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.
How we reported on sexual assault in schools
Sexual violence is a particularly difficult topic for investigative reporters to cover.
Reporta violación y la suspenden de clases
Read in English. Advertencia de contenido: Esta historia contiene descripciones de acusaciones de agresión sexual que involucran a niños. Si usted o alguien que conoce ha sufrido una agresión sexual, visite la Línea Nacional de Ayuda para Víctimas de Agresión Sexual de RAINN para obtener asistencia. Llame al 800.656.HOPE (4673), chatee en RAINN.org/hotline o envíe un…
Featured Stories
Women’s giving circle aims to uplift Santa Fe middle schoolers, broaden reach
Nearing its 20th year, Hestia Fund has given money to some Santa Fe nonprofits for more than a decade and is also focusing on helping new organizations get off their feet.
Timeline: Copper Flat Mine
Lawsuits have challenged Copper Flat’s water rights and residents have questioned its feasibility as a mine with low-grade ore that would use about 360 million gallons of water per year.
Why a copper mine’s return worries Hillsboro residents
A controversial copper mine that closed decades ago could be coming back to Hillsboro, stirring fears among residents about pollution and water use.
Sunland Park’s water now meets EPA arsenic standards. Can the state rebuild trust with residents?
The region’s water authority has come under fire for distributing high arsenic drinking water to customers without telling them.
AG, Santa Fe lawmaker pitch AI safety measures after UNM breach
The announcement followed an attempt by an autonomous, out-of-control AI model to access a restricted record from the school.
Las Cruces at-risk youth program highlights growth, notes struggles coordinating with state agencies
Enrollment in Las Cruces programs serving at-risk youth and those exiting foster care or incarceration topped 1,000 last year despite challenges with staffing and funding.
Lawmakers, attorney say New Mexico’s child welfare system has a long way to go
Legislators expressed concerns over CYFD’s slow progress toward reform, and said it must better professionalize its workforce.
Request for records on governor’s meeting with data center officials yields one photo
A public records request regarding a July 27 meeting between Oracle and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham provided virtually no information on its content.
Santa Fe Public Schools accused of withholding information on audio surveillance investigation
A law firm suing Santa Fe Public Schools says the district improperly redacted its report on audio-recording school cameras.
Formerly incarcerated ‘Breaking Bad’ actor spreads message of change at New Mexico prison
Luis Moncada, also known for his appearances in “Better Call Saul” and “Dexter,” relayed his life story and fielded questions.
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.
Health
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.
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.
child & Family Welfare
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.
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.
Government
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.
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.
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