New Mexico
Cruisin' with New Mexico social media star Johnny James
Johnny James has become popular for showing off the quirks of New Mexico’s culture but who is he? We took a cruise and got to know him more.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — There’s a local man who’s been skyrocketing to stardom, simply by making videos about New Mexico’s unique culture.
Phrases and things only New Mexicans know. Johnny James is sharing with the world:
- “Down here in New Mexico, we got our own way of doing things. And we DEFINITELY got our own way of saying things.”
- “You wanna go check out that new chicken place that just opened up real quick, errr what?”
- “The classic New Mexican phrase…ombers.”
Johnny James is an unintended influencer, having some fun with his own culture. He started making videos on social media during the pandemic. There’s a certain unfiltered authenticity that has garnered him hundreds of thousands of followers.
“I started making videos from a real point of view, from us down here, for us down here. And it just cracked off,” he said.
Johnny’s life hasn’t always been something you’d want to share online.
“Totally fair to say. Straight up, I’ll be all the way honest… from like 13 to when it was done, I grew up in the streets selling dope,” he said. “I got kicked out of school in the 11th grade. Had my ‘jito when I was 16. I always kinda credit him for shifting my trajectory.”
Now, at 39 years old, Johnny has four boys and has a career in music, podcasting, cannabis and, one that he hates to admit, influencing.
He knows having an influence can be a good thing.
“If I can be like, look… we have similar backgrounds but if you take a different route, look where we are now,” he said.
Johnny is using it good. Recently, he started a GoFundMe to raise money for people affected by the Ruidoso fires and flooding. As expected, New Mexicans have turned out, raising more than $70,000.
People know Johnny. When we cruised Central with him in his ’64 Impala lowrider, many people spotted him from a mile away so we had to stop a few times.
See the full cruise and story in the video above.
New Mexico
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.
New Mexico
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.
New Mexico
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