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Ray Jaramillo, owner and director of Alpha School in Las Cruces.
Opinion

OPINION: Why New Mexico’s youngest learners shouldn’t be tested on iPads

A veteran early childhood educator argues that screen-based testing undermines how children truly learn and grow Ray Jaramillo, Las Cruces Note: The opinions expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Organ Mountain News. As an early childhood educator with

Ray Jaramillo
A wooden judge’s gavel resting on a marble surface, casting a shadow
Crime

Two Mescalero men sentenced in separate violent crime cases

Two Mescalero Apache men were sentenced to federal prison in separate violent crime cases — one for a 2022 assault with a baseball bat, the other for sexually abusing a child under 12.

Organ Mountain News
Portable road sign reading “Road Closed” above a black-and-orange “Detour” sign with a right-pointing arrow, set up on a street with orange traffic barrels in the background
Local

Moongate and Sirus intersection to close for gas line location work starting Aug. 18

Doña Ana County will close the Moongate Road and Sirus Street intersection starting Aug. 18 for gas line location work. Closures will occur during daytime hours for about five business days.

Organ Mountain News
Three children standing in a grassy field holding hands, facing away from the camera, wearing jackets and pants.
News

$14.3 million in New Mexico Child Tax Credits left unclaimed

About 31,000 New Mexico taxpayers missed out on Child Tax Credit payments in 2023 and 2024. State officials are sending letters to those who appear eligible, encouraging them to claim their refunds.

Organ Mountain News
Doña Ana Community College East Mesa Campus with the Organ Mountains in the background.
DACC

DACC welcomes students and families with campus bashes this month

Doña Ana Community College is hosting Welcome Back Bashes in August at three locations, offering swag, food and information sessions for students and families.

Organ Mountain News
The Doña Ana Magistrate Court building in Las Cruces is pictured at dusk, with the Organ Mountains visible in the background.
Public Safety

Judge releases woman accused in Vado crash that killed two children under strict monitoring

A Doña Ana County judge released Christina Escobedo Arriaga on personal recognizance with GPS and continuous alcohol monitoring after an Aug. 10 crash in the 8100 block of State Road 478 in Vado that killed two passengers, ages 15 and 12, according to court records.

Organ Mountain News
Organ Mountain News + Listening Post Collective graphic with people meeting outdoors.
Organ Mountain News

Listening Post Collective grant helps OMN strengthen community-centered reporting

Organ Mountain News has received a $20,000 grant from the Listening Post Collective, supported by national foundations. The funding allows OMN to focus on listening and responding to the unmet information needs of southern New Mexico communities.

Damien Willis
Close-up of a person holding a smartphone displaying the Instagram login page in a web browser
Public Safety

Attorneys general call on Meta to place privacy limits on new Instagram location feature

A bipartisan coalition of 37 attorneys general, led by New Mexico’s Raúl Torrez, is urging Meta to strengthen safety measures on Instagram’s “Map” feature — calling for restrictions on minors, better warnings and easy opt-out access

Austin Fisher
Interior of the Pan American Center at New Mexico State University, showing the basketball court and seating areas under the arena’s domed roof.
Sports

NMSU to pay $600,000 to settle wrongful termination suit with former coach Greg Heiar

New Mexico State University has agreed to pay $600,000 to settle former men’s basketball coach Greg Heiar’s wrongful termination lawsuit. ESPN first reported the settlement, which follows his 2023 dismissal amid hazing investigations and a fatal shooting tied to the program.

Organ Mountain News
Organ Mountain News

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You’re free to republish our stories — with credit. Our journalism is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Please edit only for style or length, include attribution and a link back to Organ Mountain News. AP and Getty images may not be reused. See our republishing guidelines for more.