News from August 2021


Mary Lee Lucero

Mary Lee Lucero - December 6th 1937 - July 25, 2021


Rafael Torrez

Rafael Torrez - August 3, 2021


Manuel Theodoro Ortega

Manuel Theodoro Ortega - June 19, 1981 ~ July 27, 2021 (age 40)


Florinda T. Cortez

Florinda T. Cortez - May 9, 1935 ~ August 6, 2021 (age 86)


'I still have bills to pay': 40% of New Mexico small businesses go under during pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic hit New Mexico small business owners hard, with only 60% of the state's pre-pandemic businesses still open as of late June.


Staggering rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations has Albuquerque hospitals looking at 'surge planning'

With a 138% rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations, Albuquerque hospital officials expressed concern for the ongoing surge.


Floyd school board 'on the chopping block,' suspended after dramatically defying New Mexico mask mandate

A rural school board was suspended on Aug. 4 after they defied state health mandates by not enforcing a school mask requirement for the upcoming academic year, KOB4 reported.


Albuquerque already on verge of breaking yearly homicide record; 'hotels are the hot spots'

Albuquerque has experienced an uptick in homicides this year that's hurtling it toward a new yearly record.


State allocates $5 million to address chile farm labor shortage that was 'years in the making'

A labor shortage that has befallen New Mexico’s chile farms prompted the state government in Santa Fe to intervene.


Ingle: Floyd school board's suspension after defying New Mexico mask mandate 'going a little bit too far'

A school board located in a town with a population of less than 100 has been suspended on Aug. 4 after defying the New Mexico mask mandate in place for schools.


'Lobo for life': Former UNM basketball center and cheerleader open Yummy’s Mini Donuts & Ice Cream in downtown Albuquerque

Former University of New Mexico Basketball player Obij Aget and his wife, Ashlynn Brown, have traded sports ball for doughnuts in their downtown Albuquerque business, a local news station recently reported.


Santa Fe GOP leader Kokinadis done with governor's 'edicts' surrounding COVID-19 after outbreak among vaccinated

This week, a COVID-19 outbreak in Massachusetts has led many around the country to question the effectiveness of the vaccine.


Albuquerque Police Department makes 'good push' to snare veteran officers with $15,000 sign-on bonus

The City of Albuquerque hopes a monetary incentive will entice enough officers to join the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) to build up the force with seasoned members of law enforcement.


Public input meetings scheduled this month for once-a-decade redistricting under 'independent, non-partisan' New Mexico Redistricting Committee

New Mexicans who want a voice in how redistricting is done in the state every decade will get the chance this year.


New Amazon facility in Albuquerque seeks nearly 1,000 employees, already brings ‘huge’ economic impact

Albuquerque’s new Amazon warehouse is looking to hire nearly 1,000 employees that will start off making $15.50 per hour.


Local news station finds 'red flags' that may have enabled Albuquerque Public Schools teacher indicted on child sexual abuse charges

A former Albuquerque Public Schools teacher now indicted on charges he had sex with children prompted a local television news station to look into the "red flags" in the case.


12 Albuquerque Public Schools employees, including Williams Stapleton, placed on leave amid 'more fallout'

Twelve Albuquerque Public Schools employees have been placed on paid leave as the state continues to investigate Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton’s involvement in a money-laundering, corruption investigation.


'Such a blast': Good Morning America highlights New Mexico, Santa Fe

Last week, an initiative centered on women celebrating the beauty of New Mexico brought John Quinones of Good Morning America to New Mexico, KOAT reported.


'Parents have no voice today in New Mexico': Gubernatorial candidate Block condemns New Mexico PED mask requirements for schools

The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) recently released its updated mask policy for the upcoming school year.


The Lensic to roll out new COVID-19 policy ahead of fall performances 'to avoid another shutdown at all costs'

The Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe will be implementing new COVID vaccines and testing requirements later this month, ahead of opening its fall season, the center announced last week.