The Bulldogs] were better than I thought.”

Facing huge odds in the opening round of the Class 5A State Tournament, the Demonettes were no match for No. 4 Albuquerque High in a 50-25 loss that ends Santa Fe High’s season with 18 wins.

Regulatory board to resume deliberations on PFAS use in consumer products March 23 The Environmental Improvement Board will return to resolve two lingering issues with the PFAS rule on March 23.

Which products should be labeled as containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — often referred to as “forever chemicals” — split the Environmental Improvement Board on Friday as members discussed a proposed rule on the use of the chemicals in consumer products.

No. 16 Santa Fe High, which has struggled to score, battling No. 1 Volcano Vista The Demons are averaging just 48.2 points per game this season — their worst showing since the 2006-07 season.

The Demons are averaging just 48.2 points per game this season — their worst showing since the 2006-07 season. That inability to score has overshadowed a defense that is allowing an impressive 44.6 points per game — the program’s lowest average this century.

As New Mexico GOP gathers for convention, two governor hopefuls skip debate Candidates cited concerns about having to pay a $2,000 appearance fee for the event.

Two of the five candidates aiming to win the Republican nomination in the New Mexico governor’s race declined to participate in the debate at the state GOP’s preprimary convention Friday night, citing concerns about having to pay a $2,000 appearance fee.

Lobos playing Utah State with shot at Mountain West title If the Lobos win, they earn a share of the title and get the top seed in the event of a three-way tie between them, Utah State and San Diego

Due to contractual commitments with postseason conference tournaments and the World Baseball Classic, neither CBS Sports Network nor FS1 will carry the five games on tap as the conference race comes to an end. That includes the Saturday matinee between the Lobos and Utah State.

Judge shuffle could be on the horizon for Santa Fe district court After reopening the search for a First Judicial District family court judge and receiving applicants with family law experience, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed a civil litigator prompting speculation he

The governor’s decision has promoted speculation Todd Coberly could be shuffled into a civil judge position newly created during the recent legislative session, which would leave the district again seeking a family court judge.

VA cuts reimbursement rates to cover in-home care for New Mexico veterans The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs slashed New Mexico payments for home health aide services by 19% between 2025 and 2026.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs slashed New Mexico reimbursement rates for home health aide services by 19% between 2025 and 2026. The federal agency now pays $13.50 for a quarter-hour of care, compared to a previous rate of $16.75.

Santa Fe Smith's worker accused of pulling gun on women amid dispute over fire lane parking Tarot Moruno, who was arrested earlier this week, denied the allegation and told police he was the victim of a mace attack by the woman.

An employee at a Smith's Food and Drug in Santa Fe was accused of threatening two women with a handgun this week after they parked in a fire lane at the grocery store.

'It breaks my heart': Epstein victims memorial outside gates of Zorro Ranch removed Roadside memorials, traditionally known as descansos in New Mexico, are protected under state law.

Unlike the stain Epstein brought on New Mexico, a roadside memorial placed outside the gates of the former Zorro Ranch to honor victims of the notorious sex offender has been wiped clean. The action could constitute a crime -- desecration of a roadside memorial is prohibited under state law.

Governor names interim New Mexico State Police chief ahead of Weisler's retirement New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler will retire from the role next week after serving as chief for almost three years.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has appointed New Mexico State Police Deputy Chief Matt Broom to serve as interim chief following the retirement next week of current Chief W. Troy Weisler.

Studio Stars The American Ballet Theatre trots out its young talent that delivers a flair for both the contemporary and the classical.

To see some of the best ballet dancers in the country, you could fork over a lot of cash, hop on two planes to NYC, take a cab to Lincoln Center, and settle into your seat. Or you could just go to the Lensic Performing Arts Center. sfnm.co/4rgF6fF

Facial Expressionism Cuban artist Lazaro Niebla’s exhibition holds up a carved-wood mirror to the people and land of an island culture.

Cuban artist Lazaro Niebla’s exhibition holds up a carved-wood mirror to the people and land of an island culture. sfnm.co/4cQdgDF

New Mexico governor signs 'critical' health care bills "This, in fact, was a health care session," Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said as she signed the bills in Los Lunas.

NEW: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday signed into law a series of bills aimed at increasing health care access and affordability, including a major piece of legislation overhauling New Mexico's medical malpractice law.

Springing forward, despite the cost to health Welcome to one of the toughest weekends of the year: At 2 a.m. Sunday, clocks in most of the United States will spring forward one hour. Oh, joy.

OUR VIEW: Welcome to one of the toughest weekends of the year: At 2 a.m. Sunday, clocks in most of the United States will spring forward one hour. Oh, joy. sfnm.co/4b5iMPZ

New Mexico Wellness Wire: Hantavirus project step in pandemic prep Hantavirus regularly circulates in the Southwest after being spread through infected rodents' urine, feces and saliva.

Wellness Wire: You probably don't want to think about the next pandemic. I don't. But maybe we can take some comfort in knowing scientists are preparing for it. Researchers are looking at a potentially pandemic-causing virus found in New Mexico. sfnm.co/3Not06h

Plan on LANL's path for next 15 years expected 'any day now' The National Nuclear Security Administration is suggesting the alternative with the most expansion for LANL's future.

An analysis of the potential impacts of the next 15 years of Los Alamos National Laboratory operations is expected to be signed "any day now," according to officials from the local National Nuclear Security Administration field office. sfnm.co/4d5HUsy

Smart campaigners separate church and state A challenger for a state House seat says her district deserves leadership that "honors our faith," as if there's only one.

RINGSIDE SEAT: A challenger for a state House seat says her district deserves leadership that "honors our faith," as if there's only one. sfnm.co/4cx37LS

Consultant says Meta is industry leader in removing child sex abuse material Inappropriate content still finds its way onto Meta's platforms, Wirth testified, but that doesn't mean the company is failing to protect children in what she described as the "highly depressing

The first witness in Meta's defense testified Thursday that the company does "far, far more" than other companies to identify and remove child sexual abuse material. sfnm.co/4btb5o4

Can you spell 'ganador'? 11-year-old motors to Santa Fe's Spanish spelling bee win with 'taxista' From báscula to tauromaquia, Santa Fe middle schoolers faced off for linguistic excellence in the district's bee.

From báscula to tauromaquia, Santa Fe middle schoolers faced off for linguistic excellence in the district's Spanish spelling bee Thursday. 11-year-old Anthony Cardenas jumped with joy after cementing the win with taxista, taxi driver. sfnm.co/4rSLDy5

Desert Dreamer Puppeteer Jim Henson found inspiration and a sense of peace in the New Mexico skies.

Puppeteer Jim Henson found inspiration and a sense of peace in the New Mexico skies. sfnm.co/3OV04Dk

Demonettes have hopes of better first-round performance against Bulldogs The Santa Fe High Demonettes are zero for 15 against the Albuquerque High Bulldogs under head coach Nate Morris.

The Santa Fe High Demonettes are zero for 15 against the Albuquerque High Bulldogs under head coach Nate Morris. There is hope they can make it 1 for 16 on Friday night. sfnm.co/4bsdoI5

Task force will address testing backlog of sexual assault exam kits in New Mexico More than 680 kits are currently awaiting testing, a Department of Public Safety spokesperson wrote in a Thursday email.

Senate Memorial 17 requests the creation of a task force to study the state of the kits in New Mexico and report progress on the the backlog. It passed unanimously in the Senate near the end of the legislative session. sfnm.co/4dc9xA6

Policing from the sky: Santa Fe police testing 'drone as first responder' future Santa Fe police hope to adopt the "drone as first responder" concept, a program that has proliferated around the country.

Santa Fe police are testing drones as part of a “drone as first responder” program they hope to adopt, in which drones could be dispatched to calls ahead of or in place of officers. sfnm.co/3N17MLI

Deb Haaland pitches public safety agenda targeting 'root causes' of crime "Many times, crime is the result of our failures to support our people," said Haaland, who supports creating a state Office of Community Safety.

New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland on Thursday sought to distinguish herself from her opponent in the upcoming Democratic primary, casting herself as a leader looking to tackle the root causes of crime. sfnm.co/4s1Dbgm