New Mexico Sun

News from May 2024


City of Albuquerque Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee met May 15

City of Albuquerque Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee met Thursday, May 15


City of Albuquerque Finance & Government Operations Committee met May 13

City of Albuquerque Finance & Government Operations Committee met Monday, May 13


City of Albuquerque Committee of the Whole met May 9

City of Albuquerque Committee of the Whole met Thursday, May 9


Engineering professor secures funding for innovative ovarian cancer detection study

Nathan Jackson, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has been awarded funding from the American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant for a pilot study. The study aims to develop a novel method for detecting ovarian cancer.


Nusenda announces 2024 Financial Education Innovation Award winners

Last week, Nusenda announced the winners of its 2024 Financial Education Innovation Award. The awards are a testament to Nusenda's ongoing commitment to strengthening communities and investing in solutions that enhance financial outcomes for future generations.


ABQ RIDE to host summer event series at Alvarado Transit Center

This summer, ABQ RIDE is set to host its inaugural event series at the Alvarado Transit Center (ATC) in downtown Albuquerque. The public transport service aims to rejuvenate the center by inviting the public to a series of resource and street fairs throughout the season. The seven-part event series includes small resource fairs from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on May 22, July 20, and July 24, along with street fairs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on May 25, June 29, July 27, and August 31.


Lomas Ave. scheduled for temporary closure from May 27

Doña Ana County, New Mexico, announced that Lomas Avenue in the Del Cerro community will be temporarily closed starting May 27 as part of a Flood Commission project. The closure is to facilitate the installation of a storm drain structure and is expected to last for 45 days.


Santa Fe county appoints new director for Office of Emergency Management

Santa Fe County, New Mexico has appointed Don “Brad” Call as the new civilian Director of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Mr. Call brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served in various capacities within emergency management for several years, including a four-year stint as the Director of Emergency Management for Cascade County, Montana.


New Mexico Health Department urges Hepatitis C testing amidst awareness month

The New Mexico Department of Health (NM Health) has designated May as Hepatitis C Awareness Month and May 19 as Hepatitis Testing Day, urging all adults in the state to get tested and be aware of their status.


Microplastics detected in human and canine testicular tissue: Study

Researchers from the University of New Mexico have discovered significant concentrations of microplastics in the testicular tissue of both humans and dogs, raising concerns about potential impacts on reproductive health. The findings were published in a recent paper in the journal Toxicological Sciences by a team led by Xiaozhong “John” Yu, MD, PhD, MPH, a professor at the UNM College of Nursing.


Professor Christopher Perfetti receives prestigious early career award from American Nuclear Society

Christopher Perfetti, an assistant professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering, has been recognized as a recipient of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Reactor Physics Division Early Career Reactor Physicist Award. This prestigious award acknowledges early career members of the Reactor Physics Division who have made significant contributions to the field of reactor physics. Perfetti is one of two individuals to receive this honor in 2024.


Albuquerque's crossing guards launch "Seats & Feets" clothing drive

The City of Albuquerque's Crossing Guards, who maintain close relationships with the children and families they serve at elementary school crossings across the metro, have identified a pressing need among many families for clothing and food. To address this, Crossing Guards will be collecting new packs of socks and underwear at 40 different elementary school crossings before the end of the school year. This initiative aims to meet the high demand for undergarments in shelters or clothing banks, items that are often overlooked in donations. The drive is focusing on these...


Officials emphasize safety with increased spring runoff in Rio Grande

As the Rio Grande swells with spring runoff, city and state officials are emphasizing the opportunities for recreation and the importance of river safety.


Santa Fe County promotes Defensible Space Program ahead of peak fire season

As the peak fire season approaches, the Santa Fe County Fire Department is urging residents to participate in the County’s Defensible Space Program. This initiative, aimed at those living within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas, is designed to protect homes and structures during a wildland fire. The concept of defensible space refers to the area between a structure and the WUI region, which can act as a buffer zone to slow or stop the spread of fire and prevent ignition due to direct flame contact or radiant heat.


Doña Ana County to observe Memorial Day with office closures

Doña Ana County will be observing the Memorial Day holiday, with most of its offices set to close on Monday, May 27. Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States, dedicated to honoring and mourning U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.


UNM law student named 2024 Peggy Browning Fellow

Rachel Swanteson-Franz, a second-year law student at The University of New Mexico School of Law, has been named a 2024 Peggy Browning Fellow. She will spend the upcoming summer working at the New Mexico Center for Law and Poverty.


Sandia National Laboratories hosts STEM day at Cochiti Pueblo

Sandia National Laboratories is set to host a day of learning and exploration focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at the Cochiti Pueblo. The initiative is part of Sandia's ongoing efforts to inspire Native American youth to pursue further education and careers in STEM fields, potentially leading to future opportunities at Sandia.


Albuquerque's Westside animal shelter to close temporarily for HVAC upgrade

The City of Albuquerque's Animal Welfare Department (AWD) has announced that its Westside shelter admissions and reclaims will be temporarily closed for one day on Monday, May 20. The closure is due to the installation of a new electrical box to support the facility's HVAC system. Normal operations are expected to resume on Tuesday, May 21.


Groundbreaking ceremony announced for new Bureau of Elections Warehouse

The County Clerk's Office has announced a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Bureau of Elections Warehouse. The event is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 23, at 2821 Las Vegas Court in Las Cruces.


Albuquerque announces key promotions within Fire Rescue department

The City of Albuquerque has announced two key promotions within the Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR). Clint Anderson has been appointed as the Deputy Chief of Strategic Planning and Policy, while Jason Garcia will serve as the City’s Fire Marshal. These roles are pivotal in ensuring community safety and maintaining operational efficiency for AFR.