News from July 2024
New Mexico's media ecosystem evaluated on Independence Day
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 3, 2024
This week on New Mexico in Focus, the program assesses New Mexico's media ecosystem in celebration of Independence Day. Correspondent Gwyneth Doland engages with three individuals working to enhance the financial stability of local news organizations.
Mayor Keller signs law mandating consultation on development affecting tribal lands
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 3, 2024
ALBUQUERQUE – Today, Mayor Tim Keller signed legislation requiring Tribal Consultation for development impacting sovereign or sacred land and other sensitive areas.
Free “green” waste disposal days scheduled for July and August
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 3, 2024
Santa Fe, NM - On March 12, 2024, the Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved Resolution No. 2024-035, authorizing the free disposal of green waste for county residents with a valid solid waste permit at the Stanley, Jacona, and Eldorado Convenience Centers on Friday, July 5 (8:00 am-5:00 pm) and Saturday, July 6 (8:00 am-5:00 pm), 2024.
Albuquerque City Council passes new development standards for Rail Trail properties
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 3, 2024
The Albuquerque City Council has passed Council Bill No. O-24-17, sponsored by Joaquin Baca. The enactment, numbered O-2024-018, introduces a small area text amendment to the Integrated Development Ordinance.
Field day in Corona to highlight student livestock technology
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 3, 2024
Taylor Andrews counts herself among the fortunate individuals who get to conduct unique research at New Mexico State University’s Corona Range and Livestock Research Center. Andrews, a doctoral student majoring in animal science at NMSU, has worked as a graduate assistant in Corona for three years. She has completed three dissertation projects at the center, located eight miles east of Corona, where she has found a second home.
NMSU Global Campus opens enrollment for free grant writing microlearning course
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 3, 2024
New Mexico State University’s Global Campus has opened enrollment for a new cohort of its Introduction to Grant Writing Microlearning course. The course, available for free, is designed specifically for small business owners, nonprofit managers, and city administrators in New Mexico.
UNM Hospital introduces new treatment for sleep apnea
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 3, 2024
The University of New Mexico Hospital has introduced a new treatment for sleep apnea, available as of this summer. Sleep apnea is a common condition where an individual's breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The hospital now offers the Inspire device, an implantable system designed to alleviate symptoms associated with the disorder.
Albuquerque adopts ordinance requiring tribal input on escarpment view protection
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 3, 2024
The Albuquerque City Council has passed Council Bill No. O-24-12, now enacted as Ordinance No. O-2024-019, which introduces a small area text amendment to the Integrated Development Ordinance for the Northwest Mesa Escarpment View Protection Overlay Zone (VPO-2). The bill was sponsored by Tammy Fiebelkorn.
Mayor Keller vetoes measure lowering election thresholds
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 3, 2024
This week, Mayor Tim Keller vetoed City Council resolution R-24-47, a proposed City Charter Amendment ballot question that, if passed, would lower the threshold for electing the Mayor and City Council from the current mandatory majority system—50% plus 1—to a plurality. This change would mean that only one election would be held where the candidate with the most votes wins.
Albuquerque celebrates significant expansion at Netflix's Mesa Del Sol campus
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 3, 2024
ALBUQUERQUE – Today, the City of Albuquerque celebrated the expansion of Netflix’s Mesa Del Sol campus, which has grown from its initial 28 acres to 108 acres. The project included the development of four purpose-built soundstages, three mills, one production office, and two stage support buildings. Netflix came to Albuquerque in 2018 and has been awarded a total of $5.5 million in Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) funding, $6 million in in-kind infrastructure from the City of Albuquerque, and $27 million in State LEDA funding.
NMSU relaunches its historic meat judging team after nearly four decades
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 3, 2024
Clad in a hairnet and white coat, Eva Cortes-Monroy walked across a refrigerated meat lab on New Mexico State University’s Las Cruces campus. She stopped before the bright red cattle carcasses hanging from the ceiling and began taking notes.
EDA announces funding for tech hubs including Elevate Quantum
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 3, 2024
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced approximately $504 million in implementation grants to 12 Tech Hubs designees, including Elevate Quantum (EQ), the lead agency of a Colorado-New Mexico-based collaboration focused on quantum information technology (QIT).
Albuquerque City Council adopts citywide text amendments to development ordinance
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 3, 2024
The Albuquerque City Council has enacted Council Bill No. O-24-13, sponsored by Brook Bassan. The bill, now Ordinance No. O-2024-017, involves adopting citywide text amendments to the Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) §14-16 as part of the 2023 IDO annual update.
Las Cruces public health office offers free back-to-school vaccinations
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 2, 2024
The New Mexico Department of Health’s Las Cruces Public Health Office will be offering no-cost back-to-school vaccinations for children aged 18 and younger. The office, located at 1170 N. Solano Suite A, does not require appointments for these services.
NMSU Library's NEH team wins award for Amador Family digitization project
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 2, 2024
Hard work is starting to pay off at New Mexico State University’s Library as staff and student employees have been working on a prestigious project that recently earned an award from the Conference of Inter-Mountain Archivists.
UNM researcher’s study cited in Washington Post reveals widespread clerical sexual abuse
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 2, 2024
Research by a University of New Mexico professor that traced Catholic priests who abused Native American children and teenagers was recently cited in an article in the Washington Post. Investigative reporters at the Post used the research data to find additional abusers.
City advises residents on preventing mosquito infestations after historic rainfall
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 2, 2024
The City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department and the Bernalillo County Health Protection Section are anticipating a significant increase in mosquito activity that will likely persist through the summer following recent heavy rainfall. Mosquitoes breed in standing water and can develop from egg to adult in as little as seven days. The joint City-County mosquito control program has issued recommendations for residents to help reduce breeding and prevent bites amid high mosquito populations.
City announces events and closures for Independence Day celebrations
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 2, 2024
Community members are encouraged to sign up for ABQ Alert to receive real-time event updates and emergency notifications. For a complete list of holiday hours and services, visit the City's Holiday Information page.
Santa Fe County extends application deadline for Behavioral Health Leadership Council
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 2, 2024
Santa Fe County has extended the application deadline for service on its Behavioral Health Leadership Council to July 9. The Council will function as an advisory body, providing recommendations to the Community Services Department and the broader community to develop a comprehensive system of behavioral health services tailored to the needs of Santa Fe County residents.
ABQ RIDE introduces five new electric vans in fleet electrification effort
By New Mexico Sun | Jul 2, 2024
ALBUQUERQUE – ABQ RIDE announced the addition of five new electric vans to its fleet as part of the ABQ RIDE Connect pilot program. City officials, transit staff, and community members gathered at the Ken Sanchez Transit Facility to celebrate this advancement in fleet electrification and zero emissions.