By Julia Goldberg | Editor-in-Chief
Happy Friday, everyone! It’s been another busy week with news coming from all corners of the state. Yesterday’s top stories included announcements of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland’s top picks so far for her running mate; increasing calls for an investigation of federal drug agents’ actions in the state; updates from the state’s newest minor political party; and tightening restrictions in the national forest as wildfire concerns grow. Keep up with the news today at sourcenm.com as we head into the weekend.
Antonia Roybal-Mack, an attorney representing Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire victims, is one of five lieutenant governor candidates Democratic gubernatorial contender Deb Haaland is considering endorsing to join her on the ticket. (Photo courtesy Antonia Roybal-Mack)
NM fire victims’ lawyer on short list for Haaland’s endorsement for lieutenant governor
Antonia Roybal-Mack, an attorney who has represented hundreds of northern New Mexico wildfire victims, is on the short list of candidates gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland is considering endorsing to join her on the Democratic ticket, she told Source NM reporter Patrick Lohmann. The Haaland campaign confirmed its five finalists on Thursday as Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver officially withdrew from the race.
The U.S. Department of Justice in April of 2025 announced what it called the country’s largest-ever fentanyl bust as part of a multi-state operation, from which cash and drugs, pictured above, were seized in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. A whistleblower told the Associated Press that multi-state investigation allowed “millions” of pills to go un-seized. (Photo courtesy U.S. District Attorney’s Office, District of New Mexico)
U.S. House members call for congressional investigation of federal drug agents’ actions in NM
The U.S. House members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation announced Thursday they are opening an investigation into reports that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration allowed large fentanyl shipments into the state in the hopes of busting larger drug trafficking operations.
The McCauley Springs Fire near Jemez Springs had grown to 708 acres as of Thursday evening, according to the Santa Fe National Forest. (Photo courtesy Santa Fe National Forest)
McCauley Springs Fire near Jemez Springs grows, restrictions tighten
Santa Fe National Forest officials on Thursday said they were preparing a closure order for the area around the McCauley Springs Fire near Jemez Springs. As of Thursday evening, that fire had grown to 708 acres. As of Friday morning, the entire SFNF system entered Emergency Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, which bans campfires, smoking and other igniting activities.
From left to right: New Mexico Forward Party Chair Bob Perls, state auditor candidate Michael Vigil, New Mexico Forward Party Executive Director Melanie Johnson Hope Greenham and Santa Fe County magistrate court judge candidate Harry Montoya speak with press in Santa Fe after filing signatures to get on the Nov. 3 ballot. (Photo by Joshua Bowling/Source NM)
NM Forward Party announces 5 candidates for November election, but 2 fail to make ballot
New Mexico’s new minor political party on Thursday announced five candidates for the upcoming Nov. 3 general election, though it remains to be seen how many New Mexico Forward candidates will actually make the ballot. Source senior reporter Joshua Bowling spoke with Party Chair Bob Perls, and also checked in with Independent gubernatorial candidate Ken Miyagishima about his plans to appeal his ballot access lawsuit to the state Supreme Court.
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We're reading (and gifting) a multimedia Washington Post opinion piece by New Mexico State University postdoctoral researcher Venkatesh V. Ranjan on why the planet Earth needs a plan to defend itself from asteroids.
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