What we're hearing this week: special ed stipends, Young Park and I-10 dust crashes

LCPS teachers say they were promised $5,000 stipends that may not be coming

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

This post is part of a recurring weekly series where we share what we’re hearing from the community, what we’re actively reporting and how you can help guide our journalism.

At Organ Mountain News, we believe local news should start with the people it serves. That means opening up the newsroom — not just at the end of a story, but at the beginning. Here’s what we’re investigating this week.

Reported loss of $5,000 special ed retention stipends

Teachers across New Mexico — including many at Las Cruces Public Schools — say they were promised a $5,000 stipend for returning special education staff this spring. Now, some have been told that the funding is no longer available.

We’ve submitted questions to the New Mexico Public Education Department, Las Cruces Public Schools, NEA-New Mexico and NEA-Las Cruces. We’re also speaking with LCPS teachers about how this is affecting their day-to-day lives — and their trust in the system.

If you’re a special education teacher who expected this stipend, or a support staff member who was told you’d be eligible under Phase III, we want to hear from you. Your identity will be protected upon request.

Call or text 575-571-5225, or email organmountainnews@gmail.com.

Follow-ups in progress

Young Park shooting investigation
We’re continuing to follow the aftermath of the March 21 mass shooting that killed three people and injured 15 others. Several suspects have been charged, and we’re monitoring upcoming court hearings. More reporting is in progress.

Dust storm-related crashes on I-10
Multiple deadly crashes near the New Mexico–Arizona border have been linked to dust storms sweeping across alkali flats. We’re speaking with transportation officials, climatologists and local residents about the causes and what can be done to reduce future risk. Full story coming soon.

What’s not being covered — and what matters to you?

We’re building out a Community Listening Project to understand what stories in Las Cruces and Doña Ana County aren’t being told — and whose voices are being left out.

We want to know what issues you’re struggling to get answers about, what public systems aren’t working as they should, what voices need to be uplifted and what would a truly helpful outcome look like for you.

You don’t need to pitch a fully formed story — just send a text, a sentence or a question. That’s how reporting starts.

Call or text: 575-571-5225
Email: organmountainnews@gmail.com

We’re listening.

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. He can be reached at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or on X at @damienwillis.