New Mexico Sun


Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department Gears Up for Influx of Orphaned Animals

The Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department is expecting hundreds of orphaned kittens and puppies anytime now and throughout the summer season. The department has put out a call for support from the community as they prepare to care for these new arrivals."When the new arrivals come to the shelter, we will need certain items to take care of these bundles of joy," expressed the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department. They have set up a baby registry on Amazon.com under the name Kennel Kompadres to make it easy for those who wish to donate."You can help save these fragile...


Regular Board of County Commissioners Meeting Continued Due to Technical Difficulties

The Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners was forced to continue its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, due to technical difficulties that would have hindered public participation. As reported, the continuation was necessary to ensure that members of the public who had planned to participate remotely would not be excluded.In a statement, the Board announced that the meeting will resume on Monday, April 15, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. The Continued Meeting is set to take place in the Commission Chambers at 102 Grant Avenue Santa Fe NM. Those interested...


Have a Wooly Good Time at Bosque Redondo Memorial Fiber Fair

The upcoming Fiber Fair at Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site is set to offer visitors a unique and educational experience on Saturday, May 4, 2024. The event will showcase the rich history of New Mexico through various wool-related activities and demonstrations.Aaron Roth, the Bosque Redondo Memorial Site Manager, expressed his excitement for the event, stating, "Let this event be a celebration and appreciation of the centuries-old weaving traditions that have flourished in the beautiful state of New Mexico.”Attendees of all ages will have the...


Powering progress: Arrowhead Center at NMSU program drives energy funding in NM

Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University is making strides in driving energy funding in New Mexico through its NM FAST program. The program, which supports regional technology-focused startups in securing research and development funding, has been instrumental in aiding businesses in accessing federal investment opportunities.Dana Catron, deputy director of Arrowhead Center and director of the NM Clean Energy Resilience and Growth Cluster, highlighted the significance of New Mexico's energy technology ecosystem, stating, “New Mexico’s energy tech ecosystem stands...


NMSU Students Shine at Model United Nations Conference

New Mexico State University’s Model United Nations team once again showcased their excellence at the 2024 MUN conference in New York City, where they were awarded the prestigious Outstanding Delegation award. The team has a remarkable track record, having achieved top honors in 17 out of the last 18 years.Neil Harvey, the government professor and department head who accompanied the students as their advisor, expressed his pride in the team, stating, “I am very proud of each member of our team for their hard work in preparation for this conference and for their ability to...


Sandia Studies Subterranean Storage of Hydrogen

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories are exploring the potential of using depleted oil and natural gas reservoirs for storing hydrogen, a carbon-free fuel with various clean energy applications. Led by Sandia chemical engineer Tuan Ho, the research aims to investigate the feasibility of underground hydrogen storage as a means of addressing energy needs and decarbonizing the energy sector.In a recent paper published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Ho's team shared their findings on the underground storage of hydrogen. The study...


UNM's Anderson School Welcomes Dean Alina Chircu

Alina Chircu, Ph.D., has officially joined The University of New Mexico as dean of the Anderson School of Management. Chircu comes to UNM Anderson from Bentley University in Waltham, Mass., where she served in a number of capacities. Her posts included interim dean of business, associate dean followed by senior associate dean of business for graduate programs and chair of the Information and Process Management department, where she was also a faculty member.UNM Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs James Holloway praised her expertise and talents. “Dr....


Safety Tip: Beware of nesting hawks

In light of the recent return of Swainson’s hawks to NMSU, students and faculty are being advised to be cautious as the nesting hawks settle in around campus. The hawks, protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, have been known to exhibit aggressive behavior in defense of their nests.According to NMSU officials, the hawks, though typically docile, can become aggressive towards perceived threats to their nests. This has resulted in instances where the hawks have swooped down and struck pedestrians on the head and arms. To ensure safety, individuals are urged to...


APD’s Traffic Division Breaks Up Three Illegal Street Racing Events Over the Weekend

The Albuquerque Police Department's Traffic Division conducted a citywide illegal street racing operation over the weekend, resulting in officers breaking up three separate events. Kathryn Edmiston, 21, was arrested after officers noticed her vehicle in a parking stall of the Maverick gas station located at 5001 Jefferson Street N.E. Edmiston fled from officers on March 30, when they were conducting a similar operation and was booked into MDC on a warrant for Reckless Driving and Aggravated Fleeing Law Enforcement (2 counts).According to the report, the three racing...


Two Weeks Left to Make Nominations for the 2024 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts

The New Mexico Arts Commission and the New Mexico Arts Division have announced that nominations are open for the 2024 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts. The awards, which celebrate the significant role of arts in the economic and cultural lives of New Mexicans, will accept nominations until April 24, 2024."We are incredibly fortunate to live in a state where arts and culture are so deeply embedded in our everyday lives, so much so in fact, that we are at risk of taking them for granted," said Michelle Laflamme-Childs, New Mexico Arts Executive Director.The...


Two Sandians Honored with 2024 Women in Tech Award

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Two remarkable women from Sandia National Laboratories have been recognized with the prestigious 2024 New Mexico Women in Tech Award by the New Mexico Technology Council. The award celebrates women who excel in the tech industry, driving innovation, and inspiring others to pursue careers in technology.Mary Monson, Senior Manager for Technology Partnerships and Business Development at Sandia, has been instrumental in advancing the lab's technology transfer efforts. Colleagues praise Monson for her passion and drive, with Technology Partnership Manager...


Safety Tip: Know your evacuation plan

The NMSU Fire Department has issued a safety reminder urging individuals to be vigilant about their evacuation plans in public buildings. Encouraging preparedness, the department emphasized the importance of familiarizing oneself with emergency procedures and surroundings."As you enter, take a moment to look around and familiarize yourself with the environment," advised the NMSU Fire Department. They emphasized the need to proactively locate exits and assess their proximity for quick and efficient evacuation if needed.Acknowledging potential challenges during...


UNM Duck Pond: A Campus Gem for Relaxation and Study

The University of New Mexico's duck pond has become a beloved spot for students, faculty, and local residents to gather, study, and unwind. Originating from humble beginnings, the pond has evolved into a central hub of activity on campus.Trinity Moody, a fourth-year undergrad, reminisced about the pond's transformation, stating, “Ducks always flew down to hang out and it was a popular duck spot for a long while. Eventually, planners — and perhaps students? — decided to make the lot a full-fledged pond so that the ducks would have a true designated spot to hang out.”...


UNM Organizations Advocate for Farmworker Rights

The University of New Mexico recently held a series of events as part of Farmworker’s Awareness Week to shed light on the challenges faced by farmworkers and the importance of their contributions to the food system. El Centro de la Raza, College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), and other campus organizations organized various activities to raise awareness and educate the community about the realities of farm work.Rodolfo Becerril, El Centro de la Raza Student Success Specialist, emphasized the goal of bringing awareness to the challenges and situations that farmworkers...


Curanderismo summer program returns under new traditional healing institute

In its 20th consecutive year, the "Traditional Medicine without Borders: Curanderismo in the Southwest and Mexico" summer program led by Eliseo “Cheo” Torres and Mario Del Angel Guevara, University of New Mexico Chicana/o Studies professors, is set to return. This time, the two-week course will be held under the new Curanderismo Institute.The program serves as a platform for traditional healers from various Latin American countries and the U.S. to gather and exchange knowledge on "Curanderismo", the traditional holistic healing practice. Torres highlighted the unique...


NMSU Extension to host Small Acreage Stewardship and Homesteading Skills workshop series

New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service is set to host a series of workshops focused on Small Acreage Stewardship and Homesteading Skills from April to October. The free workshops will take place at NMSU’s Sustainable Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde, New Mexico, with sessions scheduled for Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m.According to Tom Dominguez, Santa Fe County Extension Agriculture agent, "Residents with 20 or fewer acres of land and the desire to put their resources to use... can attend any of the series events." The workshops aim...


NMSU to host NM State Esports Invitational tournament April 6 & 7

The largest esports tournament in New Mexico, the NM State Esports Invitational, is set to take place at New Mexico State University on April 6 and 7. According to Ryan May, NMSU esports liaison, this event is a significant one for the state as it gathers the largest number of esports competitors. May stated, "The invitational is the only event of its kind in New Mexico."Over 500 middle school, high school, and university students will participate in the tournament, competing in popular titles such as “League of Legends,” “Mario Kart 8,” “Rocket League,” “Splatoon 3,”...


Santa Fe County to Host Earth Day Celebration at Hondo Fire Station #1

Santa Fe, NM- Santa Fe County is excited to announce its annual Earth Day celebration scheduled for Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Hondo Fire Station #1 from 9am-12pm in support of the global Earth Day proclamation adopted by the Board of County Commissioners."As part of our commitment to environmental stewardship, Santa Fe County will unveil a new rain garden at the Hondo Fire Station #1," said Santa Fe County. This green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) feature is designed to enhance local climate resilience by mitigating the impacts of droughts and flooding. The rain...


Commissioner Hughes and Commissioner Greene to Introduce a Proclamation Declaring NM Electoral Excellence Day

Commissioner Hank Hughes and Commissioner Justin Greene are set to introduce a proclamation declaring April 11th as "New Mexico Electoral Excellence Day." The proclamation aims to recognize the efforts of the Secretary of State and the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office in enhancing the fairness, efficiency, and transparency of elections, vital components of the democratic process.According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Elections Performance Index (EPI), New Mexico achieved the remarkable position of #1 in the 2022 EPI with an index score of 88%. This...


Santa Fe County Water Policy Advisory Committee Seeks Members

The Santa Fe County Water Policy Advisory Committee (WPAC) is actively seeking County residents to join its ranks, as reported on April 5, 2024. The committee plays a crucial role in advising the Board of County Commissioners on various water-related issues in the County and region.According to the announcement, the WPAC is looking for individuals with a diverse range of expertise and experience to ensure a well-rounded representation. As stated by the County, the committee's primary responsibilities include providing recommendations on sustainable utility services,...