Albuquerque Homelessness Rises During Pandemic

Tent pitched in Coronado park. (photo by Tyler Braunhardt)

By Tyler Braunhardt / NM News Port Homelessness in Albuquerque was on a sharp rise just as the pandemic hit and economic hardships related to the pandemic increased pressure on low-income and unhoused people in the city. Now Mayor Tim Keller is asking for $4.7 million to start operations at the Gateway Center homeless shelter and service… Continue reading Albuquerque Homelessness Rises During Pandemic

How New Mexico schools returned to in-person learning

By Adam Evarts / NM News Port The state of New Mexico is sending kids back to school in-person and on a full-time basis beginning this week. For many parents, the move is long overdue, after spending more than a year of having their students learn from home under coronavirus safety restrictions.  Dr. Ryan Stewart,… Continue reading How New Mexico schools returned to in-person learning

Albuquerque seeks volunteers to help vaccination effort

By William Jennings / NM News Port The city of Albuquerque is vaccinating against COVID-19 and looking for volunteers from all different backgrounds to help. Volunteers may be responsible for directing people, filling out forms, making copies, and translating information if they are bilingual.  They will not be responsible for giving people the shot. Nick… Continue reading Albuquerque seeks volunteers to help vaccination effort

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

City pays local hotels to shelter COVID-19 patients

Courtesy of the CDC

By Alika Medina / NM News Port With the striking rise in the number of COVID-19 cases  this fall, the city of Albuquerque has turned to some local hotels to keep vulnerable residents safe and quarantined.   Since July, the city has been renting hundreds of rooms in several local hotels to provide isolation for people… Continue reading City pays local hotels to shelter COVID-19 patients

Video games offer escape for stressed, overworked students

A controller for Sony's Play Station 4 next to a Nintendo Switch, one of the biggest consoles and handheld gaming devices respectively. (By Shelby Kleinhans / Daily Lobo / @realShelbyK)

By Jesus Mata / The Daily Lobo Editor’s Note: This story was originally published by the Daily Lobo, minus the YouTube video below.  Video games have become a refuge in many people’s lives during the coronavirus pandemic, and studies show that video games are a ray of light for mental health amid dark times. Video… Continue reading Video games offer escape for stressed, overworked students

Albuquerque shelter officials concerned about rise of COVID-19 cases

By Alika Medina / NM News Port The number of COVID-19 cases in Albuquerque’s largest homeless shelter has risen to more than 114, which comes as the shelter was re-opening in advance of winter weather.  Dennis Plummer, CEO of the nonprofit Heading Home, has confirmed between 114 and 130 homeless people at the Westside Emergency… Continue reading Albuquerque shelter officials concerned about rise of COVID-19 cases

Will a COVID-19 vaccine be mandated for schools?

Griego’s son Vinny poses with his bandage-covered arm after receiving a flu shot. Vaccines are important to Griego and her family, and vows to get the future vaccine for coronavirus once widely available. 

By Devin Muzzey / NM News Port  A COVID-19 vaccine could be ready for widespread use sometime next year, and people like Albuquerque resident Michelle Griego understand the importance of vaccines. “We vaccinated our kids since they were born,” Griego said.  She’s not the only one. With many public school districts in New Mexico still… Continue reading Will a COVID-19 vaccine be mandated for schools?

Albuquerque ramping up enhanced flu vaccination program

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller discusses government finances and safety nets for workers during the coronavirus outbreak, Friday, March 27, 2020 (Photo: Ludella Awad/ NM News Port)

By Ludella Awad / NM News Port As flu season returns this fall, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and public health officials are urging New Mexicans to participate in voluntary flu vaccinations. This comes as the city also prepares for a potential mass vaccination effort against COVID-19. “We’re coming into the fall. We’ve got two challenges… Continue reading Albuquerque ramping up enhanced flu vaccination program