New Mexico Sun

Nearly 202,000 New Mexicans have been diagnosed with diabetes, according to The American Diabetes Association (ADA). On top of that, an additional 53,000 New Mexicans do not even know they have diabetes. It’s estimated the statewide cost for people to treat diabetes is $2 billion each year.Amy Bachyrycz, PharmD, emphasized the importance of raising local awareness about diabetes and offering support, especially to residents in Albuquerque’s International District facing various health-related challenges. Bachyrycz, an associate professor and the director of community...

APD arrests woman on Top 10 Shoplifting Offenders list

ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque Police Department made an arrest on April 18, 2024, that has put a notorious shoplifter behind bars. Celina Cordova, 39, a known offender on the Top 10 Shoplifting Offenders list, was apprehended by detectives from the Organized Crime Unit.According to reports, detectives located Cordova at a Walmart along Menaul Blvd. NE, a location she was known to frequent. Witnessing her leaving the store with unpaid items, the officers took action. Cordova was observed pushing a cart filled with merchandise she had not paid for and then loading these...

City Working to Help Affordable Housing Go Green

The City of Albuquerque has embarked on a new initiative to promote the intersection of affordable housing and environmentally friendly practices. In partnership with the International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology (ICAST), the city is taking significant steps towards achieving its sustainability goals by focusing on energy efficiency improvements in affordable housing properties.Deputy Director of Housing, Joseph Montoya, highlighted the importance of this endeavor, stating, “Utilities can be one of the highest expenses for households.” He emphasized...

NMSU Extension Launches New Food Safety Game for Youth

The New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service has unveiled a new game aimed at enhancing knowledge and practices related to food safety among young individuals. Developed by the media production team from NMSU’s Innovation Media Research and Extension and Learning Games Lab in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, "Theme Park Kitchen" focuses on educating middle school youth on various aspects of food safety.According to Matheus Cezarotto, Educational Technology Extension specialist with Innovative Media Research and Extension,...

Staff Spotlight: Tiffany Santos, College of Arts and Sciences

Tiffany Santos, the Curator of the Zuhl Collection at the College of Arts and Sciences, has been dedicated to her role for over a decade. Responsible for managing a collection of petrified wood, fossils, and minerals, Santos has overseen significant growth and improvements within the museum."When taking on this position, the Zuhl Collection had no budget," Santos explained. "I have been able to grow the budget which has allowed me the ability to hire students and teach a museum internship class. I have also spearheaded an addition to the museum as well as a remodel."A...

Southwest Airlines Supports El Puente Research Fellows in Transformative Graduate School Journey

Southwest Airlines' generous donation of 34 e-tickets valued at over $13,000 allowed El Puente Research Fellows to elevate their graduate school experiential trip to new heights, as reported on April 18, 2024.Alejandro Mendiaz-Rivera, the program director for El Puente Research Fellowship, expressed gratitude for the opportunity provided by Southwest Airlines, stating, "It was nice to fly because it removed the stress of having to worry about driving out to Phoenix during inclement weather." He also highlighted the significance of this gesture for some students who had...

Santa Fe County Expands Open Spaces: New Acquisitions Enhance Trail Access

Santa Fe County has recently expanded its open spaces with the acquisition of new lands, enhancing trail access for outdoor enthusiasts. The acquisitions, approved by the Board of County Commissioners, have garnered excitement and gratitude from various stakeholders.Karen Yank, President of the Turquoise Trail Regional Alliance, and Mike Madden, Co-founder of the East Mountain Regional Trails Council, expressed their enthusiasm for the newly acquired 160 acres of piñon-juniper forest near Golden, NM. Yank and Madden highlighted the significance of this addition, stating,...

Conservation Across Generations: NM Museum Welcomes Ted Turner's Son's Photography Exhibition

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science is set to showcase a new traveling exhibition that celebrates the conservation legacy of media mogul Ted Turner through the lens of his son, Rhett Turner. The exhibition, titled "Conserving America’s Wildlands: The Vision of Ted Turner," will open on Saturday, May 11, featuring stunning photography capturing the beauty of America's wild places.NMMNHS Executive Director Dr. Anthony Fiorillo expressed his admiration for Rhett Turner's work, stating, "Rhett Turner’s stunning photography captures some of America’s wildest...

1.15 billion artificial neurons arrive at Sandia

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In a significant development in the field of computing, Sandia National Laboratories recently received a groundbreaking brain-based computing system named Hala Point, containing a record-breaking 1.15 billion artificial neurons. The system, described as the largest brain-based computing system in the world, was transported from Intel Corp. in Portland, Oregon, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where it will support research teams at Sandia and the National Nuclear Security Administration.Lead researcher at Sandia, Craig Vineyard, expressed optimism about the...

NMSU student-run coffee shop reboots with sweet collaboration

In a collaboration between Doña Ana Community College (DACC) and New Mexico State University (NMSU), a student-run café is undergoing a transformation to offer new food and beverage options to the campus community. Under the oversight of Kelley Coffeen, associate professor in the Fashion Merchandising and Design program at NMSU, the Sam Steel Café in Gerald Thomas Hall is being rebranded to provide a collaborative space for various stakeholders.Coffeen expressed the goal of creating a space that caters to faculty, students, staff, and community members, stating, "We want...

Race and ethnicity: do you know the difference?

The Office of Management and Budget's decision to combine race and ethnicity questions on Federal forms has sparked concerns from experts about its potential impact on equity research. Dr. Nancy López, a Sociology professor at the University of New Mexico, expressed her worries about the change, stating, "You're not going to be able to collect meaningful data when you are asking about two things in one question."López emphasized the importance of understanding the distinction between ethnicity and race, explaining, "In many Latinx homes, there’s a saying, ‘You can’t cover...

UNM Law student earns award at Hispanic National Bar Association moot court competition

Crestencia Pihlaja, a 2L at The University of New Mexico School of Law, stood out at the Hispanic National Bar Association moot court competition in Seattle, Wash. in March, earning second place for Best Oral Argument. Pihlaja expressed her gratitude to those who supported her during the competition, including the New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association, which covered the travel expenses for her and teammate Damon Nieto.Pihlaja shared, “I’d like to express my appreciation for the New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association and all our guest judges for their immense support. I am also...

NMSU ROTC to Host 122nd Presidential Pass-in-Review

The New Mexico State University U.S. Air Force and Army ROTC are gearing up to host the 122nd Presidential Pass-in-Review at Hadley Pride Field on the NMSU Horseshoe. The event, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, will showcase the dedication and hard work of the cadets throughout the year.According to the article, the Pass-in-Review ceremony is a traditional public display aimed at highlighting the cadets' efforts in working together as a cohesive team. The ceremony will commence with a helicopter flyover, adding to the grandeur of the event.In addition to the...

NMHealth recognizes STI Awareness Week and encourages safe sex habits

On Apr 17, 2024, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth) is urging residents to observe Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Awareness Week and consistently practice safe sex. The initiative, which takes place in the second full week of April (14-20), seeks to increase awareness and diminish the stigma surrounding STI prevention, testing, and treatment.According to Janine Waters, the STD Program Manager, "STIs are very common. There are millions of infections each year in the United States." Waters emphasizes the importance of knowing one's STI status as a vital...

Become a Tech-Savvy Senior!

The Department of Senior Affairs, along with local non-profits Adelante-DiverseIT and Teeniors, will host their annual 50+ Senior Tech Connect fair on Friday, April 19, 2024 at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center.In today’s world, many routine tasks such as making a medical appointment or ordering groceries often require some technology skills. It’s a reality that can sometimes cause older adults who lack digital resources or training to feel left behind.The 50+ Senior Tech Connect fair aims to help bridge this digital divide by bringing together over 30 tech-focused...

Santa Fe County Announces Temporary Closure of Rabbit Road for Construction Project

Santa Fe, NM- Beginning Monday, April 22, 2024, the Contractor for Santa Fe County Public Works Department (SFCPWD) will begin the construction of the Rabbit Road connection to the Southeast Connector, recently named Falcon Way, and also providing the tie into Oshara Blvd via a new roundabout."To safely accommodate the construction, it will be necessary to close a segment of Rabbit Road to Oshara Blvd for approximately (6) weeks and route traffic through a temporary detour," stated the Santa Fe County Public Works Department."Motorists should account for increased...

A Second Chance at Life: The Miracle Behind Blood Drive at SRMC

Brenda Murray, the director of environmental services at The University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center (SRMC), recently organized a blood drive with a heartfelt purpose. The initiative stemmed from a personal experience that left her deeply grateful for the generosity of blood donors. Murray's son, Joey Vigil, was involved in a severe accident that led to life-threatening injuries, ultimately requiring 74 blood product transfusions to save his life.Describing the harrowing incident, Murray recounted, "He went off a cliff and nose-dived into a cement...

NMSU geography alumna manages New York City parks

Terese Flores, a New Mexico State University alumna, has realized her dream of managing parks in New York City after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in geography. Flores, now serving as the Regional Park Manager for Manhattan in the New York City Parks Department, has made significant contributions to the city since taking on her role.One of Flores’ notable achievements has been the creation of the Park Management Internship, where she mentors young individuals passionate about the environment and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. Reflecting on this...

City Completes First Phase of Million Dollar Climate Action Planning Grant

The City of Albuquerque has unveiled the initial deliverable for the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant’s Planning Program, following the receipt of a substantial $1 million in funding earlier this year. Referred to as the Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP), this document serves as the first step towards mitigating climate pollution and advancing the interests of frontline communities within the Albuquerque Metro Statistical Area.In a statement, Mayor Tim Keller emphasized the importance of addressing climate injustices, stating, "Climate change impacts us all, but we...

Libraries To Celebrate Día De Los Niños