New Mexico Sun Report News


New Mexico legislature faces criticism over public participation restrictions

The New Mexico House Judiciary Committee is facing criticism over alleged public participation restrictions at its public hearings on gun-related bills last month.


NM Economic Development Department released its September 2023 reports

The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) released its September 2023 reports. The reports reveal that in the fourth quarter of the 2023 fiscal year (April, May and June 2023), New Mexico set a record high in spending, reaching $8.67 billion as measured by Matched Taxable Gross Receipts (MTGR), according to a document announcing the reports provided by EDD.


House Republicans call for action on crime: ‘If Democrats are truly serious about crime, then let’s come back to Santa Fe and quickly pass these bills’

In a recent press release, New Mexico House Republicans listed every crime bill that Republicans introduced during the 2023 legislative session that did not make it into law. Following New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s recent gun ban, subsequent outrage, and calls for an emergency legislative session to address crime, House Republican Leader Ryan Lane thought it relevant to readdress these past possible solutions.


New Mexico GOP files lawsuit against Grisham: ‘We are filing in the New Mexico Supreme Court to continue the fight to defend our constitutional rights’

The New Mexico Senate and House Republican legislative caucuses, the Republican Party of New Mexico, and gun rights advocacy groups recently filed a lawsuit against New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for her gun ban. The ban was recently given a temporary restraining order by a federal judge, and the various groups who filed the lawsuit agreed that her executive orders were unconstitutional.


Peña participates in blessing ceremony commemorating Kee Thompson

Albuquerque City Councilor Klarissa Peña attended a private blessing ceremony on Sept. 16 at the location where Kee Thompson and Allison Gorman were murdered in 2014. Notably, Peña played a pivotal role in the City of Albuquerque's acquisition of this site situated at Central Avenue and 60th Street NW, according to a press release.


New Mexico departments collaborate for Fall Prevention Awareness Week

The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) and the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) unveiled their partnership on Sept. 15 to promote awareness during Fall Prevention Awareness Week. This cooperative initiative seeks to shed light on an issue impacting one out of every three seniors within the state and is set for Sept. 18-22, according to a press release.


NMSU Extension agent will be inducted into the National Agricultural Center’s Hall of Fame

New Mexico State University (NMSU) revealed that Fabiola Cabeza de Baca is set to be honored with induction into the National Agricultural Center’s Hall of Fame in October. Cabeza de Baca was the initial Spanish-speaking agent to contribute to New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service and a prominent 20th century educator and cultural expert in the state, according to a press release.


Albuquerque city councilors propose resolutions for public safety and gun rights support

Albuquerque City Councilors Dan Lewis, Brook Bassan, Louie Sanchez and Renée Grout proposed resolutions calling for state legislative measures to enhance public safety and behavioral health services and to express the city's support of its citizens' constitutional rights to possess and carry firearms during the upcoming State Legislative Session. The bills, identified as R-23-170 and R-23-171, are scheduled for final deliberation at the city council meeting set for Oct. 2.


House Republicans call gun ban blockage a ‘resounding rebuke of the governor’s rogue order against the people of this state’

U.S. District Court Judge David Urias temporarily blocked New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s gun ban on Sept. 13. This came after almost a week of controversy, and members of the New Mexico GOP applauded the ruling by the federal judge.


New Mexico AG to Grisham: ‘My duty to uphold and defend the constitutional rights of every citizen takes precedence’

In a letter to New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez stated that he can not support the governor’s order to suspend the right to carry firearms and will not defend the gun ban in court. He cites the Second Amendment, as many other individuals and groups have, and disagrees over the governor making it a public health emergency.


NMSU offers new computer engineering degree program

New Mexico State University unveiled a newly introduced Bachelor of Science degree program in computer engineering on Sept. 11, offered through a collaboration between the Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering and the Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences, according to a press release.


City of Albuquerque: South Broadway Cultural Center to feature 'Nortesur' exhibition by Luis Fitch

Albuquerque introduced Luis Fitch's art exhibition "Nortesur" on Sept. 11, which is set to debut at the South Broadway Cultural Center on Sept. 14, accompanied by a public reception from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibition showcases Fitch's artistic journey, starting from his upbringing along the Tijuana-San Diego border to his current status as a globally recognized Mexican artist living in the U.S., according to a press release.


New Mexico Republicans file lawsuit to challenge Grisham’s gun ban

New Mexico House and Senate Republicans announced on Sept. 9 that they will file a federal lawsuit to challenge the temporary gun ban enacted by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The ban on carrying guns in public was put forth following the shooting death of an 11-year-old on Sept. 6.


Republican State Rep: ‘I am calling on counsel to begin the impeachment process against Gov. Grisham’

New Mexico Republican Reps. Stefani Lord and John Block called for the impeachment of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham over the governor’s controversial temporary ban on firearms in the Albuquerque area. Lord said specifically that the governor’s public health declaration goes against New Mexicans' Second Amendment rights.


Bernalillo County sheriff: ‘The temporary ban challenges the foundations of our constitution’

Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen, among other prominent figures, has come out to say that he will not enforce New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s ban on firearms. The gun ban was set to be in place for 30 days and cover Albuquerque and surrounding areas, Allen’s jurisdiction.


Lane: ‘It is unfortunate that the Governor has decided to politicize the death of an 11-year-old to push her anti-gun agenda’

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement Sept. 7 declaring gun violence a public health emergency following the murder of an 11-year-old New Mexican boy.


Isaac Padilla appointed director of City Council Services by Albuquerque City Council

The City of Albuquerque shared on Sept. 6 that the city council had given its approval to OC-23-38, appointing Isaac Padilla as the director of City Council Services, according to a press release. In this role, Padilla will be responsible for overseeing the performance of city council employees and managing the city council office in consultation with the president and city councilors.


Annual APD force report shows decrease in force incidents, increase in police shootings

The 2022 Albuquerque Police Department Annual Use of Force Report was recently released to the public, and it showed a few new trends. Overall, there was a decline in the number of incidents that used force by the APD, but an increase in the number of shootings by APD officers, numbers that alarmed some in the Albuquerque community.


City of Albuquerque: 'Bands of Enchantment Albuquerque Sessions' will be recorded over 10 nights

The City of Albuquerque revealed on Sept. 6 that Season 3 of the TV series "Bands of Enchantment Albuquerque Sessions" will record 10 nights of live music at the historic KiMo Theatre, with shows running from Sept. 15 to 25. The opening night on Sept. 15, scheduled from 8 to 10 p.m., will showcase Prism B!tch, a locally acclaimed band, according to a press release.


NMSU: Borderplex students invited to 2023 edition of Aggie Shark Tank

New Mexico State University (NMSU) revealed on Sept. 7 that the 2023 Aggie Shark Tank, supported by the Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship, will take place for student entrepreneurs from the Borderplex region, including representatives from NMSU and the University of Texas at El Paso, according to a press release. This entrepreneurial event will provide a platform for aspiring student innovators to showcase their ideas and gain valuable insights from experienced mentors and investors at NMSU's Arrowhead Center.