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Close-up of a woman’s hands shaping dough on a kitchen counter, conveying everyday domestic labor and care inside a modest home.
News Featured

Rising costs and child care strain are squeezing Latino families in southern New Mexico

Community leaders say rising costs, child care access and immigration fear are reshaping daily life for Latino families across southern New Mexico.

A headshot of Joseph Omar Ruiz, released by the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office as part of an ongoing homicide investigation.
Crime

DASO renews call for information in June homicide case

The Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the June 5 death of Joseph Omar Ruiz as a homicide and is asking anyone with information to contact Central Dispatch or Crime Stoppers.

A tan and black semiautomatic handgun rests on a scratched blue surface next to a magazine, two loose bullets and a box of ammunition, with a dark background fading into warm orange light.
Crime Featured

Las Cruces teen charged with receiving firearm while under indictment

Federal prosecutors say a 19-year-old Las Cruces man illegally received a handgun while under indictment after investigators found Instagram photos and messages tying him to a weapon recovered during a sheriff’s office call in August.

A long stretch of border wall follows a ridge toward a hill with radio towers, overlooking a neighborhood of tightly packed homes on the other side.
Crime Featured

Federal shutdown period saw spike in immigration and border-related prosecutions in New Mexico

Federal prosecutors in New Mexico filed hundreds of immigration and border-related charges during the government shutdown, according to new data from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

A Las Cruces Police Department patrol vehicle with its blue and red emergency lights activated during dusk.
Crime Featured

Las Cruces police arrest 16-year-old in deadly Bugatti Drive shooting

Police arrested a 16-year-old Las Cruces boy in the Nov. 15 Bugatti Drive shooting that killed a 21-year-old man and wounded three others. Detectives say public videos were key to the case.

A one-story home on Enchanted Drive is heavily damaged after a fire, with charred porch supports, burned debris and foam on the ground as emergency lights glow in the background.
Local

Fire damages Las Cruces home, two residents hospitalized as precaution

Las Cruces firefighters extinguished a late-night house fire on Enchanted Drive that sent two residents to the hospital for precautionary treatment. The cause is under investigation.

Street signs for Bentley Drive and Bugatti Drive are shown against a clear blue sky at the intersection where Las Cruces police responded to a fatal shooting at a house party.
Crime

One man killed, three injured in late-night shooting at Las Cruces house party

Las Cruces police are investigating a shooting that left one man dead and three people injured during a house party late Saturday on Bugatti Drive. Detectives are seeking cellphone video from attendees.

Gallery view of the Branigan Cultural Center’s All-City High School Senior Art Show, featuring student artwork on display and a colorful sign promoting the 2025 exhibition.
Art

Branigan Cultural Center invites Las Cruces teens to enter 2026 All-City High School Art Show

Las Cruces high school juniors and seniors can apply now for the 2026 All-City High School Art Show at Branigan Cultural Center, featuring cash awards, a new format and a free framing workshop.

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

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

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

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

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.

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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.