New Mexico Sun

News from February 2024


City of Albuquerque Finance & Government Operations Committee met Feb. 12

City of Albuquerque Finance & Government Operations Committee met Monday, Feb. 12


Finalists in NMSU presidential search to visit campus beginning Feb. 26

Five finalists for president of the New Mexico State University system are set to visit the Las Cruces campus starting February 26, as announced by the Board of Regents. The visits will include public forums allowing the campus community and the public to engage directly with the candidates.According to the Board of Regents, the public forums will kick off on Monday, Feb. 26, at NMSU’s Las Cruces campus. The morning sessions will address faculty, staff, and community issues, while the afternoon sessions will focus on student concerns. Everyone is encouraged to attend...


Digitizing NMSU’s massive retablo collection opens art to scholars and public

New Mexico State University’s Art Museum is embarking on a significant digitization project to make its vast collection of Mexican retablos accessible to the public and scholars alike. Courtney Uldrich, Collections Curator at the University Art Museum, expressed the need for this project, stating, “It has never been properly inventoried or integrated into our current collections database system with updated photographs."Retablos and ex-votos, with roots in European and Mexican art from the 16th to 18th centuries, are religious images painted on tin plates and other...


NMSU Students Provide Free Tax Filing Assistance to Campus and Las Cruces Community

New Mexico State University is currently offering free tax filing assistance to underserved individuals in the community through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA). The services are provided by NMSU accounting students who have undergone training and received certification to assist taxpayers with filing their tax returns.Rebeca Pérez, a visiting assistant professor at NMSU, highlighted the importance of the program, stating, "This semester at NMSU, we created this opportunity where our students get course credit for participating in the VITA program, as...


UNM’s Lobo Launch team Soars with Three Rocket Projects

The University of New Mexico's Lobo Launch team is on an upward trajectory with three rocket projects, led by retired U.S. Air Force colonel Fernando “Doc” Aguilar. Aguilar, with over 30 years of experience in space launch, oversees a group of 22 seniors in mechanical engineering as they delve into the intricacies of rocket science for their capstone design project.Aguilar explained the rigorous process the students undergo, stating, “Lobo Launch currently consists of three distinct rocket programs, each managed by seven students, one being the overall program manager.”...


Embrace a tidier today: Anderson professor provides insight into decluttering research

Professor of Marketing and consumer psychology at the Anderson School of Management Catherine Roster has delved into the realm of decluttering research for nearly two decades. Through her studies, Roster offers valuable insights and tips on how individuals can maintain a clutter-free lifestyle.Roster's research not only explores the reasons behind why people acquire and cling onto possessions but also delves into the emotional repercussions of decluttering. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the connection between our possessions and our overall well-being and...


Powerful Voices: UNM Nursing Students Engage in Legislative Session

Nursing students from The University of New Mexico College of Nursing recently had the unique opportunity to participate in the 2024 State Legislative Session in Santa Fe, gaining valuable insights into the intersection of nursing and policymaking.Accompanied by faculty members, the students delved into the world of health care policy and legislation, realizing the significant role nurses play in shaping the future of health care in New Mexico. April Tafoya, DNP, RN, NC-BC, BSN level one coordinator and College of Nursing lecturer, highlighted the enriching experience,...


New Mexico's legislative session brings mixed results for LGBTQ+ community

The recent legislative session in New Mexico has concluded, leaving mixed outcomes for the LGBTQ+ community. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham opened the session with a State of the State address focusing on public safety, but her approach faced criticism for emphasizing punishment over safety. Nevertheless, some progress was made with the passing of a seven-day waiting period for firearm purchases and a ban on guns in polling places.


Juan Garcia championing America-first grassroots advocacy organization

Juan Garcia, chairman of the Coalition of Conservatives in Action (CCIA), recently discussed the organization's mission, strategies, and priorities in an interview with the New Mexico Sun.


New Mexico legislature faces criticism over public participation restrictions

The New Mexico House Judiciary Committee is facing criticism over alleged public participation restrictions at its public hearings on gun-related bills last month.


The ABQ Biopark Mourns the Loss of Tonka, the Sumatran Orangutan

The ABQ BioPark has announced the passing of Tonka, a beloved male Sumatran orangutan, who was euthanized today due to advanced kidney disease. The news has left the BioPark heartbroken as they bid farewell to a special member of their troop."Tonka lived a long and rich life at the BioPark," said the ABQ BioPark in a statement. "At age 44 at his passing, he was the second oldest male Sumatran orangutan in the United States. He was a very special member of our troop and was well known for his massive facial discs and his long locks of hair."Sumatran orangutans, like...


Road Closure Notice: County Rd B-010 in La Mesa, NM

The Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) has announced the temporary closure of County Road B-010 in the La Mesa area for road repairs starting on Monday, February 26, 2024. The closure is expected to last until March 1.According to the announcement, the road will be closed to through traffic during this period. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes to reach their destinations. Detour signs will be displayed to guide traffic through San Miguel and Royce Roads."We understand that this closure may cause inconvenience for some motorists, but it is necessary...


Santa Fe County Seeks Members for Capital Improvements Advisory Committee

Santa Fe County is currently seeking individuals from the general public who are interested in serving on the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee (CIAC). The CIAC consists of five members who are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC).According to the announcement, the primary duty of the CIAC is to advise the BCC on matters related to the capital improvement plan (CIP), land use assumptions, and impact fees within the County. The committee's responsibilities include advising and assisting the County in updating and adopting land use assumptions,...


Houston-based poet to give public reading at NMSU Feb. 23

Poet Anthony Sutton, known for his book "Particles of a Stranger Light," will be giving a public reading at New Mexico State University on February 23. The event, part of the Nelson-Boswell Reading Series, is co-hosted by La Sociedad para Las Artes and the Department of Art.Sutton, a fellow in the University of Houston Literature and Creative Writing Ph.D. program, will be joined by Master of Fine Arts candidate Kathy Key-Tello, who will also be sharing her thesis works during the reading. The event, taking place at the Creative Media Institute Theater in Milton Hall,...


Destined to Care: Origin Stories of UNM College of Nursing Students

In the world of health care, the journey to becoming a nurse often begins with a pivotal moment – a moment that sparks a deep-seated passion for helping others. For Cody Cottle and Anna Smagacz, two level four students from The University of New Mexico College of Nursing Pre-Licensure BSN program at the Health Sciences Rio Rancho campus, these moments came in the form of traumatic experiences that ignited their desire to pursue a career in nursing.Cottle's passion for nursing was ignited when her brother suffered a severe hand injury during her childhood. Witnessing the...


NMSU School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management to host dining events

Students from the school of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management in New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Environmental and Consumer Sciences are gaining valuable real-world experience by organizing a series of food and beverage events this spring. The students, who come from various experiential learning classes and student clubs, are future leaders in the hospitality industry.Director of NMSU’s School of HRTM, Jean Hertzman, expressed, “By participating in these meals and events through classes and volunteering, HRTM students gain the hands-on...


University Libraries Unveils Innovative Renovation of B30 in Zimmerman Library

University Libraries at the University of New Mexico (UNM) has completed a transformative renovation project in Zimmerman Library's classroom B30. The renovation aims to enhance the learning experience for students through innovative design and collaborative spaces.The renovated B30, located in the basement of Zimmerman Library, has undergone a total space rearrangement with a focus on fostering collaboration among students. The traditional individual computers have been replaced with eight collaborative stations strategically placed to facilitate group work."We are...


UNM musicologist Ana Alonso-Minutti launches new book on Mexican composer Mario Lavista

UNM musicologist Ana Alonso-Minutti has recently launched a new book on the renowned Mexican composer Mario Lavista. Titled "Mario Lavista: Mirrors of Sounds," the book offers an in-depth look into Lavista's work and his contributions to Ibero-American contemporary music. Alonso-Minutti, an associate professor of Musicology at The University of New Mexico, delved into Lavista's creative trajectory, exploring the interdisciplinary and intertextual dimensions that defined his music.The book launch event was announced by Alonso-Minutti at the 95.5 KHFM The Music of the...


Metro 15 Arrest: Francisco Tafoya Arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance

On February 15, 2024, the Metro 15 offender Francisco Tafoya was apprehended by the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) and subsequently booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC). Tafoya's arrest stemmed from the charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance.In addition to Tafoya's arrest, another individual, Dion Lopez, has also made it onto the Metro 15 List. Lopez currently has active warrants for Aggravated Battery (DW), thereby making them a priority for law enforcement authorities.The Metro 15 Operation, a crucial component of Mayor Keller's Violence...


Film festival "Hometown Hero" award to honor local business owner

Las Cruces, Feb 15 2024 - Wanda Bowman, a well-known business owner and philanthropist in Las Cruces, is set to receive the prestigious "Hometown Hero" award at the ninth annual Las Cruces International Film Festival (LCIFF). The festival, supported by New Mexico State University and Visit Las Cruces, will take place from April 3-7.The "Hometown Hero" award is presented each year to an individual with ties to the Las Cruces area who has made significant contributions to the community. Wanda Bowman has been recognized for her kindness, generosity, and selflessness by Ross...