By Julia Goldberg | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, folks. It’s Wednesday, already, and only one week of June remains. Current forecasts show mostly dry storms in our immediate future, but the recent monsoon forecast for the region indicates a likelihood for above-average seasonal rainfall. We need it. Lack of moisture has meant fewer mosquitos, but at least one county has ones infected with West Nile virus, the state health department reported yesterday, while urging residents statewide to take precautions to avoid being bitten. More rain might bring more mosquitos, but hopefully it will also bring more water to the state’s rivers. Speaking of which, be sure to check out journalist Laura Paskus’ report on a pilot project to support tiny wetland habitats along the Rio Grande. You’ll find even more to read below and online at sourcenm.com. As always, thanks for being here.
Renderings show plans for Project Jupiter, the massive data center complex planned for Doña Ana County. (Image courtesy of STACK Infrastructure)
New Mexico judge dismisses Project Jupiter data center lawsuit, but offers chance to re-file
A New Mexico judge on Tuesday dismissed a Las Cruces resident’s lawsuit against the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners for a second time, but gave him another chance to refile. The suit is one of several pending related to the controversial Project Jupiter data center, the latest being a New Mexico Foundation for Open Government public records suit filed this week, Source senior reporter Joshua Bowling writes.
The New Mexico Republican Party still has no leader following a failed vote June 20, 2026, in Las Cruces. Above: Republicans gather at the party’s pre-primary convention in Ruidoso on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Danielle Prokop/Source NM)
Republican Party of New Mexico still lacks a chair
The Republican Party of New Mexico remains without a chair, following a meeting last Saturday that failed to reach a quorum and allow for a vote. Another meeting is scheduled for this coming Saturday, but onlookers anticipate it, too, may fail to produce a vote. Source’s Patrick Lohmann reports on the conflict, in-fighting and battle for leadership plaguing the RPNM in the aftermath of the ousting of its former chair.
New Mexico lawmakers on the interim Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee listen Tuesday as state Supreme Court Chief Justice Julie Vargas, left, and Justice C. Shannon Bacon, right, present on modernizing the justice system in rural areas. (Photo by Joshua Bowling/Source NM)
New Mexico could consider licensing alternatives to address rural lawyer shortage
New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Julie Vargas and Justice C. Shannon Bacon updated state lawmakers Tuesday on their efforts to address rural lawyer shortages, Source’s Joshua Bowling reports, and broached the idea of joining the growing number of states implementing alternative licensing to the bar exam.
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) on Tuesday introduced legislation that he said would standardize federal Agriculture Department emergency assistance payments to producers of specialty crops, including green chile in New Mexico. (Photo by Santana Ochoa for Source NM)
U.S. Sen. Luján’s CHILE Act seeks more federal support for chile, pecans and other specialty crops
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) on Tuesday announced new legislation intended to create a consistent process for farmers of specialty crops, such as New Mexico’s green chile and pecans, apply for emergency funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Source’s Patrick Lohmann spoke with a New Mexico Chile Association official who said the help is much needed.
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We're reading (and gifting) a New York Times interview with New Mexico-based artist Bruce Nauman.
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