Good morning, Las Cruces.

NMSU Theatre presents Perfect Arrangement, a play about early American gay rights, during a community reading series at the Zuhl commons; the event is on Friday, Sept.

25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. + attendees can meet the cast after the reading.

The New Mexico Chile Association reported that the current heat has reduced green chile production by 20% to 50% at local farms, affecting supplies for local markets.

Growers warn the shortage will impact availability in the coming weeks.

Green chile production fell by 20 to 50 percent this season after hot evenings hampered second picks, according to the New Mexico Chile Association.

The shortfall could impact local farms and challenge our state as the nation’s top chile producer.

Las Cruces Public Schools is exploring a merger of Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy and Rio Grande Preparatory Institute into one 6-12 school to address enrollment and budget issues, and will hold listening sessions to gather input from students, parents + teachers before a board vote in January.

The NM Supreme Court ruled on Sept.

17 by lifting stays on air quality permits for Project Jupiter — the Oracle- and OpenAI-backed data center under construction in Santa Teresa — and denying petitions from environmental groups. This decision allows the permit process to resume as the project continues.

Las Cruces City Council plans to create a Youth Council (14 high school students selected by the Mayor and Council) to better include diverse voices in city policy; the pilot will run from January to June 2027 before a full launch during the 2027-28 school year.

Las Cruces (4-0) will visit Organ Mountain at 7 p.m. today at the Field of Dreams in a key district matchup, while Mayfield, Centennial and Gadsden also start their Friday football games to reshape the local season.

Coach David Nuñez, who retired in 2025 after a 35-year run and 30 district championships, has returned as head cross country coach at Organ Mountain High School.

Nuñez brings decades of experience and a passion for teaching runners—ensuring his teams grow both on the field and in life.