New Mexico
APD lists priorities for upcoming legislative session
Tackling it is a top priority for Albuquerque leaders as lawmakers head back to our Roundhouse in January.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Street racing has been a deadly and destructive problem in the metro for decades. Tackling it is a top priority for Albuquerque leaders as lawmakers head back to our Roundhouse in January.
On Tuesday, city leaders met at Eubank and Southern, a well-known area for street racing, and laid out their 2025 legislative priorities.
“Most of our crime categories are slightly down, that is a good thing. But they are down from an all-time high so we have a long way to go,” said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller.
Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said the department’s traffic division gives out hundreds of citations a week for people racing, but it is still a big issue.
They want lawmakers to increase penalties for reckless driving, so they carry as much weight as homicide charges.
“We have limitations on our reckless driving and how we can charge an individual. Right now, as the charge stands, an individual who is involved in drag racing and is purposely doing that drag racing and injures or kills an individual, that person is open to manslaughter at the most,” said Medina.
He also said the department is asking lawmakers to crack down on felons caught with firearms.
“How many times have I stood in front of the media and talked about the fact that I would rather have a case prosecuted federally with their limited resources because their laws have teeth as opposed to the state of New Mexico for a felon in possession of a firearm,” said Medina.
Lastly, they asked for some changes with who investigates shootings by Albuquerque Police officers and think a statewide task force aside from law enforcement is the answer.
“One that is independent of every police chief, one that is independent of every county sheriff. One that the public can have great trust in that there is going to be a fair, impartial investigation,” said Medina.
DE BACA COUNTY, N.M. (KFDA) – New Mexico State Police have identified the man who shot at an officer near Fort Sumner as the search continues for both him and his accomplice.
Officials say the man who shot at a New Mexico State Police officer has been identified as 39-year-old Jovan Martinez.
According to police, Martinez and his accomplice, identified as 26-year-old Makaela Johnson, are believed to be armed and dangerous and have active felony warrants for their arrest.
New Mexico State Police, along with local law enforcement partners, are actively searching for the pair.
If you see either individual, do not approach them. Please call 911 immediately.
Copyright 2026 KFDA. All rights reserved.
Strong high pressure off the Baja California coast is keeping brisk northwest winds across New Mexico through at least Thursday.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Strong high pressure off the Baja California coast is keeping brisk northwest winds across New Mexico through at least Thursday.
Expect gusty winds each afternoon, with critical fire weather returning to the Roswell area on Wednesday afternoon. Warm, dry conditions will elevate fire danger.
On Wednesday, the northeast and east central plains may see slightly lighter winds due to a weak surface low. However, gusts could reach 50 mph from Clines Corners to Vaughn and possibly as far east as Fort Sumner.
Temperatures will soar well above normal, with highs running 9 to 23 degrees above average. Near-record highs are possible in central New Mexico, and multiple record highs are likely across eastern New Mexico.
Thursday brings a backdoor cold front to northern and eastern New Mexico, dropping temperatures by 5 to 12 degrees compared to Wednesday. Winds will remain breezy.
Watch the video above for more from Chief Meteorologist Eddie Garcia.
FORT SUMNER, New Mexico (KVII) — New Mexico State Police identified one of the two suspects wanted for shooting at an officer.
Police said Makaela Johnson was with a man Monday afternoon when he opened fire during a traffic stop on US 285 at milepost 185, near Fort Sumner. That is a an hour west of Clovis.
Johnson is wanted for:
- Conspiracy to commit first-degree murder
- Conspiracy to commit aggravated assault upon a peace officer with a deadly weapon
- Conspiracy to commit armed robbery
- Harboring a felon
- Receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle
- Escape from a peace officer
- Larceny
NMSP said the officer was not injured.
Law enforcement are searching for a gray Kia with Texas license plate XMX8165.
The vehicle should not be approached and anyone who sees it, or the male suspect, should call 911 immediately.
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Officers are actively searching in the Fort Sumner area. Residents are urged to remain inside and lock their doors.
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