New Mexico

PNM customers could see increase in electric bill

Published

1 year ago

September 4, 2024

PNM customers could see increase in electric bill

With temps still in the 90’s, a lot of us aren’t even close to turning off those A/C units.

That means your electric bill could still be hurting your pocket book every month. Now, there’s a chance your bill could be even higher.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – With temps still in the 90’s, a lot of us aren’t even close to turning off those A/C units. That means your electric bill could still be hurting your pocket book every month.

Now, there’s a chance your bill could be even higher.

Nothing is official yet, but you may have already gotten a pamphlet in the mail from PNM.

A spokesperson with the company says the pamphlets and other outreach methods like social media posts are to inform customers of a possible rate increase. But that doesn’t mean your bill is going up next month.

According to a PNM spokesperson, the company filed a 2025 rate request with the New Mexico Public Regulations Commission.

PNM says this is just the first step in a yearlong process.

Any rate adjustment has to be approved through the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. The commission will hold a public process to review the rate request and decide on a final rate adjustment.

PNM says the proposed rate change will be applied over two phases in mid-2025 and January 2026.

The average monthly increase is projected to be $11.12 a month and $12.48 per month in January 2026.

KOB 4 asked PNM customers what they thought about this proposal.

“Everything just keeps going up, everything, everything just keeps going up. We don’t need an increase in electricity. We just got an increase in water bill, so now electricity and next will be the gas bill,” said Betty Pena, a PNM customer.

PNM issued the following statement on the possible rate change and the process of getting it changed:

“We are committed to keeping customers informed of any potential rate changes as we work through this year-long process. We sent all customers notices of the rate request, posted the rate request on our social media channels and our customer website. Additionally, any rate adjustment requires approval from the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission which will hold a public process to review the rate request and determine a final rate.”

The company says it held off on rate increases through COVID-19 as long as it could.

The last time PNM filed for a rate increase was 2022. For more information about the 2025 rate request, click here.

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New Mexico

Strong winds, fire weather watch issued for El Paso, Southern New Mexico

Published

6 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Press Room

Strong winds, fire weather watch issued for El Paso, Southern New Mexico

Windy weather is heading to the El Paso region.

Strong winds will gradually arrive in El Paso on Tuesday, Feb. 17, with gusts of up to 44 miles per hour by noon, according to the National Weather Service. El Paso, as well as much of Southern New Mexico, will be under a fire weather watch as winds combine with very dry air, creating dangerous conditions.

Outdoor burning is discouraged and any fires that do start will spread rapidly, the National Weather Service warned.

Parts of New Mexico are also under a high wind warning, including Cloudcroft and Ruidoso, which are expected to see gusts of up to 70 miles per hour.

Winds are expected to taper down by Thursday, Feb. 19, but could make a comeback on Friday, Feb. 20, possibly triggering another fire weather watch, the National Weather Service said.

What are El Paso’s windiest months?

March, April and May are typically the windiest months of the year. This also coincides with our driest months, which leads to all the dust in El Paso, according to the National Weather Service. As the monsoon season begins in June, winds die down.

Tips for driving in the wind

Here are some tips for driving in windy weather, courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Maintain a safe distance from high profile vehicles
Keep a firm grip on the wheel with both hands
Keep a lookout for falling debris, fallen power lines and trees
Use caution on overpasses and bridges

Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.

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New Mexico

New Mexico mother accused of drowning newborn in portable toilet after giving birth

Published

18 hours ago

February 15, 2026

Press Room

New Mexico mother accused of drowning newborn in portable toilet after giving birth

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A New Mexico woman is facing charges after she allegedly gave birth in a portable toilet and then killed the newborn by drowning them in the holding tank.

Sonia Cristal Jimenez, 38, arrived at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces at around 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 7, when staff said she appeared as if she had just given birth, but she had no baby with her, Las Cruces Police said in a press release.

Hospital staff then notified police about the unusual encounter.

Jimenez’s boyfriend said they had been at Burn Lake, which is located about six miles away, and that his girlfriend had used a portable toilet.

NEWBORN FOUND WITH UMBILICAL CORD ATTACHED IN PENN STATION, POLICE HUNT FOR PARENTS

Sonia Cristal Jimenez, 38, is accused of drowning her newborn in a portable toilet. (Las Cruces Police)

Officers rushed to the deserted area and discovered the infant girl dead in the portable toilet’s holding tank.

Investigators suspect that Jimenez gave birth, cut the umbilical cord and left the child in the holding tank, where she drowned.

The woman’s boyfriend said they had been at Burn Lake and that his girlfriend had used a portable toilet. (Las Cruces Police)

An autopsy showed the baby inhaled and swallowed the sanitation liquid used in the portable toilet, according to investigators. The blue chemical was found in the baby’s trachea, lungs and stomach, which investigators said confirms that she breathed and swallowed the liquid while she was still alive.

Jimenez was arrested on Wednesday and charged with intentional child abuse resulting in death, a first-degree felony. She was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center and is being held without bond.

AUTOPSY RESULTS DEEPEN MYSTERY OF INFANT ALLEGEDLY FOUND DEAD IN UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ATHLETE’S CLOSET

Police found the infant girl dead in the portable toilet’s holding tank. (iStock)

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Police said they do not expect to charge her boyfriend, as they do not believe he was aware she had given birth.

“This is one of the most heartbreaking and disturbing cases I have encountered in my career,” Las Cruces police Chief Jeremy Story told the Santa Fe New Mexican.

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