States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
Featured Stories
New Jersey Department of Education Announces Availability of $3.95 Million in Grant Funding to Improve Student Literacy
TRENTON, New Jersey, April 7 -- The New Jersey Department of Education issued the following news release on April 6, 2026:
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New Jersey Department of Education Announces Availability of $3.95 Million in Grant Funding to Improve Student Literacy
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) today announced the availability of $3.95 million to support continued literacy education throughout the state. The funding will be made available to school districts via two grant programs designed to improve student literacy.
"Strong literacy skills serve as the foundation to a world-class education,"
... Show Full Article
TRENTON, New Jersey, April 7 -- The New Jersey Department of Education issued the following news release on April 6, 2026:
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New Jersey Department of Education Announces Availability of $3.95 Million in Grant Funding to Improve Student Literacy
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) today announced the availability of $3.95 million to support continued literacy education throughout the state. The funding will be made available to school districts via two grant programs designed to improve student literacy.
"Strong literacy skills serve as the foundation to a world-class education,"said Governor Mikie Sherrill. "My Administration is committed to ensuring every child has access to the best education possible. That is why we are continuing to invest in evidence-based resources - like the FOCUS and BRIDGE grants - that help to foster our kids' academic development, giving them the tools necessary to succeed in the classroom and beyond."
"We want to give children strong literacy skills early in their educational journeys, and we have clear evidence for what works," said Education Commissioner Lily Laux. "Reading depends on two skills: recognizing written words and making sense of them. This ongoing effort brings two initiatives together to support both skills. The FOCUS and BRIDGE grants are a part of New Jersey's broader strategy to strengthen early learning by helping districts improve literacy. Taking a truly comprehensive approach to literacy is critical to improving outcomes for students across New Jersey."
FOCUS Grants
Last school year, the NJDOE awarded Funding for Optimal Comprehensive Universal Screeners (FOCUS) grants to 305 school districts. This year, the NJDOE is awarding a total of $1.95 million to continue FOCUS programs in those school districts.
The grants assist school districts as they continue to implement and improve efforts required by the State to conduct at least two literacy screening assessments each year for all students in kindergarten through grade three. Schools are also required to keep parents informed of screening results. The funding may also be used to provide professional development for teachers.
BRIDGE Grants
The NJDOE is also awarding Building Responsive Instruction through Data-Guided Evaluation (BRIDGE) grants to support schools in using screening data to implement evidence-based literacy instruction in grades kindergarten through grade three. There were 19 school districts that received BRIDGE grants last school year, and those districts have the opportunity to apply for $570,000 in continued funding this school year.
Separately, an additional 20 school districts will receive $1.4 million to establish new BRIDGE programs. Districts have until April 23, 2026 to apply for the competitive BRIDGE grants, and the awardees are expected to be announced this summer. BRIDGE grants target almost 120 eligible school districts with the greatest need: those with at least 70 percent of students not meeting proficiency standards in statewide assessments.
The FOCUS and BRIDGE grants announced today were funded in the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget. The Notice of Grant Opportunity and application information for both competitive programs can be found on the NJDOE's Current Grant Opportunities webpage, with technical assistance sessions being offered for prospective applicants the week of April 13, 2026. Registration information for those sessions is located on the NJDOE's Events Registration webpage.
"Lasting progress doesn't come from a single change or mandate, which is why we are also focused on supporting educators to effectively use the data from those screenings and ensuring teachers have the training and preparation they need to improve classroom instruction," said Dr. Laux.
To view how New Jersey school districts have benefited from FOCUS and BRIDGE grants, as well as federal Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grants, check this online Literacy Grants Distribution Map (https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/vanessa.hatton6464/viz/ChampioningLiteracyCompetitiveGrantAwardsAcrossNewJersey2526/CLSDGRANTSDASHBOARD?publish=yes) for New Jersey.
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Original text here: https://www.nj.gov/education/news/2026/NJDOEAnnouncesAvailabilityOfGrantFundingToImproveStudentLiteracy.pdf
Iowa Education Dept.: Iowa's Class of 2025 Graduation Rate Reaches 88.8%, Exceeding Prepandemic Graduation Rates and Showing Significant Gains Across Student Groups
DES MOINES, Iowa, April 7 -- The Iowa Department of Education issued the following news release on April 6, 2026:
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Iowa's Class of 2025 graduation rate reaches 88.8%, exceeding prepandemic graduation rates and showing significant gains across student groups
Dropout rates declined, with fewer students dropping out now than before the pandemic
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Iowa's high school graduation rate increased half of a percentage point, reaching 88.8% for the graduating class of 2025, according to figures released today by the Iowa Department of Education. This marks the highest graduation rate in the past
... Show Full Article
DES MOINES, Iowa, April 7 -- The Iowa Department of Education issued the following news release on April 6, 2026:
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Iowa's Class of 2025 graduation rate reaches 88.8%, exceeding prepandemic graduation rates and showing significant gains across student groups
Dropout rates declined, with fewer students dropping out now than before the pandemic
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Iowa's high school graduation rate increased half of a percentage point, reaching 88.8% for the graduating class of 2025, according to figures released today by the Iowa Department of Education. This marks the highest graduation rate in the pastfive years and the first time since 2020 that Iowa's graduation rate has exceeded prepandemic levels.
State data show 88.8% of students in Iowa's class of 2025 (35,116 students) graduated within four years, increasing 0.5 percentage points from 88.3% for the class of 2024 (34,158 students). The class of 2024 was the first time graduation rates matched those before the pandemic for the class of 2019. Now, for the class of 2025, graduation rates are also up 0.5 percentage points from 88.3% for the class of 2019.
"In our class of 2025, nearly 1,000 more Iowans earned their high school diploma-a powerful accomplishment positioning them to learn more and earn more," said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. "Through the hard work of our students, families and educators, Iowa significantly narrowed graduation rate gaps experienced by students with disabilities, low-income backgrounds, and experiencing homelessness. These gains reflect Iowa's collective focus on accountability for learner outcomes and our unwavering commitment to empowering all students to meet high expectations."
In addition to overall gains, several student groups experienced significant graduation rate gains, including:
* Up 1.6 percentage points for students with disabilities (gains three times higher than Iowa's overall gains)
* Up 1.0 percentage point for students with low-income backgrounds (gains two times higher than Iowa's overall gains)
* Up 4.9 percentage points for students experiencing homelessness (gains ten times higher than Iowa's overall gains)
Graduation rates for both male and female students increased, but the graduation rate for females continues to outpace that of males by 3.4 percentage points. Students who are Black or African American experienced gains five times higher than Iowa's overall gains, up 2.5 percentage points.
Graduation rates for students who are English learners declined 1.2 percentage points, underscoring the importance of the Iowa Department of Education's continued investment in both current and future teachers supporting English learners through improved professional learning and preparation.
Iowa's four-year graduation rate for the class of 2025 is higher than several of its neighboring states. Michigan, North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska recently reported 2025 graduation rates below Iowa's, at 84.0%, 84.2%, 84.9%, 86.1% and 87.9%, respectively. Among other Midwestern states, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin reported 2025 graduation rates above Iowa's, at 89.0%, 89.8%, 91.4% and 92.0%, respectively. Kansas and Ohio have not yet released 2025 four-year graduation rates.
Iowa graduation rates are calculated with a formula established by the U.S. Department of Education. Unique student identification numbers allow school districts to account for all ninth-grade students as they move through high school. At the state level, the method helps determine when a student graduates, even if the student has switched districts during high school.
Iowa's five-year graduation rate -- which reflects students who were part of a graduating class but took an extra year to finish high school -- was 90.6% for the class of 2024, up by 0.7 percentage points from 89.9% for the class of 2023, and exceeding the prepandemic rate of 90.5% for the class of 2019.
Iowa's annual dropout rate reflects the percent of students in grades 9-12 who dropped out of school during a single year. The annual dropout rate was 2.30% (3,574 students) for the 2024-25 school year, showing lower dropout rates from both last year (2.59% in the 2023-24 school year) and before the pandemic (2.61% in the 2018-19 school year).
More information on Iowa's graduation rates and dropout rates, including rates by school district and student group, are available on the Department of Education's Graduation Rates and Dropout Rates webpage (https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/data/education-statistics/graduation-dropout-rates).
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Original text here: https://educate.iowa.gov/press-release/2026-04-06/iowas-class-2025-graduation-rate-reaches-888-exceeding-prepandemic-graduation-rates-and-showing
ICYMI: Bloomberg News - How California's Economy Dominates in the Gavin Newsom Era
SACRAMENTO, California, April 7 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on April 6, 2026:
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ICYMI: Bloomberg News: How California's economy dominates in the Gavin Newsom era
Under Newsom, California became the top performing economy not just among its 49 siblings but also any developed nation - Bloomberg News
California isn't just keeping up, it's outgrowing major global economies.
It drives over 40% of U.S. stock market growth with less than 12% of the population.
The state captures nearly two-thirds of all U.S. venture capital.
Its economy now exceeds
... Show Full Article
SACRAMENTO, California, April 7 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on April 6, 2026:
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ICYMI: Bloomberg News: How California's economy dominates in the Gavin Newsom era
Under Newsom, California became the top performing economy not just among its 49 siblings but also any developed nation - Bloomberg News
California isn't just keeping up, it's outgrowing major global economies.
It drives over 40% of U.S. stock market growth with less than 12% of the population.
The state captures nearly two-thirds of all U.S. venture capital.
Its economy now exceeds$4 trillion -- bigger than most countries.
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Under the Newsom administration, the California economy has continued to dominate, despite Trump's failed economic policies and sustained political attacks by Murdoch's right-wing media machine against the Golden State.
As Bloomberg recently put it: "Of all the prevailing media narratives around Gavin Newsom, the one that is most conspicuous by its absence is how under its two-term governor California became the top performing economy not just among its 49 siblings but also any developed nation. No wonder Elon Musk quietly sought Newsom's help when the world's richest man sought to move a bunch of Tesla Inc. engineers back to the state after relocating them to Texas."
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Gavin Newsom is an "economic maestro."
Matthew A. Winkler, Columnist & Editor-in-Chief Emeritus
Read the Full Column Here (https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-04-06/california-s-economic-boom-proves-gavin-newsom-s-critics-wrong?taid=69d396ebb797b6000126fb51&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_content=business&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter)
What naysayers don't mention is that "the Golden State (population 39 million people), just supplanted Japan (123 million) as the fourth-largest economy."
Here's what Bloomberg reported:
California's growth and economic output dominate.
* After Newsom took office in January 2019. California's gross domestic product surged 40% to more than $4 trillion, accounting for more than 14% of US output. This outpaced major economies including China (expanded 32%) and Germany (expanded 16%).
* California drove 40%+ of the growth in value of the nation's publicly traded equities, despite being less than 12% of the entire U.S. population.
* "California accounted for 70 percentage points, more than triple No. 2 Washington (20 points), almost five times No. 3 Texas (15 points) and No. 4 New York (13 points) and almost 12 times No. 5 Ohio (6 points)."
* California companies are thriving - "spending $527 billion annually on acquisitions during Newsom's tenure, almost three times the $179 billion spent annually in the 20 years prior to 2019,"
California is a talent pipeline.
"California's not-so-secret sauce happens to be the diversity between its citizens' ears instead of the fossil fuels generating the biggest share of Texas growth."
* "With more than 600 colleges and universities, California today has no peers in higher education, whether in the US or any of the world's developed economies."
* California has the highest density in higher education to create a top talent pipeline, with one college or university for every 64,000 citizens, more than the UK and Germany.
* California produces more engineers than any other state.
* "Investors in California are getting 11% of their return from the University of California, the Los Angeles Unified School District and California State University."
California's industries are fueling the nation.
According to Bloomberg, here are the industries contributing to California's economic dominance:
* Technology firms based in California lead the nationwide industry with 41 companies producing a 603% total return over the past decade. That's four times the gain of their global peers in the past two, three and five years.
* Innovation, with California making up 62% of all U.S. venture capital funding and 31.5% of all venture capital deals last year. "For context, the runner-up in 2025 was New York with 13.3%. Massachusetts was next, just ahead of Texas -- both below 6%."
* Health care contributed 52% to California's GDP in 2025, despite MAGA attacks on the industry. "California's uninsured rate declined to a record-low 6.4% in 2023, the largest drop in the US, from more than 17% a decade ago, helped by the Covered California and Medi-Cal expanded coverage programs."
* Infrastructure and trade keep the U.S. economy moving due to this administration's infrastructure investments. California's Port of Los Angeles is the "US gateway to global trade, handling more than $300 billion of cargo annually."
* Clean energy and clean transportation are helping California maintain its future-facing dominance with its largest eight clean companies seeing the value of their stocks appreciate an average 56% since 2019, compared to 40% for their global peers. "Their 7% average annual gain in revenue crushes the 5% global average. California renewable energy companies will see 17% revenue growth in the coming year, more than doubling the 7% increase of global peers, according to analyst estimates."
Forget the political attacks. Industry knows its breadwinners are in the Golden State.
"Even after Musk, Tesla's CEO, decried California as 'a land of taxes, over-regulation and litigation' when he moved the company's headquarters along with its research and development leadership to Texas in 2021, the world's richest person admitted a year later that Tesla couldn't succeed without California-based engineers.
'I can't find the talent in Texas. Don't say a word."
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/04/06/icymi-bloomberg-news-how-californias-economy-dominates-in-the-gavin-newsom-era/
Ga. Secretary of State Raffensperger Hosts FIN FIT Webinar "Funding Your Mission: Grants, Donors & Beyond"
ATLANTA, Georgia, April 7 -- The Georgia Secretary of State issued the following news on April 6, 2026:
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Secretary Raffensperger Hosts FIN FIT Webinar "Funding Your Mission: Grants, Donors & Beyond"
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is pleased to announce that his office will be hosting a FIN FIT webinar on Tuesday, April 21 at 6pm titled, "Funding Your Mission: Grants, Donors & Beyond."
"Starting and running a nonprofit takes passion, but it also requires clear financial strategy," said Secretary Raffensperger. "Through this webinar, we will equip Georgia's nonprofit leaders with
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, April 7 -- The Georgia Secretary of State issued the following news on April 6, 2026:
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Secretary Raffensperger Hosts FIN FIT Webinar "Funding Your Mission: Grants, Donors & Beyond"
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is pleased to announce that his office will be hosting a FIN FIT webinar on Tuesday, April 21 at 6pm titled, "Funding Your Mission: Grants, Donors & Beyond."
"Starting and running a nonprofit takes passion, but it also requires clear financial strategy," said Secretary Raffensperger. "Through this webinar, we will equip Georgia's nonprofit leaders withthe tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to obtain funding, broaden their impact, and achieve lasting success in their communities."
Launching a nonprofit is exciting -- but securing funding can feel overwhelming. This webinar is designed for new and emerging nonprofits ready to build a strong financial foundation. You'll learn how to pursue grants, attract donors, and explore additional revenue streams that support long-term sustainability. You'll gain practical strategies, resources, and clear next steps to confidently fund your mission.
The webinar is moderated by Award-winning Journalist Donna Lowry. Speakers for this free webinar include Karen Beaver, President and CEO, Georgia Center for Nonprofits; Dr. Allison Padilla-Goodman, CEO, Giving Kitchen; Sean Pitts, Vice President, Commercial Banking, Georgia's Own Credit Union; and Rachel Epps Spears, Executive Director, Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta.
This webinar will take place on the phone and online, giving our participants flexibility to join on any device. There is a dedicated Q&A incorporated during and at the end of each webinar to allow participants to get their most pressing questions answered.
FIN FIT is a financial empowerment program hosted by Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger as part of his multi-faceted financial literacy effort and is administered through the Securities and Charities divisions of the Office of Secretary of State. These free webinars feature industry leaders who discuss resources that can help increase attendees' knowledge about money, their relationship to money, and financial issues and strategies for growing their wealth.
The office of the Secretary of State invites all Georgians to attend these free and informational workshops.
To register for this free webinar, click here (https://sos.ga.gov/event/funding-your-mission-grants-donors-beyond).
To learn more about FIN FIT, click here (https://sos.ga.gov/page/about-fin-fit).
To watch previous financial literacy webinars, click here (https://sos.ga.gov/financial-literacy-videos).
To view our financial literacy events calendar, click here (https://sos.ga.gov/securities-division-georgia-secretary-states-office).
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Original text here: https://sos.ga.gov/news/secretary-raffensperger-hosts-fin-fit-webinar-funding-your-mission-grants-donors-beyond
Del. Gov. Meyer Nominates Bob Osmond as Chief Information Officer
DOVER, Delaware, April 7 -- Gov. Matt Meyer, D-Delaware, issued the following news release:
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Governor Meyer Nominates Bob Osmond as Chief Information Officer
Governor Matt Meyer announced today the nomination of Robert (Bob) Osmond to serve as Delaware's next Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Department of Technology & Information (DTI), leading the state's technology strategy, cybersecurity, and digital services. Osmond brings decades of public- and private-sector experience and currently serves as the Commonwealth CIO for Virginia.
"Technology is central to how we deliver services,
... Show Full Article
DOVER, Delaware, April 7 -- Gov. Matt Meyer, D-Delaware, issued the following news release:
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Governor Meyer Nominates Bob Osmond as Chief Information Officer
Governor Matt Meyer announced today the nomination of Robert (Bob) Osmond to serve as Delaware's next Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Department of Technology & Information (DTI), leading the state's technology strategy, cybersecurity, and digital services. Osmond brings decades of public- and private-sector experience and currently serves as the Commonwealth CIO for Virginia.
"Technology is central to how we deliver services,protect critical infrastructure, and build a more responsive and efficient government," said Governor Matt Meyer. "Bob Osmond is a proven leader with a track record of modernizing state systems, strengthening cybersecurity, and managing large-scale IT operations. I'm confident he will help move Delaware forward as we continue to innovate and better serve our residents."
Osmond has served as Virginia's CIO since 2022, where he led the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA). In that role, he oversaw statewide cybersecurity efforts, managed IT infrastructure supporting more than 65,000 users across executive branch agencies, governed major technology investments, and directed approximately $1.3 billion in annual technology procurement.
"I am honored by Governor Meyer's nomination and the opportunity to serve the people of Delaware," said Bob Osmond. "I look forward to working with state leaders and agency partners to strengthen cybersecurity, modernize systems, and deliver reliable, user-centered digital services."
Governor Meyer also expressed his appreciation for the superior service of current Acting CIO Jordan Schulties, who will continue serving the state in a senior role at DTI. "I'm grateful to Jordan for her leadership and dedication to Delaware," said Governor Meyer. "We are fortunate to have her continued service and expertise as part of our team. She has done a tremendous job leading DTI these past several months, and she will continue to ensure that DTI delivers for Delawareans."
Osmond's nomination is subject to confirmation by the Delaware State Senate. His confirmation hearing is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, depending on Senate business.
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ABOUT THE NOMINEE
Bob Osmond has served as the Commonwealth CIO for Virginia since 2022. As Commonwealth CIO, he led the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) whose responsibilities included: Protection of the Commonwealth's information security programs; Operation of the IT infrastructure for the 65 in-scope executive branch agencies (supporting 65,000 users); Governance of IT investments; and Procurement of $1.3B annually of technology for VITA and on behalf of other state agencies and institutions.
Prior to his appointment as Virginia CIO, Bob was the Chief of Technology and Business Strategy for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) where he led divisions responsible for information technology, process improvement and strategic innovation. Prior to joining the Commonwealth and becoming a state employee, he was a Partner for IBM Global Business Services.
Bob also volunteers as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and is certified by the National Registry of EMTs and licensed by the Virginia Department of Health. He has also lectured on business management consulting at the George Washington School of Business; served as President for the Maryland Chapter of the American Society of Training and Development; and co-founded the Quantum Career Consulting organization that helps the Citizens of Virginia find new workforce opportunities. Bob has been recognized by StateScoop as a State Executive of the Year (2023 and 2025) and GovTech as a Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers (2025). In 2026, Bob was selected as an Honoree of Virginia Business' 2026 C-Suite Awards.
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Original text here: https://news.delaware.gov/2026/04/06/governor-meyer-nominates-bob-osmond-as-chief-information-officer/
Del. A.G. Jennings Wins Appeals Court Ruling Against HUD's Attempts to Restrict Housing-Assistance Programs
DOVER, Delaware, April 7 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release on April 6, 2026:
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AG Jennings wins appeals court ruling against HUD's attempts to restrict housing-assistance programs
In a major victory for Delaware, Attorney General Kathy Jennings has announced that a federal appeals court has rejected the federal government's request to impose harmful restrictions on HUD grant funding. The result means that tens of thousands of formerly homeless people across the country will remain in stable housing.
"The programs that the White House has tried
... Show Full Article
DOVER, Delaware, April 7 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release on April 6, 2026:
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AG Jennings wins appeals court ruling against HUD's attempts to restrict housing-assistance programs
In a major victory for Delaware, Attorney General Kathy Jennings has announced that a federal appeals court has rejected the federal government's request to impose harmful restrictions on HUD grant funding. The result means that tens of thousands of formerly homeless people across the country will remain in stable housing.
"The programs that the White House has triedto upend are, in many cases, the only thing sitting between vulnerable Delawareans and homelessness," said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. "I'm grateful to the First Circuit Court of Appeals for upholding our previous efforts to ensure that these crucial programs remain intact."
AG Jennings and a multistate coalition sued the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) last November after HUD abruptly changed its Continuum of Care program, the largest resource for federal homelessness assistance funding. HUD dramatically reduced the amount of grant funds that can be spent on permanent housing and put unlawful conditions on access to the funding.
U.S. District Court Judge Mary McElroy sided with the states in December, saying HUD's actions would cause irreparable harm to the plaintiffs, and issued a preliminary injunction barring HUD from implementing the unlawful restrictions. On April 1, an appeals court rejected HUD's request to temporarily allow the restrictions to go into effect.
The appeals court said plaintiffs had provided ample evidence that if HUD moved ahead with its planned restrictions to the funding, the results would be "immediately destabilizing and disastrous for their constituents."
In Delaware, the consequences of HUD's proposed changes would be catastrophic, resulting in an $8 million loss -- more than a 70% reduction -- that the State alone cannot fill. That reduction would render the State unable to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and would unacceptably require Delaware's housing programs to value some Delawareans' lives more than others.
A copy of the appeals court judge's ruling is available here (https://news.delaware.gov/files/2026/04/26-1217P-01A.pdf).
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Original text here: https://news.delaware.gov/2026/04/06/ag-jennings-wins-appeals-court-ruling-against-huds-attempts-to-restrict-housing-assistance-programs/
'Duty to Mankind': New Mexico Department of Public Safety Controlled Substances Unit Takes Pride in Public Trust, Serving Citizens
SANTA FE, New Mexico, April 7 -- The New Mexico Department of Public Safety issued the following news release on April 6, 2026:
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'Duty to mankind': New Mexico Department of Public Safety Controlled Substances Unit takes pride in public trust, serving citizens
Deadra Caleb has had a long-standing interest in forensic science. It first caught her attention in her high school chemistry class and then there was a moment in college when she was watching Law & Order and the medical examiner commented about there being a 'high concentration of fluoride' in the person's lungs.
"I thought immediately
... Show Full Article
SANTA FE, New Mexico, April 7 -- The New Mexico Department of Public Safety issued the following news release on April 6, 2026:
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'Duty to mankind': New Mexico Department of Public Safety Controlled Substances Unit takes pride in public trust, serving citizens
Deadra Caleb has had a long-standing interest in forensic science. It first caught her attention in her high school chemistry class and then there was a moment in college when she was watching Law & Order and the medical examiner commented about there being a 'high concentration of fluoride' in the person's lungs.
"I thought immediatelythat the person's head was pushed in the toilet because that's where there's a high concentration of fluoride," said Caleb, a criminal forensic scientist with the Controlled Substances Unit of the New Mexico Department of Public Safety Forensic Laboratory in Santa Fe. "When I made that connection, the person sitting next to me said 'how did you know that?' I said that's where it is found. I don't know why that came to me in that moment, but it helped me realize that I have the ability to think outside the box.
Her mother also bought her the book Forensic Science by Jay Siegel, right before she went to grad school which she read twice, admitting she was really drawn to it.
Similarly, her colleague Abigail Mayo's interest also started in high school with a forensic course and continued into college ultimately leading to her current role as a criminal forensic scientist with the Controlled Substances Unit.
As a big part of the unit in Santa Fe which consists of six team members, Caleb and Mayo take great pride in making identifications of specific controlled substances, following drug trends throughout the state, and partnering with different public health organizations.
"We work for the criminal justice system and the citizens of the state of New Mexico," said Caleb who has a master's degree in forensic science from Pace University. "Our work is important; and having the trust of the public is something we take pride in. We need to do what we can to keep that trust. It's also a duty to our coworkers and it's a duty to mankind."
And it is that duty, Caleb, Mayo and the unit take very seriously on a daily basis. The Controlled Substances Unit manages a significant workload, processing approximately 200 cases a month, totaling more than 2,500 assignments in 2025. It is also the only unit/lab in the state for the Department of Public Safety to be able to handle cases that involve multiple discipline cases such as a combination of fingerprints, firearms, DNA and controlled substances.
Evidence submitted to the unit comes in multiple forms with the most common being tablets followed by powders and then liquids. While they do see a variance in drugs to include cocaine and heroin, lately fentanyl and methamphetamine have been the most prevalent.
"Everyone thinks meth is blue from Breaking Bad, but that is not true. It is white usually," said Mayo who started with the lab in May 2024 and has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Northern Arizona University.
Fentanyl powder has started to show up more in the lab in particular - even more than the tablet form more recently. As for the tablets, the lab has seen an interesting variance over the years, according to Caleb.
"At first, the tablets looked like blue M30s (oxycodone), but soon manufacturers started making them in different colors and with speckles (appearing like the candy smarties). That's just how they looked on the outside," she said. "Chemically, they are also changing. Instead of only fentanyl, there are now versions like fluorofentanyl and acetylfentanyl. Producers modify the fentanyl molecule by adding different elements such as fluorine, chlorine, or bromine. Because of these constant changes, labs have to keep updating their testing standards to identify the new forms. Every time we encounter a sample, we have to check carefully to make sure we're identifying the correct compound. It definitely keeps us on our toes."
According to Caleb, this is all to avoid detection and simply because there aren't specific tests for it.
Another way to look at this per Eric Young, the supervisor of the Controlled Substances Unit, is that illegal manufacturers make the tablets look like legitimate drugs by using specific identifiers such as the aforementioned Blue M-30s.
The analytical process begins with presumptive testing (like color tests or checking tablet markings) which are performed to suggest what the tablet, powder or liquid might be and determine its general chemical class (methamphetamine, amphetamines, or opiates). These tests are not specific and only provide preliminary clues. After that, confirmatory instrumental tests are conducted using specialized equipment to accurately identify the substance. Some methods, like pharmaceutical identification, can only be used if the sample is a tablet, not a powder.
Currently, the laboratory uses three primary instrumental techniques to analyze evidence. One technique is Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), which can be used for liquid, powder, and tablet submissions. The other choice is Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), which can be used when the laboratory receives powder submissions. The last option is the Gas Chromatography Infrared Detector (GC-IRD) which combines both techniques.
In every situation, a sample of specific drugs the lab has on file is used as a comparison for confirmation and all results require technical and administrative peer review within the team to ensure the conclusions are correct as a part of the unit's quality control.
Training in the unit typically requires nine months to a year, going through modules of different types of controlled substances which include mock cases, observing other analysts, readings, videos, trainings and graded quizzes. Once the supervisor or technical leader is satisfied with progress, it is time for the student to take the mock trial.
"That part of the training is designed to be worse than your first time testifying," said Caleb. "Now we have attorneys serving as defense and prosecution, so it is quite realistic. It is a great experience. It was so hard I cried, but it is something you have to go through.
"If we go to court and are not deemed an expert witness, that can't fly. We have to be trained here to ensure we can testify as an expert witness. Everything has to be up to date. There's no room for error. We want to make sure we are solid across the board."
For Young, who has degrees in psychology and biochemistry and once processed kilogram bricks of cocaine, there is a heavy focus on quality assurance/quality control.
"I'm very grateful for the entire Chemistry Unit. They're fantastic," he said. "We have exceptional scientists who all have deep respect for each other and the profession."
"This work that we do, is our contribution to the justice system," said Caleb. "We're not on one side. We trying to put the truth out there for everyone to see."
Other scientists in the Controlled Substances Unit include: Kim Haag, Dr. Matthias Strieker and Adam Wolff.
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Original text here: https://www.dps.nm.gov/blog/2026/04/06/13294/
