New Mexico

‘Frustrating’ lack of CYFD reforms turns criticism toward governor

Published

7 months ago

July 3, 2025

‘Frustrating’ lack of CYFD reforms turns criticism toward governor

The Kevin S. Settlement was a resolution to a class-action lawsuit meant to improve deficiencies within New Mexico’s Children Youth and Families Department.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Kevin S. Settlement was a resolution to a class action lawsuit meant to improve deficiencies within New Mexico’s Children Youth and Families Department.

Five years after the settlement, a lack of progress is weighing on those monitoring progress.

“This has been kind of a frustrating five years. We would have hoped by this point the system would be in a better place than it is right now,” said Judith Meltzer one of the two ‘co-neutrals’ appointed to oversee the court settlement.

During a three hour hearing, an arbitrator heard from CYFD officials, Health Care Authority officials and attorneys for both sides of the lawsuit.

The other co-neutral monitoring the case, Kevin Ryan, highlighted how other states have been able to turn around troubled child protective services departments.

“There was a very committed governor, in all of these instances. There was an executive who was very focused on implementation and making sure the executive branch was working full throttle,” Ryan said.

The plaintiffs asked for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to attend the next settlement hearing.

KOB 4 reached out to the Lujan Grisham’s office and did not receive a response before our deadline.

“Where there’s a will there’s a way. So when the executive branch makes a decision that it’s a priority to achieve its commitment… then all the other barriers fall,” Ryan said. “Of course, CYFD can’t do this on its own. It really requires other agencies, come to the table and say, ‘Yea, we’re going to prioritize this.’ And it is just very unclear to me that, that has happened here.”

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New Mexico

Hundreds rally for immigrant rights at state Capitol in Santa Fe

Published

11 hours ago

January 27, 2026

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New Mexico

Public comment period open on Project Jupiter microgrids in Southern New Mexico

Published

23 hours ago

January 26, 2026

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Public comment period open on Project Jupiter microgrids in Southern New Mexico

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New Mexico

Protesters gather in Albuquerque after Minneapolis shooting

Published

1 day ago

January 26, 2026

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Protesters gather in Albuquerque after Minneapolis shooting

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Hundreds of New Mexicans gathered in front of the courthouses in downtown Albuquerque on Sunday to protest the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

Community organizers say they would like for more people to join the protests, which they hope will bring changes in New Mexico and the country.

“The more people that see us out here, the more people we can get out here, get these politics into their head, get this idea of we are actually on the same team against the billionaires,” said Shannon McKenna, one protester.

Protesters marched from the courthouses down Lomas through downtown, ending at Civic Center Plaza.

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