Public News Service

New rules should be in place by Thanksgiving requiring that airlines offer customers cash refunds before vouchers if flights are cancelled. (Sk�rzewiak/Adobe Stock)

Friday, April 26, 2024

Friendly skies get friendlier with cash refunds for flight cancellations

Just in time for the fall holidays, air travelers could face fewer obstacles in securing a refund if their flight is canceled or changed under new …

The number of Americans with health coverage under the American Care Act has doubled since its 2014 launch, according to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (NLawrenson/peopleimages.com/AdobeStock)

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

NM aims to reduce out-of-pocket health-care costs for consumers

New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those n…

The Land of Enchantment has plenty of sunshine and some of the best solar incentives in the U.S. (Kristina Blokhin/Adobe Stock)

Personal energy electrification plans offered at NM Earth Day event

Saving New Mexico residents money as they adapt to climate change is the goal behind an Earth Day event in Albuquerque Sunday. The Rio Grande …

More than 90% of available land in the Greater Chaco region, former home of Ancestral Puebloan civilizations, is dotted with oil and gas wells, according to WildEarth Guardians. (WildEarthGuardians.org)

Orphaned wells: Environmental, visual pollution for SW Indian Country

Tribal communities, including those in New Mexico, can now apply for grant funding and direct assistance to clean up orphaned oil and gas wells …

Vegetables make up nearly 30% of the food and meals distributed by New Mexico's Roadrunner Food Bank. (Courtesy: RoadrunnerFoodBank).

Individuals, groups contribute thousands of volunteer hours to NM food bank

Volunteering is a "leap of faith" - donating time and in-kind support to help others who are struggling - but research shows people who pitch in…

One study shows in 2023 alone, almost 51.2 million square feet of self-storage space was rented - an area that would cover the whole of New York City's Central Park. (DavidGales/PhotoShop)

Spring means 'out with the old' – unless you can't part with clutter

Spring is often a time many of us get rid of unwanted stuff, but one New Mexico expert says that's harder than it sounds for people addicted to …

Four large corporations control 85% of the U.S. beef market, up from 25% in 1977. (Courtesy Carruth Cattle)

New Mexico panelists tackle food, farming and fairness

Food, farming and fairness will be the topics in Albuquerque this week, at a gathering of those who support the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming …

Attendees at a New Mexico summit discuss how to help in a state ranked one of the most food-insecure in the nation. (Courtesy Roadrunner Food Bank)

SW food banks meet to brainstorm hunger solutions, create action plan

People who receive emergency food services from New Mexico food banks and other charitable organizations were among those at a strategic summit Friday…

In the United States, some 200 food banks feed more than 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other community-based agencies. (Roadrunner Food Bank)

How hunger disproportionately impacts rural communities

Some 44 million Americans are struggling with hunger, including 250,000 in New Mexico, and a nationwide food bank network wants Congress to help…

A bill before the New Mexico Legislature would halt approval of new drilling permits within a mile of school facilities starting in July. (Photo courtesy of Consumer Watchdog)

A trio of NM bills could rein in lucrative oil, gas industry

A trio of bills to curb oil and gas pollution is under consideration by New Mexico lawmakers. New Mexico is the country's second-largest oil …

A 2022 New Mexico legislative report found providing health care coverage for low-income or unemployed individuals and families can lead to higher labor force participation. (Dee/AdobeStock)

Improved policies could boost purchasing power for U.S. households

It is a neck and neck race in the U.S. between consumer prices and wages allowing the typical worker to keep up. Economic data show consumer prices …

On average, the 20% of taxpayers who make the least money face a state and local tax rate nearly 60% higher than the top 1% of households, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. (narawit/Adobe Stock)

NM child advocates seek more 'tax equity' from 2024 legislative session

It is no secret the majority of state and local tax systems favor the wealthy but New Mexico is making progress in turning it around. The latest …

A recent food and fund drive by Albuquerque's Corrales Elementary School raised $2,500 and collected more than 1,200 pounds of food. (Courtesy Roadrunner)

Hosting a food drive could be your best ever New Year's resolution

The new year is an opportunity to reset and presents an opportunity to give back to your community by hosting a food or fund drive. New Mexico's …

Following participation in a guaranteed income pilot program, 12% of rural New Mexico families said their child was on track to complete their grade level. (Fernanda/Adobe Stock)

NM cash-assistance program eased hardships for immigrant households

A new report from the nonprofit advocacy group New Mexico Voices showed a guaranteed cash assistance program designed for immigrants improved work and…

Since 2005, research shows the number of journalists employed by newspapers has declined by 60%, a loss of 43,000 reporters and editors. (junce11/AdobeStock)

Study: Shuttered small-town newspapers sink community vitality

Three million residents in more than 200 U.S. counties don't have access to a single local news source, according to a new study. In New Mexico…

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)

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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…

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 …

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 …

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Medidas a tomar para preservar la cobertura de Medicaid en NM

Después de tres años de cobertura continua de Medicaid durante la pandemia de COVID-19, esta protección terminó. Como resultado…

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…

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…

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…

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 …

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 New Mexico Legislature passed a bill this year to provide free IDs for individuals experiencing homelessness. (Seventyfour/AdobeStock)

Study: New Mexico Homelessness Up Nearly 50% in 2023

Rent for New Mexicans has increased 70% since 2017, while wages have only grown by 15%, which is one factor pushing more people into homelessness…

PFAS, the chemicals contained in firefighting foam, are known to be toxic and affect ground and drinking water at many current and former military installations. (jana/Adobe Stock)

Analysis: DoD's PFAS Spending Not Enough to Fix Escalating Backlog

New Mexico has eight military sites with known or suspected discharges of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, also known as "forever …

The percentages of high-school students who say they often feel

NM Parents Encouraged to Know When Kids Need Mental Health Intervention

More behavioral-health providers may be enticed to move to New Mexico after a bill passed by the Legislature this year made treatment for behavioral h…

New Mexico's 482,000 acres of wetlands are aided by the beaver, a keystone species, in creating new habitat that can support a myriad of birds and amphibians. (dfikar/Adobestock)

New Mexico's Drinking Water in Crosshairs of Sackett v. EPA

A favorable ruling in a case before the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the federal Clean Water Act could remove protections nationwide, and affect 90%…

In the last week of July 2022, a five-mile stretch of the Rio Grande in Albuquerque, N.M., ran dry for the first time in 40 years. (GregMeland/AdobeStock)

Rio Grande River Water Usage Accountability Heats Up

A conservation group which has fought to know how water from the Rio Grande is being used by a regional irrigation district in New Mexico will continu…

Planning for a Good Death: 'National Healthcare Decisions Day' is April 16

Coincidence or not, the day set aside to get "end-of-life" affairs in order always falls on either side of the day taxes are due to the federal …

Whether it's reading or listening to music, experts say establishing a nightly routine is critical to getting a good night's sleep. (JenkoAtaman/AdobeStock)

Study: New Mexicans Need More Sleep

Getting a good night's sleep often depends on where you live, and also can include your race, age and gender. In New Mexico, the United Health …

New Mexico, one of 14 U.S. states that grows pecans, is the second-largest world producer of the hickory tree nut. (AmandaHarris/Adobe Stock)

NM Ag Workers Monitor Priorities in 2023 Farm Bill

Many farmers and ranchers in drought-ridden New Mexico are making improvements to their irrigation systems this spring, while also keeping an eye on …

Barbara, Gay, Bonnie and Michele make every month National Volunteer Month, regularly giving time to Albuquerque's Roadrunner Food Bank. (Roadrunner Food Bank)

New Mexico Volunteers Help Fight Food Insecurity

Those who give voluntarily of their time take center stage during April's National Volunteer Month. And New Mexico's Roadrunner Food Bank wants more …

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PNS Daily Newscast - April 26, 2024

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