New Mexico Sun

APD officers in Albuquerque have apprehended a second suspect in connection with a shooting incident that took place over the weekend. The suspect, identified as Zane Katzenberger, 18, was taken into custody following his involvement in the shooting in Downtown Albuquerque. According to reports, officers responded to the shooting after hearing gunshots and receiving a shot spotter activation.Katzenberger was detained by officers after they observed a handgun in his possession. He reportedly admitted to being highly intoxicated at the time of the incident. Video footage of...

Nusenda Credit Union Receives Platinum Level Family Friendly Business Award

Nusenda Credit Union has once again been recognized for its outstanding workplace policies, earning the prestigious "platinum level" distinction in the New Mexico Family Friendly Business Award. The credit union has received this accolade for the seventh consecutive year, showcasing its commitment to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees.Michelle Dearholt, Nusenda's Executive Vice President of Operations, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the well-being of their team, stating, "At Nusenda Credit Union we believe that taking care...

Keller Administration Outlines Vision for Upcoming Fiscal Year Budget

Mayor Tim Keller has unveiled the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025, emphasizing the administration's dedication to public safety and tackling housing and homelessness challenges. The $1.4 billion budget reflects a strategic approach to address these issues while navigating economic uncertainties."We are focused on continuing to invest in public safety, and fully supporting our frontline workers and the programs and services they provide to help address our city’s challenges," Mayor Tim Keller stated.The budget, with a modest increase of 2.3% compared to the previous...

Bank On Burque Connects Thousands of Families to Financial Empowerment Tools

Today, the Bank On Burque initiative gathered local leaders, partner institutions, and members of the community to kick off Financial Empowerment Month and share more about the resources available to help people obtain financial independence. Bank On Burque’s mission is to connect people to safe and affordable bank accounts, helping them take control and better understand their finances without being victimized by predatory practices or unnecessary fees.In 2019, Mayor Tim Keller announced the Bank On Burque Blueprint for Financial Empowerment, and since then, the...

NMSU’s Pitch Deck Sprint accepting applications from NM tech startups

New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center is set to provide its Pitch Deck Sprint online accelerator for tech startups located in New Mexico. The program, part of the Scale Up New Mexico initiative, aims to enhance the pitch deck presentations of entrepreneurs and startups in the state.“The Pitch Deck Sprint program stands as a pivotal resource for New Mexico's entrepreneurs, offering vital support that is instrumental in refining their pitch presentations,” said Dana Catron, deputy director of Arrowhead Center. “This initiative not only equips them with the tools to...

Sexual Assault Awareness Month events will engage campus in new ways

By New Mexico Sun | Mar 31, 2024

Every 68 seconds, an American over the age of 12 is sexually assaulted. Each April, The University of New Mexico’s LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center joins organizations around the country in prevention efforts and educational campaigns in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.Julia Egger, campus advocate with LoboRESPECT, emphasized the importance of supporting and empowering those who have experienced sexual violence while also educating students on addressing issues like rape culture, victim blaming, and misogyny. Egger stated, “It's important to support and empower those...

Las Cruces Water Conservation Announces Lush and Lean Spring 2 Program Schedule

By New Mexico Sun | Mar 31, 2024

The City of Las Cruces Water Conservation has revealed the schedule for the 2024 Spring 2 Lush and Lean Program. The program offers free workshops on select Thursdays in April and May aimed at promoting water conservation and sustainable gardening practices.The workshops will take place at the Branigan Memorial Library Roadrunner Room, located at 200 E. Picacho Avenue, starting at 5:45 p.m. The schedule includes a variety of topics presented by experts in the field.Marisa Thompson, Ph.D., Extension Urban Horticulture Specialist at NMSU, will kick off the series on April...

Nuclear engineering master’s student honored with Curie Fellowship

By New Mexico Sun | Mar 30, 2024

On March 30, 2024, Ashley Machado, a graduate student in the UNM Department of Nuclear Engineering, was announced as the recipient of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme.Machado, who is a master’s student at UNM, expressed her enthusiasm for the field by stating, "Once being in the program, I loved all it entailed wholly and desired to grow to become a great nuclear engineer."Having previously been a UNM Presidential Scholarship recipient and earning her bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering in 2023, Machado is...

Department of Defense Awards $232,320 to UNM's Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology for Research Equipment

By New Mexico Sun | Mar 30, 2024

The Department of Defense (DOD) has allocated $232,320 in funding to The University of New Mexico’s Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology and Principal Investigator Terefe Habteyes, as part of the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP). This funding will support the purchase of essential equipment to enhance research capabilities at the university.According to Bindu Nair, director of basic research in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the DURIP awards play a crucial role in advancing research...

University Libraries Announces recipients of 2024 Undergraduate Library Research Award

By New Mexico Sun | Mar 30, 2024

The University Libraries at the leading research institute in New Mexico, UNM, recently announced the recipients of the 2024 Jim and Mary Lois Friday Hulsman Undergraduate Library Research Awards. The prestigious award aims to highlight outstanding research conducted by undergraduate students at the university.Leo Lo, dean of College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences, expressed the institution's commitment to supporting students throughout their college careers, stating, "We pride ourselves in supporting students throughout their entire college career through...

GOP U.S. Senate candidate for New Mexico: The southern border is 'lawless and out of control'

Nella Domenici, a U.S. Senate candidate for the state of New Mexico, stated in a post on X that the southern border is "lawless and out of control." This comment was made in response to a video depicting a group of individuals illegally entering El Paso and subsequently knocking down several Texas National Guard soldiers.

ABQ BioPark Zoo Celebrates Great Apes with Annual Great Ape-ril Event

The ABQ BioPark Zoo is gearing up to celebrate Great Ape-ril, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness and funds for great apes conservation. Since 2016, the zoo has been hosting Great Ape-ril, which focuses on species such as gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, and humans, raising over $45,000 for great ape conservation so far."Great Ape-ril is all about helping our guests make connections with great apes," said Josephine Frentzel, assistant curator of primates. "We get to spend every day with these amazing animals, and this event helps us bring you a little closer,...

Next generation of statehouse reporters learn the ropes at UNM

Professor of Practice Gwyneth Doland, a Statehouse Faculty Champion, is leading the way in training a new generation of statehouse reporters at the University of New Mexico's Department of Communication & Journalism. Doland's program aims to engage students in reporting on state government, legislation, and politics, with the goal of eventually offering their stories to other news organizations.During a recent legislative session, Doland took her Advanced Multimedia Journalism class to the State Capitol, providing students with hands-on experience in covering important...

Albuquerque Business First Honors Nusenda’s Nikki Bunch as 40 Under 40 Recipient

Albuquerque, N.M. – Nikki Bunch, Senior Vice President of Member Experience at Nusenda Credit Union, has been named a 40 Under 40 Honoree by Albuquerque Business First. Michelle Dearholt, Nusenda’s Executive Vice President of Operations, highlighted Nikki's dedication to member relationships, stating, “Nikki is dedicated to cultivating a relationship-based experience for the Credit Union’s more than 260,000 members." Dearholt expressed pride in Nikki's achievements, emphasizing her positive impact on members, employees, and communities.Nikki's journey at Nusenda began...

Goldwater Foundation selects three UNM students as 2024-2025 scholars

The University of New Mexico has proudly announced that three of its students have been named as 2024-2025 Goldwater Scholars. Mia Baca, Victoria Nisoli, and Ariana Pritha have been selected for this prestigious honor from a competitive pool of candidates.In response to the news, Honors College Scholarship Coordinator Kiyoko Simmons expressed her congratulations to the three scholars, emphasizing the significance of their achievement. Simmons remarked, “Earning this prestigious award not only validates their academic excellence but also underscores their potential to make...

Notice of Possible Quorum at Citizen Police Academy Training

The Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board has issued a notice regarding a possible quorum at the upcoming Citizen Police Academy training session. The event is scheduled to take place on April 2, 2024, at the Albuquerque Police Academy located at 5412 2nd Street NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107.According to the notice, "A quorum of the Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board may be in attendance at the Albuquerque Police Academy, 5412 2nd Street NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107, regarding the Citizen Police Academy." The Board clarifies that no official business will be conducted...

NMSU names Mónica Torres next interim president, launches new search

NMSU Board of Regents has selected Mónica Torres, chancellor of NMSU system community colleges, as the next interim president of the NMSU system. Torres will take over the position from current Interim President Jay Gogue on May 1. Regents Chair Ammu Devasthali expressed confidence in Torres, stating, “Dr. Torres is an accomplished and visionary leader with a deep commitment to student success and a wealth of institutional knowledge of the NMSU system.”Devasthali also acknowledged Gogue's service, thanking him for his leadership over the past year and noting that he will...

NM Museum of Natural History & Science Earns Reaccreditation from AAM

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (NMMNHS) has proudly announced that it has been awarded reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), a prestigious recognition that only a small fraction of museums across the country achieve.In a statement, NMDCA Cabinet Secretary Debra Garcia y Griego expressed her excitement, stating, “Visitors to New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science know the museum is one of our state’s crown jewels, and we’re thrilled to see the institution recognized at the national level.”The accreditation from AAM,...

NMSU students win 2024 regional Outstanding Leadership Awards

The National Orientation Directors Association (NODA) named two New Mexico State University students as its Undergraduate and Graduate Outstanding Student Leaders of 2024 at its Regional Conference on March 16. Nevaeh Smith and Ishtiaq Ahmed were awarded for their exceptional leadership skills and contributions to NMSU's orientation programs.Nevaeh Smith expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Earning the Outstanding Undergraduate Award was an unexpected, but well appreciated, surprise... makes the hard work I’ve put into NMSU’s orientation program worth...

Cohort Completes Scale Up NM’s Business Model Sprint for Tech Startups