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Exterior of the Doña Ana County Health Services Center building in Las Cruces, with the county seal mounted on the stucco facade beneath a clear blue sky.
Health

Southern New Mexico’s brush with measles — and the warnings that linger

New measles cases in detention centers and declining vaccination rates among young children raise renewed outbreak concerns across Southern New Mexico.

Jonny Coker
Mesilla Mayor Russell Hernandez smiles in a headshot portrait against a brick wall background.
Entertainment

Film festival to honor Mesilla mayor with ‘Hometown Hero’ award

Mesilla Mayor and Salud! Restaurant co-owner Russell Hernandez will be honored with the Las Cruces International Film Festival “Hometown Hero” award April 11, recognizing his contributions to the community and region.

Minerva Baumann
Sign on a state building reading “State of New Mexico Youth and Families Department.”
News

CYFD ends overnight office stays for children in state custody

The Children, Youth and Families Department says it has ended the practice of housing children overnight in agency offices following a January executive order.

Organ Mountain News
Close-up scientific illustration of the measles virus particle with textured surface and protein spikes.
Health

Four inmates in southern New Mexico detention centers test positive for measles

A federal inmate at the Doña Ana County Detention Center has tested positive for measles as four cases are confirmed in southern New Mexico facilities, bringing the statewide total to five.

Organ Mountain News
Emergency responders stand beside a fire truck while a helicopter sits nearby during a nighttime response scene.
Crime

14-year-old airlifted after suspected shooting in Vado

A 14-year-old was airlifted to a local hospital after a suspected shooting on Fuentes Lane in Vado. Two persons of interest have been identified.

Organ Mountain News
Exterior of the Las Cruces Public Schools administration building, with the district name and mosaic emblem displayed above the entrance.
LCPS

LCPS to host budget town hall March 5

Las Cruces Public Schools will host a public budget town hall March 5 to review and discuss the proposed FY 2026–27 district budget.

Organ Mountain News
New Mexico Public Education Department logo displayed on a white background.
Education

Lawmakers approve literacy, math and special education reforms

New Mexico lawmakers approved bills overhauling literacy instruction, strengthening math requirements and formalizing special education leadership at the Public Education Department.

Organ Mountain News
Close-up of a judge’s gavel resting on a wooden sound block.
Crime

Grand jury indicts Sonia Jimenez in newborn death case

A Doña Ana County grand jury has indicted Sonia Jimenez on a charge of intentional child abuse resulting in death. An arraignment is scheduled for March 2 in district court.

Damien Willis
Electrical panels and utility boxes mounted on the exterior wall of a building.
State

New Mexicans can receive up to $14,000 for home energy upgrades

New Mexico is accepting applications for rebates up to $14,000 to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters upgrade appliances and heating and cooling systems.

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.