New Mexico News & Current Events | Public News Service

Monday, December 4, 2023

New Mexico aims for 'no hungry holidays' by doubling donations

Just a few days into December, food bank demand is high while some warehouse shelves are lean, and in New Mexico, a matching donation program this …

Today marks the 35th anniversary of World AIDS Day. (Nito/Adobe Stock)

Friday, December 1, 2023

On World AIDS Day, NM activists say more money is needed for prevention

New Mexico activists are tapping today's World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, to announce they'll ask the State Legislature to provide more money for treatment …

After her doctor retired in 2020, Albuquerque's Anne Withrow faced a long waiting list for transgender health care. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Nowell)<br />

NM's gender-affirming policy generates waitlists for health care

By Cecilia Nowell for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for New Mexico News Connection reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Serv…

Immigrants start more than 25% of all businesses in seven of the eight sectors that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects to grow the fastest over the next decade. (Adriana/Adobe Stock)

Santa Fe's economic vitality depends on immigrants

From construction and hospitality to business creation and consumer spending, a new report shows the oversized contributions immigrants are making to …

Historically the swale paintbrush grew in at least a dozen locations but has only been spotted in one since 1985. (courtesy MarkEgger/Flickr)

A New Mexico endangered species outside the cultural norm

It might not make hearts skip a beat like the sight of a Monarch butterfly or gray wolf, but biologists say a rare flowering New Mexico plant …

First-generation students make up one-third of all college students, but only 27% will attain a degree within four years. (MonkeyBusiness/Adobe Stock)

NM's first-generation students inspire siblings to pursue college

First-generation college students face a host of expectations and challenges - and that's why New Mexico State University will spotlight their accompl…

New Mexico has the eighth-highest rate of gun deaths in the United States, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. (luengo_ua/Adobestock)

NM gun buybacks draw scores, but experts question effectiveness

New Mexico wants to curb gun violence by getting firearms off the street, and while recent gun buyback events drew lots of attendees, some experts …

Farmers and ranchers steward about 44% of the United States' landmass. (ZoranZeremski/Adobe Stock)

Delayed Farm Bill could affect millions of Americans

The Farm Bill, typically renegotiated every five years will likely be extended to six years this time around, as Congress seems months away from …

A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency found 58% of methane emissions from landfills come from food waste. (kpn1968/AdobeStock)

Continued food waste in U.S. alarms states with high food scarcity

A new government report highlighted the urgent need to keep food waste out of landfills, noting 30% to 40% of food produced in the U.S. is never …

As the second sunniest state in the United States, New Mexico is poised to capitalize on federal climate law incentives. (FainaGurevich/Adobe Stock)

NM rural electric co-op making headway on renewable energy

Latino and Hispanic workers make up about 18-percent of the U.S, clean-energy workforce, and a New Mexico company wants to make sure their work …

New Mexico lawmakers this year passed the Healthy Hunger-Free Students' Bill of Rights, which provides students free breakfast and lunch regardless of their income. (USDA)<br />

USDA unveils new alliance to strengthen school food procurement

As part of October's National Farm to School MonthNational Farm to School Month, the Department of Agriculture has announced a new effort to improve …

New Mexico is among 15 U.S. states known to have mountain lions, with an estimated population of 3,500. (JasonKlassi/mountainlion.org)

NM Game Commission to decide hunting limits for mountain lion, bear

The number of mountain lions killed by New Mexico hunters in recent years has fallen below what the state allows, but wildlife advocates think a …

A 2020 study by the U.S. Water Alliance estimated that making all the needed investments in America's water infrastructure would add $4.5 trillion and 80,000 jobs to the U.S. economy by 2039. (HockleyMedia/peopleimages.com/AdobeStock)

'Day Without Water' observance illustrates reality of living without

Most of us take for granted clean, fresh water when we turn on the kitchen faucet, but it can be rare for many people, and it is why the ninth annual …

Albuquerque's ABQ RIDE bus program averages 500,000 users a month. (wiki)

ABQ's 'Zero Fares' pilot bus program on track to become permanent

Free buses may soon become a basic city service in Albuquerque. A vote to make a pilot "Zero Fares" rider program permanent is set to come before …

NM observes 35 years of 'National Coming Out Day'

Unlike more conservative states, New Mexico has seen prominent advances in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in recent decades; a good …

The number of Hispanic students enrolled in college increased by 45% between 2009 and 2019. (Antonio Tanaka/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Hispanic college students struggling more than others

The percentage of Hispanic college students who report they're struggling to stay in school increased 5% from 2021 to 2022, and was higher than for …

In New Mexico, 44% of student borrowers were under age 35, per data from 2022. (Sidekick/Adobe Stock)

Expert: Master financial aid before taking on student debt

An expert on student loans said many college-bound high-schoolers should do themselves a favor and take a financial literacy class before they pursue …

A meta-analysis by the University of Colorado found

Study skewers long-held theory that 'opposites attract'

The age-old theory that opposites attract has been debunked. According to analysis of more than 130 traits in a study that included millions of …

New Mexico's planned electric vehicle infrastructure would allow motorists to charge a vehicle in 30 to 45 minutes for about $20. (AdobeStock/serperm73)

NM Seeks Public Input on Zero-Emission Vehicle Standards

New Mexico wants more residents to drive electric vehicles, and is hosting a series of meetings to explain its advanced clean cars and trucks rules…

Many saguaro cacti were damaged or destroyed during construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall initiated by former President Donald Trump and funded by taxpayers. (Photo courtesy: LaikenJordahl)

NM Saw Lasting Consequences from Trump's U.S.-Mexico Border Wall

The unprecedented attempt to build a wall along the U.S. Mexico border has had devastating effects on wildlife from which they may not recover…

New Mexico is projected to face a glaring

NM Youth Protest Over Climate-Change Accountability

Today's young people will struggle most with the affects of climate change, and a New Mexico youth group brings its concerns to the streets of …

Oil and gas wells, roads, pipelines and other infrastructure near the Chaco Culture National Historical Park have destroyed some cultural sites and transformed others into industrial parks. (MarkKaletka/Flicker/Creative Commons)

Protection of NM's Greater Chaco Region Faces New Threats

A previous agreement to protect New Mexico's Greater Chaco Canyon region from oil and gas development is back on the table, forcing supporters to…

Albuquerque had one of the highest homicide rates in the nation in 2021, according to the Major Cities Chiefs Association. (Artem/Adobe Stock)

Amid Legal Challenges, NM Governor Enacts Gun Restrictions

One day after New Mexico Gov. Michele Lujan Grisham announced a ban on the public carry of guns in and around Albuquerque, a pro-gun group is suing…

New Mexico's Healthy Foods Market, operated by Roadrunner Food Bank, distributes fresh produce and perishable food items monthly in nine urban, rural and tribal communities. (Photo courtesy RRFB)

New Mexico's Food Activists Shine Light on Hunger

The lines at hunger relief organizations are longer now as pandemic-related benefits have ended, but you can help your neighbors with grocery …

New Mexico recorded 54 motorcycle fatalities in 2022, with 33 involving riders who were not wearing helmets, according to data compiled by the University of New Mexico. (NMMVD)

Rallying Cry for Motorcycle Safety Featured on NM License Plate

Motorcyclists are the most vulnerable drivers on the road. That's why a New Mexico man started a campaign that led the state to issue the first …

While bears can live 20 to 25 years in areas where they are hunted, the average bear lives seven to eight years, according to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. (sos.nm.org)

New Mexico's Wildlife 'Kill Quotas' Face Scrutiny

Opponents of a plan to allow hunters to kill more black bears in New Mexico over the next four years say escalating climate-change threats faced by wi…

Families that live in rural areas, are of mixed status, have limited English proficiency or experience significant residential instability are most likely to struggle with the current

Steps New Mexicans Can Take to Preserve Medicaid Coverage

After three years of continuous Medicaid coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, that protection has ended. As a result, New Mexico is assessing …

It's estimated nearly 3,400 New Mexicans have had some student loan debt reduced since 2021 through a U.S. Department of Education program that offers loan forgiveness to college graduates who work in qualified public service jobs. (fizkes/AdobeStock)

NM Student Loan Borrowers Urged to Plan Ahead for Payment Restart

The reboot on student loan payments has financial strategists encouraging New Mexicans with debt to figure out what's doable, what's impossible…

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has found trauma is present in almost every age, race, ability, and socioeconomic group. (MNStudios/Pixabay)

NM Teachers Have Tools to Ease 'Back to School' Transition

Since the pandemic, back-to-school season brings up a lot of emotions for parents and kids, and can be even harder for those affected by a school …

Students at New Mexico State University and three other Hispanic-serving institutions are benefiting from a federal grant designed to increase the placement of Hispanic graduates at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (CookieStudio/AdobeStock)

NMSU Trains Hispanic Students as Next-Gen Ag Leaders

Hispanic students at New Mexico State University who are interested in agricultural careers will get help, starting this semester, from a program …

New Mexico was peripherally involved in the 2020 fake elector scheme, where President Joe Biden easily won the state's five electoral votes, 54.3% to 43.5%. (Grandbrothers/AdobeStock)

Voters Face New Tests Ahead of 2024 Presidential Election

The next presidential election is still 15 months away but New Mexico election officials are absorbing the latest details about a fake elector scheme …

The average young person knows at least one other person who's been injured or killed by a gun, according to a survey by Everytown for Gun Safety and the Southern Poverty Law Center. (michelmond/Adobe Stock)

Report: Young Americans Feel Unsafe, Support Stricter Gun Laws

Some 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and almost 60% want to see stricter gun laws, according to a new report from …

The National Weather Service says a heat index at or above 90 degrees poses a significant health risk. (nmsd.k12.nm.us)

Study: NM Needs New Policies to Protect Children from Extreme Heat

New Mexico must do more to protect children and other vulnerable residents from extreme heat, according to a new report from the advocacy …

Only 38% of U.S. women between ages 13 and 44 live in a state supportive of abortion rights, according to the Guttmacher Institute. (goodluz/AdobeStock)

NM Abortion Hotline Stays Busy; Medical Residents Seek Training

New Mexico has developed a two-pronged approach to safeguard access to abortion: offering an information hotline and instruction to medical residents …

More than 70 million people live in areas of the United States with dentist shortages, according to dentalherapy.org. (Graphicroyalty/AdobeStock)

NM Remains Slow in Closing Dental Care Equity Gap

Dental care is vital to overall health, but finding and affording services is a challenge in many states - including New Mexico. Dental therapists…

One in five U.S. adults, or nearly 53 million people, lived with a mental illness in 2020, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. (NLawrenson/peopleimages.com/AdobeStock)

DACA Weighs on Some During BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month

Racism and discrimination act as stressors to increase mental health vulnerability, according to experts, especially for BIPOC individuals; Black…

In New Mexico, 'Oppenheimer' Film Revives Painful Memories

This summer's "Oppenheimer" movie will shine a light on development of the first nuclear weapons, but for many in southern New Mexico it is another …

New Mexico's 2022 Housing Trust Fund provides communities such as Taos with dedicated monies for construction of affordable homes for low- and moderate-income residents. (Wiki)

Taos Gets Serious About Providing Affordable Housing

Small towns such as Taos are not immune to the nation's housing crisis - leading the rural community to launch a cooperative effort to address the cha…

It's estimated that 200 million Americans are drinking water contaminated with PFAS, according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. (Rachel Conn)

NM Activists Secure Hearing on 'Forever Chemicals' Used in Extraction

Environmental groups and concerned citizens scored a victory in New Mexico on Thursday that could lead to better regulation of PFAS, also known as …

New Mexico is one of only a few states to include immigrant tax filers who use their Individual Taxpayer Identification Number in filing for state and federal credits and rebates. (JoshuaResnick/Adobe Stock)

NM Aims to Promote Justice with Tax Rebates for Immigrant Workers

Tax rebates can boost economic growth, and the rebates available in New Mexico this summer are designed to reverse discriminatory exclusions of …

ChatGPT, introduced in January, is the fastest-growing app of all time, according to analysis by Swiss bank UBS. (LALAKA/Adobe Stock)

UNM Develops AI Initiative to Introduce Students, Faculty to ChatGPT

In just six months, ChatGPT has become a popular and powerful tool on the internet, and the University of New Mexico is developing an artificial …

July is the hottest month of the year for the U.S. as a whole. The warmest day for every location in the lower 48 states is typically July 26, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (NewAfrica/Adobe Stock)

NM Health Experts Warn of Heat-Related Illness Risk

The temperatures in New Mexico and across the Southwest already have been brutal this summer, and experts are issuing warnings about heat-related …

The United States had 75 post offices in 1789 serving 4 million customers, compared to 33,000 facilities in 2023 serving 334 million Americans. (Silvio/Adobe Stock)

Neither Rain, Nor Snow, Nor Extreme Heat – July 1 Recognizes Postal Workers

Saturday is your opportunity to offer cookies, a bottle of water or perhaps a thank-you note to your local mail carrier. It's National Postal Worker …

Roughly 26% of teenagers and college students volunteer in their communities. (motortion/AdobeStock)<br />

NM Schools Use 'Real-life' Experiences to Ready Students for College, Career

A New Mexico program is offering high school students more real-world experiences to boost their interest in college and a career. Future Focused …

Santa Fe, New Mexico's capital city, will mark the 30th anniversary of Pride celebrations on Saturday, June 24, with a festival on the downtown plaza. (unm.org)

NM Touts Prominent Advances in LGBTQ Rights During 'Pride Month'

New laws offering greater protections for New Mexico's LGBTQ+ community are taking effect in the coming days as diversity is celebrated during June's …

Emergency allotments added to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the pandemic have ended, increasing the number of food-insecure households. (Courtesy Roadrunner Food Bank)

NM Group Offers Families, Kids Summer Food Assistance

New Mexico kids on vacation from school are no longer queueing-up for cafeteria meals - and that can increase hunger for low-income children and their…

The 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act protects Native children from forced removal from their families, tribes and culture. (ruslanita/AdobeStock)

SCOTUS Adoption Ruling Delivers Win for Tribal Sovereignty

Native Americans, tribal leaders and other supporters of last week's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding adoption say it affirms their …

New Mexico used federal pandemic funds to expand child care assistance, which was replaced by state funding during the 2023 legislative session to prevent a reversal. (nmvoices.org)

NM Kids' Well-Being Falls Short; Child Advocates Expect Turnaround

New Mexico ranks last in a new report on kids' overall well-being by state, but children's advocates said the two-year-old data does not tell the …

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