Op Ed: “We Can’t Stop The Storm, But We Can Learn To Weather It”
By LAURA M. MONTOYA
New Mexico State Treasurer
New Mexico has endured its fair share of disasters that put our resilience to the test. In 2022, the Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak fire, the worst in state history, devastated northern New Mexico’s forests, farms, ranches, and homes. More recently, Ruidoso residents endured back-to-back disasters: fires followed by severe flooding. These incidents and many others destroyed hundreds of homes, displacing families, closing businesses, and upending lives.
While some circumstances were beyond our control, we must turn adversity into opportunity Read More
FBI: Albuquerque Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Cyberstalking Multiple Women
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — An Albuquerque man was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison after a pattern of persistent digital harassment targeting multiple women over a nine-month period.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, between June 2022 and March 2023, Phillip Gonzales, 39, stalked and harassed three women using anonymous texting applications and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. Over this nine-month period, Gonzales sent the victims graphic sexual messages, expressed rape fantasies, threatened the victims, and demonstrated knowledge Read More
Think New Mexico: Majority Of New Mexico School Districts Now Include Financial Literacy in High School Graduation Requirements
From Think New Mexico:
Forty-five of New Mexico’s 89 school districts, reaching 46.93% of all public school students in the state, have made financial literacy a high school graduation requirement for students entering ninth grade in the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter, according to a new survey completed by Think New Mexico. Thirty-five of those districts require completion of a year-long financial literacy course, while ten require at least a semester. Think New Mexico recommended ensuring that all students receive high-quality financial literacy education since the 2020 publication Read More
$3M Available For Enriching Outdoor Youth Programs
FY25 awardee New Mexico Wilderness Alliance’s Outdoor Academy offers hands-on outdoor recreation job training and internships to Taos High School and Taos Pueblo Day School students. Courtesy photo
EDD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Outdoor Recreation Division invites organizations to apply for the FY26 Outdoor Equity Fund, supporting programs that connect youth from communities across New Mexico to enriching outdoor experiences.
The first of two FY26 rounds opened June 1 and will close July 31, 2025. A second cycle will run from Jan. Read More
Fire At Healing America’s Heroes Facility Near Fort Stanton May 25 Now Contained
HAH CEO Eddie Crain, seen here with a staff member, will be at the upcoming Chamberfest (booth #27) near the post office. He welcomes all veterans and first responders to visit the HAH booth and talk about their FREE programs. Courtesy photo
STATE News:
On Sunday, May 25, afternoon, a campfire broke out near Fort Stanton, NM, where the Healing America’s Heroes (HAH) facility is located. HAH is the nonprofit organization serving disabled veterans and first responders (www.healingamericasheroes.org). The fire quickly burnt over 360 acres within hours, and all residents in Fort Stanton Read More
Report Highlights Urgent Child Care Shortage In New Mexico
ECECD News:
HOBBS — Last week, the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council presented key findings from a statewide child care demand study and shared updates on federal policy changes.
The meeting, held in Hobbs, highlighted the urgent need to expand access to early childhood programs and sustain investment in the sector.
A new child care gap analysis presented at the meeting found a statewide shortfall of 13,942 child care slots in 2024, with the most significant gaps in Lea, Eddy, Santa Fe, Sandoval and Bernalillo counties.
The study found that parents frequently Read More
Celebrate National Trails Day® This Saturday
AHS News:
It’s a powerful opportunity to get outside, connect with your local community, and document how outdoor lovers near you are giving back to the trails and natural spaces we all love.
Now in its 33rd year, American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® is the largest nationwide celebration of trails, bringing together thousands of volunteers, hikers, bikers, runners, outdoor enthusiasts and advocates across the country in a unified effort to leave the trails and the outdoor community better than they found them.
From trail clean-ups and stewardship events to guided hikes, inclusive Read More
FBI: U.S. Government Seizes Approximately 145 Criminal Marketplace Domains
FBI News:
ALEXANDRIA, VA — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced today the seizure of approximately 145 darknet and traditional internet domains, and cryptocurrency funds associated with the BidenCash marketplace. The operators of the BidenCash marketplace use the platform to simplify the process of buying and selling stolen credit cards and associated personal information.
BidenCash commenced operations in March 2022. BidenCash administrators charged a fee for every transaction conducted on the website. The BidenCash marketplace had grown Read More
Zuni Youth Enrichment Project Engages Over 200 Zuni Youth In Annual Basketball League
Courtesy photo
Community coaches meeting. Courtesy photo
ZYEP News:
ZUNI — The Zuni Youth Enrichment Project’s 2025 Basketball League wrapped up on Friday, May 16, for 203 Zuni youth ages 7-12 who engaged in eight weeks of regular practices and weekly games as well as a midseason tournament, April 15-17. Shepherding them through the experience were ZYEP’s physical activity team and 43 community coaches.
Made possible with support from Nike, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the New Mexico Department of Health and the Zuni Public School District, the Read More
NMDOT: Fog Seal Operations Begin On NM 75
NMDOT News:
PEÑASCO — The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) District Five will begin Fog Sealing NM 75 from milepost 0 (Embudo) to milepost 15 (Peñasco) June 9, 2025.
Starting Monday, June 9, 2025, drivers can expect temporary lane closures in both the eastbound and westbound lanes as needed. Use caution for workers and equipment in the area, reduced speed limits with flagging and pilot car operation. Center striping will not be present in construction zones. Working hours will be Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. and work is expected to be completed by June 12, 2025, Read More
