New Mexico
Houston-area man accused of kidnapping New Mexico baby whose mom, another woman were killed
ABILENE, Texas – A Houston-area man is accused of kidnapping a 10-month-old girl whose mother and another woman were found shot and killed in New Mexico, federal officials say. Authorities say the baby later was found in Texas.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, 26-year-old Alek Isaiah Collins, of Manvel, was charged by criminal complaint with interstate kidnapping of a child.
Alek Collins (Photo: Abilene Police Department)
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Police in New Mexico say two 23-year-old women – Samantha Cisneros and Taryn Allen – were found shot to death at a park near Clovis on May 3. Cisneros’s 5-year-old daughter was also reportedly found on the ground with a head injury and was taken to the hospital.
Police discovered that Cisneros also had a 10-month-old daughter, who was not at the scene. An Amber Alert was issued for the girl.
According to federal officials, evidence indicated the potential involvement of a maroon Honda, and witnesses reported that a maroon or red sedan was at the park at around the time of the incident.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the investigation revealed that Collins had rented a maroon Honda, and GPS data from the vehicle showed it near that park around the estimated time of the homicide. Collins was also allegedly linked to a phone that was in the area of the park around that time.
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Federal officials say the car was found at a home in Abilene, Texas, where the vehicle had been remotely disabled after Collins failed to return it to the owner on time.
Officers were preparing to execute a search warrant at the house when an Uber driver pulled up in an SUV and Collins came out of the home with the girl, the U.S. Attorney’s Office says. Collins allegedly put the girl in the backseat and then forced the Uber driver to get out of the vehicle at gunpoint before Collins drove away with the girl.
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Abilene police were able to bring the vehicle to a stop, arrest Collins and get the girl out of the car, federal officials say.
Authorities say Collins has no relation to the girl and does not have legal custody of her.
Collins appeared before a federal judge in Abilene on Tuesday morning and will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transfer to New Mexico.
This story was reported from Houston.
New Mexico
All-American Rejects bring surprise concert to Albuquerque’s South Valley
The All-American Rejects played a pop-up show in a former alfalfa field in the South Valley after telling fans the location just hours before the concert.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A former alfalfa field in the South Valley served as the venue for one of the most highly-anticipated concerts of the year in New Mexico Wednesday night, although no one knew exactly where it would take place until a few hours before showtime.
The All-American Rejects, the band behind hits such as “Move Along” and “Dirty Little Secret” said they were coming to the Albuquerque area for a concert, but only fans who signed up for an alert received the exact location, and that didn’t come down until 5:55 p.m. Wednesday.
It’s part of the band’s free “House Party” concert series, which features performances in barns and backyards instead of more traditional venues in an effort to fight back against rising concert ticket prices.
“The whole tour, the message we’re trying to get across is what’s happened with concerts in general. It’s become a one-percenters club to have access to the one commodity we need for togetherness, which is music,” said Tyson Ritter, the lead singer and bassist for the band.
The owners of the property couldn’t believe their luck when they were selected. Jackeline and Thomas Ingham told KOB 4 their family’s properties in the South Valley have been used for weddings in the past, but certainly never for a major concert.
“And I thought it was a scam, so I hung up,” said Jackeline Ingham when asked about how the band’s manager reached out to her to set up the concert. “So, [my husband] is like, ‘Call her back!’ So, he ended up talking the rest of the way with her.”
Throughout the day, many fans of the All-American Rejects across New Mexico were trying to guess where the band might show up later in the evening.
“I thought it was either gonna be at Ex Novo, New Mexico United, or just somewhere in the South Valley because that’s what Reddit said all day,” said Brooke Palmer.
Fans within a 124-mile (200 km) radius were able to receive the band’s concert alert.
It ended with thousands of fans flocking to the area, and just before 8:30 p.m., an announcement was made saying the venue was at capacity, forcing many to leave.
Others remained outside the main gate trying to get the best view they could from afar.
But the band was ultimately happy with the former alfalfa field that was quickly turned into a concert stage.
“Well, this is number four. And this feels like this is the example,” said Ritter ahead of the show. “This is what a house party is. Right here, man. We’ve got a beautiful field, an incredibly generous host, the weather is with us.”
New Mexico
Rodeo Recap: Rodeos in California, New Mexico, and Missouri Highlight Weekend
The professional rodeo season continues to heat up as we head into the spring and summer runs. Rodeos across the country drew top athletes over the recent weekend, as they vie for positions at the 2026 National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
Every dollar counts, especially as we enter the last five months of the 2026 season.
Riverdale Rodeo – Riverdale, Calif.
Bareback rider Jacob Lees earned two California victories on the weekend, scoring 81.5 points on Four Star Rodeo’s Sweet Annie in Riverdale. His 83.5-point ride on Bridwell Pro Rodeos’ Socket claimed the win in Stonyford.
Reigning Circuit Champion, Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, topped the barrel racing by two-tenths of a second with her time of 17.04 sconds.
Stonyford Rodeo – Stonyford, Calif.
California cowboy Bailey Small put together a solid weekend in his circuit, winning Stonyford with an 82.5-point ride on Bridwell Pro Rodeos’ Classy Clark. He also finished second in Riverdale.
Barrel racer Kathy Petska continues to dominate the circuit, claiming yet another spring win with a 17.50-second run.
American Royal Rodeo – Kansas City, Mo.
There are now two “Popes” to watch out for in the bareback riding — three-time NFR Average Champion and World Champion, Jess Pope, and his brother, Ty. Ty made a huge ride in Kansas City, scoring 87 points on Smith Pro Rodeos’ Broadway Boots for the win.
In 2025, Kansas cowboy Weston Patterson made his first NFR appearance and has carried that momentum into his 2026 season. Scoring 88 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Joker Poker, he claimed the saddle bronc riding win.
Pioneer Days Rodeo – Clovis, N.M.
Tie-down roper Buck Tate earned the win by over two full seconds, taking home $1,404.
Reigning Breakaway Roping World Champion Taylor Munsell claimed the $2,054 victory with a time of 1.8 seconds.
Helotes Festival Association Rodeo – Helotes, Texas
In bareback riding, Taylor Broussard matched up with Andrews Rodeo’s Empty Promises for a score of 85.5 points to earn the win.
Seven-time NFR qualifier, Isaac Diaz, topped the leaderboard with a score of 89 points on Diamond G Rodeo’s To The Limit. He earned the win in saddle bronc riding and $1,855.
PPCLA PRCA Rodeo – Mineral Wells, Texas
Sissy Winn put together a solid weekend in her circuit, topping the barrel racing in Mineral Wells and finishing fourth in Helotes.
Hailing from Winnie, Texas, Ethan Winckler made the only qualified ride in bull riding, scoring 87.5 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Mr. Blue Sky and taking home a whopping $4,863.
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