NM News-Port

New Mexico schools promise safe return to classrooms

By Shane Farias / NM News Port As public schools gear up for student reentry for the first time in more than a year, staff and students are expected to follow the guidelines provided by the New Mexico Public Education Department. “We expect all schools to offer full reentry no later than April 5,” NMPED… Continue reading New Mexico schools promise safe return to classrooms

Pine Ridge or Bust

Rows of cannabis jam a greenhouse—not yet raided—in Cudei, south of Shiprock. (Don J. Usner/Searchlight NM)

Even as Dineh Benally’s illegal cannabis operations in the Navajo Nation are under ongoing investigation, he’s looking for more opportunities across Indian Country. By Wufei Yu and Ed Williams | Searchlight NM Last year, Dineh Benally, the former president of San Juan River Farm Board in the Navajo Nation, oversaw the transformation of 400 acres of cropland into… Continue reading Pine Ridge or Bust

Are Graduate Students Considered Workers? University Says ‘No’.

Ramona Malczynski speaks to protestors at the grad workers rally for union rights. Call and response chants included: “What’s disgusting? Union busting!” and “Who are we? Employees!” Photo by Gordon Payne / NM News Port.

By Gordon Payne / NM News Port Graduate students employed at the University of New Mexico protested outside of the university president’s house on January 27 as part of an ongoing disagreement between the school and the students over their right to unionize. Graduate workers at UNM officially filed for union recognition with the state … Continue reading Are Graduate Students Considered Workers? University Says ‘No’.

New Mexico census self-response rate falls short of 2010 and 2000

All of New Mexico’s counties with their 2020 census self-response and internet response rates. Image made by Bo Russell. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

By Bodie Russell / NM News Port Census 2020 leaders point to a multitude of problems, especially the coronavirus pandemic, that lead to low self-response numbers in New Mexico. New Mexico’s reported response rate was 58.7%. It fell short of the 60% rate of 2010. But it fell even shorter than the 62% response rate… Continue reading New Mexico census self-response rate falls short of 2010 and 2000

New Mexico’s vaccine rollout getting mixed reviews

By Adam Evarts / NM News Port / With New Mexico now in the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, experts and citizens share positive and negative views. The state indicates the mass vaccination effort is going well. It has 200 providers enrolled in administering the shots. As posted on the state’s vaccine dashboard… Continue reading New Mexico’s vaccine rollout getting mixed reviews

APD report reveals systemic failures in police reform

APD logo and art courtesy of NMPBS

By Ludella Awad / NM News Port An independent monitor overseeing the Albuquerque Police Department’s reform process concluded that police reform efforts have failed and aren’t likely to improve until APD “shoulders its burden” to take responsibility for violations of policy and training. In the Monitor’s Twelfth Report released by court-appointed monitor James Ginger, the… Continue reading APD report reveals systemic failures in police reform

Months into the pandemic, challenges remain in virtual classrooms

By Adam Evarts / NM News Port Gwen Gordon sits behind her desk, awaiting the arrival of her students. On the desk sits an attendance book, the day’s lesson plans and her grade book. She hears a noise and looks up. But instead the sound of the classroom door, she hears students arriving in her… Continue reading Months into the pandemic, challenges remain in virtual classrooms

Albuquerque Community Safety Department ambitious in purpose, limited in funding

Security officers respond to a down-and-out call on Central Ave. While ACS is in it’s transition phase, local security forces have been responding to non-emergent calls in their place. (Gordon Payne)

By Gordon Payne / NM News Port As 2020 comes to a close, the mayor of New Mexico’s largest city will have to hope for better times next year if one of his key public safety initiatives is going to be realized. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller hoped to build on his “fighting crime from all… Continue reading Albuquerque Community Safety Department ambitious in purpose, limited in funding

Shifting politics expected to affect NM oil and gas sector

By Spencer Butler / NM News Port With the 2020 general election finally over, reality is setting in that a new Biden administration will take power on Jan. 21, 2021. And with it comes the promise of a renewed fight over environmental protections that were weakened under the Trump administration. This will affect New Mexicans,… Continue reading Shifting politics expected to affect NM oil and gas sector