Stories | Desert Exposure

Dylan Connelly with Affordable Solar sits inside a Tesla Cybertruck that his company owns during the Electrify New Mexico Conference on April 4, 2024, in Albuquerque (Photo by Hannah Grover/NM Political Report)

Clean car rules will move ahead despite dealers asking for pause

The Environmental Improvement Board and the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board shot down an attempt to delay the implementation of the clean car rule earlier this month. The … more

Hannah Grover
NM Political Report | 4/24/24

New Mexico awarded $156M for solar program

The federal Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday that New Mexico will receive $156 million from a $7 billion program allocated to statewide “Solar for All” programs, mostly … more

Bulletin report | 4/22/24

A wind turbine stands outside the Las Cruces museums downtown on April 16

City receives federal dollars for clean energy plans

A new sustainability effort from the city of Las Cruces was recently awarded an over $400,000 federal grant to support a clean energy workforce, mitigate future extreme heat events and promote … more

Leah Romero
For the Bulletin | 4/19/24

Shakespeare on the Big Ditch in Silver City

TheActrix Studio LLC is holding an open call for the 2nd DitchSpeare classical street theatre event this Friday and Saturday. Ditchspeare received great acclaim when it premiered last year, prompting … more

Bulletin report | 4/19/24

LCPD Police Chief Jeremy Story speaks to a crowd at the Roborto V. Estrada Pavillion on Jan. 15, 2024.

LCPD to host town hall on reducing property and violent crime

Las Cruces police Chief Jeremy Story will host a town hall on April 25 in the city council chambers at Las Cruces City Hall. The town hall starts at 6 p.m. It ’ s expected to last an hour. … more

Bulletin report | 4/18/24

District Attorney Gerald Byers takes the mic during a two-hour debate on April 16.

Challengers rebuke incumbent as DA race begins

Bulletin coverage of the first candidate debate in the Doña Ana County election for District Attorney. more

Justin Garcia
Las Cruces Bulletin | 4/18/24

The Rio Grande, seen near La Llorona park in Las Cruces.

New Mexico rivers top endangered list

The American Rivers conservation group placed all of New Mexico’s rivers, collectively, on its annual list of America’s most endangered rivers, released Monday . All streams and … more

Algernon D'Ammassa
Las Cruces Bulletin | 4/18/24

Vamos Niños - Play to Learn, Mobile Children’s Museum, heads out on the road to communities across Doña Ana County.

Mobile children’s museum hits the road

Vamos Niños - Play to Learn Mobile Children’s Museum is hitting the road with a focus on serving rural and remote communities. The museum is set to make a lasting impact on childhood … more

By Elva K. Österreich | 4/17/24

Photo illustration by Las Cruces Bulletin

Public officials grapple with threats, raising questions about local democracy 

A voicemail ends with a death threat. Racist hate spewed in a phone call. An unknown car parked outside the house. Social media posts calling for summary execution. Threats of violence like … more

By Justin Garcia | 4/15/24

A weathered sign and bathroom at La Lorona Park on March 28, 2024.

City sells affordable housing bond a year after vote

One year and four months after Las Cruces voters overwhelmingly approved a $6 million cash infusion to the city’s affordable housing efforts, the city announced on March 25 that it had begun … more

By Justin Garcia | 4/9/24

NMSU to host NM State Esports Invitational tournament April 6 & 7

The largest esports tournament in New Mexico will kick off this weekend at New Mexico State University. Now in its third year, the NM State Esports Invitational is open to the community … more

Tatiana Favela, New Mexico State University | 4/5/24

Joshua Williams and his family pose with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in 2023, as the fulfillment of a wish via the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Bringing some light to darkness

Christine Woods, Make-A-Wish Southern Ambassadors chair, works every day to bring a moment of joy into the lives of children in the area who have a critical diagnosis. The small group of … more

By Elva K. Österreich | 4/5/24

A digital mock up of the new OEM building.

County approves $10 million for new emergency management center

The Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved funding for a new emergency management center during a meeting on March 26. The Office of Emergency Management … more

Bulletin report | 4/2/24

A structure on S. Espina Street that suffered a fire in 2023 sits empty on March 28, 2024.

Las Cruces touts blight abatement efforts

Future generations will never know the sights of the Kilby Motel or the infamous “eyesore” on Main Street – not if the city of Las Cruces has its way. Both buildings were … more

By Justin Garcia | 4/2/24

The ‘clock is ticking’ on RECA; downwinders call on public to pressure House speaker

An effort to extend and expand compensation to people exposed to radiation from federal nuclear testing and uranium mining was not included in the $1.2 trillion funding package signed by President … more

By Danielle Prokop, Source NM | 4/1/24

Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez unveils the new county seal during a news conference on March 25, 2024.

County unveils new logo and seal

It’s a new year and a new look for Doña Ana County. On March 25, Doña Ana County unveiled a new logo and seal after the Board of County Commissioners approved the designs on … more

Bulletin report | 3/29/24

Upcoming Area Art Happenings: April 2024

OPPORTUNITY Call for Veterans & Military Connected Artists: In Alamogordo, Otero Arts will hold its “Second Annual Otero Veteran Arts Showcase” (OVAS) in June at the Otero … more

By Elva K. Österreich | 3/29/24

What's Going on in April?

Desert Exposure would like to include your special events, from any southern New Mexico community. Please submit your event title, time, location and contact information to editor@desertexposure.com; Desert Exposure, 1740-A Calle de Mercado, Las Cruces, NM 88005; or call Elva at 575-443-4408. more

By Elva K. Österreich | 3/29/24

French Brothers built the four-bedroom Bedford Avenue home, pictured last September, whose sale yielded $145,000 in donations to community nonprofits for this year’s ‘Casa for a Cause’ event.

‘Casa for a Cause’ distributes $145K to nonprofits

The Las Cruces Home Builders Association’s annual Casa for a Cause event distributed $145,000 to 26 local nonprofit organizations this year. The project, formerly known as the Anniversary House … more

By Algernon D'Ammassa | 3/28/24

High school students celebrate graduation in a large ceremony at New Mexico State University’s Pan-Am Center in 2016.

Sen. Bill Soules talks about New Mexico's updated graduation requirements

Last month, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 171, updating graduation requirements for secondary school students across New Mexico. It was the first update since 2007. more

By Algernon D'Ammassa | 3/21/24