New Mexico Sun Report News


Albuquerque announces completion of Gateway's Housing Navigation Center and Engagement Center

On Aug. 3, Mayor Tim Keller and the City of Albuquerque announced the completion of construction for the Gateway's Housing Navigation Center and Engagement Center. The Housing Navigation Center, which is now operational, features 100 overnight beds aimed at aiding individuals in their journey toward stable housing, while the Engagement Center offers onsite wraparound services for clients, according to a press release.


Gadsden School District receives Leadership Award

On July 31, 2023, the New Mexico Public Education Department issued a press release announcing that the Gadsden School District has received a Leadership Award.


Senators Heinrich, Luján, Fernández, Morris: 'The importance of Cannon Air Force Base...as a whole cannot be overstated'

On July 28th, 2023, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández and Clovis Mayor Mike Morris, issued a statement in response to the U.S. Air Force's decision to relocate seven MC-130J aircraft.


New Mexico Health Department announces launch of Safe Sleep New Mexico campaign

On August 1, 2023, the New Mexico Health Department announced a collaborative effort among various state agencies to launch the Safe Sleep New Mexico campaign.


New Mexico Department of Health addresses security incident

On July 31, 2023, The New Mexico Department of Health addressed a security incident and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding residents' sensitive information.


Hotrum-Lopez: 'It has been the great privilege of my life to work with the incredible team at Aging and Long-Term Services, as well as all the incredible state workers throughout New Mexico'

The state of New Mexico announced that Gina DeBlassie will step in as the acting secretary with the retirement of Secretary of Aging and Long-Term Services (ALTSD), Katrina Hotrum-Lopez, who departs after more than 20 years in public service. DeBlassie has been a health policy advisor for the governor, according to a press release.


Keller: 'These leaders bring the expertise we need to help address homelessness in Albuquerque and get more folks connected to the right services'

The City of Albuquerque announced two appointments on Aug. 2 to tackle homelessness. Azka Naru was appointed as the Gateway Manager for the City's latest facility aimed at connecting unhoused individuals with essential services, while Maria Wolfe assumes the role of Homeless Innovations Officer, responsible for streamlining initiatives and coordinating the city's response to homelessness according to a press release by the city.


Dragomir on identifying exoplanets: 'It's a substantial undertaking'

The University of New Mexico announced Tuesday that its Department of Physics and Astronomy secured a $750,000 grant from NASA to support its research on exoplanets.


Rep. Armstrong: ‘We cannot continue to force smaller communities to lose their healthcare access’

This week, State Rep. Gail Armstrong issued a press release announcing that applications are now ready for the Rural Healthcare Delivery Fund, created under Senate Bill 7 in the most recent legislative session.


Hertzman: 'The objective is to bring more knowledge of agriculture and sustainability into high school classrooms'

New Mexico State University's School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management, has partnered with Arrowhead Center's Innoventure Program to establish an online professional development program, intended to provide specialized training in agricultural sciences and sustainability to high school culinary and hospitality teachers according to an Aug. 1 news release by NMSU.


UNM's Chris Cornelius honored with Best Practice Award for 'remarkable achievements' in architecture

The University of New Mexico has announced that Chris Cornelius, the Department Chair of Architecture, has received the Best of Practice Award for Best Small Practice in the Southwest from The Architect's Newspaper in recognition of Cornelius' architectural piece "Otaechiah (Crane)." The award reflects his talent and dedication to advancing architectural design and cultural understanding, the school reported.


Connors on exhibit honoring journalists: 'Our curators shine a light on the important role that public news reporting has had' in Albuquerque and the US

The Albuquerque Museum announced on Tuesday plans to display a new exhibit, "News for the People: Local Journalism in the 1970s."


NMSU's Chanover says NASA Silver Team Award is 'for everyone who has been involved in the development of modern standards for the PDS'

New Mexico State University has announced that its astronomers have been honored with the NASA Silver Team Award for their contributions to the Planetary Data System (PDS), recognizing more than a decade of work to modernize the PDS using innovative computing technology.


'A strong investment': U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján lauds Defense Authorization passage that delivers $886.3 billion to New Mexico

Last week's passage the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that provides $886.3 billion for New Mexico is great news for the state, Democrat U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján said in a statement.


'Firefighters are on the front lines,' U.S. Sen. Luján says in local fire department support legislation announcement

On July 26, 2023, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced the Fire Department Repayment Act, aiming to amend the fire department repayment system and provide just and timely compensation for the services rendered by local departments. This legislation, which seeks to alleviate the firefighter shortage, was previously reintroduced in the House by U.S. Representative Josh Harder (D-Calif.) earlier this year according to a press release.


Dinelli on new APD union contract: ‘The Keller Administration always agrees to union demands to increase hourly pay and that are not at all tied to overall performance measures of the department’

The City of Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) union recently negotiated a new two-year contract to give APD officers a raise over the next two years. Albuquerque attorney and political commentator Pete Dinelli wonders if city administration is doing enough to fix the crime issue in Albuquerque beyond the increased funds APD will receive.


New Mexico communities 'filled with farmers' who know about 'unexpected weather, drought, and flooding,' U.S. Sen. Luján says

New Mexico farmers know a thing about weather-related disasters but their advice is seldom sought, Democrat U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján said in a news release issued last week


'I am thankful for the amazing team,' Albuquerque Equity & Inclusion director says on fifth anniversary of office

There's much to be thankful for after five years of impact Albuquerque's Office of Equity & Inclusion has had on the government and community, the office's director said in a news release


Updated clean vehicles rule would 'help mitigate' area's climate change effects, Albuquerque Environmental Health Director says

A proposed clean vehicles air rule announced last week by the city of Albuquerque would go a long way toward addressing the area's part in global climate change, the city's health director said in a news release


Luján: 'The Universal Service Fund plays an essential role in keeping our schools, hospitals, rural communities, and historically underserved populations connected'

U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and John Thune (R-S.D.), who serve as co-chairs of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Working Group, announced the commencement of a 30-day period for the public to submit comments to the USF Working Group in a press release on July 27. The deadline for submitting comments is set for Aug. 25, providing stakeholders and the public with an opportunity to provide their input to the Working Group on relevant matters pertaining to the Universal Service Fund according to a press release.