Daily Postcard: Nestled in the village of Chimayo along the High Road to Taos sits a national historic landmark, El Santuario de Chimayo. The sanctuary is well known for the unusual legend of its creation and as a present-day pilgrimage site. It receives almost 300,000 visitors per year and has been called ‘no doubt the most important Catholic pilgrimage center in the United States.’ It is also often called the ‘Lourdes of America’ for its magical healing soil. In the small prayer room next to the sanctuary is a round hole filled with this soil. In fact, many come to the church in pursuit of this soil, Read More
State
Final Update On 4,111 Acre Old 66 Fire In Quay County
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
Four Stops, One Iconic Road: Route 66 Exhibit Brings History To Life In New Mexico Starting April 25
ROUTE 66 News:
ALBUQUERQUE — In celebration of both the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and America’s 250th birthday, the “Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit” (“Exhibit”) will bring the history, stories and images of the Mother Road to life across New Mexico.
The free Exhibit features nearly two dozen large-scale interpretive panels, audiovisual mini-documentaries, and educational components highlighting the diverse stories of New Mexicans connected by Route 66.
The Exhibit includes four stops in the state:
- Grants, April 25-27;
- Albuquerque, May 6-7;
- Gallup, May 9-Dec. 31; and special
The Benedictine Monastery Lake Reopens For Fishing
A view of the Benedictine Monastery Lake near the village of Pecos. Courtesy photo
New Mexico Department of Wildlife News:
PECOS — The Benedictine Monastery Lake, near the village of Pecos, has been freshly stocked with trout and has reopened for fishing. Monastery Lake is part of the New Mexico Department of Wildlife’s Open Gate Program. Visit the Department’s website for more information about this property here.
If you are planning a fishing trip this spring, the Department has several tools available to help you. The Weekly Fishing Report provides up-to-date information on fishing conditions Read More
Thousands In Sierra County Gain Access To Broadband
CONNECT NM News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Nearly 3,000 locations, including homes, businesses, and farms in Truth or Consequences and Williamsburg, now have access to high-speed fiber internet, following the completion of a broadband infrastructure project funded by the state’s Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE).
The project was completed ahead of schedule and under its $14.5 million total budget.
“I am so pleased that the days of sporadic and unreliable internet service seem to be over. I have already received calls of improved service, fewer outages, and better affordability,” Truth Read More
Wildfire Update: Unified Fire In Valencia County March 27
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
Gessing: Is New Mexico Suffering From The Curley Effect?
BY PAUL GESSING
President
New Mexico Rio Grande Foundation
I recently came across a concept called The Curley effect. It has nothing to do with Larry and Moe. After some research I learned that The Curley effect, coined by economists Edward L. Glaeser and Andrei Shleifer, is a real concept in political economy. It describes how politicians use wasteful redistributive policies and divisive rhetoric to drive opposing voters out of a city (or in our case a state), thus securing their electoral base.
Named after former Boston Mayor James Michael Curley, it explains how leaders can maintain power Read More
State Police Checkpoints And Saturation Patrols Across New Mexico In April
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
House Speaker Javier Martinez: Haaland The Best Choice To Support Our Kids, Build A Bright Future For New Mexico
Gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland
From the campaign of Deb Haaland:
ALBUQUERQUE — Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives Javier Martinez announced his endorsement of Deb Haaland in the race for governor.
“New Mexico is rebuilding the village it takes to raise a child with every dollar we invest and every policy we pass. We’ve made life better and more affordable for working families across the state by lowering costs, improving access to healthcare and housing, and launching a first-of-its-kind universal childcare program,” Speaker Martínez said. “Right now, as federal Read More
FBI: Las Cruces Felon Charged Federally With Fentanyl Trafficking And Firearm Offenses
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