Category: New Mexico

Bob Odenkirk Collapses on ‘Better Call Saul’ Set

LOS ANGELES—“Better Call Saul” star Bob Odenkirk collapsed on the show’s New Mexico set on Tuesday and had to be hospitalized. Crew members called an ambulance that took the 58-year-old actor to a hospital, where he remained Tuesday night, a person close to Odenkirk who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter told…


New Mexico Ranchers: Raising Inheritance Taxes Would Be ‘Devastating’ to Industry

Some lawmakers in Washington are trying to overhaul how inheritances are taxed, and it could be devastating to New Mexico’s family farms and ranches, association groups say. The Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion (STEP) Act, introduced by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) would allow the government to retroactively tax heirs on all value added to…


5 Who Died in New Mexico Hot Air Balloon Crash Identified

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—Authorities on Sunday released the names of the pilot and two couples who died after a hot air balloon they were riding in struck a power line and crashed onto a busy street in Albuquerque. New Mexico State Police on Sunday identified the pilot as 62-year-old Nicholas Meleski and the four passengers as Susan…


5 Die in Hot Air Balloon Crash in New Mexico’s Largest City

Five people died after a hot air balloon they were riding in hit power lines in New Mexico’s largest city and the gondola crashed to the ground, police said Saturday. The crash happened around 7 a.m. on Albuquerque’s west side, police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said. No identities have been released, but fire officials said three…


‘They Let a Monster Out’: Suspect Allegedly Decapitates Man After Release From Jail

A New Mexico man recently released from jail reportedly stabbed and decapitated another man in a Las Cruces park Sunday. The suspect, Joel Arciniega-Saenz, 25, confessed Monday that he murdered and decapitated James Garcia, 51, in Apodoca Park, Las Cruces, and then proceeded to drag his body into a city street and play soccer with…


Democrat Wins Special Election for New Mexico Congressional Seat

Democrats have retained a congressional seat representing part of New Mexico, filling a vacancy that arose when the officeholder left to join President Joe Biden’s administration. Democrat nominee Melanie Ann Stansbury won the race for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District, according to the final tally on June 1. Stansbury received 79,208 votes, over 32,000 more than…


New Mexico Officer Shot by Alleged Cop-Killer Gets Back Up, Returns Fire

A New Mexico police officer got back up and returned fire at a suspect after he was shot, according to newly released footage this week. The video shows Las Cruces police officer Adrian De La Garza involved in a chase while pursuing a suspect who allegedly shot and killed New Mexico state police trooper Darian Jarrott…


New Mexico Officers Resign From Protest Response Team Over ‘Lack of Trust’: Union Head

More than a dozen police officers quit the Albuquerque Police Department’s Emergency Response Team this month because they felt like were not supported, union official Shaun Willoughby said on Monday. “These officers, this is an extracurricular activity for them. Who wants to sign up to be at the spear of the biggest, most volatile political football…


Chilling Footage Shows New Mexico Officer’s Shooting Death During Traffic Stop

A video released online shows the moment a police officer in New Mexico was shot and killed during a traffic stop. According to the New Mexico State Police in a news release, Officer Darian Jarrott initiated a traffic stop on a white Chevrolet pickup on Interstate 10 on Feb. 4. The driver, identified later as 39-year-old Omar…


New Mexico Eliminates Qualified Immunity for Public Officials, Including Police

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Wednesday signed into law a bill that prohibits government employees in her state from using the qualified immunity defense against civil liability lawsuits. The law, dubbed the New Mexico Civil Rights Act, also allows individuals to sue for compensation if a state or local government employee violates the person’s “rights, privileges,…