New Mexico

Bernalillo County reassessing vacant properties

Published

2 years ago

August 15, 2024

Press Room

Bernalillo County reassessing vacant properties

From boarded up doors to broken windows, we’ve all seen vacant lots around town.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – From boarded up doors to broken windows, we’ve all seen vacant lots around town.

The county assessor has a list of all of nuisance properties and has a plan to clean things up.

“I quickly found out that many of the buildings that have been boarded up and sitting vacant now are actually owned by out-of-state corporations, holding companies or investment companies that are essentially using New Mexico as a write-off state to offset their real estate profits in other parts of the country,” said Damian Lara, a Bernalillo County assessor.

In the middle of a housing crisis, Lara says vacant buildings are the last thing we need. For the last year, he has been reassessing properties on the nuisance list.

“We are assessing it as it was the highest and best use. That could be a restaurant, affordable hosing, a rental property, it could be retail stores, warehouses. We are assessing it at what it should be, not what it currently is,” said Lara.

So, what does this mean for these out-of-state property owners?

“Normally, a higher evaluation for these specific properties will result in a higher tax bill,” Lara said.

Lara says that isn’t always a bad thing when trying to turn vacant buildings into something.

“Reassessing vacant properties encourages and incentivizes these property owners to invest in their properties or to sell it to someone who will,” said Lara.

There have also been some success stories, like the old Ramada Inn.

“The property owners are coming in, working with us and saying’ you know ‘We have known that this property has been boarded up and neglected for many years, and now we are renovating it, here is the cost to cure it, will you give us credit for that,’ Absolutely,” said Lara.

Lara says some business owners have protested their higher evaluations. But, for the most part, the program has been successful and there hasn’t been a lot of push back.

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New Mexico

New Mexico Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Day results for March 27, 2026

Published

11 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

The New Mexico Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 27, 2026, results for each game:

Mega Millions

13-27-28-41-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

Day: 8-1-8

Evening: 8-7-2

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

Evening: 0-8-5-6

Day: 2-0-6-0

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Roadrunner Cash

09-15-26-30-34

Check Roadrunner Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Las Cruces Sun-News editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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New Mexico

Gas prices rose this week in New Mexico. Here’s why

Published

23 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Gas prices rose this week in New Mexico. Here’s why

Regional gas prices rose for the second consecutive week and reached an average of $3.60 per gallon of regular fuel on Monday, up from last week’s price of $3.41 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Gas prices are jumping around because traders are trying to price in how long the Iran war will disrupt oil flows from the Middle East, on top of the usual spring run‑up in demand as driving season approaches. Markets are baking in higher risk and “additional volatility” but not a long-term shutdown, and prices could retreat if it becomes clear the tensions are short-lived, petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan said.

Analysts say another 20 to 30 cents a gallon is still likely in the weeks ahead.

The average fuel price in the Gulf Coast region rose about 107 cents since last month. According to the EIA, gas prices across the region in the last year have been as low as $2.37 on Jan. 5, 2026, and as high as $3.60 on March 23, 2026.

A year ago, the average gas price in the Gulf Coast region was 31% lower at $2.74 per gallon.

>> INTERACTIVE: See how your area’s gas prices have changed over the years at data.lcsun-news.com.

The average gas price in the United States last week was $3.96, making prices in the Gulf Coast region about 9.0% lower than the nation’s average. The average national gas price is higher than last week’s average of $3.72 per gallon.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s tally of prices in the Gulf Coast states includes Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas.

USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Please leave any feedback or corrections for this story here. This story was written by Ozge Terzioglu.

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New Mexico

Grass fire burning thousands of acres in Quay County

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Grass fire burning thousands of acres in Quay County

QUAY COUNTY, N.M. – A grass fire has burned an estimated 1,000-2,000 acres near San Jon in Quay County.

Emergency crews say the Old 66 Fire is threatening structures, and remains 0% contained.

The New Mexico Forestry Division said crews discovered the fire at 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 27 east of San Jon, north of Interstate 40 in Quay County.

Smoke is visible from Interstate 40 and surrounding areas.

The fire is on private land and the cause remains under investigation.

State Road 469 is closed at Main Avenue. Officials said local residents should use caution and avoid the area.

Structures threatened include a wind farm to the southwest.

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