Now You Know, July 31, 2026

Expanding the broadband education network

More than 32,000 students, teachers and staff in two southern New Mexico school districts and one charter school are now connected to the state’s broadband education network, a system that offers schools faster and more secure high-speed internet.

The Statewide Education Network in the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion has connected Las Cruces Public Schools, Truth or Consequences Municipal Schools and the Raices Del Saber charter school in Las Cruces.

The Statewide Education Network connects New Mexico schools to secure, high-speed broadband internet, allowing them to share content, classes, resources, clubs and meetings. The network also provides resources for teachers and tutoring assistance, mental health access and college preparation materials for students.  

“The continuous growth of the Statewide Education Network underscores the strong partnership between the education organizations across the state and OBAE,” said SEN Broadband & Technology Manager Ovidiu Viorica. “The Network is foundational for the long-term sustainability of more secure broadband for schools and the delivery of additional high-quality instructional resources for our students, teachers and administrators.”

The network demonstrates how technology is advancing education across the state, paving the path toward enhanced learning and collaboration among individual schools and districts.

“The Statewide Education Network represents a major step forward in closing the digital divide for students and families across New Mexico,” said Las Cruces Public Schools Executive Director of Information Technology Matt Dawkins. “By providing Las Cruces students with fast, reliable internet access, the Network will strengthen educational access and create more equitable opportunities for every student to thrive.”

The SEN team handles daily operations and cybersecurity of the network. That, in turn, takes the administrative burden of procuring, contracting and paying for internet service off individual schools. The SEN team also manages applications for federal E-rate subsidies.

The SEN team will enable rural and tribal schools to engage with other schools and communities through the high-speed school-centric internet.

These latest connections mean that 32,088 students, teachers and staff at the schools have access to the SEN. In the Las Cruces Public Schools, the SEN team will connect nearly 24,000 students, and in Truth or Consequences Municipal Schools, more than 1,400 students will be linked to the Network.

The SEN team has now connected 14 school districts and charters across New Mexico, totaling 269 schools and nearly 150,000 students, teachers and staff.

In the fall, the SEN team hopes to connect more schools, including Santa Fe Public Schools, Hatch Valley Public School District, Albuquerque Sign Language Academy and the Monte Del Sol Charter in Santa Fe. That will connect more than 18,000 more students, teachers and staff.

Schools are not required to participate in the SEN program. The network hopes to interconnect all New Mexico schools in the next three years.

County seeks applicants for Animal Services Center Board

Doña Ana County is seeking two residents to serve on the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley Board of Directors and will accept applications until 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27.

The ASCMV is governed by an eight-member Board of Directors, with four members appointed by Doña Ana County and four appointed by the City of Las Cruces. Each entity appoints two elected officials and two members of the public. Public board members appointed by Doña Ana County must reside in Doña Ana County.

The ASCMV Board meets quarterly at 9 a.m. on Thursdays at Las Cruces City Hall. The board establishes policies and procedures to carry out the mission of the Animal Services Center, oversees its budget, and hires the executive director to manage the day-to-day operations of the organization.

Residents of the unincorporated areas of Doña Ana County who have an interest in animal welfare are encouraged to apply for a two-year appointment.

To be considered, submit a letter of interest and resume by the application deadline to amandag@donaana.gov or mail them to:

ASCMV Board Selection
c/o Amanda Gomez
845 N. Motel Blvd.
Las Cruces, NM 88007

KRWG broadens distribution

KRWG Public Media announced that KRWG-TV is now available free over the air on Channel 22 for viewers throughout the El Paso area, bringing trusted PBS programming, local news, and educational content to even more homes across the Borderland.

Residents with an over-the-air antenna can begin watching KRWG-TV by simply rescanning their television channels. No cable or satellite subscription is required.

"We've always viewed the Borderland as one community," said Adrian Velarde, General Manager of KRWG Public Media. "For decades, many El Paso viewers have watched KRWG through cable or satellite providers. Now, we're making our service available to everyone free over the air, expanding access to the trusted news, educational resources, and PBS favorites our audiences value."

For more than 50 years, KRWG-TV has served southern New Mexico with public television that informs, educates, and inspires. This expansion strengthens KRWG's commitment to serving the entire Borderland by making its programming accessible to more families throughout the region.

Viewers in El Paso can enjoy KRWG's full lineup, including:

·       Popular PBS programs

·       Educational children's programming

·       Trusted local news

·       Public affairs programming focused on the issues and stories that matter across the Borderland

In addition to Las Cruces and El Paso, KRWG serves communities throughout southern New Mexico and far west Texas, including Alamogordo, Truth or Consequences, Silver City, Lordsburg, Anthony, Clint, and many other communities across the region.

"Our mission is to inform, educate, and connect the communities we serve," Velarde said. "From local journalism and children's programming to stories that reflect the people and cultures of the Borderland, KRWG Public Media is proud to be a trusted resource for our region."

To begin watching KRWG-TV over the air in El Paso, viewers should connect an antenna to their television and perform a channel rescan to access Channel 22.