New Mexico News & Current Events | Public News Service

In response to massive arrests of immigrants, Albuquerque has issued a new executive order, creating a team specializing in children's well-being. (Courtesy City of ABQ)

Albuquerque strengthens policies to protect immigrants, refugees

No matter their legal status, Albuquerque wants immigrants to feel safe in New Mexico's largest city and has unveiled a new executive order to make …

Nearly 20% of New Mexico's Gila National Forest is protected under the federal Roadless Area Conservation Rule. (newmexico.org)

NM conservationists promise to fight for 'Roadless Rule'

The Trump administration wants to overturn a conservation rule that had garnered more public comment than any in U.S. history up until that time…

For the second month in a row, protestors will take to the streets nationwide to oppose Trump administration policies they said threaten democracy. (photo: courtesy Bud Branch)

NM's 'Good Trouble' protests honor John Lewis, denounce Trump

New Mexico demonstrators will join nationwide protests today to oppose policies of the Trump administration. The "Good Trouble Lives On" nonviolent …

Good news accompanies NM's 80th anniversary of Trinity atomic bomb test

Today's 80th anniversary of the Trinity nuclear bomb test in New Mexico comes weeks after Congress agreed to include the state in the Radiation Exposu…

Nearly 30% of Americans said they have not taken their medication as prescribed due to high drug prices, according to a 2024 report by the American Hospital Association. (Adobe Stock/Nuttapongpunna)

New online portal allows New Mexicans to compare prescription costs

Nearly 1,000 New Mexicans have already accessed a new online portal which provides transparency about how much the cost of prescriptions and medical p…

A seed drill used by New Mexico farmers to plant cover crops causes minimal disturbance to the soil. (photo: courtesy NMhealthysoil.org)

Building NM's soil for future farmers a marathon, not a sprint

New Mexico farmers finding it more difficult to grow historic crops are taking up conservation techniques to meet the challenge. Drought, water …

New Mexico homeowners planning to install solar will have to act quickly to take advantage of tax credits soon to be phased out under the

NM renewable energy advocates decry 'herky-jerky' policies

Renewable energy got short shrift in the budget bill passed by Congress last week and a New Mexico trade association said companies and their employee…

Beaver Dam analogs, designed to mimic natural beaver dams, can help restore and improve stream ecosystems. (Emily Luberto/National Park Service)

Beavers' dam expertise helps NM communities restore waterways

Sometimes called the original "ecosystem engineers," beavers and the techniques they use are guiding conservationists in New Mexico to protect scarce …

The growing demand for artificial intelligence specialists has prompted more universities to offer specialized AI degrees. (MissIrine/Adobe Stock)

NM university to offer state's first artificial intelligence degree

Artificial intelligence is expected to significantly change people's lives and New Mexico State University is meeting the challenge by offering the st…

Following the 2020 presidential election, New Mexico was one of several states where Republican electors submitted false Electoral College certificates claiming Donald Trump had won. (PXMedia/AdobeStock)

Trump, FBI renew allegations of 2020 election fraud

President Donald Trump has renewed calls for a special prosecutor to probe false claims of fraud in the 2020 election but an election expert believes …

The National Centers for Environmental Information reports 27 U.S. climate disasters in the past year caused at least $1 billion in damages, making it the fourth-costliest year on record. (USGS.gov)

New Mexico joins state consensus that FEMA assistance is essential

The Trump administration has floated the idea of downsizing or even eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but a new poll shows the …

A poll showed Americans largely support requiring oil and gas companies to pay pollution fees but Congress wants to delay a polluter fee established under the Biden administration. (Heidi/Adobe Stock)

GOP aims to roll back methane rule Americans largely support

New Mexico is a leader in trying to reduce methane pollution from the oil and gas industry but Congress wants to prevent implementation of a federal r…

Cities across New Mexico are celebrating Pride Month, with a parade scheduled at Santa Fe's historic downtown plaza on Sat., June 28. (Alberto/Adobe Stock)

NM Pride celebrations urge 'resilience' after U.S. v. Skrmetti ruling

Amid concerns about the breakdown in protections for LGBTQ folks, a New Mexico advocacy group says resilience is needed to ensure their safety and …

Polls consistently show that most Americans, no matter their political affiliation, oppose the federal government selling off public lands. (Adam/Adobe Stock)

Public lands supporters to rally during Santa Fe governors' meeting

Supporters of public lands will gather in Santa Fe next week to oppose pending legislation that would sell off millions of acres in 11 Western states…

New Mexico's peak fire season is still a week away, but firefighters already are working round-the-clock shifts to battle blazes in the southern part of the state. (swfireconsortium.org)

Forest fires in Southwest NM force evacuations, emergency orders

Forest fires have broken out in parts of New Mexico that state forecasters had already warned would see an elevated wildfire risk this summer due to h…

More than nine in 10 non-LGBTQ+ Americans believe Pride individuals should have the freedom to live their life without discrimination. (alexmak/Adobe Stock)

Despite backlash, NM residents support purveyors of LGBTQ+ Pride products

Boycotts over a Bud Light advertisement featuring a transgender customer and the Target Corporation for sales of Pride merchandise have not dampened N…

Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently arrested 11 undocumented workers at a New Mexico dairy farm. (Lawrey/Adobe Stock)

Amid migrant roundups, 'No Kings' rallies scheduled in 17 NM cities

New Mexicans will join what's expected to be thousands of "No Kings" rallies across the country tomorrow to protest against the Trump administration…

In 2022, New Mexico voters approved a constitutional amendment to dedicate funds to early childhood education and care. (Bonsales/AdobeStock)

Report: NM's child well-being shows mixed momentum

A traditional marker used to measure child well-being in the U.S. shows New Mexico notched both improvements and declines in several areas. The …

It is estimated 250,000 workers in New Mexico will endure the summer without any protection rules from heat Illness or injury. (RCP/Adobe Stock)

Another summer without heat-protection rules for NM's outdoor workers

A New Mexico coalition is stressing an urgent need for the state to adopt the strongest possible heat risk standards for indoor and outdoor workers…

Nearly 150 of New Mexico's 500 bird species are in need of conservation, according to the draft 2025 New Mexico State Wildlife Action Plan. (spatesphoto/Adobe Stock)

Final day to comment on NM's State Wildlife Action Plan

New Mexico residents have until the end of today to comment on a draft of the new State Wildlife Action Plan. It identifies more than 500 species …

New Mexico's Bandelier National Monument, where many of its Ancestral Pueblo structures date back to 1150 and 1600, is the oldest in the state, designated in 1916. (recreation.gov)

Las Cruces, Taos host rallies in support of national monuments, public lands

New Mexicans will gather in Las Cruces, Taos and other locations tomorrow for a day of action to defend national monuments and public lands. The …

U.S. Senators are digging into the Trump administration's 1,116 page budget reconciliation bill that was already passed by House Republicans. (CreativeMania-AI enhanced/Adobe Stock)

Legal experts: Does rule of law still matter in second Trump term?

A government watchdog group is joining others in raising concerns about last-minute additions to the budget reconciliation bill passed by the House of…

A new study showed more than 40% of U.S. university students now feel uncomfortable sharing their views on controversial political topics. (photo courtesy unm.edu)

Study: NM university students' views diverge over campus free-speech climate

A new study revealed free speech is increasingly under threat on college campuses, from both right and left. The nonpartisan, nonprofit Foundation …

A recent study from the Journal of the American Medical Association found that for the first time in history, women are now binge drinking more than men. (Roman/Adobe Stock)

Women contribute to NM's high alcohol-related death rate

Problem drinking among women is on the rise, according to the National Institutes of Health, and New Mexico is no exception. In the past two decades…

In the Southwest, many rural, frontier and tribal communities feel overlooked or forgotten as Congress debates cuts to local services. (A/Adobe Stock)

NM's health care, hospitals face pressures in GOP's 'big beautiful bill'

One in three New Mexico residents lives in rural areas, and groups that represent them are calling on state and federal lawmakers to prioritize their …

It is estimated New Mexico's free child care program has lifted 120,000 people in the state above the federal poverty line. (olgademina/Adobe Stock)

NM's near-universal child care a 'life-saver' for many families

Predominantly free statewide child care is helping lift many New Mexico families out of poverty. Three years ago, the state became the first in the …

In recent years, New Mexico has offered tax credits and rebates for the purchase of elective vehicles. (AndriiYalanskyi/AdobeStock)

Federal tax credits for NM's EV owners face elimination

Supporters of electric vehicles in New Mexico cite a number of advantages to owning one, but 2026 budget negotiations underway in Washington include …

The Medicaid safety net program covers more than 70 million low-income and disabled Americans. (Singh/Adobe Stock)

NM's outsized reliance on Medicaid has advocates prepping for worst-case

Unprecedented cuts to Medicaid under consideration by lawmakers in Congress would be a heavy blow to New Mexico, where more than one-third of the …

Gallup, New Mexico, has a disproportionately high number of

FBI promises missing Indigenous investigations but deletes historical data

The FBI has said it will add resources in 10 states including New Mexico to tackle unresolved crimes, with a focus on those related to missing and …

In New Mexico, 89% of those responding to the 2025 Colorado College poll said existing national monument designations from the last decade should be kept in place. (Randy/Adobe Stock)

NM's Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks targeted for energy development

The sale of public lands along with a rollback of protections for national monuments is back on the table now that Republicans control both houses of …

Workplace hazards kill approximately 385 U.S. workers each day or 40,000 workers each year, according to a report from the AFL-CIO. (realone/AdobeStock)

Report: NM fourth highest in more workplace deaths nationally

In 2023, more than 5,200 American workers died on the job, with New Mexico ranking fourth in the nation. A report from the AFL-CIO on work-related …

Department of Government Efficiency cuts to AmeriCorps will affedct New Mexico's Boys & Girls Clubs. (bgcsantafe.org)

Program elimination, job loss as DOGE cuts funds for NM's AmeriCorps

The dismantling of the 30-year-old AmeriCorps national service program by the Department of Government Efficiency will have significant effects in New…

New Mexico's snowpack is significantly below normal for this time of year, with levels at 36% across the state. (Photo courtesy Isabelle Jenniches)

NM groups work to improve soil health, mitigate effects of changing climate

New Mexico's decades-long drought combined with climate change have more farmers and ranchers embracing the six healthy soil principles, tailoring …

The Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act included tax credits and incentives to promote electric vehicle adoption in New Mexico. (See Less/Adobe Stock)

U.S. veterans who hold elective office want environmental investments restored

A bipartisan group of current and former elected officials said the continued use of fossil fuels threatens global security and they want funding for …

After a series of challenging health issues, Angelo Jimenez completed Roadrunner Food Bank's job training program and was offered a full-time role with the nonprofit. (rrfb.org)

New Mexico job training program returns to lift all boats

New Mexico's Roadrunner Food Bank is again offering job training after its program was temporarily suspended during the COVID pandemic. Teresa …

Residents of rural communities rely on Medicaid more than do their urban counterparts because of lower incomes, fewer private insurance options and higher unemployment rates. (ISKPRODUCTION/Adobe Stock)

GOP budget cuts to Medicaid could fray NM's safety net

Medicaid is a lifeline for many of New Mexico's families, making it one of six states that could be severely affected by cuts Congressional …

Americans' privacy protections have not kept pace with rapidly evolving surveillance technologies. (Liubomir/Adobe Stock)

NM LGBTQ+ advocacy group pushes for new data privacy laws

Anyone who uses a cell phone or laptop shares hundreds of personal data points, and a New Mexico advocacy group wants that information better …

Data show 25% to 35% of first-year college students do not return for their second year. (NMSU)

NMSU's 'ringtone strategy' helps keep students enrolled, engaged

Today's college students may prefer communicating by text but New Mexico State University still finds person-to-person phone calls from faculty and st…

A total of 16,000 NOAA workers, including those who forecast severe storms, have been fired by DOGE. (Derrick Neill/Adobe Stock)

Second wave of weather employees fired ahead of NM wildfire season

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for New Mexico News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboratio…

The U.S., New Zealand, Norway and Canada are among the countries with the highest rates of volunteer participation. (theotherhouse/Adobe Stock)

New Mexico's food bank volunteers provide millions of meals

More than 6,000 volunteers who support New Mexico's Roadrunner Food Bank are being recognized during National Volunteer Week, which starts today…

America's 63 national parks and 433 National Park Service-managed sites such as New Mexico's White Sands have been ordered to remain open, despite significant worker cuts. (nps.gov)

DOGE cuts at NM's national parks create alarm, anxiety

New Mexico's national parks generally operate year-round - but they might not operate at 100% efficiency this year due to employee firings, layoffs …

Global food security depends on work done by U.S. National Plant Germplasm System. Its scientists and funding are on the DOGE chopping block. (s1llu/Adobe Stock/AI enhanced)<br />

America's historic crops at risk as DOGE cuts funding for seed bunkers

Working without fanfare, federal scientists at 22 U.S. sites maintain the nation's agricultural plant species collected since 1898, including crops …

National Library Week was first observed in 1958 to celebrate the contributions of the nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. (amaxim/Adobe Stock)

April celebrates the creative combo of libraries, poetry

April is both National Poetry Month and National Library Month, and younger generations are embracing both. The American Library Association says …

Federal, state and local taxes paid by New Mexico's immigrant population help support public schools, hospitals, roads and more. (Sweeann/Adobe Stock)

NM group calls ICE agents' access to immigrant tax data a 'breach of trust'

A New Mexico immigrant advocacy group says all Americans should be alarmed that the IRS has agreed to share immigrants' taxpayer information with ICE …

Residents of rural counties with a large share of tribal lands are more likely to rely on Medicaid for coverage for all age groups, including seniors, according to the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. (Nailotl/Adobe Stock)

Federal budget cuts to Medicaid would significantly impact New Mexico

Nearly 800,000 people receiving Medicaid live in New Mexico, and a federal budget proposal could possibly cause major cuts to the program. Senate …

A national day of protest against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk for unprecedented policy changes is scheduled across all 50 states tomorrow. (third act.org)

NM protestors join nationwide 'Hands Off! Day of Action' Saturday

Protestors in more than a dozen New Mexico cities will join thousands nationwide Saturday in what is expected to be the largest single-day protest sin…

As states spend millions responding to natural disasters, New Mexico's proposed Community Benefit Fund could prove beneficial ahead of a new crisis. (MarthaMarks/Adobe Stock)

Climate change activists see hopeful signs in New Mexico's next state budget

New Mexico conservation advocates say the state's budget awaiting the governor's signature would make great strides in addressing climate change and p…

New Mexico's minimum wage and cost of living combination don't squeeze people as much as other states, according to the website Upworthy.com. (ArenaCreative/Adobe Stock)

NM research shows deep influence of money, even in the workplace

New research showed when employers struggle with personal money problems, they do not always leave their stress at home, and can instead take it out …

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