By Julia Goldberg | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, everyone. It’s Wednesday already. We hit mid-week with stories of hunters and vaping lawsuits and geothermal energy exploration (oh my!). We also have the latest from the tense race in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, where U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson made his second New Mexico visit Monday evening in support of Republican Greg Cunningham’s challenge to U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, the Democratic incumbent. You’ll find those stories below, with more to read and more on the way at sourcenm.com. Thanks for being here!
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez on Tuesday released his analysis that a state law that reserves 10% of hunting tags for hunters who hire professional outfitters is unconstitutional. (Elk photo courtesy New Mexico Department of Wildlife)
New Mexico AG concludes setting aside hunting tags for outfitters unconstitutional
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez on Tuesday released a formal opinion that concludes an existing state policy reserving 10% of hunting tags for hunters who contract with private outfitters is unconstitutional and unfairly benefits wealthy, out-of-state sportsmen over local residents.
The New Mexico Department of Justice in March of 2026 sued retailers and distributors of vape and nicotine products, alleging that colorful packaging and flavors market to children. (Photo by Joshua Bowling/Source NM)
New Mexico lawsuit against vape retailers awaits hearing as lawmakers mull industry regulations
In a public hearing on Tuesday, New Mexico state Sen. Martin Hickey (D-Albuquerque) likened the state’s ongoing litigation against vape retailers and distributors to the decades-old struggle to convict Al Capone and his gang of “untouchables.” Lawmakers heard an update on the litigation, Source’s Joshua Bowling reports, and discussed potential changes to state law surrounding tobacco products for next year’s legislative session.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, pictured above at a rally for Republican congressional candidate Greg Cunningham on Aug. 26, 2026, returned to New Mexico for a closed-door fundraiser Monday on the candidate’s behalf. (Photo by Joshua Bowling/Source NM)
US House Speaker Johnson returns to New Mexico for GOP congressional hopeful’s fundraiser
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) made his second New Mexico visit Monday evening in support of Republican Greg Cunningham who is challenging U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, the Democratic incumbent representing the state’s 2nd Congressional District. Recent polling shows Vasquez with a narrow lead, but within the margin of error, Source’s Patrick Lohmann reports.
The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department recently announced that four projects received more than $17 million in grants to research viable areas for geothermal energy development. (Photo courtesy of Bureau of Land Management New Mexico via Flickr)
Geothermal energy projects in New Mexico receive $17.3M in state funding
Source’s Matthew Mondschein reports that four geothermal energy projects across New Mexico recently received more than $17 million to evaluate potential “hot spots” across the state. State leaders have eyed geothermal energy alongside renewables such as wind and solar as deadlines approach to comply with the landmark Energy Transition Act’s renewable energy goals.
ICYMI
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We're reading (and gifting) the Washington Post’s roundup of underrated states, including a shout-out for New Mexico from the publication’s Santa Fe-born video intern.
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