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A wide aerial view of the New Mexico State University campus at sunset, with campus buildings, trees and the Organ Mountains in the background glowing in warm light.
NMSU Featured

NMSU seeks input on strategic planning through town hall sessions

NMSU is holding a series of town-hall meetings to gather input on its next strategic plan. The university encourages all stakeholders to attend, offer feedback and help shape its future direction.

Exterior of the Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center on East Hadley Avenue, showing its orange and glass facade under a clear blue sky with desert landscaping in front.
Community Featured

Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center sets weeklong pool closure for inspections

The Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center will close its pools November 16 to 23, 2025, for annual maintenance and inspections, with extended hours at the Las Cruces Natatorium and adjusted fitness center operations.

A box of Ozempic, a prescription semaglutide injection used for diabetes and weight management, shown on a brown surface.
Health Featured

New Mexico Department of Justice warns consumers about unapproved weight-loss drugs

The New Mexico Department of Justice is warning residents about fraudulent or unsafe weight-loss drugs being sold online and through med spas, urging consumers to use only state-licensed pharmacies.

People gather and talk on the New Mexico House floor beneath the state seal and flags after the Nov. 10, 2025 special legislative session.
State Featured

New Mexico Legislature passes, acting governor signs $162.5M to cover SNAP payments if needed

The Legislature passed, and the acting governor signed, a $162.5 million plan to keep SNAP benefits flowing in case of a federal lapse, safeguarding food aid for hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans.

Four people stand together at the New Mexico Emergency Management Symposium, holding the 2025 Special Recognition Award and a certificate during the presentation.
Community

Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico recognized for disaster relief leadership

The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico received a 2025 Special Recognition Award for leading collaborative disaster relief through its Greatest Needs Impact Fund.

Aerial view of the New Mexico State University campus in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Accountability

NMFOG lawsuits target UNM and NMSU over hidden athlete-pay records

The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government and student journalist Nick Núñez have filed lawsuits against UNM and NMSU, alleging both universities violated the state’s public-records law by hiding Name, Image and Likeness and revenue-sharing agreements with athletes.

Former New Mexico Congressman Steve Pearce speaks during a televised interview, gesturing with his hand while seated against a backdrop of red, white and blue stars.
Politics

Trump nominates former NM GOP Congressman Steve Pearce to lead BLM

President Donald Trump has nominated former New Mexico Rep. Steve Pearce to lead the Bureau of Land Management, triggering criticism from conservation groups and energy industry support alike.

The New Mexico State Senate chamber in Santa Fe, showing rows of empty desks, maroon chairs, and the state seal mounted on the wall behind the podium.
State

NM special session moves ahead despite USDA release of full SNAP benefits

New Mexico officials say they will convene a special legislative session Monday despite the United States Department of Agriculture releasing full November food-aid payments to roughly 460,000 residents amid ongoing funding uncertainty.

Close-up of yellow police crime scene tape stretched across a parking lot, with blurred vehicles visible in the background.
Crime

One man dead, another injured in double shooting outside Whiskey Dicks

Police say a 28-year-old man was killed and a 37-year-old suspect wounded after a confrontation turned deadly outside Whiskey Dicks in Las Cruces early Saturday.

Red, white and blue “I Voted” stickers with stylized American flag designs scattered across a black background.
Elections

Doña Ana County voters approve bonds, settle most local races as Las Cruces District 6 remains undecided

Doña Ana County voters backed major bond questions and decided most city and school board races, while one Las Cruces City Council contest remains uncalled pending ranked-choice tabulation.

Former Las Cruces police officer Felipe Hernandez in a booking photo before a height chart, wearing a dark shirt.
Public Safety

Former Las Cruces police officer found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in 2023 shooting

A Doña Ana County jury convicted former LCPD officer Felipe Hernandez of voluntary manslaughter in the 2023 shooting of Teresa “Terry” Leyva Gomez. The case tested police accountability and use-of-force standards in Las Cruces.

A scattered collection of “I Voted” stickers with red and blue designs on a white background.
State

Doña Ana County leads southern New Mexico in early absentee turnout

Doña Ana County voters have returned more than 12,000 absentee ballots, accounting for 9% of New Mexico’s total as of Oct. 31, according to state data.

Four Las Cruces firefighters smile while holding colorful glow necklaces outside a city fire station ahead of Halloween.
Community

Las Cruces firefighters offering free glow necklaces for Halloween safety

The Las Cruces Fire Department will hand out free glow necklaces Oct. 31 to help trick-or-treaters stay visible after dark. One per child, available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at seven city stations.

A maroon New Mexico State University banner reading “NM State” hangs from a pole with tree branches in the foreground.
NMSU

NMSU Extension continues to monitor New World Screwworm situation

NMSU Extension agents continue tracking the parasitic New World screwworm, previously eradicated from the U.S., amid recent detections in Mexico and concerns about livestock health and border trade.

Child’s drawing of four uniformed service members saluting beneath an American flag with the words “Thank you Veterans” written above and “Saluting our R.O.T.C.” beside them.
Local

Las Cruces Veterans Day Parade set for Nov. 8 downtown

The annual Las Cruces Veterans Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, in downtown Las Cruces, featuring the theme “Honoring America’s Future Military Leaders.”

The exterior of the Genesis Center C building at New Mexico State University, home to the Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship, with a sign displaying the Arrowhead Center and NMSU logos.
NMSU

NMSU’s Hunt Center to host Hult Prize student pitch competition

The Hunt Center at NMSU will host the Hult Prize student-idea competition, giving university teams a chance to pitch their ventures for a $1 million prize and advance to the global stage.

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez speaking with two older adults in a grocery store aisle stacked with egg cartons and dairy products as they discuss rising household costs.
Rep. Gabe Vasquez

Vasquez meets with Las Cruces seniors to discuss cost-of-living challenges

Rep. Gabe Vasquez met with Las Cruces seniors to discuss the impact of rising costs on groceries, housing and health care, pledging to defend Social Security and lower everyday expenses.

A Halloween-themed display at Branigan Library includes the books Cold Vengeance, Black Widows and The Confidential Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, with Dracula’s image and a moonlit castle.
Events

Las Cruces Public Libraries invites residents to experience ‘House of Dracula’

Las Cruces Public Libraries will host an immersive Halloween experience, the “House of Dracula,” Oct. 31 at Branigan Library, complete with spooky treats, experiments and photo ops.

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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.