New Mexico
Looking back at crime in Albuquerque during 2023
According to Albuquerque police, the department is ending the year with 96 homicide investigations.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexicans had to give too many condolences in 2023. According to Albuquerque police, the department is ending the year with 96 homicide investigations.
Bernalillo County Sheriff’s deputies have 16 on their caseload – totaling 112 killings in the metro just for the two agencies this year.
“I think the community is tired of this, tired of the killings, and we need to work together as a community to put a stop to this,” said Alicia Otero with the New Mexico Crusader for Justice.
Otero has spoken to hundreds of heartbroken families in her role with the New Mexico Crusaders for Justice.
But the crime burden in the metro reached a new level this past summer when she had to help two families who lost young children to this crisis.
5-year-old Galilea Samaniego died after getting shot in a drive-by while she slept at her babysitter’s house near Blake and Unser. The five suspects are all teenagers.
Just weeks later, 11-year-old Froylan Villegas died as he left an Isotopes game with his family.
Police say three men shot at the family’s truck, mistakenly thinking it belonged to rival gang members.
“Even though it was a mistaken identity of the vehicles, that is still not OK. Just because it was a mistaken identity does not forgive what they’ve done to the family,” said a family friend of the Villegas.
“These individuals should have never been out in the community and a young man should have never lost his life,” said APD Chief Harold Medina.
Those back-to-back killings led Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to declare gun violence a public health emergency in the state, with some controversial consequences in the metro.
“So effective immediately no person other than a law enforcement officer or licensed security officer shall possess a firearm either openly or concealed,” said Lujan Grisham.
Now, frustrated New Mexicans will be looking at the governor and state lawmakers in just a few weeks as they head to the Roundhouse for a 30-day legislative session.
Mayor Tim Keller says — once again — crime legislation is a top priority and expectation. The city will ask for money to expand the use of the Real Time Crime Center.
APD credits the multi-million dollar tech hub with solving crimes faster, including Froylan Villegas’ murder.
“Our total ask was 10, or $20 million to integrate this for the entire metro area,” said Keller.
The Legislature convenes in two weeks.
SANTA FE, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) – The New Mexico Department of Health says it will continue to recommend the full schedule of childhood vaccines.
State officials announced the move Tuesday, directly defying a new federal policy that scaled back routine immunization guidance.
The announcement comes after U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS), under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., reduced the number of vaccines it recommends for all children.
The New Mexico Department of Health stated the federal changes were “not based on new scientific evidence or safety data.”
“New Mexico will not follow the federal government in walking away from decades of proven public health practice,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Our recommendations remain unchanged.”
State health officials sought to reassure parents, emphasizing that vaccines remain widely available and covered by insurance.
“We know this is confusing for parents, but the science is clear: vaccines are safe, effective, and save children’s lives,” said Dr. Miranda Durham, chief medical officer for NMDOH.
All childhood vaccinations will continue to be covered under programs like Medicaid and the federal Vaccines for Children Program.
The state encourages parents to consult their healthcare providers using the American Academy of Pediatrics’ immunization schedule.
RECOMMENDED: CDC cuts childhood vaccine list, sparking healthcare professionals’ concerns
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.
SANTA FE, N.M. — Former New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Jim Ellison is running for governor as a Republican, he announced on social media Tuesday.
Ellison is running on affordability, opportunity and trust in government as the key points of his campaign. His experience includes serving on the NMPRC in 2023 and 2024.
“New Mexico deserves leadership that listens, acts, and delivers results. Our state has enormous potential, but too often that potential is held back by policies that don’t serve everyday New Mexicans,” he said on his website. “I’m running to bring practical solutions, honest accountability, and a renewed focus on the public interest.”
A Georgia native, Ellison has lived in New Mexico for 20 years and currently lives in the Albuquerque area with his wife and two children.
Ellison is aiming to get 5,000 signatures by Feb. 2, to appear on the primary ballot with at least three other Republicans who have announced their candidacy.
Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez announced his campaign in December and recently confirmed to KOB 4 that he received enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull and New Mexico State Sen. Steve Lanier are also running.
Three Democrats are running – Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.
Massachusetts police officer struck and killed in line of duty; department mourns
Can Minnesota prosecute the federal immigration officer who just killed a woman?
Vote: Who is the Mississippi High School Football Quarterback of the Year?
Jaland Lowe, Jayden Quaintance to start for Kentucky vs Missouri, per report
California woman sentenced for smuggling attempt at border in Montana
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
San Diego sues to stop border barrier construction
How Ukraine is shaping Europe’s response to Trump’s Greenland threats
GOP gearing up to face tough midterms. And, Pentagon reviews women in ground combat
Wyoming Supreme Court rules laws restricting abortion violate state constitution
How strong are Latin America’s military forces, as they face US threats?
-
World1 week agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
News1 week agoFor those who help the poor, 2025 goes down as a year of chaos
-
Science1 week agoWe Asked for Environmental Fixes in Your State. You Sent In Thousands.
-
Business1 week agoA tale of two Ralphs — Lauren and the supermarket — shows the reality of a K-shaped economy
-
Detroit, MI4 days ago2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
-
Politics1 week agoCommentary: America tried something new in 2025. It’s not going well
-
Politics1 week agoMarjorie Taylor Greene criticizes Trump’s meetings with Zelenskyy, Netanyahu: ‘Can we just do America?’
-
Health1 week agoRecord-breaking flu numbers reported in New York state, sparking warnings from officials