New Mexico Sun

News from January 2024


Bernalillo County introduces ACE

Bernalillo County has announced the launch of ACE, an acronym for Assessor's Office Community Educator. This initiative is designed to address inquiries about the Bernalillo County Assessor's Office, its programs, forms, or general information. ACE aims to provide answers and assistance to anyone seeking information within the Bernalillo County community.


OPINION: Rail to Trail: Hope, family fun. Reality, another homeless defecation area

From the City of Albuquerque website, Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency/Rail Trail /Design, “Antoine Predock & Associates, in partnership with Pland Collaborative and Wilson & Company, are spearheading the design of the Albuquerque Rail Trail. This team will create a modern and artistic pathway that reflects the culture and history of the land of enchantment. It will transform our downtown neighborhoods and elevate the way we experience our city.


ECECD unveils FY25 budget to House Finance and Appropriations Committee

The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) has disclosed its agency budget request for the fiscal year 2025 (FY25) to the House Finance and Appropriations Committee. The Executive Budget Recommendation for ECECD is pegged at $800 million, reflecting the department's financial objectives for the upcoming fiscal year.


Mark Roper appointed as Acting Secretary of EDD

The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) has announced a reshuffling of key roles within the department. Mark Roper has been appointed as the Acting Cabinet Secretary, succeeding Jon Clark who will now assume the role of State Investment Officer with the New Mexico State Investment Council.


Bernalillo County secures extra opioid settlement funds

Bernalillo County has announced additional settlement funds obtained from litigation against pharmaceutical distributors implicated in the damages caused by the marketing and misuse of synthetic opioids. The Office of the Attorney General is tasked with managing the payments collected from these defendants, and has outlined plans for semi-annual distribution of these funds.


City of Albuquerque City Council met Jan. 8

City of Albuquerque City Council met Monday, Jan. 8


City of Santa Fe Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee met Jan. 11

City of Santa Fe Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee met Thursday, Jan. 11


City of Santa Fe Airport Advisory Board met Jan. 11

City of Santa Fe Airport Advisory Board met Thursday, Jan. 11


City of Santa Fe Governing Body met Jan. 10

City of Santa Fe Governing Body met Wednesday, Jan. 10


City of Santa Fe Finance Committee met Jan. 8

City of Santa Fe Finance Committee met Monday, Jan. 8


City of Santa Fe Arts Commission met Jan. 8

City of Santa Fe Arts Commission met Monday, Jan. 8


City of Santa Fe Governing Body met Jan. 4

City of Santa Fe Governing Body met Thursday, Jan. 4


City of Santa Fe Governing Body met Jan. 3

City of Santa Fe Governing Body met Wednesday, Jan. 3


City of Santa Fe Quality of Life Committee met Jan. 3

City of Santa Fe Quality of Life Committee met Wednesday, Jan. 3


City of Santa Fe Public Works and Utilities Committee met Jan. 2

City of Santa Fe Public Works and Utilities Committee met Tuesday, Jan. 2.


Bernalillo County approves  $1 million for new South Valley Pre-K

Bernalillo County recently announced that the Bernalillo County Commission has approved a $1 million allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The funds are earmarked for the development of a new early learning Pre-K facility in South Valley, with the commission's unanimous 4 to 0 vote securing this initiative's funding.


Los Alamos AI innovation generates images from nothing

Los Alamos National Laboratory has announced the development of an innovative artificial intelligence framework, "Blackout Diffusion," which is designed to generate images from nothing. The team at Los Alamos conducted comprehensive testing of Blackout Diffusion, evaluating its capabilities on a variety of standardized datasets.


NMSU appoints new dean of graduate school and associate provost for international affairs

New Mexico State University (NMSU) has announced the appointment of Ranjit Koodali as the forthcoming dean of the graduate school and associate provost for International Affairs. Koodali, who previously served as a tenured professor of chemistry at Western Kentucky University, is set to assume his new role at NMSU on Jan. 16.


UNM’s Anderson School of Management named new dean

The University of New Mexico (UNM) has appointed Alina Chircu as the next dean of the Anderson School of Management, according to an announcement by UNM Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs James Holloway. Currently serving as a professor in the Computer Information Systems department at Bentley University, Chircu is set to assume her new role at UNM on April 8, 2024.


Brays Oaks Management District Beautification and Urban Design Committee met Jan. 11

Brays Oaks Management District Beautification and Urban Design Committee met Thursday, Jan. 11