Legislative session opens today — here’s what matters first for southern New Mexico
New Mexico lawmakers open the 2026 legislative session today. Here’s what to watch first — and what could matter most for southern New Mexico.
Damien Willis
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. Previously, he was a lead reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News. From 2014 to 2017 he served as the newspaper's education reporter. He also worked for the District Attorney's office and LCPS.
DACC launching paid campus journalism internships
Doña Ana Community College is launching a paid campus journalism program, selecting eight students for newsroom internships as the college builds its first student-run newscast and newspaper.
House Democrats preview 2026 priorities as session nears
Days before New Mexico lawmakers return to Santa Fe, House Democrats are previewing what they want to prioritize in the 2026 session — and what those early signals could mean for southern New Mexico.
El Paso radio host faces multiple charges after court filings, released on bond
Court records show El Paso radio host Buzz Adams faces DWI, drug and weapon allegations from a Jan. 10 arrest. He was released Jan. 11 on a $6,500 bond.
Vasquez co-sponsors impeachment articles against DHS secretary amid scrutiny after Minneapolis ICE shooting
Rep. Gabe Vasquez has co-sponsored articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as debate over ICE tactics and a fatal Minneapolis encounter continues.
Council to vote on Las Cruces police pay raises tied to staffing agreement
Las Cruces City Council is set to vote Monday on a proposed pay increase for police officers under a labor agreement aimed at recruitment and retention.
Prosecutors seek to hold 18-year-old Las Cruces man without bond in handgun assault case
Prosecutors have asked a District Court judge to hold an 18-year-old Las Cruces man without bond, citing multiple felony charges and allegations involving a handgun and several victims.
County records detail Project Jupiter water plans, but no binding commitments yet
Doña Ana County records outline Project Jupiter’s projected water use and proposed mitigation measures, but documents reviewed by Organ Mountain News show no water-related commitments were legally binding as of mid-September 2025.
Child abuse charge in Anthony follows public intervention after child found unsupervised
A child abuse charge filed in Anthony stems from public intervention after witnesses reported a young child walking unsupervised, according to court records.
