Come along with me & @sourcenm.com on the 2026 New Mexico campaign trail

An Aztec judge dismissed a lawsuit that challenged the legitimacy of Duke Rodriguez's Republican bid for governor. Rodriguez still faces a similar challenge from an opponent.

BREAKING: Judge dismisses the first of two challenges to the legitimacy of cannabis CEO Duke Rodriguez’s Republican bid for NM governor

In a stark contrast to the end of last year’s session, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham spent today praising lawmakers for their work getting medical malpractice reform and universal child care across the finish line

Amid the chaos of the final day in the 2026 NM legislative session, I’m taking a moment to mark #WorldCCADay. Some of you may know I lost my father to this horrible disease about 5 years ago Today & every day I wear a bit of green in his memory. One day we’ll find a cure 💚

On @sourcenm.com: As priority crime and public safety bills wither on the vine during the final hours of the 2026 New Mexico legislative session, @govmlg.bsky.social tells me it’s “a little early” to decide on calling a special session “I don’t believe in calling legislators together to disagree.”

New Mexico’s Jeffrey Epstein “truth commission” had its first meeting this morning. Subpoena power, a tip-line and investigative reports all part of the deal. The goal: a full pic of who in NM knew what — and when they knew it

New Mexico firefighters cannot always get worker's compensation for cancer diagnoses — even if they've spent years fighting blazes with known toxins. A bill before the Legislature would change that.

NEW for @sourcenm.com: Worker’s compensation denied this ABQ firefighter coverage for his cancer. With days remaining in the legislative session, a new bill would change that.

After hours of debate Wednesday evening, the New Mexico House Commerce and Economic Development Committee voted 6-5 to advance a bill that would further regulate gun dealers across the state and ban the sale of certain types of firearms and accessories.

We are sorry to announce the demise of our previous Instagram account. Please follow us anew at buff.ly/WVDi7cQ Here is a photo of an elk (by Danielle Prokop), an example of the visual treats that await.

Seven New Mexico Democratic state senators on Wednesday sided with their Republican colleagues voting down the Clear Horizons Act. Advocates for the bill said "misinformation and disinformation" from oil and gas groups contributed to the result.

The recently filed legal challenge says elected officials "abruptly" went into a closed-door meeting during the September hearing on Project Jupiter.

This is a really timely and impressive initiative from @sourcenm.com’s parent org, @statesnewsroom.com. Click through for in-depth reporting across the nation on data centers — including some from yours truly

Great news out of my first alma mater. Always proud to be a Thunderbird

On the 22nd day of the 2026 New Mexico legislative session, public safety took center stage.

Heinrich pointed to the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, which directs state money to land, water, agriculture and outdoor recreation projects. He said it has made New Mexico “the envy of much of the West.”

The bill would subject families whose pre-tax household income is more than 600% but less than 900% of the federal poverty level to child care co-pays under certain conditions, like a decline on the average price of some crude oil. Enrollment numbers and slowed revenue growth could lead to co-pays.

In AZ we had the 5 C’s. Today in NM we have Child Care Co-Pay Contingencies

“This early in the session, getting legislation passed is hard, even with an interim and years of work,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said at the signing. “I am proud of the Legislature. They don’t need that, but I think the public needs to know that they are getting incredible things done.”

NEW on @sourcenm.com: @govmlg.bsky.social signs 4 bills into law, including medical compact & Immigrant Safety Act

“I think that the provisions of the bill that relate to dealer regulations are very appropriate, and I could support those,” Committee Chair Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces) said after the vote. But, he added, “I think this is unconstitutional.”

Trump administration says it’s removing 700 immigration agents from Minnesota. The move leaves roughly 2,300 agents in the state as part of Operation Metro Surge, which began late last year. Story by @madisonmcvan.bsky.social minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/04/t...

The House of Representatives swiftly and unanimously approved Senate Bill 1, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Act, sending it to the governor. Hearings on the Senate floor, though, were not as speedy.

BREAKING: a spox for @govmlg.bsky.social tells @sourcenm.com she plans to sign it into law

Lawmakers on Monday reviewed a roughly $11 billion budget and the possibility of 45-day legislative sessions.

Committee chair votes ‘yes’ despite past opposition to similar bills

“I have deep fears about what’s going to go on now,” publisher Bob Zollinger said, “with the Independent not looking over things.” buff.ly/HUGIEAY

Medical malpractice bill clears its first hurdle, but not before an “unfriendly” amendment threatened to dismantle a bipartisan coalition

Today’s must-read, from @sourcenm.com’s @patricklohmann.bsky.social: FEMA official overseeing NM fire victims fund received six-figure payout, records show

I spoke with several NM lawmakers yesterday about the federal killing of Alex Pretti. Their comments, and more, here at @sourcenm.com:

Senate committees plan, God laughs. A recap of today’s storm-related cancelation

“I am quite certain, based on looking at that report and looking at other facts, that there is fraud and misrepresentation that is rampant in the program that’s got to be addressed,” said Sen. James Townsend (R-Artesia). buff.ly/NO3Tb47

House Bill 9, known as the Immigrant Safety Act, would prohibit government entities across the state from signing contracts to detain people for federal immigration violations.

The 4-2 vote came after two hours of testy debate

Two days into the 30-day legislative session, public safety has emerged as a top priority for many of New Mexico’s elected officials.

“The hidden role of lobbying plays such a huge role across making different policies and it continues to be a critical issue for the New Mexico government to address,” Sen. Jeff Steinborn told Source NM in a recent interview. buff.ly/LiL1czD

Weren’t at the Legislature yesterday? We’ve got you covered

In her final State of the State address, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham urged legislators to work across the aisle — and to find funding for her universal free child care initiative.

Hey, New Mexico! I’m at the Roundhouse for opening day of the 2026 legislative session Follow along here and at sourcenm.com — and drop me a line w/ any questions you want asked of our state lawmakers, issues you want to follow etc!

Officials attribute rising costs to universal childcare, ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ cuts.

Officials attribute rising costs to universal childcare, ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ cuts

“NMED must ensure the impacted community is able to access all relevant documents, engage in the public process, and be provided a meaningful opportunity to represent the interests of their community,” Kacey Hovden, a staff attorney for NMELC, said.

New Mexico’s rates for violent and property crimes have fallen since a 20-year high in 2018, but still remain above the national standard, according to a new state report.

ICE reported arresting more than 1,800 people in New Mexico as of Oct. 15 this year, according to new data. In the same period last year, the agency reported 128 arrests. Read more in Source's latest 'By the #s', including about why this year's numbers are likely an undercount. buff.ly/OwajTh5

Court records show that in 2019 he identified himself as an Arizona resident.

NEW: For years, authorities have had difficulty delivering parking tickets to GOP candidate Duke Rodriguez’s Albuquerque home In 2019, he identified himself in a lawsuit as a resident of Scottsdale, AZ READ HERE:

You're walking home from the gym when you're stopped by FBI officers in an unmarked car. They handcuff you, even though you tell them you're a US citizen. Then, they scan your face. 23-year-old Jesus Gutiérrez recounts his experience to @revealnews.org and 404 Media:

“We shouldn’t have sheriffs’ deputies and police officers from smaller departments being forced to drive into our larger cities to take advantage of this technology," New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said Monday.

Today NM AG Raúl Torrez announced an initiative to help rural police forces easily access national ballistics databases Said it’s been on his agenda since winning election in 2022