New Mexico Sun


Sarah Smith, New Mexico Freedoms Alliance: ‘Student behavior problems are also causing teacher burnout’

An open letter, representing the concerns of over 200 New Mexico teachers and school personnel, was recently drafted by Sarah Smith of the New Mexico Freedoms Alliance. Addressed to New Mexico Education Secretary Arsenio Romero, the letter highlights a multitude of issues that educators face daily, with a particular emphasis on the pervasive violence in New Mexico schools.


UNM College of Nursing receives $1.6m for scholarships

UNM Health Sciences has announced that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) will be donating a $1.6 million gift to support The University of New Mexico College of Nursing. This generous contribution will aid in supporting Accelerated 2nd Degree Bachelor of Science (ABSN) students, advanced practice Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students, and facilitate the creation of an endowed faculty professorship within the college.


UNM professor granted research funding by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for intersectionality study

The University of New Mexico (UNM) has announced a $110,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The funding is intended for a yearlong study on how universities use intersectionality in data collection to understand complex inequalities in higher education and other policy areas. The research, co-led by Dr. Nancy López of UNM, Dr. Yasmiyn Irizarry from the University of Texas-Austin, and Dr. Edward Vargas from Arizona State University, seeks to examine the concurrent impact of race, gender, and class as categories of experience.


Bernalillo County receives $640,000 homeland security grant

Bernalillo County has been named the recipient of a $640,000 grant from the State Homeland Security Grant Program. This competitive award is provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and overseen by the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The funds will be utilized to bolster professional development training and aid in the maintenance and procurement of vital emergency response equipment.


MFA greenlights three service providers for ROC program

The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) has announced that its board of directors has approved three service providers for the Restoring Our Communities (ROC) program. Alongside this decision, the board also endorsed a modification to the ROC Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), allowing experienced service providers to undertake up to five projects concurrently. This announcement was made on January 8th.


UNM acknowledged for employee-friendly workplace and educational support

The University of New Mexico (UNM) has received platinum-level recognition from Family Friendly New Mexico for its workplace policies. This acknowledgment is complemented by UNM's attainment of the newly introduced Education Support Special Designation, a joint venture with the United Way of Central New Mexico.


Arrowhead center appoints NMSU alumnus as entrepreneur-in-residence

New Mexico State University (NMSU) has announced the appointment of its alumnus, Daniel J. Jones, as entrepreneur-in-residence at the Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship, which is located within NMSU's Arrowhead Center. Jones, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance from NMSU in 2004, will leverage his expertise to bolster entrepreneurial initiatives within the university.


State Rep. Rehm files anti-crime bills: ‘Crime has been a major topic of frustration for many New Mexicans’

State Rep. Bill Rehm (R-N.M.) has initiated several bills aiming to curb crime in New Mexico. Rehm, a retired captain from the Bernalillo County sheriff's office, believes these bills would be advantageous for New Mexican citizens if enacted. Consequently, he penned a letter to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.), seeking her support.


UNM cancer center achieves milestone allogeneic transplant for blood cancers

UNM Health Sciences has announced that the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center (UNMCCC) has reached a significant milestone by completing the first allogeneic transplant in New Mexico for blood cancer patients. This comes after these patients recently concluded their crucial 90- to 100-day checkup, marking an important advancement in stem cell transplantation treatment.


UNM professor extends research in Native communities

UNM Health Sciences has recognized the significant role of Professor Lorenda Belone in the creation of the Family Listening Program (FLP) for Northern New Mexico families. The program, which has been active for over two decades, has empowered young people to establish connections with tribal elders.


Sandia's achieves fiscal year 2023 economic impact of almost $4.8 billion

Sandia National Laboratories has reported a fiscal year 2023 economic impact totaling nearly $4.8 billion, marking an increase of $559 million from the previous year.


Albuquerque Gateway Center unveils first responder receiving area

The city of Albuquerque has announced that the University of New Mexico (UNM) Office of Community Health will manage the receiving area for first responders at the Gateway Center. This non-medical service, which operates 24/7, will provide a dedicated space for Albuquerque community safety and other first responders to bring individuals experiencing homelessness. The goal is to assist these individuals in connecting with social service options.


APD reports decrease in use of force despite increased arrests

The city of Albuquerque has reported that despite a rise in arrests, the use of force by officers from the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) has declined. The APD, which is currently under a Court-Approved Settlement Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, is seeking to alter its officers' approach to using force during arrests.


Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel delivers recommendations for next decade's research projects

The University of New Mexico (UNM) has announced that the Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel (P5), comprising scientists from various countries and international partners, has submitted its recommendations to U.S. funding agencies regarding particle physics research projects for the upcoming decade. The global panel, consisting of approximately 30 scientists, was responsible for shaping these recommendations.


UNM Africana Studies organizes annual Black History Month Kickoff Brunch

The University of New Mexico (UNM) has announced the 39th Black History Month Kickoff Brunch, organized by the UNM Department of Africana Studies. The event is being conducted in collaboration with UNM African American Student Services and will feature keynote speaker Aja Nicole Brooks, a UNM alumna and the Executive Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico.


UNM and other institutions study climate change impacts on high-latitude ecosystems

The University of New Mexico (UNM) recently announced a research collaboration aimed at expanding the understanding of climate change impacts on food webs, particularly in high-latitude ecosystems. The findings suggest that climate change is significantly affecting ecosystems in the Arctic tundra and boreal forests, regions where fauna are adapted to extreme cold winter temperatures.


New Mexico Arts announces 2024 Arts & Military Mini Grant recipients

The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs has revealed that New Mexico Arts, the state's arts agency, is the driving force behind the 2024 Arts and the Military Mini Grant program. The initiative will see $2,500 mini grants allocated to benefit military and veteran audiences.


NM Human Services Department welcomes new deputy secretaries

The New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) has announced new leadership appointments. Kathy Slater-Huff and Kyra Ochoa have been named as deputy secretaries.


NMED releases Dec 2023 Enforcement Watch updates

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) recently disclosed updates for December 2023 on the Enforcement Watch. The report revealed that within this period, 99 new entries were added to the active matters listing, while seven matters were moved to the resolved matters listing.


NM secures federal grant for statewide teacher residencies

The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) has announced the procurement of a five-year, $8 million federal grant for NM Residencies. This initiative is designed to provide aspiring teachers with a year of co-teaching experience alongside seasoned mentor teachers during their pre-service preparation program.