Public Safety

FBI: Vanderwagen Man Charged With Assault

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Vanderwagen man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault that reportedly left the victim with serious injuries.

According to court documents, March 10, 2026, Larry Wilbur Begay, 66, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, allegedly struck the victim multiple times with a metal workout bar inside a residence in Vanderwagen, New Mexico. The victim then fled to a nearby residence and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

As a result of the assault, the victim suffered serious injuries, including fractures to his right femur, left fibula, right Read More

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján To Introduce Resolution Highlighting National Public Health Week

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. SENATE News:

SANTA FE — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced that he plans to introduce a resolution highlighting National Public Health Week, celebrated this year from April 6 through today.

This resolution is meant to raise awareness about the importance of public health amid continued attacks by the Trump administration and recognize how public health improves daily lives, safeguards families, and strengthens communities.

Sen. Luján’s resolution also recognizes the important work of public health workers and highlights the need to strengthen the Read More

New Mexico Environment Department Watch Alert: 153 Enforcement Actions Initiated; 69 Resolved In March 2026

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NMED News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is highlighting the ongoing success of its Enforcement Watch initiative, a transparency-focused program that provides the public with consistent and timely information about the Department’s enforcement actions across environmental protection, public health, and worker safety programs.

By making enforcement data accessible, Enforcement Watch reinforces NMED’s commitment to New Mexico residents for accountability and regulatory compliance statewide.

Launched in May 2023, Enforcement Watch shares monthly Read More

FBI: Shiprock Man Pleads Guilty To Abusing Minor And Faces Life In Prison

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor over a four-year period.

According to court documents, Brian Begay, 30, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, engaged in a pattern of sexual abuse against Jane Doe between 2015 and 2019, beginning when the victim was 12 and continuing until she was 16.

Begay pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact and faces up to life in prison at sentencing.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Read More

All Prescribed Fire Projects Declared Out; No Heat Detected

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Forest Service completed critical fall and winter fuels reduction work across the forest. Courtesy photo

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — The Santa Fe National Forest has completed its fall 2025 and winter 2026 prescribed fire operations, calling out all prescribed fires after an infrared flight confirmed no remaining heat. Personnel will continue to patrol burn units as part of standard postfire procedures. 

To confirm that all prescribed fire units were out, fire managers ordered a fixed wing aircraft equipped with a military grade infrared camera capable of detecting heat sources as small as a dinner Read More

County Council Directs Staff To Probe Four-Way Stop At Urban Street And North Road

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Los Alamos County Council unanimously approved directing the County to investigate and research the possibility of installing a four-way stop at the intersection of North Road and Urban Street during its regular meeting Tuesday night. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Over the years, a wide range of people have spurred Los Alamos County Council to act on various issues. During the regular council meeting Tuesday night, council was again moved to act due to a citizen’s petition.

Council voted 7-0 to direct staff and/or Read More

DEA To Host 30th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

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DEA News:

EL PASO, Texas — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will host the 30th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 25, at nearly 4,200 locations nationwide.

Twice a year, DEA joins forces with local law enforcement and community groups to host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, giving the public a safe and anonymous way to dispose of expired and unused prescription medications.

By getting rid of unnecessary medications in the home, families can help prevent prescription drug misuse and reduce the potential for accidental poisonings. Read More

Justice Vargas Takes Oath Of Office As Chief Justice

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Chief Justice Julie J. Vargas takes the oath of office from Justice David K. Thomson, her predecessor as Chief Justice. Courtesy/Administrative Office of the Courts

Chief Justice Julie J. Vargas, NM. Courtesy/Supreme Court)

NMSC News:

SANTA FE — April 8, Justice Julie J. Vargas became Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Vargas was sworn into office after being elected by her colleagues on the Court to a two-year term. She is the 44th person to serve as Chief Justice of the state’s highest court. She succeeds Justice David K. Thomson, who had been Chief Justice since 2024.  Read More