The Santa Fe New Mexican

VA cuts reimbursement rates to cover in-home care for New Mexico veterans The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs slashed New Mexico payments for home health aide services by 19% between 2025 and 2026.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs slashed New Mexico reimbursement rates for home health aide services by 19% between 2025 and 2026. The federal agency now pays $13.50 for a quarter-hour of care, compared to a previous rate of $16.75.

Santa Fe Smith's worker accused of pulling gun on women amid dispute over fire lane parking Tarot Moruno, who was arrested earlier this week, denied the allegation and told police he was the victim of a mace attack by the woman.

An employee at a Smith's Food and Drug in Santa Fe was accused of threatening two women with a handgun this week after they parked in a fire lane at the grocery store.

'It breaks my heart': Epstein victims memorial outside gates of Zorro Ranch removed Roadside memorials, traditionally known as descansos in New Mexico, are protected under state law.

Unlike the stain Epstein brought on New Mexico, a roadside memorial placed outside the gates of the former Zorro Ranch to honor victims of the notorious sex offender has been wiped clean. The action could constitute a crime -- desecration of a roadside memorial is prohibited under state law.

Governor names interim New Mexico State Police chief ahead of Weisler's retirement New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler will retire from the role next week after serving as chief for almost three years.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has appointed New Mexico State Police Deputy Chief Matt Broom to serve as interim chief following the retirement next week of current Chief W. Troy Weisler.

Studio Stars The American Ballet Theatre trots out its young talent that delivers a flair for both the contemporary and the classical.

To see some of the best ballet dancers in the country, you could fork over a lot of cash, hop on two planes to NYC, take a cab to Lincoln Center, and settle into your seat. Or you could just go to the Lensic Performing Arts Center. sfnm.co/4rgF6fF

Facial Expressionism Cuban artist Lazaro Niebla’s exhibition holds up a carved-wood mirror to the people and land of an island culture.

Cuban artist Lazaro Niebla’s exhibition holds up a carved-wood mirror to the people and land of an island culture. sfnm.co/4cQdgDF

New Mexico governor signs 'critical' health care bills "This, in fact, was a health care session," Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said as she signed the bills in Los Lunas.

NEW: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday signed into law a series of bills aimed at increasing health care access and affordability, including a major piece of legislation overhauling New Mexico's medical malpractice law.

Springing forward, despite the cost to health Welcome to one of the toughest weekends of the year: At 2 a.m. Sunday, clocks in most of the United States will spring forward one hour. Oh, joy.

OUR VIEW: Welcome to one of the toughest weekends of the year: At 2 a.m. Sunday, clocks in most of the United States will spring forward one hour. Oh, joy. sfnm.co/4b5iMPZ

New Mexico Wellness Wire: Hantavirus project step in pandemic prep Hantavirus regularly circulates in the Southwest after being spread through infected rodents' urine, feces and saliva.

Wellness Wire: You probably don't want to think about the next pandemic. I don't. But maybe we can take some comfort in knowing scientists are preparing for it. Researchers are looking at a potentially pandemic-causing virus found in New Mexico. sfnm.co/3Not06h

Plan on LANL's path for next 15 years expected 'any day now' The National Nuclear Security Administration is suggesting the alternative with the most expansion for LANL's future.

An analysis of the potential impacts of the next 15 years of Los Alamos National Laboratory operations is expected to be signed "any day now," according to officials from the local National Nuclear Security Administration field office. sfnm.co/4d5HUsy

Smart campaigners separate church and state A challenger for a state House seat says her district deserves leadership that "honors our faith," as if there's only one.

RINGSIDE SEAT: A challenger for a state House seat says her district deserves leadership that "honors our faith," as if there's only one. sfnm.co/4cx37LS

Consultant says Meta is industry leader in removing child sex abuse material Inappropriate content still finds its way onto Meta's platforms, Wirth testified, but that doesn't mean the company is failing to protect children in what she described as the "highly depressing

The first witness in Meta's defense testified Thursday that the company does "far, far more" than other companies to identify and remove child sexual abuse material. sfnm.co/4btb5o4

Can you spell 'ganador'? 11-year-old motors to Santa Fe's Spanish spelling bee win with 'taxista' From báscula to tauromaquia, Santa Fe middle schoolers faced off for linguistic excellence in the district's bee.

From báscula to tauromaquia, Santa Fe middle schoolers faced off for linguistic excellence in the district's Spanish spelling bee Thursday. 11-year-old Anthony Cardenas jumped with joy after cementing the win with taxista, taxi driver. sfnm.co/4rSLDy5

Desert Dreamer Puppeteer Jim Henson found inspiration and a sense of peace in the New Mexico skies.

Puppeteer Jim Henson found inspiration and a sense of peace in the New Mexico skies. sfnm.co/3OV04Dk

Demonettes have hopes of better first-round performance against Bulldogs The Santa Fe High Demonettes are zero for 15 against the Albuquerque High Bulldogs under head coach Nate Morris.

The Santa Fe High Demonettes are zero for 15 against the Albuquerque High Bulldogs under head coach Nate Morris. There is hope they can make it 1 for 16 on Friday night. sfnm.co/4bsdoI5

Task force will address testing backlog of sexual assault exam kits in New Mexico More than 680 kits are currently awaiting testing, a Department of Public Safety spokesperson wrote in a Thursday email.

Senate Memorial 17 requests the creation of a task force to study the state of the kits in New Mexico and report progress on the the backlog. It passed unanimously in the Senate near the end of the legislative session. sfnm.co/4dc9xA6

Policing from the sky: Santa Fe police testing 'drone as first responder' future Santa Fe police hope to adopt the "drone as first responder" concept, a program that has proliferated around the country.

Santa Fe police are testing drones as part of a “drone as first responder” program they hope to adopt, in which drones could be dispatched to calls ahead of or in place of officers. sfnm.co/3N17MLI

Deb Haaland pitches public safety agenda targeting 'root causes' of crime "Many times, crime is the result of our failures to support our people," said Haaland, who supports creating a state Office of Community Safety.

New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland on Thursday sought to distinguish herself from her opponent in the upcoming Democratic primary, casting herself as a leader looking to tackle the root causes of crime. sfnm.co/4s1Dbgm

New Mexico radio host discusses anonymous email alleging buried bodies at Epstein's Zorro Ranch Eddy Aragon has spent several years looking into what went on at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch and has received calls from listeners who he says have provided insight about the

Eddy Aragon, who hosts “The Rock of Talk” on KIVA 1600 AM, spoke with Daniel J. Chacón on the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast to discuss his history with the Epstein case in New Mexico. sfnm.co/4ct9KPj

New Mexico inmate known for suing state is sent to Arizona lockup Bryce Franklin, 35, says his transfer from the Penitentiary of New Mexico south of Santa Fe was retaliation for his series of lawsuits.

The New Mexico Corrections Department has moved its most prolific jailhouse lawyer to Arizona. sfnm.co/4bxiaDh

Deb Haaland pitches public safety agenda targeting 'root causes' of crime "Many times, crime is the result of our failures to support our people," said Haaland, who supports creating a state Office of Community Safety.

New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland on Thursday sought to distinguish herself from her opponent in the upcoming Democratic primary, casting herself as a leader looking to tackle the root causes of crime.

Now it's Meta's turn: New Mexico rests case against social media giant At issue in the civil dispute is New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez's allegations that Meta is breaking state law.

The first witness in Meta's defense testified Thursday that the company does "far, far more" than other companies to identify and remove child sexual abuse material.

Pasa Plus, local event for March 6-8 Native American history, music, a jazz brunch, a women of art market and more activities in Santa Fe this weekend.

Native American history, music, a jazz brunch, a women of art market and more activities in Santa Fe this weekend. sfnm.co/4aRIPLR

Talarico's victory demonstrates how Democrats can win James Talarico doesn’t know who his opponent will be yet, but the Democratic state representative from Austin, Texas, will be the party’s nominee for the U.S. Senate after defeating U.S.

OUR VIEW: James Talarico’s successful campaign contains elements of what can succeed up and down the ballot not just in Texas but elsewhere. He appealed to voters in both parties, went after independents and promised a return to more timeless values. sfnm.co/3OMdWjn

Trump fires Homeland Security Secretary Noem after mounting criticism over her leadership President Donald Trump said he was replacing Noem and nominating Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin in an announcement on social media.

NEW: President Trump on Thursday fired his embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, after mounting criticism over her leadership of the department, including the handling of the administration’s immigration crackdown and disaster response. sfnm.co/4slra4W

Earth, Wind and Fire: Calling all counties I want to start highlighting efforts to improve the environment here in New Mexico, in each of the state's 33 counties.

Earth, Wind and Fire: Reporter Alaina Mencinger hopes to start highlighting any efforts to improve the environment here in New Mexico, in each of the state's 33 counties. Check out her latest newsletter for more information. sfnm.co/3OYOw1R

Governor appoints longtime employee to lead Transportation Department A longtime state Department of Transportation employee has been tapped to lead the agency following the abrupt departure of former Secretary Ricky Serna last month.

A longtime state Department of Transportation employee has been tapped to lead the agency following the abrupt departure of former Secretary Ricky Serna last month. sfnm.co/47ad3Y4

Senate committee advances former New Mexico congressman's nomination to lead BLM Pearce's nomination will now go to the full Senate.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has advanced Steve Pearce’s nomination to lead the Bureau of Land Management. sfnm.co/4d3Oujh

Facebook founder Zuckerberg testifies by video in Meta trial in Santa Fe court Mark Zuckerberg reiterated his commitment to "free expression" on Meta's platforms while defending the company's investments in safety.

In the fourth week of a high-profile civil trial in Santa Fe, jurors heard recorded testimony Wednesday from Meta Platforms Inc. CEO and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who defended the company’s approach to safety. sfnm.co/4buPNWj

Governor candidates from both parties make pitch to Albuquerque business community During the event the candidates pledged to tackle issues important to voters — and business owners — if elected governor.

Days before they make their pitch to party insiders at their respective preprimary conventions, the five Republicans and two Democrats running for governor delivered their spiel to members of Albuquerque’s Hispanic business community Wednesday. sfnm.co/4boyWp4