News from November 2023


City of Santa Fe Mayor's Committee on Disability met Nov. 1

City of Santa Fe Mayor's Committee on Disability met Wednesday, Nov. 1


ABQ RIDE's 58th annual Luminaria Tour to return

The city of Albuquerque revealed that ABQ RIDE is upholding the longstanding Albuquerque Christmas Eve tradition with the Annual Luminaria Tour. This popular local event will take place in neighborhoods including Old Town, the Country Club, and Huning Castle, providing a festive experience for residents and visitors alike.


NMSU Cooperative Extension service staff member receives 2022 Roberts Memorial Staff Award

New Mexico State University (NMSU) announced that Monica J. Lury, administrative assistant at the Cooperative Extension Service Northern District Office, has been awarded the 2022 Stephen W. and Robert E. Roberts Memorial Staff Award. Lury, recognized for her contributions, has provided support to five district department heads and serves as the lead administrative assistant in county offices when needed. The award ceremony will take place on November 29 at Corbett Center Student Union.


Albuquerque recognized for use of technology to help address challenges

The city of Albuquerque was ranked fourth by The Center for Digital Government (CDG) among cities with populations of 500,000 or more, according to the announcement. This ranking is a part of an annual survey conducted by CDG that evaluates how well cities utilize digital technology in their governance.


ABQ RIDE expanding services to accommodate more riders

The city of Albuquerque announced that ABQ RIDE, the state’s largest public transportation system, is experiencing a growth in ridership despite recent challenges like staffing shortages and service reductions. These plans for reinstating services on routes come as a part of their commitment to meet the increasing demand and combat the effects of staffing shortages.


Museum of Indian Arts & Culture executive director to depart

The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture announced the departure of Executive Director Polly Nordstrand. Nordstrand, relocating to California to be closer to family, has been instrumental in leading MIAC during her tenure. This change will come into effect on December 1, marking an end to her influential role at the museum.


City of Santa Fe Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee met Sept. 14

City of Santa Fe Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee met Thursday, Sept. 14


City of Santa Fe Quality of Life Committee met Nov. 1

City of Santa Fe Quality of Life Committee met Wednesday, Nov. 1


Santa Fe Public Schools celebrates improved performance across schools

Santa Fe Public Schools (SFPS) announced that the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) disclosed the designation of eight SFPS schools as among the state's highest-performing schools. The PED also revealed designations for traditional status and additional support needs. This designation was based on a comprehensive evaluation of academic performance and progress.


Human Services Department welcomes new Chief Information Officer for tech advancements

The New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) announced the appointment of Paula Morgan as the Chief Information Officer and Information Technology Division (ITD) Director. Paula Morgan, who has been serving in this role on an acting basis for nearly a year, brings over 30 years of experience in information technology across various sectors.


Los Alamos highlights progress in off-site shipping radiological and hazardous waste

Los Alamos National Laboratory announced the successful permanent disposal of a significant volume of radiological and hazardous waste accumulated over the years at off-site facilities. The Lab's off-site waste shipments exceeded the rate of waste generation, despite an expansion in its mission to develop plutonium pits. This feat was achieved through consistent efforts by the lab's staff to ensure safe and effective disposal strategies.


Sandia climate model wins Gordon Bell Prize

Sandia National Laboratories announced that a team, under their leadership, secured the Gordon Bell Prize for Climate Modeling from the Association for Computing Machinery by running a high-resolution global atmospheric model on the world's inaugural exascale supercomputer. The award recognizes innovative computing contributions that address the global climate crisis. This significant achievement took place at an event in Denver.


UNM University Libraries awarded $2.5 million gift

The University of New Mexico (UNM) announced that the University of New Mexico Foundation (UNMF) received a $2.5 million gift from Rosalyn Roembke Hurley. This donation, establishing the Wilson Hurley Collection Endowment, will support the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences (CULLS) and the Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections (CSWR). The contribution will fund significant projects such as the digitization of Wilson Hurley's works and sponsoring research on his art.


NPR's Next Generation Radio Program hosted by UNM

The University of New Mexico (UNM) announced its Department of Communication & Journalism (C&J) hosted NPR's Next Generation Radio Program. This national initiative, launched in 2000, aims to inspire the upcoming generation of storytellers to embrace narrative forms driven by audio. The program took place at UNM's C&J department and was focused on indigenous storytelling.


NPR's Next Generation Radio Program hosted by UNM

The University of New Mexico (UNM) announced its Department of Communication & Journalism (C&J) hosted NPR's Next Generation Radio Program. This national initiative, launched in 2000, aims to inspire the upcoming generation of storytellers to embrace narrative forms driven by audio. The program was held at UNM with a focus on Indigenous narratives, centering on the theme 'meaning of home.'


NMSU expands product line with the addition of pistachios

New Mexico State University (NMSU) announced its latest addition to the line of licensed products—locally-grown pistachios. In collaboration, Heart of the Desert Pistachios & Wines partnered with New Mexico State Athletics for the first time to produce "Pete's Provisions," a blend of farm-fresh pistachios. This initiative aims at supporting local agriculture while providing consumers with unique and high-quality food products.


NMSU chosen for Building Training Center for clean energy workforce expansion

New Mexico State University (NMSU) announced it has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy to receive a $900,000 inaugural grant for establishing a Building Training and Assessment Center. In this role, NMSU will contribute to the expansion of training opportunities for sought-after, high-quality jobs and will identify energy-saving, productivity-improving, and waste-reducing opportunities for organizations. This initiative is part of a larger nationwide effort by the U.S. Department of Energy to invest in energy efficiency education and services.


NMSU Engineering hosts robotics competition for middle and high-school students

New Mexico State University (NMSU) announced that the 2023 New Mexico Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology (NM BEST) Robotics competition, organized by the NMSU College of Engineering Office of Outreach and Recruitment, featured students designing robots for minimally invasive surgery on a simulated body field. The event showcased students' innovative solutions at the simulated body field, which included a heart, arteries, veins, and a brain. This competition took place with the intention of encouraging young minds to innovate in fields such as medical technology.


NMSU Experiential Learning to hold 19th Career Connections Fair

New Mexico State University (NMSU) announced its Office of Experiential Learning is set to hold the 19th annual Career Connections Fair. The NMSU Student Success Center offers attendees support in resume review and interview preparation for the event. This initiative is an opportunity for students to connect with potential employers from across the U.S.


UNM Earth & Planetary Sciences secures NSF Grant for Grand Canyon research

The University of New Mexico (UNM) announced Professors Laura Crossey and Karl Karlstrom from the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences secured a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for the initiative titled "Developing Partnerships Among Tribes, Geoscientists, and the National Park Service to Advance Informal Geoscience Learning at Grand Canyon." The grant aims to foster collaborations between tribes, geoscientists, and the National Park Service for the advancement of informal geoscience education at the Grand Canyon. This move seeks to provide a more culturally...