
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 โSearchlight New Mexico with Ed Williamsโ 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 violaciรณn y la suspenden de clases
Read in English. Advertencia de contenido: Esta historia contiene descripciones de acusaciones de agresiรณn sexual que involucran a niรฑos. Si usted o alguien que conoce ha sufrido una agresiรณn sexual, visite la Lรญnea Nacional de Ayuda para Vรญctimas de Agresiรณn Sexual de RAINN para obtener asistencia. Llame al 800.656.HOPE (4673), chatee en RAINN.org/hotline o envรญe unโฆ
Featured Stories
Las Cruces LGBTQ+ community โvisible and seenโ at October Pride
Because Las Cruces Pride events coincide with Halloween, many LGBTQ+ people are ‘โable to be themselves for the first time.โ
Rincon Arroyo pilot project shows promise in stormwater restoration work
โThis is not just a small little project in the Rincon,โ Jennifer Kleitz said. โWeโll develop the model here and it can be applied all over the state.โ
Legislative priorities on healthcare crystallize as New Mexico voters head to polls
Healthcare access and affordability have become a central issue โ and a surprising point of consensus โ ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Lawmakers criticize delay, rising cost of CYFD IT system
Officials say they must work through more than 200 software bugs before the program is ready to be used, but plan to roll it out by the end of the year.
Tensions increase over tight timeline for Project Jupiter’s air quality permit
Neither the state Environment Department nor a hearing officer is willing to make an official call on its unrealistic timeline.
Judge postpones consideration of order on return of teenager sent to Mexico
A First Judicial District judge expressed concerns the boy and his mother did not have legal representation in the lawsuit.
Commissioners to notify Project Jupiter developers of potential breach of bond agreement
Doรฑa Ana County commissioners agreed to notify Project Jupiter developers of a breach in their agreement with the county following a closed session discussion Tuesday.
โRetreat on methaneโ: New Mexico advocates, industry leaders react to rollbacks
The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board will consider more stringent state-led methane rules in early December.
Costly tornado cleanup underway in Santa Fe as more rain expected
Another series of storm systems is expected from Thursday through late Monday, bringing a renewed risk of flash flooding.
Las Cruces added to โinfested zoneโ as New World screwworm spreads
Within the infested zones, animals must be inspected and, if necessary, treated before being moved in or out of the area.
โThe people say stopโ: New Mexico students walk out to protest data centers
Protestors at several events across the state Tuesday voiced their opposition to Project Jupiter, the massive data center being built in Doรฑa Ana County.
Health
New World screwworm cases identified in Doรฑa Ana, Hidalgo counties
State and federal agriculture authorities have identified three new cases of New World screwworm.
How will Medicaid changes affect older New Mexicans?
People over 65 wonโt be subject to the new work requirements, but that doesnโt necessarily mean theyโll be unaffected by them.
UNM Health System hit by โcybersecurity issueโ
Patients โshould not show up to UNM Health facilities on October 26,โ an announcement on the health systemโs website stated.
child & Family Welfare
Lawsuit alleges Tijeras daycare failed to prevent 1-year-oldโs choking death
The daycare has said it immediately responded to the choking, but the lawsuit alleges staff failed to recognize and address it in time.
CYFD withheld records after death of 10-month-old girl, lawsuit alleges
CYFD gave little explanation in denying requests for information about 10-month-old Skylar Maganaโs death, an attorney alleges.
CYFD fails to implement long-awaited case management system by deadline
CYFD has not yet set a new timeline for the projectโs rollout, prompting concerns from lawmakers over the seemingly endless delays.
Government
Project Jupiter foes dealt blow in data center permit fight
State officials are unsure how long it will take to review Project Jupiterโs updated air quality permit application.
โA terrible crisisโ: Flooding prompts rescues, evacuations in San Juan County
Farmington police in a Facebook post around 9 a.m. Friday wrote emergency responders were still rescuing people throughout the area.
Early voting numbers surpass 2022 as more Democrats, independents vote
Midterm turnout remains lower than presidential cycles, but the Democratic early voter advantage has increased compared to 2022.
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.


