Republican Todd Garrison, left, and Democrat Vanessa Ordoñez Voters to decide next head of the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office DONA ANA COUNTY – Democrat Vanessa Ordoñez and Republican Todd Garrison are seeking to become the next Doña Ana County sheriff in the general election Tuesday, Nov. 3. The winner

A construction worker is seen outside an under-construction food pantry in Sunland Park, the city’s first permanent food assistance facility. (Photo by Juan Corral/ SNMJC) New building expected to boost food access for residents in a high-poverty area Until now, the city’s largest food assistance effort has been twice-monthly mobile

Freelance journalist Juan Corral discusses a new, permanent food pantry that will boost food access in the city of Sunland Park, New Mexico.

Editor’s Note: Candidate Daisy Maldonado previously participated with SNMJC in her capacity with Empowerment Congress by attending collaborative meetings and sharing insight on rural and colonias communities. Democrat Daisy Maldonado, left, and Republican Samantha Barncastle Salopek are vying for the District 1 Doña Ana County Commission seat. (Photos:" provided by

San Miguel Catholic Church, San Miguel, New Mexico (Source: Google) SAN MIGUEL, N.M. — Candidates for Doña Ana County Commission District 1 will participate in a public forum from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 at San Miguel Parish Hall, 19217 South N.M. Hwy. 28. Southwest Organizing Project and

(Stock image) LAS CRUCES — Early voting starts Tuesday, Oct. 6 at a single site, the Doña Ana County Government Center, 845 N. Motel Blvd., Las Cruces. It runs weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. More early-voting locations open up starting Oct. 17 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays

Julia Brown, a former Doña Ana County manager and Democratic write-in candidate for the District 3 county commission seat, left, and Patricia “Susie” Kimble, an Independent candidate, speak at a candidate forum Sept. 14, 2026, in Chaparral. Brown and Kimble are two of three candidates running in the district. A

Amador Crossing, an affordable housing development under construction on the recently expanded Community of Hope campus, is seen Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in Las Cruces. The 50-unit apartment complex is expected to expand housing options for homeless residents. (Photo by Diana Alba Soular/ SNMJC) Rising rents, more first-time homelessness and

(Stock Image) The City of Las Cruces will ask voters to approve $26 million in general obligation bonds to renovate Thomas Branigan Memorial Library. The library renovation has long been identified as a priority project by members of the community and city council. Members of the city council approved a

SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO – Thanks to a new law, independent and most minor party voters can vote in today’s New Mexico primary election for the first time ever. So-called “decline to state” voters, often referred to as independents, and most minor party voters don’t have to change their party affiliation

Editor’s Note: Candidates answered a list of questions emailed by the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative. Their responses have been edited for length and clarity. Some candidates in this Q & A reference House Bill 9 , passed by t he Legislature, that restricts local authorities from enforcing federal immigration

(Stock Image) KRWG Public Media's KC Counts discussed vaccine misinformation and disinformation with Dr. Karen Kopera-Frye and Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani, professors of public health at New Mexico State University, in this May 11 audio episode of Voice of the Public . Khubchandani and Kopera-Frye discuss COVID-19 and measles vaccinations and

Liz Marrufo is an advocate and volunteer who has received compensation under last year’s Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, or RECA. She spoke about her experience applying during a forum held Feb. 1, 2026, at Doña Ana Community College in Las Cruces. (Photo by Elva K. Österreich) SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO –

For-profit and nonprofit business owners gather March 26, 2026, during a Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce Green Drinks event introducing Southern New Mexico Giving Day/Give Grandly events in Las Cruces and Silver City. (Photo by Elva K. Österreich/ SNMJC) Southern New Mexico Giving Day dates April 13 : Pr

Inmates in the the Doña Ana County Detention Center are among the first identified measles cases in New Mexico in 2026. (Photo by Diana Alba Soular/ SNMJC) Editor’s Note: This article is one in a series examining measles in Southern New Mexico. LAS CRUCES – For more than a quarter

New Mexico health department officials work in partnership with local governments to sample and test wastewater for early detection of measles cases in communities across the state, including Southern New Mexico. (Photo by Diana Alba Soular/ SNMJC) How watching wastewater helps prevent disease spread SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO – In the

Editor’s Note: This reporting was made possible thanks to a grant from the Puente News Collaborative , based in El Paso. Karen LeCompte of La Luz and her mother, Arlene Maclean of Alamogordo, both experienced measles in their childhoods before vaccinations for the disease were developed. (Photo by Elva K.

Shawna Bailey, director of health services for Las Cruces Public Schools, is seen at the LCPS administrative offices. Bailey said her office worked closely with state health officials to verify immunization records and prepare for potential measles exposures during the outbreak last year. (Photo by Jonny Coker/ SNMJC) Risks remain

(Stock Image) The Mesilla Valley Habitat for Humanity affiliate, in partnership with the City of Las Cruces, will construct five single-family homes within the new Arcadia 4 Subdivision as part of a pilot initiative to expand access to attainable homeownership. The City of Las Cruces is donating 25 fully serviced

(Stock Image) LAS CRUCES — The minimum wage in the City of Las Cruces will increase on Jan. 1, 2026. According to Las Cruces Municipal Code, minimum wage for those employed in the city will increase from $12.65 to $13.01 an hour. The minimum hourly wage for tipped employees will