A middle schooler said she was raped. Then she was suspended from classes.
After a 13-year-old reported sexual assault, she was left to navigate a system where limited state and federal oversight leave school districts to decide how allegations are handled.
The federal government is scaling back civil rights enforcement for students. What does that mean for K-12 schools?
This inaugural podcast episode of “Searchlight New Mexico with Ed Williams” delves into the complexities of sexual assault in schools. Student advocates Sabrina Bernadel and Susan Moen offer their takes on the issue.
As feds scale back sex assault oversight, school districts have final say
New Mexico provides no oversight of sexual assault between students in schools. A recent case in Hobbs shows what that can mean.
Hobbs police struggle with sex crimes
Police in Hobbs said an alleged rape was consensual. The department has a long, troubled record with sex crimes.
Featured Stories
How Ozempic is changing Medicaid spending in New Mexico
New Mexico’s Medicaid program in 2025 spent $38.7 million on the medication — up more than 34% since just the year before.
The Trump administration cut funding for New Mexico park projects. Here’s the list.
Four New Mexico projects were among those Interior leaders said were “against the best interests of the American people.”
Think New Mexico unveils proposed updates to legislative ethics policies
The Legislature’s status as the last unsalaried one in the nation, Think New Mexico asserts, has been the main justification for lax ethics laws.
State relaxes proposed rules for New Mexico childcare center spending
Some childcare providers have expressed dissatisfaction with the finalized rules, and argue state law needs more revision.
He had legal status, no criminal convictions; ICE jailed and arrested him anyway
Edgar Chacon-Miranda, the face of the ICE crackdown in Santa Fe, had U visa protections. He says agents fabricated reports in an effort to deport him.
Tenant union draws attention to safety violations at Albuquerque apartments
City code enforcement is set to issue violation notices to the owner, linked to an address in Mission Viejo, Calif., in the next day or two.
Oracle sends ‘force majeure’ notice to Project Jupiter developers to protect itself from liability
Oracle sent a notice of “force majeure” to a developer, seeking to release itself from liability if the data center is not online by 2028.
One Southern New Mexico county eyes big incentives for data center as another mulls a block
The contrasting receptions for the two projects echo divisions cropping up in communities around the country.
U.S. senators grill UNM-trained doctor tapped to lead FDA
Heidi Overton provided few clear answers on whether she’ll resist political interference from President Donald Trump.
A ‘who’s who of power brokers in New Mexico’ lobbying for Project Jupiter
The names range “from a former Executive Director of the state Democratic Party to a family of lobbyists married to legislators.”
Toward healthier horizons?
The initiative is part of the Rural Health Transformation Program created by the 2025 federal budget reconciliation bill.
Health
State officials, child welfare plaintiffs strike deal reaching into next governor’s term
The Kevin S. plaintiffs and the state both acknowledged CYFD’s progress but said it continued to lag in some areas.
New Mexico insurance superintendent defends hikes in marketplace insurance premiums
New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance Alice Kane on Wednesday defended her decision to approve a significant health insurance rate increase before members of the powerful Legislative Finance Committee. Kane on Sept. 1 OK’d an average rate increase of 24.4% for 2027 individual insurance plans sold on and off BeWell, the state health insurance exchange established…
High-level New Mexico Democrats push for new social media protection bills
The bills would increase penalties for consumer protections violations and curb addictive or exploitative tactics.
child & Family Welfare
CYFD uses ‘loophole’ in state law to refuse records requests involving dead children
CYFD is allowed to decide to whom it releases records related to child deaths, a loophole a state senator wants to close.
Las Vegas, N.M., ex-teacher sentenced to prison after admitting to sexual abuse of student
A civil case filed on behalf of the girl’s family accused Las Vegas City Schools of negligence and missteps.
New Mexico’s early childhood department offers childcare facility loan program
The state plans to ask lawmakers for an additional $10 million next year for the program, and is now seeking new providers.
Government
New Mexico is spending big to fix behavioral healthcare. Why is there so little to show?
The Behavioral Health Services Division asked the state for another $7.2 million in general fund dollars for its FY 2028 budget.
Two Project Jupiter foes accused of disorderly contact at commission meeting
Two people were cited at a Doña Ana County meeting a year after commissioners voted to approve Project Jupiter’s bonds.
Some New Mexico hospitals still not posting required price lists, report finds
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has since 2021 required all U.S. hospitals to post pricing info online.
Want to see more? Click here to view our full archive.
Support investigative journalism.
We are independent and nonpartisan.
We are focused on New Mexico issues.
We hold people in power accountable.
