Las Cruces Police Department

Nationwide, more law enforcement agencies are adopting license plate readers to solve crimes including speeding, vehicle thefts, and missing persons cases. Last week, the New Mexico State Police used these computer-controlled cameras to arrest a suspect in the fatal shooting at the University of New Mexico. Lawmakers on Wednesday discussed the advantages and disadvantages of this technology with an eye on possible legislation to regulate it.

A judge Thursday dismissed a second-degree murder charge against former Las Cruces police officer Christopher Smelser. He was accused of killing Antonio Valenzuela with a controversial chokehold technique during a traffic stop in 2020. Justin Garcia, public safety reporter with the Las Cruces Sun-News who's been following the case closely, spoke with KUNM about why it was the judge — not the jury — who declared Smelser not guilty.

Communities across the country are demanding justice for people killed by police. In Albuquerque, the SouthWest Organizing Project is creating a mural to…

Episode 48 dives back into how the pandemic is affecting people experiencing homelessness. KUNM's Hannah Colton goes further into the story of the city…