APD expands use of social media to track illegal drug activity 

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and Tik Tok are being used for illegal drug transactions, selling guns, and other illegal activities. (Photo by Celia Raney / NM News Port)

By Ludella Awad / NM News Port The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) is expanding its monitoring of social media to track illegal drug transactions as part of an initiative to prevent violent crime.  “We have social media being used as a means for dealing drugs,” said Interim Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina.  In a press… Continue reading APD expands use of social media to track illegal drug activity 

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

COVID-19 restrictions deplete Santa Fe tourism numbers

New Mexico COVID-19 restrictions for restaurants are limited to 25% occupancy for outdoor dining only, making it difficult for some businesses during the winter.

By Shane Farias / NM News Port Tourism in Santa Fe hit an all-time low over the last 10 months as a result of coronavirus restrictions, which caused the normally substantial number of visitors to drop significantly, affecting local businesses, events and overall revenue for the city.  The first positive COVID-19 case was reported in… Continue reading COVID-19 restrictions deplete Santa Fe tourism numbers

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

Hitting Home: Busted!

Nick (who chose not to give his last name) relaxing at a “man camp” in Carlsbad after finishing his shift with a fracking crew in nearby oil fields.

The Carlsbad region was poised to send $3 billion to New Mexico coffers, thanks to one of the biggest oil booms in history. Then came COVID. By Rachel Mabe and Ed Williams | Photography by Don J. Usner | Searchlight NM CARLSBAD, N.M. — On a Thursday in late May, Michael Trujillo sat in the… Continue reading Hitting Home: Busted!

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The problem with preschool

Anthony Elementary pre-K teacher Lourdes Aguirre shows students Matthew Gonzales (left) and Melissa Trejo (right) how to weigh fruit, as they play in the classroom's "supermarker." The class is part of the Gadsden Independent School District "On Track" pre-K system that serves 500 4-year-olds in southern Dona Ana county. Andrés Leighton / Searchlight New Mexico.

State and federal agencies fight for 4-year-olds, squeezing limited funds BY LAUREN VILLAGRAN / RAISING NEW MEXICO/ A tall chain-link fence splits the preschool campus behind Anthony Elementary in southern New Mexico: federally funded classrooms on one side, state-funded classrooms on the other. The fence serves as a literal and symbolic divide segregating two sets… Continue reading The problem with preschool

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