New Mexico
NMDOJ issues report on NMSU hazing case
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The New Mexico Department of Justice released a report on its investigation into alleged cases of sexual assault and hazing within the New Mexico State University men’s basketball program during the 2022-23 season.
The NMDOJ issued a report accusing the NMSU men’s basketball program of failing to protect student-athletes and having a “pervasive culture of misconduct,” leading to the cancellation of the season.
The report stems from an investigation into alleged hazing and sexual assault incidents within the NMSU men’s basketball program back then, which led to the cancellation of the season.
In April 2023, two players sued the school, players and coaches, accusing multiple players of sexually assaulting them multiple times over several months – and accusing the coaches of not stepping in. In November 2023, a grand jury indicted Deshawndre Washington, Kim Aiken Jr., and Doctor Bradley on criminal charges.
Bradley and Aiken each took a plea deal. Aiken agreed to testify against Washington as a part of his deal.
The NMDOJ blames the alleged assaults on an environment characterized by a toxic culture within the program. They allege people close to the team missed “opportunities to observe and intervene” and that student safety programs didn’t do enough “to deter or address this behavior.” They cited “lax oversight, inconsistent discipline, and inadequate preventative measures.”
“This report is intended to shine a light not only on the specific misconduct by members of NMSU’s basketball team but also the institutional deficiencies that allowed that misconduct to go unaddressed by leaders inside the university,” Attorney General Raúl Torrez said. “While NMSU has made commendable progress since these incidents occurred, more must be done to ensure accountability and prevent future harm.”
The NMDOJ called on NMSU to:
- Develop written guidelines for collaborations between athletics, institutional equity office and the dean
- Institute recurring Title IX and anti-hazing training for all students and staff
- Enforce “disciplinary measures for student-athletes based on the severity of misconduct”
- Strengthen standards for recruiting practices and coach and player vetting
- Ensure senior leadership “prioritizes and adequately funds” safety initiatives and programming
- Establish a center “dedicated to sexual violence education, prevention, and victim advocacy”
The NMDOJ is calling on the New Mexico Legislature to pass anti-hazing legislation. According to them, New Mexico is one of six states that lacks this.
They also identified seven critical areas of concern:
- Institutional governance and student engagement
- Policies
- Reporting mechanisms
- Training
- Athletics Department culture and recruiting practices
- Resources for sexual assault victims
- Interdepartmental coordination.
You can read the full NMDOJ report here.
Here is the letter the NMDOJ sent to NMSU:
New Mexico
New Mexico’s Suburb Near Albuquerque Has Stunning Mediterranean Homes And Scenic Parks – Islands
You might know Albuquerque as the vibrant heart of New Mexico, the state’s largest city, boasting incredible riverside neighborhoods full of trails, like the North Valley. But there are plenty more standout areas in the city that you might have never heard of. Enter Paradise Hills. With fewer than 5,000 residents and a prime position on the West Mesa, not far from the rugged landscapes and scenic routes of the High Desert neighborhood, this census-designated place is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the most desirable places to live in the Duke City. As promised by its name, this Bernalillo County neighborhood offers paradisiacal views of the Rio Grande valley and the Sandia Mountains glowing pink at sunrise — a phenomenon locals refer to as a “watermelon” glow (sandia meaning watermelon in Spanish). It’s something so romantic that it alone might well justify a visit or even a move there.
Still, Paradise Hills offers plenty more to appeal to residents at every stage of life. While retirees and empty-nesters might be drawn to the area’s low crime rate and abundance of green spaces (including the beloved 170-acre Paradise Hills Golf Club), families can take advantage of the proximity to excellent public schools.
A look at the numbers is encouraging, too: The median household income sits at $74,403 (compared with an average of $62,125 across other parts of the “Land of Enchantment”), while unemployment remains at a modest 3.2%, significantly below the national average. Long-term residents highlight that the neighborhood and surrounding area have steadily improved over the last 30 years, evolving into a calm, walkable place from early morning to after dark. If you’re in Albuquerque, it’s worth checking out, especially if you’re thinking about relocating.
Walking around Paradise Hills
Walking around Paradise Hills is a treat in itself. Despite its small size (a little over one square mile), the neighborhood boasts an eclectic range of housing styles. During your morning walk, you will pass by everything from classic Southwestern ranches with low-pitched roofs and wide porches to Pueblo- and Spanish Revival-inspired adobes, easily recognizable for their stucco walls, terracotta rooftops, and vaulted doorways.
While the district’s culinary scene is somewhat limited, there are still a few gems here that are worth a stop. With only 5-star Google Reviews, Red Taco Shop delivers some of “the best tacos ever,” according to one satisfied patron, along with a handful of Mexican- and Asian-inspired plates, all served with the ever-present cilantro-and-salsa duo. On Paradise Boulevard, Clay Pot Ethiopian Cuisine is a small yet cozy venue serving some of the best East African food in the city. The restaurant also hosts cooking classes and special events, from vegan nights to live jazz evenings. However, if you are looking for a wider variety of options, venture east to Coors Boulevard, and you will find the neighborhood’s commercial side, including more than 130 shops and dining venues at the Cottonwood Mall.
Paradise Hills is conveniently located, far enough away to be quiet but not a pain to reach anywhere central. Downtown Albuquerque is about 12 miles away (roughly a 20‑minute drive) and is serviced by convenient public transport options, including ABQ RIDE bus routes (notably the 157). Cyclists can also follow a section of the scenic Paseo del Bosque Trail, which runs along the Rio Grande and, in less than an hour, reaches the heart of the city.
Exploring the outdoors near Paradise Hills
With the West Mesa and the Sandia Mountains right at its doorstep, Paradise Hills offers the perfect gateway to experience a variety of outdoor adventures. Less than a 20-minute drive southwest brings you to one of the region’s most fascinating cultural sites: the Petroglyph National Monument (one of several spectacular destinations to see ancient rock art in the States). Spanning more than 7,000 acres of volcanic terrain, the monument protects tens of thousands of ancient rock carvings (petroglyphs) etched into basalt by ancestral Pueblo peoples between the 14th and 17th centuries. The site also features four hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulties, including the Rinconada Canyon Trail, which spans 2.2 miles and passes more than 300 rock carvings. There’s also the Petroglyph Viewing Trail in Piedras Marcadas Canyon, an unpaved trail that’s under 2 miles round-trip and features around 400 petroglyphs.
South of Paradise Hills (roughly 15–20 minutes by car) is the expansive Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, an urban wildlife preserve established in the late 1970s along the banks of the Rio Grande, one of the five longest waterways in the country. The park is a dream destination for birdwatchers, hosting hundreds of species year-round, and it also features a handful of biking and walking pathways to explore.
Within the neighborhood itself is Paradise Hills Playground, described by visitors on Google Reviews as “spacious” and well-maintained.” It features a play area for kids, shaded picnic tables, volleyball courts, and even a skate park for teens. Whatever your plans include, you won’t be wanting for gorgeous outdoor spaces here, so whether you’re visiting or planning on a move here, be sure to take advantage of them.
Timothy Busfield’s sexual abuse allegations have brought a lot of attention to what happens behind the scenes on TV and film sets.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Timothy Busfield’s sexual abuse allegations have brought a lot of attention to what happens behind the scenes on TV and film sets.
With the growing film industry in New Mexico, a local nonprofit that advocates for background actors of all ages says there are rules that need to be followed, especially when it comes to child actors.
Ruby Garcia is the president of the Background Actors Association of New Mexico. She estimates 30% of background actors are children. To set foot on the set, they need to have a work permit.
She was shocked after finding out about Busfield’s sexual abuse allegations against two children on a set in New Mexico. “It’s disgusting, it’s disappointing, and for a child, it’s it’s traumatic. And I, you know, been doing acting for about eight years. I want to make sure that this doesn’t happen again.”
Garcia says her association works alongside thousands of extras to make sure their working conditions are within protocol.
“If they have any kind of issues with sexual harassment not being, you know, or protocol properly followed, they can submit a report to my organization, and we will take it and we will we’re not attorneys or legal advisors, but we will advocate, and we will contact the, you know, correct departments that we need to follow up with and look into the situation,” says Garcia.
Under child labor laws, children can only work a certain number of hours and have to meet certain safety requirements. Garcia says one of those requirements includes having a parent responsible for the minor on set, unless they’re working with a set or studio teacher.
“The teachers have a background check. They have to be certified in the state of New Mexico with a license, licensing, and teaching certificate, license, whatever they call it. Parents are the ultimate responsibility of that child on set,” says Garcia.
Throughout Busfield’s criminal complaint, the victim’s mom says that they were given an iPad so that parents could watch their children while they were filming. She then claims that they stopped handing them out after a while.
“This upsets me, because something failed. If you see something, say something and don’t be you know, fearful of what what the outcome is, because there are resources to protect people and children,” says Garcia.
To learn more about the Background Actors Association of New Mexico, click here.
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