News

Local News

Mesa Verde prepares for upgrades ahead of busy season

Mesa Verde marks 120 years amid slight visitation dip

March 17, 2026 • Anna Watson — Journal Staff Writer

Emergency incident

Two men rescued while kayaking on Vallecito Reservoir

One man sent to hospital in critical condition with hypothermia

March 16, 2026 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Archuleta County

Colorado State Patrol seeks help identifying vehicle in Archuleta County hit-and-run

Pedestrian injured near Pagosa Springs; suspect remains at large

March 16, 2026 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango School District 9-R

Durango School District to launch online learning program

Superintendent says option will help students with anxiety, travel schedules or athletic pursuits

March 16, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

High winds batter Vallecito, down power lines

50 mph gusts raise wildfire risk and hinder kayak rescue on reservoir

March 16, 2026 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Immigration

Compañeros warns of increased immigration enforcement in Durango

Advocacy group urges city leaders to defend civil liberties, support immigrant communities

March 16, 2026 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

American Legion

American Legion state, national commanders visit Durango Post 28

Leaders met with local veterans to discuss concerns and share support resources

March 15, 2026 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Sports

Hillcrest Golf Club opening on Friday

Course is ahead of schedule thanks to mild winter

March 15, 2026 • Bryce Kelly — Herald Sports Editor

Government

Who’s asking for public records?

La Plata County data show increasing use of CORA from residents, journalists and corporations

March 15, 2026 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

College sports

Skyhawks women’s lacrosse can’t overcome slow start in home loss

Fort Lewis College lost 12-8 to CSU Pueblo on Saturday afternoon

March 15, 2026 • Bryce Kelly — Herald Sports Editor

Local News

Mancos board approves anti‑speeding system, debates value statement

Residents split on town’s stance toward immigration enforcement

March 15, 2026 • Bailey Duran — Special to The Journal

Durango

Durango baseball starts 0-2 at Piedra Vista Invitational

Demons faced tough competition on Thursday, Friday

March 14, 2026 • Kaitlyn Lowley — Tri-City Record

AP New Mexico

Low and slow meets forever: U.S. postage stamps honor lowrider car culture

Sandy Avila, left, driving a 1966 Chevy Impala SS, high-fives a fellow lowrider at the 6th Annual Lady Lowrider Cruise…

March 14, 2026 • Susan Montoya Bryan — The Associated Press

AP New Mexico

Federal distrust prompts some Democratic states to protect polling places, election records

New Mexico becomes the first state to bar armed agents from polling locations

March 14, 2026 • MORGAN LEE and SUSAN HAIGH — Associated Press

College sports

Fort Lewis College dominates inaugural collegiate gravel national championships

Skyhawks win omnium, Meister wins men’s individual title in Texas

March 14, 2026 • Bryce Kelly — Herald Sports Editor

Gas and Oil

Gas prices spike in Durango amid conflict with Iran

Station workers say customers increasingly filling fuel cans as costs rise

March 14, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Farmington

Dynasty at the Pit: Kirtland Central captures 22nd state title

Behind 17 points from sophomore Allyson Tsosie and a relentless defense, the top-seeded Broncos pull away from Gallup in Class…

March 14, 2026 • Steven Bortstein — Tri-City Record Sports Editor

Education

Fort Lewis College announces new Student Affairs vice president

New Mexico-based candidate to start July 1

March 14, 2026 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Government

New Mexico Gov. Lujan Grisham signs free, universal child care into law

State trust fund with $11B to keep program funded for five years

March 13, 2026 • Joshua Bowling — Source NM

Nation & World

Man who attacked Michigan synagogue lost relatives in Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, official says

Law enforcement respond to a call at Temple Israel synagogue Thursday, March 12, 2026, in West Bloomfield Township, Mich.cca WEST…

March 13, 2026 • By COREY WILLIAMS and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER — The Associated Press

conflicts and war

All 6 crew members on a U.S. refueling plane that crashed in Iraq are dead, U.S. military says

A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 fighter refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker over western Alaska on Thursday, Feb. 19,…

March 13, 2026 • By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN, BEN FINLEY and KIM TONG-HYUNG

Basketball

Former Fort Lewis College basketball coach denies claims of ‘toxic’ culture

Bob Pietrack acknowledges sending texts using N-word but denies racism, academic misconduct

March 13, 2026 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Chapman Hill

Chapman Hill ski area shuts down for the season

Warm temperatures and thin snowpack end Durango hill’s winter run

March 13, 2026 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Dolores

Dolores school board reviews absenteeism, discusses teacher pay

Chronic absenteeism affects nearly half of high school students

March 13, 2026 • Bailey Duran — Special to The Journal