Author

Ryan Lowery
Ryan Lowery is an award-winning independent journalist based in Albuquerque. He covers politics and criminal justice and has reported on New Mexico for the Las Vegas Optic, Santa Fe Reporter, Los Angeles Times and others. Lowery was awarded the 2020 William S. Dixon First Amendment Freedom Award from the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, and the 2021 Sunshine Award from the New Mexico Press Association for his reporting that highlighted lack of transparency from multiple government agencies.
NM courts adopt new online records system
By: Ryan Lowery - April 26, 2023
New Mexico court records are accessed daily by attorneys, law enforcement and members of the press. The state has allowed these groups the ability to access and download documents from a searchable online database for many years. In early April, that database was moved to a new interface, one that offers the state an opportunity […]
Charges against Alec Baldwin dismissed in fatal ‘Rust’ shooting
By: Ryan Lowery - April 21, 2023
Santa Fe prosecutors have dismissed the involuntary manslaughter charge filed against actor Alec Baldwin related to the 2021 fatal shooting on the set of the film “Rust.” A motion was filed Friday in the First Judicial District Court dismissing the felony charge filed against Baldwin in October last year following the death of cinematographer Halyna […]
NM district turns to gun-detection AI in effort to prevent school shootings
By: Ryan Lowery - March 29, 2023
Clovis Municipal School District recently began using artificial intelligence technology designed to detect guns and potential shooters on school campuses. The software can even alert law enforcement before a single shot is fired. The AI technology is designed by ZeroEyes, a Philadelphia-based company founded by a group of former Navy SEALs. The company’s software installs […]
Legislature takes up multitude of gun bills sure to face a tough road
By: Ryan Lowery - February 14, 2023
New Mexico lawmakers are debating a variety of gun bills during the 60-day session in Santa Fe. Although previous legislation centered on firearm restrictions has historically struggled to make lasting progress in the Roundhouse, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is optimistic lawmakers know they have a responsibility to change the state’s laws before another tragic mass […]
Solomon Pena pleads not guilty following grand jury indictment
By: Ryan Lowery - February 3, 2023
Solomon Pena pleaded not guilty during a Friday arraignment hearing, his first court appearance since a grand jury indicted him on 14 felony charges related to an alleged plot to shoot at the homes of elected officials. Pena, an election denier and failed 2022 GOP candidate for the N.M. House, is accused of enlisting help […]
Final decision on Albuquerque’s free bus fare program on hold, again
By: Ryan Lowery - January 19, 2023
The fate of Albuquerque’s Zero Fares program, which allows anyone to board a bus without paying or showing a pass, will be decided at a future City Council meeting after councilors agreed Wednesday to delay a vote until next month’s meeting. This marks the fourth time the Council has deferred a vote on the matter. […]
Governor pledges $100 million to Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire recovery
By: Ryan Lowery - January 18, 2023
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday asked lawmakers to dedicate $100 million of the state’s operating budget to help communities in northern New Mexico devastated by wildfires and subsequent flooding last year. “We will be delivering $100 million for communities affected by the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire,” she said. “I propose that we make sure […]
Failed GOP candidate for NM House charged in connection to shootings at Dem politicians’ homes
By: Ryan Lowery - January 17, 2023
A traffic stop in early January led police to 893 fentanyl pills, two firearms and the arrest of a man wanted on a misdemeanor stalking charge. Albuquerque police say it also helped lead them to 39-year-old Solomon Pena, a 2022 Republican candidate for the New Mexico House who police suspect is the architect of a […]
Public Regulation Commission stumbles into the new year
By: Ryan Lowery - January 12, 2023
The state is accepting applications for a newly created council designed to advise the Public Regulation Commission on issues relevant to Native American communities in New Mexico. Applicants have until Jan. 23 to apply, and tribal enrollment is a requirement. The Tribal Advisory Council will consist of one representative from the eight northern Pueblos, one […]
Legislator seeks to ban springtime burns like the ones that sparked the state’s largest wildfire
By: Ryan Lowery - January 5, 2023
Two fires set by federal agencies last year meant to manage vegetation and reduce hazardous fuels ultimately grew out of control and led to the largest wildfire in New Mexico history. This week, a state senator prefiled legislation aimed at making these types of government-managed burns illegal from the beginning of March to the end […]
Scope of New Mexico’s fake elector scheme detailed in Jan. 6 committee report
By: Ryan Lowery - December 23, 2022
The House select committee investigating the violent and deadly Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol and former President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results released its final report late Thursday. The 846-page report is the culmination of an 18-month investigation that included more than 1,000 witness interviews and nearly a dozen […]
NM High Court denies Indigenous groups’ attempt to block changes to PRC
By: Ryan Lowery - November 29, 2022
The New Mexico Supreme Court on Monday denied a challenge made on behalf of Indigenous groups that sought to block a constitutional amendment set to take effect next year. New Mexico voters approved a constitutional amendment during the November 2020 election that changed membership on the state’s utility regulatory body from being an elected position […]