Who paid for Solomon Pena’s campaign

Solomon Pena was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center early Tuesday morning. Police say he orchestrated a string of drive-by shootings at local politicians’ homes after losing the election for the state House of Representatives.

By Joshua Bowling/Searchlight NM

Before he was accused of orchestrating the shootings at elected officials’ homes, he was able to court an influential New Mexico conservative.

PREVIEW: District 18 state house candidates on upcoming elections

Different candidates' campaign signs are posted up along the side of the road. Photo by Mackenzie Schwartz/ Daily Lobo

The state House of Representatives seat for District 18, in which the University of New Mexico resides, is up for election this November. The two candidates vying for the seat are incumbent Gail Chasey (D), and opponent Scott Cannon (R).

Disinformation endangers democracy in NM and beyond, experts say

Voting site in Albuquerque, Election Night, Nov. 2, 2021. (Photo by Marisa Demarco / Source NM)

Conspiracy theories are infecting the election cycle and jeopardizing voting rights. This report by Andrew Beale for Source NM is part of worldwide “Democracy Day” coverage.

Back to school in the fire zone

Daniel Encinias sits in the bucket of a front-end loader on his property. Nadav Soroker/Searchlight New Mexico

Classes are starting in northern New Mexico, where a wildfire left families without basics like running water. Searchlight New Mexico’s Alicia Inez-Guzmán explores how students learn after so much loss.

In Their Own Words: What children think about online learning and a school year lost to COVID – Zuni Pueblo and Navajo Nation

Brothers Elishah (age 13, left) and Makai Tsosie (age 14, right) take a break from their chores on the family ranch at Lake Valley, NM, and enjoy some horseback riding. Photo by Curtis Ray Benally.

This is the third in a series of articles that ask students in the region how they feel about school during the pandemic. Today we hear from students from Zuni Pueblo and the Navajo Nation. By Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi Photography by Don J. Usner and Curtis Ray Benally Not far from the Shiprock pinnacle on… Continue reading In Their Own Words: What children think about online learning and a school year lost to COVID – Zuni Pueblo and Navajo Nation

In Their Own Words:What children say about online learning and a school year lost to COVID

Anthony, Amelia and Adamina frolic on the trampoline at home. (Don J. Usner/Searchlight NM)

This the first in a series of articles that ask students in New Mexico how they feel about school during the pandemic. What has online learning been like? What do they think about returning to the classroom? Today we hear from a 9-year-old and a 5-year-old in Albuquerque. (The comments have been lightly edited.) By Alicia… Continue reading In Their Own Words:What children say about online learning and a school year lost to COVID