Tag: new mexico

Child advocate blames Democrat governor for 6th child death related to family safety dept: ‘There is blood on the governor’

The tragic death of another child in New Mexico has prompted a child advocate to blame the governor and the children’s safety agency that had been warned about the threat.

Vanessa Chavez was charged with child abuse resulting in death after her 18-month-old daughter was found unresponsive and died after 20 minutes of CPR, Albuquerque police said. The girl’s death is the sixth in only four months of incidents that involved the state’s Children, Youth & Families Department, according to KOB-TV.

New Mexico Child First Network founder Maralyn Beck said the death was preventable and places the blame squarely on the governor as well as the child safety agency.

“Every single one of these deaths was preventable,” Beck said to KOB.

She added: “This is on the governor. There is blood on the governor at this point.”

The child had been taken away from Chavez when she was born premature because the girl had been drug-exposed. KOB reports that the girl was returned to the parents for a trial period and died soon afterward.

“One call to child protective services in a functioning system should save the life of a child,” an emotional Beck said. “One single call. That’s a functioning system, and we don’t have that.”

KOB put the criticism to Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, and she said that it would be a priority for her office as she nears the end of her term but admitted that the agency had troubles.

“You’re chasing your tail, and we’ve been chasing our tail for decades,” she said.

When asked if she was going to make progress in the 18 months she has left, she responded, “We’re gonna make some damn important progress, yes sir.”

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Comatose woman woke up moments before organ harvesting surgery… but pushy donor boss ‘told doctors to operate anyway’

An organ harvesting organization has faced allegations that it urged doctors to remove body parts from a comatose woman – who went on to make a full recovery after medics insisted she showed signs of life. 

Danella Gallegos said she feels lucky to be alive after her organs were almost taken by ‘pushy’ donor bosses when she fell into a coma in 2022.

Gallegos, who was 38 at the time, was homeless when she suffered an unspecified medical emergency, and doctors at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico told her family she would never recover. 

Without any hope, her family agreed to donate her organs and preparations were made with procurement organization New Mexico Donor Services. 

In her final days, Gallegos’ family said they saw tears in her eyes – a sign that they say donation coordinators quickly brushed off, claiming watery eyes were just a reflex.

On the day her organs were set to be taken, one of Gallegos’ sisters said she was adamant Danella was still sentient because she saw her move while holding her hand.

Doctors in a pre-surgery room were left stunned when Gallegos, deep in a coma but still medically alive, was able to blink her eyes on the medic’s command.

But the organ coordinator in the room told doctors that they should ply the patient with morphine and move ahead anyway, according to a New York Times report.

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After 80 years, survivors of first nuclear test in New Mexico eligible for payment

People in New Mexico who developed cancer and suffered other health issues in the decades following the 1945 Trinity nuclear test are now eligible for compensation.

The Trinity test, which happened 80 years ago Wednesday, was the first detonation of a nuclear bomb. 

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law by President Trump on July Fourth reauthorized Radiation Exposure Compensation Act claims and extended the trust fund that issues payments to valid claimants, the Justice Department said on its website.

RECA payments reimburse people who suffered health problems due to uranium mining and handling and living near nuclear test sites. Those affected by the Trinity test, and several other previously ineligible groups, are now able to get paid due to provisions in the new law.

Newly eligible claimant groups include downwinders in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Tennessee and Utah as well as uranium miners in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming, reported USA Today. 

“After decades of advocacy, communities harmed by radiation exposure are set to finally receive long-overdue recognition and compensation. This achievement marks a significant step toward providing some justice to families who have waited far too long,” Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, New Mexico Democrat, and Sen. Mike Crapo, Idaho Republican, wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi this month.

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Study Confirms Controversial 23,000-Year-Old Human Footprints, Challenging Past Views on Peopling of the Americas

New radiocarbon dating of purportedly 23,000-year-old footprints discovered in a dried lakebed in White Sands, New Mexico, has confirmed their age, reigniting controversy regarding the earliest arrival of humans in the Americas.

Several scientists have questioned the early dating of the fossil footprints, and have noted the lack of artifacts found at the location. However, the scientists behind the newly confirmed dates say the transitory nature of their location supports the idea that the makers of the 23,000-year-old footprints were likely only passing through and did not leave any objects behind.

23,000-Year-Old Human Footprints Appear 10,000 Years Too Early

For much of the 19th and early 20th  centuries, archaeologists believed humans had not arrived in the Americas until as recently as 3,000-4,000 years ago. In the late 1920s, archaeological discoveries at sites like Folsom and Clovis in New Mexico pushed that date back thousands of years, with the most commonly accepted date for human arrival being extended to 13,000 years ago. This date is supported by geological history, indicating that the land bridge between Asia and North America would not have been passable 10,000 years earlier.

The situation changed in 2019 when researchers from the UK’s Bournemouth University and the U.S. National Park Service unearthed a series of undoubtedly human footprints in White Sands dated to between 21,000 and 23,000 years ago. As noted, those findings, which were published in 2021, remain highly controversial since they seem to go against a relatively well-established timeline.

“The immediate reaction in some circles of the archeological community was that the accuracy of our dating was insufficient to make the extraordinary claim that humans were present in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum,” said study author and U.S. Geological Survey USGS research geologist Jeff Pigati in a later statement.

Even Pigati and colleagues’ 2023 follow-up analysis lending support for the extremely ancient date, as well as a separate study offering evidence of 22,000-year-old transport technology in the same area, and the discovery of an alternate, ancient ice-highway route from Asia to North America still did not manage to settle the debate.

Recently, Vance Holiday, an archaeologist and geologist from the University of Arizona whose 2012 study of the White Sands area just a few yards from the location of the footprints assisted with their initial 2021 dating, returned to perform a new analysis of the footprints. Unlike previous tests that relied on seeds and pollen to date the footprints, Holliday and his team used radiocarbon dating of ancient mud in an independent lab to confirm the controversial dates.

New Soil Radiocarbon Dates Confirm Ancient Origin

Before returning for a new set of tests, Holliday enlisted the help of Jason Windingstad, a doctoral candidate in environmental sciences who worked as a consulting geoarchaeologist for previous research projects at White Sands.

During several outings in 2022 and 2023, the duo dug a new series of trenches in the dried ancient lakebeds. These efforts included collecting ancient mud samples taken from the beds of a stream where the supposedly 23,000-year-old footprints were discovered. Holliday says even more ancient evidence was likely here at one time, but millennia of wind erosion have left scarce material for his team to study.

“The wind erosion destroyed part of the story, so that part is just gone,” he explained. “The rest is buried under the world’s biggest pile of gypsum sand.”

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Judge Dismisses Charges Against Illegal Immigrants Accused of Crossing Into Military Zone

A federal judge in New Mexico has dismissed the charges against dozens of illegal immigrants who were accused of violating security regulations by trespassing on a military zone along the U.S.–Mexico border, according to court documents filed this week.

Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Gregory Wormuth ruled that the federal government had failed to demonstrate that the illegal immigrants knew they were entering the restricted New Mexico National Defense Area (NMNDA).

According to courtfilings dated May 14 and 15, the government argued that it had placed signs in both English and Spanish to declare that the area is a military zone and that any unauthorized entry is prohibited.

But Wormuth stated that this was insufficient to prove that the illegal immigrants knew they were violating security regulations when they entered the areas, as the defendants may have missed the signs.

“As the United States concedes, the NMNDA spans over 180 miles of ‘often difficult and mountainous terrain,’” the judge stated. “The mere fact that some ‘signs’ were posted in the NMNDA provides no basis on which to conclude that the defendant could have seen, let alone did see, the signs.”

Assistant Federal Public Defender Amanda Skinner said that Wormuth dismissed the trespassing charges against all illegal immigrants who made initial court appearances on May 15. They still face charges for crossing the border illegally.

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New Mexico Judge Abruptly Resigns After Suspected Tren de Aragua Gangbanger Arrested for Firearm Possession at His Home

A Doña Ana County magistrate judge has abruptly stepped down after an alleged Tren de Aragua gang affiliate who is in the U.S. illegally was reportedly arrested at his home and charged with possession of a firearm or ammunition.

Judge Jose “Joel” Cano reportedly submitted a letter of resignation on Mar. 3 of this year.

Judge Cano, a former police officer who took the bench in 2011, told a Border Hawk source that he did indeed resign but did not comment further.

Border Hawk contacted the judge’s office on Apr. 1 and was told by a clerk that he had “retired.”

On Feb. 28, 2025, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso arrested Cristhian Ortega-Lopez at a Las Cruces residence owned by Judge Cano following an anonymous tip.

Ortega-Lopez was reportedly caught by U.S. Border Patrol on Dec. 15, 2023, at Eagle Pass, TX, after illegally entering the U.S. by scaling a barbed wire fence, but was released three days later due to overcrowding at holding facilities.

Ortega-Lopez is a Venezuelan national and authorities believe he has ties to Tren de Aragua, based on tattoos, apparel, and displaying of hand gestures.

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National Guard Deployed to Albuquerque, New Mexico as Crime Crisis Skyrockets

Albuquerque, New Mexico, is turning to the National Guard for support as crime continues to surge in the state’s largest city. The move comes after local law enforcement requested help dealing with what officials describe as an unrelenting public safety crisis — including violent crime, rampant drug use and a growing homeless population.

Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham approved the deployment of between 60 and 70 National Guard troops in response to an emergency request from Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina. Troops will begin arriving in May and are expected to remain in the city for six months to a year, depending on conditions on the ground.

Albuquerque, home to over a quarter of New Mexico’s population, has been overwhelmed by crime in recent years. Central Avenue — a stretch of the historic Route 66 — has become a hotspot for illegal activity, open-air drug markets and homeless encampments, the Daily Mail reports. 

Locals have dubbed the area “The War Zone,” a label that has gained national attention following a visit from YouTuber Nick Johnson, who described the neighborhood as “the most frightful in America” to his 1.1 million followers.

Although the National Guard will assist local authorities, guardsmen will not be performing active police duties, nor will they be armed or in uniform. According to reports, including from the Albuquerque Journal, the troops will wear plain polo shirts and be assigned to tasks such as courthouse and airport security. 

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New Mexico Governor Signs Bill To Create Psilocybin Therapy Program, Legalizing Medical Use Of The Psychedelic

New Mexico’s governor has signed a bill into law to establish a therapeutic psilocybin program in the state.

Weeks after the proposal from Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D) advanced through the legislature, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) gave it final approval on Monday.

The Medical Psilocybin Act will allow patients with certain qualifying conditions to access the psychedelic and use it under the guidance of a licensed healthcare provider.

The measure says the purpose “is to allow the beneficial use of psilocybin in a regulated system for alleviating qualified medical conditions,” including major treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, substance use disorders and end-of-life care. The state Department of Health would be able to approve additional conditions.

Under the newly signed legislation, psilocybin therapy will consist of a preparation session, an administration session and a follow-up integration session.

The state health department will be responsible for establishing guidelines around training for clinicians and producers, including dosage, approved settings for administration, production and storage protocols and other best practices. State officials will also license producers to grow mushrooms and process psilocybin.

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New Mexico Senate Passes Bill To Create Psilocybin Therapy Program

The New Mexico Senate has passed a bill to establish a therapeutic psilocybin program in the state.

After clearing three separate committees over the past month, the legislation from Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D) was approved by the full chamber in a 33-4 vote on Wednesday, sending it to the House of Representatives.

If enacted, the Medical Psilocybin Act would allow patients with certain qualifying conditions to access the psychedelic and use it under the guidance of a licensed healthcare provider.

“I have come to know and become friends with combat veterans, physicians, providers and even practitioners who serve patients dealing with end-of-life anxiety,” Steinborn said on the floor. “This bill seeks to create a carefully calculated, thoughtful and patient program that would be developed by the Department of Health…to allow patients in a medical setting.”

“This is very different from cannabis. It could only be administered in a medical setting by licensed providers,” he said. “Sometimes it can be as effective as one treatment, and people can have long-term relief from that that they’re dealing with.”

The sponsor added that “we recognize the important need of continuing to do research, so we have the best program here, where the Department of Health is making the best available science decisions on medical setting, dosage, et cetera.”

Sen. Jay Block (R), a veteran himself, said that while he was initially “adamantly opposed” to the proposed reform, he has come to better understand the issue as a “right to try” policy for those with serious mental health conditions. He teared up during the Senate debate, recognizing veterans and others who he’s since learned benefitted from the psychedelic.

An amendment from Sen. Katy Huhigg (D) was adopted on the floor to clarify that the use of federally approved psilocybin would be allowed under the state law, but that such products would not be further regulated by the state.

The amendment would also remove a requirement that the department develop “qualifying conditions” for producers and clinicians, add a health care provider to the advisory board that would be created by the bill and strike language the sponsor described as “redundant.”

The measure says its purpose “is to allow the beneficial use of psilocybin in a regulated system for alleviating qualified medical conditions,” including major treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, substance use disorders and end-of-life care. The state Department of Health would be able to approve additional conditions.

Therapy would consist of a preparation session, an administration session and a follow-up integration session.

The state health department would be responsible for establishing guidelines around training for clinicians and producers, including dosage, approved settings for administration, production and storage protocols and other best practices. State officials would also license producers to grow mushrooms and process psilocybin.

Synthetic psilocybin and synthetic analogs of the substance would not be allowed under the proposal.

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New Mexico House And Senate Lawmakers Approve Bills To Strengthen Employment Protections For Medical Marijuana Patients

Another New Mexico House committee has passed a bill that would further protect medical marijuana patients in the state from being penalized at work for off-duty use of cannabis. And a Senate companion version of the legislation also moved through a panel in that chamber.

On Friday, the House Judiciary Committee approved the proposal from House Majority Floor Leader Reena Szczepanski (D) in a 7-3 vote. This comes almost a month after an earlier committee advanced the proposal.

Meanwhile, the Senate companion bill—sponsored by Sens. Linda López (D) and Shannon Pinto (D)—separately passed the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee by a tally of 6-3.

Under the legislation, employees could not be considered “impaired” by cannabis if a test is based solely on the presence of THC metabolites.

The measures would further prohibit random drug testing for marijuana, though patients could be screened if there’s reasonable suspicion that cannabis was used on the clock resulting in “significant damage to property.”

At the prior House committee meeting, members adopted a minor amendment that replaces a line in the bill that had said a “drug test for cannabis shall be reviewed by a medical review officer who shall determine if the reason for a positive test has a legitimate medical explanation.”

Under the new language, the bill now says that an employer “shall follow the cannabis impairment guidelines when testing for cannabis impairment.”

The legislation was further amended in the House Judiciary Committee to prevent the use of a positive cannabis test as evidence in civil cases “exposing the employer to liability arising out of the employee’s on-duty conduct.”

The measures also stipulate that the state Department of Health must “assist the workforce solutions department in developing cannabis impairment guidelines that are based on the most reliable research- or evidence-based cannabis impairment indicators, including the evaluation of physical symptoms and psychomotor and cognitive performance.”

“The workforce solutions department shall inform private employers of this section and provide information related to the most recent advances in testing protocols for determining cannabis impairment,” they say. “The department of finance and administration shall disseminate the cannabis impairment guidelines to state agencies and political subdivisions of the state.”

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