News from August 2023


Cárdenas: "Governor Abbott continues his political stunts in implementing illegal, cruel, and inhumane tactics to unsuccessfully prevent migrant families from seeking a better quality of life."

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) has demanded a full investigation by the DOJ and DHS into the Texas Department of Public Safety's intentional separation of migrant families, calling for urgent measures to end the practice.


Heinrich, Tester, Murray: 'For our constituents, particularly the thousands who live in rural and Tribal communities, the ability to safely deactivate and dispose of drugs at home would be a strong tool in the fight against addiction'

On August 17th, 2023, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich, Jon Tester, and Patty Murray led a letter urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to involve Tribal consultations and engage rural communities in discussions before finalizing its policy on disposing of prescription opioids at home.


Educator Fellows Program shows promise in New Mexico schools

On Aug. 17, The New Mexico Public Education Department announced that the Educator Fellows Program has grown to roughly 500 participants this year compared to 380 last year, according to a press release. Managed by the Public Education Department, the Educator Fellows NM initiative offers support to both students and educators to reduce class sizes and cultivate future educators.


City of Santa Fe Governing Body met July 26

City of Santa Fe Governing Body met Monday, July 26


City of Santa Fe Public Works and Utilities Committee met July 24

City of Santa Fe Public Works and Utilities Committee met Monday, July 24


Emergency Management Director Thomas Walmsley: 'The sooner we can get the information out to the public so they can act, the better.'

Bernalillo County recently introduced a new way for the public to enroll in emergency notifications using an emergency notification system called Everbridge. People can receive alerts via landline, mobile text, or email on severe weather, fire risks, road closures, and other relevant updates, a press release from the county government said.


Animal Protection New Mexico: ‘Our state’s black bears and cougars are worth far more than a stuffed trophy’

The permitted level of black bear and cougar trophy hunting in New Mexico is unsustainable, and reducing it is vital to their survival, Nina Eydelman of Animal Protection New Mexico, a group dedicated to protecting animals, said in a press release.


City of Albuquerque City Council met June 21

City of Albuquerque City Council met Wednesday, June 21.


City of Santa Fe Historic Districts Review Board met July 25

City of Santa Fe Historic Districts Review Board met Tuesday, July 25


DOH Cabinet Secretary Allen appoints new department leaders

On Aug. 16, Patrick Allen, the Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Health, announced Dawn Sanchez's promotion to the positions of acting deputy secretary and chief operating officer. Dr. Miranda Durham has also received a promotion to Chief Medical Officer, according to an Aug. 16 press release.


Albuquerque Police Department: Chief Medina releases letter to Walgreens to help reduce crime

The Albuquerque Police Department disclosed on Aug. 14 that Chief Harold Medina had issued a letter to Walgreens, offering recommendations to enhance crime reduction at Albuquerque stores. The letter encompasses suggestions like altering the arrangement of liquor departments in Walgreens outlets to enable patrons to place orders, subsequently fulfilled by employees, aiming to improve security, according to a press release.


Albuquerque Police Department unveils new Open Space Unit conservation officers

The Albuquerque Police Department unveiled its intention to revamp the Open Space Unit on Aug. 15, with conservation officers set to patrol open space areas using foot, vehicle and mountain bikes. This initiative aims to address criminal activity, effect arrests as needed and contribute to the safeguarding of open spaces in the region, according to a press release.



Los Alamos National Laboratory: Coaxial nanowire electrode design could benefit heavy-duty trucking

Los Alamos National Laboratory revealed a fuel cell architecture that incorporates nanowires on Aug. 14, known for their durability, as detailed in the paper "Coaxial Nanowire Electrodes Enable Exceptional Fuel Cell Durability" published in Advanced Materials. Representing research in fuel cell technology, this inventive electrode, forming the core of a polymer electrolyte-membrane fuel cell, exhibits enhanced resistance to corrosion, potentially heralding a transformative phase for fuel cells that utilize hydrogen as a clean energy source for vehicles, according to a press release.


NMSU: Faculty honored for excellence in teaching at fall 2023 convocation

New Mexico State University (NMSU) recognized exceptional achievements on Aug. 15 by presenting several awards during its fall 2023 convocation at Atkinson Recital Hall for remarkable contributions to teaching excellence, according to a press release. This event brought together nearly 200 faculty and staff members on the Las Cruces campus to honor a select group of colleagues, comprising six faculty members from various parts of the NMSU system.


NMSU: The New Mexico Higher Education Department has allocated nearly $2.5 million for STEM graduate scholarships

New Mexico State University's New Mexico Higher Education Department has designated nearly $2.5 million in scholarship funds for graduate students from New Mexico who are pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering or mathematics at the university, according to a press release.


UNM Humanitarian Award recipient: 'On behalf of my team, I am deeply touched to receive this recognition from our community.'

Sanjeev Arora MD, the founder and executive director of Project ECHO, received the 2023 New Mexico Humanitarian Awards, held on August 13, a university press release said. The award celebrated Arora's dedication to philanthropy, human welfare, social reform, and values-driven investments in the state of New Mexico.


City of Santa Fe Finance Committee met June 20

City of Santa Fe Finance Committee met Tuesday, June 20


City of Santa Fe North Central Regional Transit District Finance Subcommittee met July 21

City of Santa Fe North Central Regional Transit District Finance Subcommittee met Tuesday, July 21


Bernalillo County Manager Baca: 'We know these results would not be possible without our hardworking customer service team'

Bernalillo County officials said a recent customer engagement survey conducted at BernCo @ Alvarado Square yielded favorable responses from customers and visitors entering the county building at 415 Silver Ave SW. The survey was conducted through May and focused on various aspects of the visitor experience, a county press release said.