Public Safety

New Mexico Forestry Division Wildfire Notification: Perch Fire Burning In Guadalupe County

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Fire and Smoke Map in New Mexico. Courtesy/AirNow

New Mexico Forestry Division News:

The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to inform readers about a wildfire that is requiring the attention of suppression resources in New Mexico. Resources are on scene at the Perch Fire southeast of Santa Rosa near Perch Lake.

The fire was discovered at 12:50 p.m. today, March 30, and is active and making runs in grass and brush fuels. Spot fires crossed over N.M. 91 and the fire is making an eastern push. Structures are threatened, including the Santa Rosa Airport. “GO” status evacuations are in place for Read More

FBI: Zuni Man Sentenced To 12 Years In Federal Prison For Firing Shotgun At Occupied Vehicle

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Zuni man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for federal firearms offenses after he fired a shotgun at an occupied vehicle parked outside of a home on the Zuni Pueblo.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on the evening of Feb. 2, 2025, Cody Laweka, 35, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Zuni, drove with another person to a home on the Pueblo of Zuni. The person with whom Laweka drove had a shotgun in his truck bed. On the way to this residence, Laweka asked to use that shotgun. When Laweka arrived at the residence, he exited the truck with the shotgun Read More

Op-Ed: Ethical Rules Apply To Judges And Judicial Candidates In New Mexico

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By Karl Reifsteck
Director
Administrative Office of the Courts 

The founders of our nation viewed a fair, impartial, and independent judiciary as a cornerstone for the government they envisioned 250 years ago when breaking free from the British monarchy. The founders wanted judges who followed the rule of law rather than the King’s commands.

Under our nation’s foundational principles, judges today decide legal disputes based on the law and the facts of a case. In doing that, judges must set aside their personal views and remain unwaveringly focused on the law. The requirement for fairness Read More

FBI: Las Cruces Man Pleads Guilty To Drug Trafficking And Felon In Possession Of Firearms

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Las Cruces man pleaded guilty to federal drug and firearm offenses after agents recovered methamphetamine, fentanyl, and firearms during a search of his residence.

According to court documents, on April 3, 2024, FBI and Metro Narcotics Task Force agents executed a search warrant at the residence of Enrique Alan Ramirez, 46, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. During the search, agents recovered four firearms and over 68 grams of methamphetamine and over 55 grams of fentanyl. Ramirez, who has a prior felony conviction for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Read More

Luján, Murkowski, Schatz Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation To Expand And Modernize Native Housing Programs

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaiʻi), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, introduced the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026 (NAHASDA Modernization Act), comprehensive legislation to reauthorize and modernize federal housing programs serving American Indians, Alaska Natives, Read More

Final Update On 4,111 Acre Old 66 Fire In Quay County

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New Mexico Forestry Division News:

Update: Fire response crews succeeded in stopping forward progression of the Old 66 Fire yesterday evening, and containment today is at 50 percent. The fire’s acreage is 4,111 acres after more accurate mapping.

Crews are engaged in mop-up actions on the north and southeast sides of the fire footprint and will work to extinguish interior heat. One structure was impacted by the fire, but the threat to structures has now passed for the area.

Local residents should take caution and avoid the area as crews are still engaged in suppression activities. This will be Read More

Wildfire Update: Unified Fire In Valencia County March 27

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NMFD News:

Highlights: Containment lines on the Unified Fire held up to tests from higher winds yesterday, raising containment to 50%. Today, fire crews will continue suppression activities as well as rehabilitation efforts within the affected area. This will be the final notification on the Unified Fire unless significant changes occur. 

Acres: 300.  

Containment: 50% contained.      

Start Date/Time: 10:49 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24. 

Fuels: Grass, brush, timber and timber understory. 

Cause: Under investigation. 

Location: Madrone, east of I-25, south of Rio Communities in Valencia Read More

State Police Checkpoints And Saturation Patrols Across New Mexico In April

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NMSP News:

State Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols; and registration, insurance, and driver’s license checkpoints in all New Mexico counties during April 2026.

We are bringing awareness to these events to reduce impaired driving-related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising. These checkpoints are helping to change society’s attitude about driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

Hundreds of lives could be saved each year if every driver had the courage to make the right decision Read More

FBI: Las Cruces Felon Charged Federally With Fentanyl Trafficking And Firearm Offenses

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Las Cruces man with prior felony convictions has been charged in federal court with fentanyl trafficking and multiple firearm offenses after allegedly threatening victims with a handgun and later possessing more than 40 grams of fentanyl while armed.

According to court records, July 5, 2025, Kenneth Manuel Aguirre, 43, allegedly pointed a handgun at three victims during an incident outside his residence in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office deputies took Aguirre into custody and recovered a handgun and suspected fentanyl pills from his vehicle, Read More

Rep. Gabe Vasquez Announces Major Milestone: $5 Million Returned To New Mexican Taxpayers Through Casework

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CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On March 27, 2025, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) announced that his office had successfully returned more than $5 million to constituents in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District this Congress through casework services.

Rep. Vasquez’s casework team helps constituents cut past red tape and resolve issues with federal agencies, including the IRS, Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, and more.

“Hardworking New Mexican families don’t have time to deal with slow government bureaucracy and wading through red tape. My Read More