Organ Mountain News

LCPS reports steady progress on five-year strategic plan LCPS leaders reported steady progress on student growth, safety upgrades and wellbeing goals under the district’s five-year strategic plan.

LCPS leadership says the district is making steady strides under its strategic plan—improvements in curriculum, school safety and student attendance noted in recent reports.

Census: New Mexico leads nation in reducing child poverty New U.S. Census Bureau data show New Mexico reduced child poverty by 3.2%, the biggest drop nationwide, driven by targeted state programs and tax reforms.

New Mexico led the U.S. in reducing child poverty, with a 3.2% drop in the latest Census report. Leaders credit expanded tax credits, childcare and housing support.

Torrez hails $1.4B VOCA grant victory after Trump administration drops restrictions New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez and 20 state counterparts won a key VOCA lawsuit after the Trump Administration dropped plans to withhold $1.4B in victim aid tied to immigration enforcement.

New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez called the $1.4 billion VOCA grant a major win for survivors and service providers after President Trump removed limits on how states can use the funds.

Doña Ana Arts Council sets Nov. 8–9 dates for Renaissance Arts Faire at Young Park Renaissance Arts Faire moves to Nov. 8–9 at Young Park in Las Cruces, with tickets on sale and additional fall programs at the arts council.

The Doña Ana Arts Council has announced new dates for its annual Renaissance Arts Faire: Nov. 8–9 at Young Park. Expect juried artists, performances and food vendors.

Draft Martinez/Yazzie Action Plan open for public comment The Public Education Department has submitted a draft Martinez/Yazzie Action Plan to the court and is seeking public feedback through Oct. 17.

New Mexico’s PED has submitted a draft of the Martinez/Yazzie Action Plan to the court. The state is now inviting public comment through Oct. 17.

Three Santa Teresa employers awarded $800K in state job training funds Three Santa Teresa companies will share more than $800K in state job training funds to expand local manufacturing and workforce skills.

Three companies in Santa Teresa secured over $800,000 from a state program to train up to 90 workers and strengthen local workforce capacity.

Torrez applauds First Circuit ruling upholding birthright citizenship Attorney General Raúl Torrez welcomed a First Circuit ruling striking down Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship, calling it unconstitutional.

New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez applauds a ruling that reaffirms birthright citizenship, saying it protects one of the nation’s core constitutional rights.

Torrez applauds First Circuit ruling upholding birthright citizenship Attorney General Raúl Torrez welcomed a First Circuit ruling striking down Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship, calling it unconstitutional.

Torrez lauds court ruling that keeps birthright citizenship intact, saying it protects a fundamental principle of equality.

NM Gov signs four special session bills, but still ‘deliberating’ on vaccine legislation New Mexico governor signs four of six bills from the special session, but vaccine legislation is still under deliberation.

Gov. Lujan Grisham signed four special session bills funding health care, food aid and rural hospitals — but she’s still weighing a vaccine bill that lacks full support.

DACC hosting Banned Books Week Carnival at two campuses Doña Ana Community College will host a Banned Books Week Carnival Oct. 7 at the Espina campus and Oct. 9 at the Sunland Park center, featuring games, prizes and information on challenged books.

Reading, games, community — DACC is holding Banned Books Week carnivals on two campuses this week. Don’t miss it.

Las Cruces, MVEDA recognized with statewide economic development award The City of Las Cruces and MVEDA received the Blueprint for Growth Award for their Pre-Speculative Industrial Development Program at the 2025 Governor’s Economic Development Conference.

MVEDA and Las Cruces were recognized with New Mexico’s top statewide economic development honor — the Blueprint for Growth award.

Road maintenance scheduled for Snow, Sandhill and Montoya roads Doña Ana County will begin chip seal work Oct. 6 on Snow, Sandhill and Montoya roads. Traffic will be reduced to one lane with possible delays.

Road work alert in Doña Ana County: chip seal on Snow, Sandhill and Montoya roads. Expect delays and obey flaggers.

DACC collecting costumes for Chaparral students in annual Halloween drive Doña Ana Community College is holding its 3rd annual Halloween Costume Drive for Chaparral Elementary students, with donations accepted through Oct. 22.

Doña Ana Community College is once again collecting Halloween costumes for Chaparral Elementary students, making sure every child can join the fun. 👻

Chile Drop gets $10,000 boost from New Mexico Tourism Las Cruces’ Chile Drop has received a $10,000 New Mexico Tourism grant to expand the city’s signature New Year’s Eve celebration, which draws thousands each year.

$10,000 from New Mexico Tourism will power a bigger Chile Drop in downtown Las Cruces on New Year’s Eve. Here’s what to expect.

NMSU studies: Cognitive impairments linked with premature death among Americans with chronic diseases NMSU studies show COPD or diabetes paired with cognitive impairments greatly raise premature death risk, especially among older Hispanics.

An NMSU study shows that cognitive impairments sharply increase premature-death risks among Americans with chronic diseases like COPD and diabetes — with Hispanic adults hit hardest.

Las Cruces police, La Piñon stress consent, prevention Las Cruces police and La Piñon highlight prevention tips as most sexual assaults involve someone known to the victim. College students face higher risk.

In Las Cruces, police and La Piñon are focusing on consent and community education following reports of acquaintance rape. Their message: prevention starts with awareness.

BLM auction of McGregor Range grazing units nets more than $1 million BLM auctioned grazing rights on McGregor Range near Alamogordo and El Paso, leasing 14,116 forage units and generating over $1 million for land management.

The Bureau of Land Management confirmed its McGregor Range grazing auction generated more than $1 million for southern New Mexico land management.

NMSU social work students help curb chronic absenteeism in Las Cruces NMSU social work students are partnering with Las Cruces Public Schools to curb chronic absenteeism, improve attendance and support student success.

Chronic absenteeism is a major challenge in Las Cruces. NMSU social work students are helping change that.

Torrez warns New Mexicans about online immigration attorney scams Attorney General Raúl Torrez warned of rising scams where fraudsters pose as immigration attorneys online, urging New Mexicans to avoid payments via social apps and verify credentials directly.

“Scams disguised as legal help are rising.”

New Mexicans are being warned against online immigration attorney fraud.

GUEST COLUMN: Putting off a screening mammogram can delay life-saving care MountainView interim CEO Greg Repetti stresses the importance of timely mammograms, urging women to prioritize screenings this October.

“Don’t put it off.”

MountainView’s interim CEO urges women to prioritize mammograms during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

MountainView opens new urgent care on Lohman Avenue MountainView Regional Medical Center has opened a new urgent care on Lohman Avenue in Las Cruces, replacing its Walton location and expanding walk-in services.

Las Cruces has a new urgent care option: MountainView opened its Lohman Avenue clinic this week, taking the place of its Walton location.

Las Cruces first grade teacher Nancy Orta named 2026 New Mexico Teacher of the Year Nancy Orta, a first grade teacher at East Picacho Elementary in Las Cruces, has been named the 2026 New Mexico Teacher of the Year. She will represent the state nationally.

👏 A standing ovation for Nancy Orta! The East Picacho Elementary first grade teacher has been honored as the 2026 New Mexico Teacher of the Year.

NMSU names Joe Fields as new Athletics Director New Mexico State University has named Joe Fields its next athletics director. Fields, who played football at Syracuse and most recently worked at Tulsa, starts Oct. 8.

Big change in Aggie athletics: Joe Fields has been named the new Athletics Director at NMSU.

NMSU highlights water, energy research labs during Heinrich visit U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich visited NMSU this week, touring labs focused on water treatment, energy technology and cybersecurity research.

Sen. Heinrich walked NMSU’s test labs for water treatment, clean energy and grid security. Local innovation on display.

Las Cruces police warn gun owners after rise in firearm thefts from vehicles Las Cruces police say 429 firearms have been stolen from vehicles since 2022, making up nearly 75% of all reported gun thefts in the city.

In Las Cruces, 429 out of 578 stolen firearms since 2022 were taken from vehicles, police say. They remind gun owners not to leave them in cars.

Vasquez presses social media CEOs on illegal gun sales, youth violence U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez urged Meta, Snapchat and Telegram to stop illegal gun sales on their platforms after New Mexico law enforcement raised alarms about youth access to firearms.

Rep. Gabe Vasquez recently confronted social media CEOs on illegal gun sales, warning about their impact on rising youth violence.

Road rage suspect arrested in June shooting that killed Las Cruces teen Las Cruces police arrested Jonathan Estrada, 18, in the June 2 road rage shooting that killed 14-year-old Alejandro Roman near Solano and Spruce.

An arrest in the June 2 road rage shooting: Jonathan Estrada, 18, faces seven felonies in the death of 14-year-old Alejandro Roman.

New Mexico Health Department declares measles outbreak over New Mexico ended its measles outbreak after 42 days with no new cases; officials thanked residents who got MMR shots and urged travelers to check vaccination status.

📣 Public health win: New Mexico has declared its measles outbreak over after no new cases for 42 days.

Man pleads guilty to federal firearms charges after Las Cruces gas station threat An Egyptian national pleaded guilty to federal firearms offenses after a Las Cruces gas station incident; prosecutors say he faces up to 15 years.

📌 Breaking: A man admitted to federal firearms charges after threatening someone at a Las Cruces gas station. Up to 15 years possible.

‘A Better Place’ wraps filming in Las Cruces, highlights local talent The feature film “A Better Place,” a dark comedy thriller shot in and around Las Cruces, wrapped production in May. The project hired more than 100 New Mexico residents and featured local businesses a...

🎬 Hey Las Cruces — A Better Place wrapped filming around town. Local talent, diverse landscapes, big ambitions.