News from April 2024

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 5, 2024
Commissioner Hank Hughes and Commissioner Justin Greene are set to introduce a proclamation declaring April 11th as "New Mexico Electoral Excellence Day." The proclamation aims to recognize the efforts of the Secretary of State and the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office in enhancing the fairness, efficiency, and transparency of elections, vital components of the democratic process.According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Elections Performance Index (EPI), New Mexico achieved the remarkable position of #1 in the 2022 EPI with an index score of 88%. This...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 5, 2024
The Santa Fe County Water Policy Advisory Committee (WPAC) is actively seeking County residents to join its ranks, as reported on April 5, 2024. The committee plays a crucial role in advising the Board of County Commissioners on various water-related issues in the County and region.According to the announcement, the WPAC is looking for individuals with a diverse range of expertise and experience to ensure a well-rounded representation. As stated by the County, the committee's primary responsibilities include providing recommendations on sustainable utility services,...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 5, 2024
The City of Albuquerque is set to issue general obligation bonds totaling $111,850,000 for a range of community projects. This authorization comes under Council Bill No. O-24-4, sponsored by Klarissa Pena.The funds from the bonds will be allocated towards projects relating to public safety, community centers, homelessness, metropolitan redevelopment, community enhancement, parks and recreation, energy and water conservation, public buildings, facilities and systems, streets and transportation, museums, cultural facilities, libraries, and storm sewers. The bonds consist of...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 5, 2024
The Gateway Center in Albuquerque is moving forward with plans to establish a Medical Sobering service, marking a significant development in the city's efforts to address substance use issues. Health, Housing, and Homelessness Director Gilbert Ramirez emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "This is the state’s first medical sobering center, and a critical harm reduction resource that our community needs."Ramirez highlighted the collaborative effort required to bring this service to fruition, involving the City, County, State, and community members. He...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 5, 2024
Jessica Perea Houston, a professor of chemical and materials engineering at New Mexico State University, expressed her gratitude after being inducted into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering College of Fellows. During the formal ceremony in Arlington, Virginia on March 25, Houston stated, “It is an honor to be chosen as part of the 2024 Class of Fellows. I am humbled to be selected and part of this group of top biomedical engineers worldwide.”The AIMBE College of Fellows is a prestigious recognition, reserved for the top 2% of engineers in the...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 5, 2024
New Mexico State University's "Clothesline Project" continues to travel around Las Cruces this month, aiming to raise public awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. The project, initially created last fall, features T-shirts decorated with hand-written messages from survivors, each telling a powerful story.Angie Rodriguez-Navarrette, coordinator for the DASO victim assistance unit, emphasized the importance of the project in shedding light on these critical issues. She said, "It’s important to have this project displayed around the community so...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 5, 2024
The ABQ BioPark Diet Room is seeking an enthusiastic and hardworking individual to join as an Assistant Zookeeper II (Diet Room). The position, as described on Apr 5, 2024, involves various responsibilities within the Diet Room and Clinic of the BioPark.The role of the Assistant Zookeeper II (Diet Room) includes assisting the Diet Room Specialist in daily tasks, preparing and delivering animal diets, maintaining cleanliness in designated areas, and participating in animal care at the clinic. The successful candidate will work full-time through a temporary staffing agency...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 5, 2024
Jason Scott Smith, a professor of History at The University of New Mexico, recently shared his expertise on the New Deal during an episode of the public radio program "Marketplace." Speaking with journalist Kai Ryssdal, Smith discussed the legacy of the New Deal for the U.S. economy and the evolving role of the federal government in American economics. During the episode titled "Breaking Ground," Smith connected local experiences with national-level historical narratives, emphasizing the ongoing influence of the New Deal on contemporary policy debates. He highlighted the...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 5, 2024
The Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board has issued a notice regarding the possible quorum at the upcoming Citizen Police Academy training session. According to the announcement, "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 training is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, starting at 6:00 p.m.It is important to note that, as stated in the notice, "no board business will be discussed at the Citizen...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 4, 2024
Albuquerque Police Department (APD) has released the list of the top 10 wanted burglary offenders in the area, urging the community to be vigilant and report any information regarding these individuals. The announcement comes after recent arrests of repeat offenders in the Albuquerque area.Among the wanted offenders, Axel Doerr stands out, having been charged with 14 counts of non-residential burglary after being connected to a series of storage unit burglaries. APD highlighted Antonio Atencio, wanted for aggravated burglary and other charges following a violent incident,...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 4, 2024
New Mexico State University’s Golf Course has once again made it to Golf Advisor’s list of “Top 25 College Golf Courses - Golfers’ Choice 2024.” Jason White, the golf course director at NMSU Golf Course, expressed his pride in the achievement, stating, “The ranking validates all the hard work we have done over the years. For the most part, we are self-made.”White highlighted the efforts put in by the maintenance staff at the golf course, mentioning, “Besides the new irrigation system that was installed in 2014, the improvements made to the golf course layout have been...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 4, 2024
Researchers from The University of New Mexico recently gathered at the Brain & Behavioral Health Institute (BBHI) Research Day to present their latest findings on child brain development. The event, which took place at the Domenici Center for Health Sciences Education, focused on various aspects of child neurodevelopment. Keynote speaker Ryan Bogdan, PhD, from Washington University in St. Louis, led a discussion on the genetic and prenatal influences underlying substance use disorder.The Research Day featured over 200 participants and attendees, showcasing 71 poster...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 4, 2024
The Global Education Office (GEO) at the University of New Mexico has announced the date for its annual International Festival. Scheduled for April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cornell Mall, the event promises to showcase the diverse cultures within the university's international community."Each year, GEO collaborates with international students, ethnic food vendors, and local performers to showcase different facets of our global community. It's a joyous occasion where our international students share a piece of their home culture with the wider campus. I encourage...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 4, 2024
The University of New Mexico has been recognized for its exceptional work in construction as the UNM New Mexico Mutual Champions Training Center has been awarded the Best Buildings Award by the Association of General Contractors (AGC) New Mexico. The prestigious award was presented to UNM in the category of New Construction within the $2.5 million to $5 million range.In addition to this recognition, UNM Athletics has also received attention from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) who expressed interest in featuring the facility in their...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 4, 2024
ALBUQUERQUE – Last night, City Council voted to designate the Central Avenue Bridge crossing site as a City Landmark. The Central Avenue Bridge crossing site, which is located on Central Avenue between Tingley Drive and Sunset Road, is a key part of Route 66 history and the development of Albuquerque as we know it today.Before 1937, the original Route 66 passed through Albuquerque in a north-to-south direction and was located on 4th Street. The Central Avenue Bridge was constructed in 1930 to provide highway access over the Rio Grande and allow westward expansion of the...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 4, 2024
The New Mexico Mission of Mercy (NM MOM) is seeking patients for the state’s largest charity event, April 26-27, 2024, in Santa Fe. "Dental volunteers will provide basic care such as fillings, extractions, cleanings, and limited root canals. All patients will receive preventive dental education and instructions on how to properly maintain their oral health," said a spokesperson for NM MOM.The event, hosted at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, aims to treat those in need of free, first-come, first-served basic care. Patients do not need to make appointments, as all...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 4, 2024
SANTA FE, NM – Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) in collaboration with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Connections is providing an opportunity for individuals to enhance their careers through the Professional Readiness and Technical Experience for Careers (PROTEC) 21st Century Skills Training program.Applications for the program are now open, with a deadline set for May 1, 2024. Successful applicants will have the chance to earn MicroCredentials in Google, Microsoft, and Apple applications. According to SFCC, the program will kick off on June 4 and will include...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 4, 2024
Paris Morgan, a student at the UNM College of Nursing, shared her inspiration for pursuing a nursing degree, influenced by her Navajo grandfather who was a medicine man. She emphasized the importance of having Native American healthcare providers who understand the unique needs of rural reservation life. Morgan expressed her desire to be a nurse who recognizes the diversity within Native American communities, stating, “we are nuanced groups.”With a goal of returning to Gallup, New Mexico to serve her community on the Navajo reservation, Morgan is currently gaining...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 4, 2024
The inaugural New Mexico State University Chihuahua Day is set to take place on Saturday, April 6 at the NMSU Las Cruces campus. Sponsored by the NMSU Foundation and Alumni Association, the event will coincide with the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences’ fifth annual ACES Open House from 9 a.m. to noon. Chihuahua Day aims to celebrate the rich heritage of NMSU students hailing from New Mexico’s sister state of Chihuahua, Mexico."Our cross-country relationship with Chihuahua is strengthened by everything we do as NMSU - the stronger we are, the...

By New Mexico Sun | Apr 4, 2024
Ali Bidram, an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico School of Engineering, has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award for his project aimed at improving power grids' resilience to modern conditions. The project, titled “Stochastic Optimization and Physics-informed Machine Learning for Scalable and Intelligent Adaptive Protection of Power Systems,” will span five years with a budget of $517,000.Bidram emphasized the significance of the project, stating, "The project will bring transformative change by designing intelligent and adaptive...