Why did New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission approve an El Paso Electric buyout, then scrutinize and reject PNM’s merger a year later?
News in Pictures
UNM players and assistant coaches celebrate as they gather around head coach Mike Bradbury after defeating Northern Arizona 72-64 in the opening round of the WNIT. (Mike Sandoval/For the Journal)
Volcano Vista High School teammates congratulate Kylie Taff (facing), after driving in the game-ending run vs. Atrisco Heritage on Thursday. (Jon Austria/Journal)
A Rainbow appears over Albuquerque as seen on the Westside of Albuquerque on Thursday, March 16, 2023. (Jon Austria/ Albuquerque Journal)
Around 50 people from Crossroads for Women, Bold Futures and the ACLU New Mexico come togather for a chant in the Rotunda or the Roundhouse, Monday, March 13, 2023. They were at the State Capitol to talk to legislators and show their support for bills to reform the criminal justice system. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Alan Brauer and Archer Strickland, 16, from Siembra Leadership High School, plant snap peas at Indigenous Farm Hub in Corrales, Friday, March 10, 2023. The farm grows produce for 2 local schools, but if a bill back by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is passed by the legislature, they will expand the number of schools they supply. The drip line in the foreground is to water white onions. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Barber Ezekiel Benavidez cuts Jamen Encinias ‘ hair during the Annual St. Baldrick 's Conquer Childhood Cancers Annual Fundraiser held at Rio Rancho Events Center in Albuquerque on Sunday March 12 , 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL)
Kirtland Central fans cheer their team during the girls basketball 4A championship game as they took on rival Gallup Friday evening at the Pit in Albuquerque. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
High school students learn the basics of welding during Central New Mexico Community College’s annual high school recruiting event College Day in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, March 10, 2023. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue and Albuquerque Fire Department battle a structure fire on the 1000 block of Cerro Vista Road in Southwest Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, March 10, 2023. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Georgia's Kyle Garland wins the men's heptathlon and sets a new collegiate record in the 2023 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Here, he reacts after seeing the scoreboard with the point totals. (Roberto E. Rosales/Journal)
Albuquerque, New Mexico/Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal
Volcano Vista senior Lazerik Hill (3) wears the championship banner during the NNMA 2023 State Basketball Championship Class 5A boys basketball game at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Volcano Vista won the championship game by a score of 43-31.(Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
UNM fans react as the Lobos fall to the Utah State Aggies during the Mountain West Conference Championships quarterfinals at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nev. on March 9, 2023. (Mike Sandoval/ For the Albuquerque Journal)
People view the Beyond the Living Wall mural at WESST Enterprise Center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Thursday, March 9, 2023. Local muralist Jodie Herrera designed and painted the mural portraying three women business owners and WESST clients, Dr. Ndidiamaka Okpareke of Rio Rancho, Alyssa Begay of Farmington, and Carmen Bolivar of Albuquerque. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Hope Christian basketball team celebrate after knocking out Taos in the state basketball tournament at the Pit on Thursday afternoon. Noah Perry, at far left, led his team with 23 points. (Roberto E. Rosales/ Albuquerque Journal)
ABQwerty Type Writer Society member Joe Van Cleave talks about his typewriter collection at his home in Albuquerque on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Lenny Roybal reacts as the House passed HB 510, a bill that if passed and signed into law, will make his song "Red or Green" the official State Chile Song. The bill still has to get through the Senate in the final days of the session before going to the Governor's Office. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Hobbs players on the bench react late in the game, a Class 5A girls semifinal victory over La Cueva in the Pit. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal)
Los Lunas' Logan Tafoya,center, jumps for joy after knocking out La Cueva out of the state basketball tournament Wednesday afternoon at the Pit. Albuquerque, New Mexico/Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal
Kathlene Ritch and members of the New Mexico School for the Arts Choir perform in the Capitol Rotunday Wednesday during a celebration of International Women’s Day and the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program.
Gallup fans cheer on their team's win over Valencia on Class 4A quarterfinals action Tuesday at the Pit. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal)
Jeremiah Lucero, who was promoted to an Albuquerque Fire Rescue driver, is joined by Isabella, left, wife Sarah Lucero, and daughter Emilia Lucero during an Albuquerque Fire Rescue ceremony Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
Amy Montoya, right, who works for the New Mexico Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, has her photo taken with Andrew Colwell, an educator at the New Mexico Museum of Space History, in Alamogordo, wearing a replica of the space suit Harrison Schmitt wore on the moon, and Joseph Martinez, with the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, wearing a costume of a bistahieversor sealey. This is part of Culture Day when all divisions of the Cultural Affairs Department come together at the State Capitol, Monday, March 6, 2023. Harrison Schitt was one of 2 astronauts from New Mexico to walk on the moon. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Joselynn Vidot grooms Teddy, one of the many small dogs at Wags, a dog daycare and grooming business in Santa Fe, Monday, March 6, 2023. A bill in the legislature, if passed, will reduce taxes on many New Mexico businesses. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
A pedestrian walks across Tramway Boulevard near Central Avenue in Albuquerque’s foothills as wintry weather moves into the metro area on Thursday, Feb. 2. 2022. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
New Mexico State University head football coach Jerry Kill pumps up Aggies footbal fans during a meet and greet session with NMSU fans and alumni at the Nativo Lodge in Albuquerque on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
A street-side memorial has surfaced in honor of the scrap metal Iron Man — who met his match in a wayward pickup truck earlier this week in Downtown Albuquerque. (Elizabeth Tucker/Journal)
University of New Mexico President Garnett Stokes gives the State of the University address on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
Students at Mark Armijo Academy listen to speakers during the announcement of the Duke City Leadership Lowrider Bike Club, being launched with students from Mark Armijo Academy, at the Westgate Community Center in the South Valley of Albuquerque, N.M., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. The program kicks off next week where students will be working with local mentors to build and customize their lowrider bikes. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
New Mexico's Morris Udeze, right, greets congratulatory fans after UNM's Senior Night win at the Pit over Fresno State. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal)
Jordan Berg, a freshman at Albuquerque Academy, carries a mattress up the stairs as she and her fellow classmates help unload twin mattresses donated from American Home Furniture at an apartment in Northeast Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday Feb. 28, 2023. The 38 mattresses are a donation for Saranam, a local family homeless shelter, who will be giving the mattress to children and families in need. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Albuquerque Police survey the damage to the Iron Man sculptures in Albuquerque after it was struck by a pickup truck on Monday February 27, 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL)
Nicole Volden, the geoscience collections manager at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. poses next to a 3D-printed model of a T-Rex head, which is a replica of the actual fossil being displayed at the museum.
Strong winds blew a layer of dust onto downtown Albuquerque on Sunday. The highest wind gust at Albuquerque Sunport was 75 miles per hour, about 12:27 p.m. (Adolphe Pierre Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
A pedestrian struggles to keep his balance while walking on the sidewalk on West Central Avenue near 47th Street SW on Sunday. Strong winds prompted the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Program to issue a health alert due to blowing dust. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Lobo senior Jaelen House (10) shoots the layup that would give UNM a 71-70 lead with six seconds left, before San Diego State hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to win 73-71. (Chancey Bush/Journal)
Freshman quarterback Devon Dampier passes the ball during a spring football scrimmage on Saturday, Feb. 25 at University Stadium in Albuquerque (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
Morris Udeze (24) reacts in dejection after his New Mexico Lobos lost 73-71 to No. 22 San Diego State on Saturday night at the Pit. (Chancey Bush/Journal)
Lobos senior Shaiquel McGruder (13) sheds tears as she hugs Lobos crying fan Nora Garviso during Senior Day postgame festivities Saturday at the Pit. UNM beat Utah State 111-55. (Chancey Bush/Journal)
Lobo senior Shaiquel McGruder (13) kneels down and signs autographs after her team's win over Utah State 111-55 on Saturday at the Pit. (Chancey Bush/Journal)
Twenty-seven doctors from Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Vegas stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in the Senate gallery Saturday during the floor session. The doctors, members of the New Mexico Medical Society, visited the Capitol to speak to a legislative committee about Senate Bill 296 -- which would revise the state's medical malpractice law -- but it was postponed until Tuesday. They said they want to make sure the legislators are thinking about them during the remained of the session. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Nico Hernandez, right, knocks the mouthpiece out of Gilberto Mendoza’s mouth. (Roberto E. Rosales/Journal)
Josh Torres makes his entrance into the ring to take on Donovan Estrella. (Roberto E. Rosales/Journal)
African lion Kenya in his habitat at the ABQ BioPark Zoo. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal)
Sandia Matadors react during their 10-5 win over host Volcano Vista in the 2023 prep baseball season opener. (Chancey Bush/Journal)
Daniel Sanchez finds a warm spot to create a painting representing his father on the gazebo at Old Town Thursday afternoon. Here, Sanchez takes a moment to analyze his progress as life in Albuquerque returned to normal after Wednesday's windy weather. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
Jim Plagens, right, watches as members of the Bernalillo Fire and Rescue remove a wind-toppled tree blocking Countryside Lane NW in Albuquerque on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. (Jon Austria Albuquerque Journal)
Chris Vigil, of Santa Fe, walks along the Santa Fe Depot Rail Runner Station through a snow storm, Wednesday, February 22, 2023. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
High winds and sleet reduce visibility for drivers in the area of Atrisco Vista and Paseo del Norte on Wednesday February 22 , 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL)
UNM student Ranson Lal uses his jacket as a cover from the wind and snow on the campus of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M., on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Amber Bagherian, of Santa Fe, cross country skis Monday morning in the Valles Caldera National Preserve, which she remarked looked like another world because of the abundant snowfall.
New Mexico Heart Institute Cardiologist Dr. Michael Adjei-Poku, from left, this wife Gladys Adjei-Poku, a registered nurse at Lovelace Medical Center and son his son Dr. Yaw Adjei-Poku, a cardiologist at the Heart Hospital of New Mexico pose for a portrait on Monday February 13 , 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL)
Cleveland High School's Roman Luttrell, left, reacts after defeating Farmington High School's Drayden Harvey to win the 107-pound state championship match during the state wrestling tournament on Saturday.
From the left, Beth Otero, 13, Caitlin Tierney, 12, Emma Lupinetti, 12, and Ashley Barnes, 12, with Girl Scout troop 10465 present their “Cookie Boss" pitch, which is modeled after the show Shark Tank, to local realtors, Ainsley Sander and Carol Sander in Northeast Albuquerque, N.M., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Girl Scouts with troop 10465 present their “Cookie Boss" pitch, which is modeled after the show Shark Tank, to local realtors, Ainsley Sander, left, and Carol Sander, right, in Northeast Albuquerque, N.M., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Volunteer Donna Ryan, left, shares a moment with Odysseus, or Ode, an Andalusian-Percheron cross who was rescued from a kill pen, at Wilderwood Equine Therapy and Rescue in Peralta, N.M., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The non-profit focuses on equine-assisted programs for people of all ages with autism. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Dr. Mark Evanko, an osteopathic physician and equestrian, left, and Dr. Rebecca Evanko, an autistic Ph.D, equestrian and educator, right, established Wilderwood Equine Therapy and Rescue in 2018. The non-profit focuses on equine-assisted programs for people of all ages with autism. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
The Lobo's bench explodes with joy as UNM takes the lead late in the game against Wyoming on Thursday evening at the Pit. The UNM Lobos defeated Wyoming, 71 to 62. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
Tara Davis Woodhall celebrates after winning her event during day 2 of the 2023 USATF Indoor Championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
Maureen Cullen takes her dog Kona for a hike in the foothills Wednesday morning after the latest snowstorm. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
Joseph Gavigan, a local actor, is turned into a satyr or faun by local special effects makeup artists Jon Shroyer, right, and Derek Herrera near the Rotunda of the State Capitol. (Eddie Moore/Journal)
Injured standout guard Jaelen House can't bear to look from the bench as UNM loses to Wyoming on Tuesday at the Pit. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal)
People make their way through a snow storm as they leave the State Capitol, Monday, February 13, 2023. Occasional snow storms are expected over the next couple days. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
A snow plow treats a section, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, of the east bound lane of Interstate-40 near Tijeras,
Tijeras, New Mexico as a winter storm hits the area. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
Carter Monjaras, 2 1/2, blows a duck call next to his dad Matthew Monjaras, from Tijeras, during a rally in the Rotunda for Camo and Capitol Day, Monday, February 13, 2023. Monjaras is with Impact Outdoors, a nonprofit who take youth and veterans into the outdoors for education, conservation, and meaningful outdoor opportunities. The event was organized by the New Mexico Wildlife Federation to help remind lawmakers of the importance of hunting and fishing in the state. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Balloonist inflate their balloon during the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association's Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally at Balloon Fiesta Park on Saturday, February 11. A tradition since 1975, more than 100 balloons were in attendance Saturday morning. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
Mika Markham looks for a heart-shaped ristra from Hatch’s Mago’s Farm during the Valentine Market at the Albuquerque Rail Yards on Sunday February 12 , 2023. Adolphe (Pierre-Louis/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL)
Young dancers with Flamenco Works perform during the Valentine Market at the Albuquerque Rail Yards. Thousands took advantage of the balmy weather to shop at the event. Photographed on Sunday. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL)
Allison Aguilar, 10, and other students from Mary Ann Binford Elementary, take part in a celebration of Westside Day in the Legislature at the Roundhouse, Thursday, February 9, 2023. Around 600 kids and 100 chaperones attended the 14th annual celebration of the Westside of Albuquerque in the legislature. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Ben Morales, from Ruidoso, wipes away tears as Attorney General Raul Torrez, left, speaks during a memorial for homicide victims and survivors in the Rotunda of the Roundhouse, Thursday, February 9, 2023. Morales' son Joseph Morales, a student at UNM, was shot and killed in November of 2021. About 100 people gathered for the event to ask for legislation to control gun violence. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Nicole Chavez, founder of ROBBED New Mexico, speaks during a memorial for homicide victims and survivors in the Rotunda of the Roundhouse, Thursday, February 9, 2023. Chavez's son, Jaydon Chavez-Silver, a Manzano High School student, was shot and killed in 2015. About 100 people gathered for the event to ask for legislation to control gun violence. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Cotton candy skies captured northwest of Elephant Butte Reservoir in New Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Nancy Si’mon waits for the Albuquerque Rapid Transit bus after shopping at the Walmart on San Mateo SE, south of Central. “For the people that don’t have transportation, it’s going to be hard,” Si’mon said about losing the store, which is slated to close in early March. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
A dejected Lobo K.J. Jenkins, center, walks off the court in front of celebrating Nevada Wolf Pack players, including Kenan Blackshear (13), whose final-second shot proved to be the game winner, beating the UNM Lobos on Tuesday night in the Pit. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal)
Mackenzie Milligan, center, the girlfriend of Christopher Pearce, grieves the death of Pearce and two other teens during a vigil Tuesday afternoon at a park in Moriarty. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari, center, stands among Dale Perkins, left, from Albuquerque, and others to speak against a proposed 14-day waiting period for gun purchases. He spoke at a hearing of the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee on Tuesday. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Anthony Miramontes, 19, stands next to his Buick Regal classic lowrider in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Jan. 29. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
Grace Dougan, volunteer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, carries a tranquilized female Mexican wolf from the helicopter during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M., Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. The female wolf was found with a bite wound on her neck. Vets treated her wound, administered antibiotics and vaccinations, drew her blood, measured her weight and length, and fitted her with a tracking collar before she was released back into the wild. As part of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan, each year federal, state and tribal agencies across New Mexico and Arizona tracks and records the progress of population growth and overall health of the endangered species. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
University of New Mexico's Aniyah Augmon celebrates after the Lobos beat San Diego State, 83-78 at the Pit in Albuquerque on Saturday, Feb. 4. 2022. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
New Mexico Ice Wolves players Yusaku Ando, left and William Ericsson slap hands during the first intermission Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, during their game against the El Paso Rhinos at the Outpost Ice Arenas in Albuquerque. New Mexico beat El Paso 7-2. The Ice Wolves will wear a custom Ronald McDonald House Charities jersey for the entirety of the three-game series against the Rhinos.
(Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
UNM Lobos junior Hulda Joaquim (14) reacts during the second half of the University of New Mexico women’s basketball game against the The UNLV Lady Rebels at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. The Lobos lost the game to the Rebels 93-75. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Sunlight illuminates Emma Porter, 11, as she sits inside a reading nook during her visit with her family to the International District Library in Northeast Albuquerque, N.M., Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Breezy Blue Response Disinfecting Minibot is an automated disinfection system that prevents illness in spaces like classrooms, hotel rooms, ambulances and more. Build With Robots CEO and Founder Chris Ziomek demonstrates how it works during a press conference.(Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Jourrnal)
Sandia High School senior Joaquin Higuera (0) cheers for his teammates during the second half of boy’s varsity basketball game against West Mesa High School in Northwest Albuquerque, N.M. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. The Sandia Matadors beat West Mesa Mustangs 63-51. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
From left, Emma Vega, 10, Mikaela Spurgeon, 11, and Camila Valdez, 11, with Balle Encanto, a folkloric dance group from Silver City, get ready in a hallway to perform in the New Mexico Senate, Wednesday, February 1, 2023. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
From left, Navin Gnanakaren, Leyana Tercero, Naomi Celote, all 10, and other dancers with National Dance Institute in Santa Fe, perform for members of the New Mexico House of Representatives, Wednesday, February 1, 2023. The group, representing around 7,000 NDI dancers around the state performed for both the House and Senate. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Boxes of donuts sit stacked in the Rebel Donuts van in the parking lot of their Wyoming location in Albuquerque on Tuesday, as Rebel Donuts owner Margot Cravens looks on. The company is selling boxes of donuts from one of their vans in the parking lot after a fire forced the location to close its doors. (Liam DeBonis/Journal)
Lek and Margo Chinsangaram of Corvallis, Oregon enjoy a warm January 30, 2023, day by hiking the Boca Negra Canyon Trails at the Petroglyph National Monument.High temperatures are expected to be in the 50's for the rest of the week . (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL)
Paul Smith, reflects on his 26 years at the helm of Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta as the Executive Director. Photographed Tuesday. January 24, 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Joee Sanchez poses in front of the Intel crane. (Courtesy of Joee Sanchez)
Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, eats cheese-stuffed breadsticks with marinara alongside first grader Kaiden Coriz, left, and second grader Judah Lee Bay, center, Friday at Ramirez Thomas Elementary School in Santa Fe. (Eddie Moore/Journal)
Los Lunas’ Ezra Guest splits the gap between Rio Grande defenders Isaiah Lucero, left, and Eliseo Velazquez Saturday afternoon. Los Lunas rolled to an easy win. (Roberto E. Rosales/Journal)
Albuquerque, New Mexico/Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal
Kee Straits leads Dalai Llama out of his enclosure at their home at QD Farm in Albuquerque on Saturday. Dalai Llama turned 27-years-old on Friday and is awaiting confirmation of being recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest llama living in captivity. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal)
Deputy Director of Training Gabe Ortiz, right, gives instructions to law enforcement cadets at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe on Sunday, January 29, 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
University of New Mexico women’s basketball team celebrate after beating Colorado State, 64-59, at the unm Pit in Albuquerque on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
New Mexico Cabinet Secretary for Early Childhood Education Elizabeth Groginsky, left, speaks with Alax, the star of "The Early Show with Alax" at press conference to unveil the show at Explora Science Center and Children's Museum on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. (Liam DeBonis/Journal)
Kami Mia Luna Trujillo, 8, from Las Cruces, left, and other students participate in a discussion with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham about school lunches. This was in the Governor's Office at the State Capitol, Thursday, January 26, 2023. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
A pedestrian gives the peace sign to Albuquerque police as they investigate a homicide on Mesilla near Central on Wednesday afternoon. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Albuquerque BioPark employee Nathan Poncho, cleans the duck pond at Tingley Beach on Tuesday, Jan. 26. 2023, following Monday's strong winds. Adolphe Pierre-Louis/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL
Michael Shinabery, with the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo, walks through the wings of the Rotunda wearing a replica of Neil Armstrong's space suit. It is Earth Science and New Mexico Tech Day at the Legislature in Santa Fe, Monday, January 23, 2023. Due to the pandemic, this is the first time booths have been set up in the wings next to the Rotunda and people visiting them since 2020. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Mora County Sheriff Americk Padilla and Mora County Commissioner Veronica Serna walk through the area in the Mora County Complex on January 20, 2023, where an exercise facility, tech hub and climbing wall with be built. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the Department of Finance and Administration awarded $2.5 million to Mora County for the Mora County Recreation/Community Center. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Sen. Harold Pope Jr., D-Albuquerque, left, talks with Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, on the Senate floor in Santa Fe, Monday, January 23, 2023. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Volcano Vista’s Taejhuan Hill, left, and teammate Lilliana Duncan (2) surround Sandia’s Hope Giddings in the first half on Monday night at Sandia. Hill and the Hawks beat the Matadors 59-52. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal)
The snow covered Jemez Mountains behind the hills around Chimayo, Friday, January 20, 2023. Storm left a couple inches on snow across Northern New Mexico. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Julianna, with The Howeya Family Traditional Dance Group of the Acoma Pueblo, performs on the third day of American Indian Week at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Eytan Krasilovsky, with the Forst Stewards Guild, sets fire to a snow covered pile of small trees and limbs on a mountain next to Glorieta Camps Thursday, January 19, 2023. He and others with the Forest Stewrds Guild and Glorieta Camps are buring over 8 acres of piles of fuel that could carry a wildfire in dryer conditions. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Louie Lobo gets the crowd start of the game against Boise State Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, evening at the Pit.
(Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
Albuquerque Chinese Folk Dance Ensemble perform with lanterns and streamers during Chinese New Year Celebration at the Chinese Culture Center on Sunday January 22, 2023 . (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Senator Martin Heinrich tours the future home of the Gateway Center located in the Gibson Health Hub in Southeast Albuquerque on Wednesday. Rep. Melanie Stansbury was also on tour the facility. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
US Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., tours the future home of the Gateway Center located in the Gibson Health Hub in Southeast Albuquerque, N.M., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. (Chancey Bush/Journal)
Albuquerque Fire Rescue Chief Gene Gallegos, left, chats with senior Juliana Hielkema, an aspiring firefighter who wants to increase the representation of women in the department, at Manzano High School on Wednesday. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
UNM Lobo Morris Udeze, center, celebrates after scoring against the San Jose State Spartans in the Pit on Tuesday. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
As clouds covered the Sandia Mountains on Tuesday, Albuquerque saw a cold rain that dropped from .10 inches to .25 inches throughout the city. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal)
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, shown delivering her State of the State address on Jan. 17, will have final decision-making authority on a bill to raise pay levels for all statewide elected officials, after the House approved the bill on Thursday. The proposal would not affect Lujan Grisham, as a salary increase for the governor would be delayed until after she leaves office in 2027. (Eddie Moore/Journal)
From left, Maegan Pacheco, Edward Pacheco and Joanna Alvarez, a mariachi band call Euforia from Santa Fe, perform from the press room before the start of the 2023 legislative session, Tuesday, January 17, 2023. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
House Min. Leader Ryan Lane, left, R-Azrtec, talks Rep. Rod Montoya, R-Farmington, at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, Tuesday January 17, 2023. Tuesday is the start of the legislative session. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, hugs his wife Diana after being elected as House Speaker at the start of the 2023 regular session of the New Mexico legislature. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Navajo President Buu Nygren, center, talks with Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, left, and U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, right, during the first day of the 2023 legislative session, Tuesday, January 17, 2023. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Albuquerque SWAT officers take Solomon Pena into custody Monday afternoon in Southwest Albuquerque. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
Benito Sisneros, with the State Capitol's security, screens Cayden Diamond, 14, daughter of Sen. Crystal Diamond, R-Elephant Butte, as she enters the Roundhouse. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque JournaL)
Cadets start their 1.5 mile run during the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy physical assessment tests held at the academy. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Children hand out “Li xi” or lucky money to members of the Van Hanh Lion Dancers during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year Celebration at Holy Ghost Catholic School in Albuquerque on Sunday Jan. 15 2023. The Vietnamese community rang in the Year of the Cat during Sunday's event. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Kiet Vuong, left, and Bach Tran light incense at an alter to pay tribute to their ancestors during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year Celebration at the Holy Ghost Catholic School in Albuquerque on Sunday, January 15, 2023. The Vietnamese community in Albuquerque rang in the Year of the Cat during Sunday's festivity. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Tony Joezamora, as Superman, leaps outside in the Civic Plaza during the Albuquerque Comic Con 2023 at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Downtown Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Curtis Nickols holds his year-old granddaughter, Aiyanna, while marching with his 9-year-old daughter, Goldie, during the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative March in Albuquerque on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Participants in the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative March make their way down the avenue named for the civil rights leader on Saturday in Albuquerque. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Anfernee Jake admires his latest tattoo by tattoo artist Rocket at Albuquerque Ink on Friday the 13th. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
Chassity Garcia, Heading Home executive director, stands inside the men’s shelter full of emergency beds at the Gibson Health Hub in Southeast Albuquerque, N.M., Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, left, tours the Gibson Health Hub facilities on Friday. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal)
Maj. Kyle Konkolics gets a hug from his mother-in-law, Ann Bendan, after receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross during a ceremony at Kirtland Air Force Base on Wednesday. Konkolics and four other airmen were recognized for their roles in the successful rescue of an American being held for ransom in Nigeria in 2020. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Lobos senior Shaiquel McGruder (13) flexes after a play as she cheers on her teammates from during the second half as the University of New Mexico women’s Lobos basketball team play against Nevada Wolf Pack at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M., on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. The Lobos won the game against Nevada Wolf Pack by a score of 88-58. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal)
Lobos react during the second half as the University of New Mexico women’s Lobos basketball team play against Nevada Wolf Pack at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M., on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. The Lobos won the game against Nevada Wolf Pack by a score of 88-58. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal)
Delfin Martinez, a certified occupational therapy assistant at CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, looks at a new rehabilitation service vehicle unveiled outside the Santa Fe hospital, Wednesday, January 11, 2023. The car, a Mazda 3, was modified to help patients recovering from strokes to relearn how to get in and out of a vehicle. The vehicle was modified and donated by the Automotive Technologies department at Santa Fe Community College. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Christus St. Vincent President and CEO Lillian Montoya, right, and Delfin Martinez put a “Javier” plate on the vehicle in remembrance of the late Santa Fe County commissioner and Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales, who played a large role in getting the rehabilitation services vehicle, a modified Mazda 3, in place. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Newly appointed New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioners met for the first time in their new location in Santa Fe, Wednesday, January 11, 2023. Commissioner James F. Ellison Jr., left, introduced himself vai Zoom. Commissioner Patrick O'Connell, right, and Commissioner Gabriel Aguilera, second from right, appeared in person. Michael Smith, center, is the general council and interim chief of staff. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Mary Wilson enjoys freshly made tortillas at Duran Central Pharmacy on Historic Route 66 in Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal)
Pat and Bess Harris, from Santa Fe, walk their dogs Bandit, left, and Sunny on the Santa Fe River Trail near San Ysidro Crossing Tuesday, January 3, 2023. The temperature is below freezing and the wind made the walk short. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
An American Kestrel lands on the exhaust pipe on an old tractor in a farm field off Rio Grande Blvd., Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 3. 2023. The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in New Mexico and is roughly the size of an American Robin. Don’t let the tiny stature fool you, though, because this raptor is an accomplished hunter. (/Roberto E. Rosales/ Albuquerque Journal)
FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda stands next to an estimated $100,000 worth of suspected stolen merchandise and recovered weapons at the FBI Field Office in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. The items were recovered on January 4, in the North Valley after the FBI Violent Gang Task Force obtained federal search warrants to sweep four StorWise Self Storage units on 2nd Street rented by convicted felon and associate of the Brew Town Locos gang, Leonard J. Lucero. Agents discovered hundreds of items ranging from power tools, TV’s, air compressors, appliances, and other merchandise. Lucero’s residence was also searched, finding additional firearms and ammunition. In total, 51 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, more than 300 bottles of alcohol and several large bags of marijuana were found inside the storage units. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
A passenger checks the status of his flight at the Albuquerque Sunport, Wednesday January 11 2023, after all U.S. flights were grounded due to an FAA system outage. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Del Norte High School's Deion Jim and Shane Douma-Sanchez, left defend Highland High School's Raul Stanford during the boys basketball game at Highland on Tuesday January 10 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Pugilist, Matthew “Diamond Boy” Griego-Ortega, signs an autograph after a press conference at the Jack Candelaria Community Center in Albuquerque, N.M. on January 10, 2023. Griego-Ortega’s next fight, The Rumble at Revel, is scheduled for February 4th, 2023. (Mike Sandoval for the Albuquerque Journal)
Jamie Cizek, 29, catches air, Monday Jan. 9, 2022, on a warm afternoon at the Los Altos Skate Park in Albuquerque .High temperatures will be in the 50s, with a 10% chance of precipitation on Tuesday and Wednesday. Adolphe Pierre-Louis/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL
The Howl Raisers, the name of the UNM student section, cheer on the Lobos during a Jan. 9 game in the Pit against Oral Roberts. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
Mayor Tim Keller, right is joined by Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medina to announce that they have a suspect in custody believed to be targeting elected officials homes and offices on Monday January 9, 2023. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL)
New Mexico Chief Justice Shannon Bacon, right, and Justice Michael Vigil question attorney Sara Sanchez, representing top Democratic legislatures, during the oral arguments of a law suit against the redrawn district maps for New Mexico's congressional representatives. This was during a Supreme Court Hearing in Santa Fe, Monday, January 9, 2023. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Flora, a Chihuahua pregnant with five puppies, finds refuge beneath furniture in Debbie Stubblefield’s Edgewood home. Stubblefield is caring for three Chihuahuas that survived a recent traffic crash. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Edgewood’s Debbie Stubblefield caresses Crysta, a long-haired Chihuahua. Stubblefield is providing a foster home for Crysta and two other Chihuahuas that are among 64 of the small dogs recovered from a vehicle crash near Vaughn last week. “They have been through a lot,” she said. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
UNM Lobos Josiah Allick, left and Jaelen House show their dejection in the final moment of their loss to UNLV Rebels at the Pit ,Lobos lost 84-77 . The game was sold out .Photographed on Saturday January 7 , 2023. Adolphe Pierre-Louis/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL
Lobo Fan Jeremiah Lopez, 8 , right , lights his cell phone in the Pit to support their 14-1 team before the UNM Lobos against UNLV Rebels Men's Basketball game. The game was sold out .Photographed on Saturday January 7 , 2023. Adolphe Pierre-Louis/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL
Lobo Fans light their cell phones in the Pit to support their 14-1 team before the UNM Lobos against UNLV Rebels Men's Basketball game. The game was sold out .Photographed on Saturday January 7 , 2023. Adolphe Pierre-Louis/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL
Rev. Father Nikolay Miletkov leads a prayer during the Blessing at the Rio Grande by All Saints of North America Orthodox Church. The wooden cross was retrieved by parishioner Matthew Langley .Photographed on Sunday January 8 , 2023. Adolphe Pierre-Louis/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL
All Saints of North America Orthodox Church parishioners follows a cross bearer, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, during the Blessing at the Rio Grande. The ceremony, which includes a procession to the river, marks the Sunday of Theophany and commemorates the baptism of Christ in the Jordan River Adolphe Pierre-Louis/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL
Rev. Father Nikolay Miletkov tosses a cross in to the Rio Grande during the Blessing of the Rio Grande by All Saints of North America Orthodox Church on Sunday January 8, 2023. The ceremony, which includes a procession to the river, marks the Sunday of Theophany and commemorates the baptism of Christ in the Jordan River Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal
People walk with their sleds back up to the top of the hill near the 10K Trailhead in the Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
A flock of Sandhill cranes perch on a sandbar on the Rio Grande in the Bosque north of Alameda Blvd. bridge in Albuquerque, N.M., Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Andrew Burke, left, and Dick Rowles, right, ride their horses in the Bosque north of Alameda Blvd. bridge in Albuquerque, N.M., Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, center, standing with her brother Greg Lujan, takes her Oath of Office from retired judge and longtime friend Wendy York. This is during an inaugural ceremony at the Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe, Sunday January 1, 2023. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
Regal UA High Ridge movie theatre at 12921 Indian School Road in Northeast Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023. The theater is closing its doors on Thursday. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen, from left, Albuquerque Police Department Chief of Police Harold Medina and outgoing District Attorney Raul Torrez listen as the new District Attorney Sam Bregman speaks during a press conference at the DA's office west of the District Courthouse in Albuquerque Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
Lobos Amaya Brown (3) cheers on her teammates during the University of New Mexico women’s basketball game against the Air Force Falcons at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M., Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. The Lobos won the game against the Falcons by a score of 70-58. (Chancey Bush/ Albuquerque Journal)
2023 balloons dropped, Dec. 31, 2022, as the clock struck noon for kids and their families as they celebrated the New Year at Explora Science Center and Children’s museum in Albuquerque. (Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal)
Ray Sandoval, the New Years Eve on the Plaza event chairman, unplugs the "2023" light that, along with the Zia at right, will be raised above the Plaza at the start of the new years. This is the 8th years the event is being held on the Santa Fe Plaza. The 2023 sign is reused each year just changing the las number.
The event will start at 8 on Saturday with live bands, a reading by the Santa Fe Youth Poet Laureate and a huge fireworks show just after midnight. (Eddie Moore/Albuquerque Journal)
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