New Mexico Sun


Albuquerque Animal Welfare offers tips for Fourth of July pet safety

The City of Albuquerque's Animal Welfare Department is urging pet owners to take measures to protect their pets during the Fourth of July celebrations. While the holiday is a time for festive gatherings, it can be a distressing period for animals due to the loud fireworks, which often cause them to act unpredictably. Pets may run away, jump over fences, or even leap through windows out of fear.


Albuquerque safety department connects sex trafficking survivor with specialized resources

Recently, the Albuquerque Community Safety Department (ACS) responded to a distress call in northwest Albuquerque from a woman in her 40s urgently seeking shelter for the evening. Upon arrival, ACS Behavioral Health Responders learned that the woman identified herself as a victim of sex trafficking.


Dinosaur Trail section opens early as part of Santa Fe road project

Santa Fe, NM - On Friday, June 28, 2024, at 9:00 AM, the contractor for Santa Fe County Public Works Department (SFCPWD) will open Dinosaur Trail at Churchill Road to the Richards roundabout. This work has been completed two weeks ahead of schedule and marks the end of the detours required for the Northeast and Southeast Connectors Roads Project.


NMSU regents to hold closed meeting on June 28

The Board of Regents of New Mexico State University will hold a closed meeting at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 28, at Doña Ana Community College’s East Mesa Campus in the DAEM Building, Room 205/207, located at 2800 N. Sonoma Ranch Blvd. The purpose of the closed meeting is to discuss pending litigation and limited personnel matters in accordance with NMSA Section 10-15-1 H(7) and NMSA Section 10-15-1 H(2) of the New Mexico Open Meetings Act.


Critically endangered western lowland gorilla born at ABQ BioPark

The ABQ BioPark has announced the birth of a critically endangered western lowland gorilla. The baby was born to first-time mother Nia Lewa at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 22. Both mother and baby are reported to be in good health, supported by the entire gorilla troop.


ABQ RIDE enhances service for Isotopes day games

Attending Isotopes games is a staple of Albuquerque summers for families, and now ABQ RIDE is making the experience even easier. Route 16, nicknamed the “BUG,” traverses Broadway, University, Gibson, and continues onward to the Nob Hill area. Service on this route will be doubled on June 26, July 10, and September 12 to accommodate frequent and accessible service to arrive at weekday ball games at Isotopes Park. As you plan your summer activities, here are the reasons to keep ABQ RIDE in mind:


New robotics club empowers NMSU students

Maria Adeliz Ordoñez, a former high school VEX Robotics champion, found the absence of a college-level robotics team at New Mexico State University (NMSU) an opportunity to fill a gap. In fall 2022, she initiated the formation of NM State Robotics.


UNM Cancer Center introduces new CAR-T therapy for treating resistant cancers

The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center has introduced a new Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (CAR-T) therapy, which utilizes modified white blood cells to combat various cancers such as lymphomas, myelomas, and leukemias that have been resistant to conventional treatments. Dr. Shashank Cingam, who recently joined the center’s Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Team, has played a pivotal role in launching this program.


Nusenda Credit Union named top workplace by Albuquerque Journal

Nusenda Credit Union has been named by its employees as the Albuquerque Journal No. 1 Top Workplace in the large company category. Nusenda has been consistently ranked since the award’s inception 12 years ago, and this is the third time it holds the top spot.


Crime decreases after arrest of 11-year-old suspect in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE – Key crimes decreased in two Northeast Heights neighborhoods following the recent arrest of an 11-year-old accused of a crime spree in the area. Another teen was also arrested.


Dennis-Ray Armijo named new director of UNM Student Union Building

Dennis-Ray Armijo has been appointed as the new director of the Student Union Building (SUB) at The University of New Mexico, following a competitive nationwide search. He will assume his new role on July 1, succeeding Cheryl Wallace, who is retiring.


Behavioral Health Institute assures safety amid Las Vegas flash floods

The New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute (BHI) in Las Vegas, NM, remains unaffected by the ongoing flash flooding in San Miguel County. Reports of evacuations due to flooding in the community prompted concerns from families and loved ones of BHI residents.


Albuquerque celebrates World Refugee Day with naturalization ceremony

Today, the community gathered at Civic Plaza to honor the refugee community. The 2024 World Refugee Day event commenced with a naturalization ceremony that welcomed 79 new citizens. Following the ceremony, guest speakers, including Deputy CAO Matthew Whelan, expressed their commitment to supporting refugees.


UNM student's design featured at centennial Burning of Zozobra

A University of New Mexico student’s artwork will be featured this summer at a historic centennial celebration. Jessica Knox, a senior at UNM pursuing a bachelor’s in history and political science, will have her work showcased before and during the 100th Burning of Zozobra in Santa Fe this August.


City parking garage revitalized with plant wall

Albuquerque – The Very Special Arts Garage (VSA) is receiving a new addition this week with the installation of a plant wall, or vertical garden. Plant walls are increasingly popular for their ability to beautify spaces, protect buildings, reduce urban heat effects, and diminish urban noise. This particular wall will cover the interior of an underused courtyard on the southeast side of the VSA Garage Downtown.


Albuquerque City Council passes amendment to Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Ordinance

The Albuquerque City Council has passed Council Bill No. O-24-22, now Enactment No. O-2024-016, which amends the ROA 1994, Chapter 14, Article 8, Part 4, known as the “Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Ordinance.” The bill was sponsored by Joaquín Baca and Renée Grout upon request.


UNM Hospital participates in region-wide emergency preparedness drill

Imagine a 5.6 magnitude earthquake occurs without warning in the Rio Grande Rift on the Sandia-Rincon fault. Violent shaking and heavy damage are recorded along the 30-mile stretch from Algodones to Kirtland Air Force Base. As a result, 60 percent of Albuquerque is without power, several major roads have collapsed, and hundreds, if not thousands, of people are injured.


Robert Nott appointed communications director for NMHealth

SANTA FE—Patrick Allen, Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth), announced today that Robert Nott has been named Communications Director for the department. For the past 25 years, Nott has been a reporter for the Santa Fe New Mexican.


Council updates energy codes for commercial and residential buildings

On June 21, 2024, the council enacted Bill No. O-24-19 as Ordinance No. O-2024-015. Sponsored by Tammy Fiebelkorn, the ordinance amends the 2023 Uniform Administrative Code and Technical Codes to regulate energy conservation.


City council's resolution leads to groundbreaking fertility study

In November 2022, District 7 City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn sponsored Council resolution R-22-73 to prevent live animals from being used in scientific research. A year and a half later, the University of New Mexico (UNM) has released a study utilizing animal tissues provided by the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department.