New Mexico

Tips for driving during dust storms in SE New Mexico

Published

2 years ago

May 1, 2024

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Tips for driving during dust storms in SE New Mexico

Folks in southeastern New Mexico know dust storms create low visibility, and it can be dangerous when driving.

CHAVES COUNTY, N.M. – If you live in southeastern New Mexico, you know the wind brings a lot of dirt.

Dust storms create low visibility and it can be dangerous when driving. KOB 4 found out what to do if you’re caught in the middle.

The National Weather Service says when there’s a dust storm or brownout conditions, the best thing to do is pull off the road, turn off your lights, keep your foot off the brake and stay inside the car. If you stay on the road, keep your lights on.

“You don’t want people to see your lights and use them as a target, thinking that the roadway is where you’re at. And obviously you’re not, you’re not traveling, you’re standing still. However, they often know that people in a dust storm are traveling through with their lights on and their flashers,” said Chaves County Undersheriff Charles Yslas.

Yslas says it’s not uncommon to see people crash during these conditions.

“In this last dust storm, probably about three months ago or so, we had a large pile up on State Road 2. We had another large pile up in which a person unfortunately was killed on 285. So it’s imperative to use that situational awareness,” said Yslas.

Right now, the sheriff’s department tries to warn people ahead of time, but they hope to implement new features they think will help.

“We’d like to see signs, not just signage, but flashing signs so that they are visible, and they draw attention,” said Yslas. “If you can avoid the incident or if you can prepare for the incident, you have a higher probability of success and safety.”

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New Mexico

New Mexico Public Education Department faces $35 million shortfall

Published

5 hours ago

January 9, 2026

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New Mexico Public Education Department faces million shortfall

The New Mexico Public Education Department is facing a $35 million deficit, which it attributes to overpayments made to Gallup-McKinley County Schools, a claim the district disputes, arguing they are being wrongly blamed for the state’s funding mismanagement.

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New Mexico

New Mexico deserves speedier game commission appointments

Published

17 hours ago

January 9, 2026

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New Mexico deserves speedier game commission appointments

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New Mexico

What bills have been filed for New Mexico’s 2026 legislative session?

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

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What bills have been filed for New Mexico’s 2026 legislative session?

The governor sets the agenda for the session, including for the budget, so here is what they are looking at so far.

SANTA FE, N.M. — As the regular session of the New Mexico Legislature is set to begin Jan. 20, lawmakers have already filed dozens of bills.

Bills include prohibiting book bans at public libraries and protections against AI, specifically the distribution of sensitive and “Deepfake” images

Juvenile justice reform is, again, a hot topic. House Bill 25 would allow access to someone’s juvenile records during a background check if they’re trying to buy a gun.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham sets the agenda and puts forth the proposed budget lawmakers will address during the session. The governor is calling for lawmakers to take up an $11.3 billion budget for the 2027 fiscal year, which is up 4.6% from current spending levels.

Where would that money go? More than $600 million would go to universal free child care. Meanwhile, more than $200 million would go to health care and to protect against federal funding cuts.

There is also $65 million for statewide affordable housing initiatives and $19 million for public safety.

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