Public News Service

Many New Mexico lawmakers travel hundreds of miles for annual legislative sessions and must rent lodging for 30 to 60 days. (JohnMcGrawPhotog/Adobe Stock)

Women in NM Legislature make the case for an annual salary

New Mexico's Legislature is becoming more diverse but its lawmakers are still the only ones unpaid in the nation, limiting who can afford to serve…

Only 38% of U.S. women between ages 13 and 44 live in a state supportive of abortion rights, according to the Guttmacher Institute. (goodluz/AdobeStock)

NM Abortion Hotline Stays Busy; Medical Residents Seek Training

New Mexico has developed a two-pronged approach to safeguard access to abortion: offering an information hotline and instruction to medical residents …

New Mexico's Human Rights Modernization Act now includes language to prohibit discriminatory practices from publicly funded entities. (ajr_images/AdobeStock)

NM Approves Expansion of LGBTQ+ Rights, Reproductive Protections

New Mexico's LGBTQ community will soon have additional protections after existing language in state law was updated by the Legislature. Sen…

Women's state legislative representation is at a record high in New Mexico, but nationwide they hold less than 33% of all seats, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. (theartofpics/AdobeStock)

New Mexico Women Move Toward Gender Parity in State Legislature

Voters in western states are more likely to elect women to the state Legislature, according to a new Center for American Women and Politics report…

Child poverty rates worsened nationwide in 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, but improved slightly in New Mexico. (Rawpixel.com/AdobeStock)<br />

Report: NM Child Well-Being Fared Better Than Expected During Pandemic

New Mexico's Voices for Children has released its latest Kids Count Data Book - noting some quality-of-life improvements despite COVID, but also …

Food banks help the one in five New Mexico children estimated to be at risk for hunger, and one in eight overall, according to Roadrunner Food Bank. (dosomething.org)

Making 'HELP' Available to New Mexico's Hungry, Food Insecure

Inflation has caused some New Mexico families, who were breaking even six months ago, to once again struggle, and groups working to alleviate hunger …

The states of Texas, Florida and Missouri stand to lose the most money following implementation of extreme abortion laws, according to the Institute for Women's Policy Research. (erikawittlieb/Pixabay)

Will Anti-abortion Red States Face Professional 'Brain Drain?'

By Linda Burstyn for Ms. Magazine Broadcast version by Roz Brown for New Mexico News Connection/Public News Service Bad Business: Anti-abortion …

The national infant formula shortage has been an ongoing issue since the pandemic began in 2020, when formula was among the products stockpiled by consumers.(Dirk[Beeki]Schumacher/Pixabay)<br />

States Can Make Baby Formula Easier to Get for WIC Participants

Shopping for baby formula online could soon be a reality for those enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and …

Bans on abortion in Texas and Arizona will make New Mexico, where it is legal, the closest destination for many seeking access to the procedure. (centerforlanduseinterpretation)

Roe Domino Effect: Are Contraception, Gay Rights Next?

Leaders in the equality movement are warning the Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade may soon lead to a reversal of other landmark privacy-…

Assuming the Supreme Court's leaked ruling overturning Roe v. Wade becomes effective this year, five decades of what many thought was

NM Activists Want "Sanctuary" Laws for Abortion Providers

Pro-choice activists want New Mexico to follow the lead of Connecticut in providing a safe haven for abortion providers after last week's leaked draft…

In the second cohort of the Magnolia Mother's Trust, the percentage of moms able to keep up with their bills increased from 37% to 80%. (Adobe Stock)

With BBB In Doubt, A Push for Guaranteed Income for Low-Income Families

By Katie Fleischer for Ms. Magazine.Broadcast version by Emily Scott for New Mexico News Connection reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News …

Women of color are much less likely to enter contests for statewide executive offices than white women, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. (8385/Pixabay)

Women Face Money Crunch on Road to Political Office

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Women have voted at higher rates than men in every presidential election since 1984, but a new study shows when they run for a …

Career women in their 60s and beyond are looking to President-elect Joe Biden to smash some stereotypes about aging with his Cabinet picks. (legabbiedelcuore/Pixabay)

Will Biden Presidency Change Age, Gender Stereotypes?

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - President-elect Joe Biden is 78-years old, and advocates for redefining retirement are encouraged by early signs that he could …

More than 130 tribal leaders in New Mexico wrote letters to President-elect Joe Biden supporting the selection of U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, D-New Mexico, to lead the Department of the Interior. (npr.org)

NM's Haaland First Native American Nominated as U.S. Cabinet Secretary

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - In what would be an historic selection, President-elect Joe Biden has nominated New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland, D-Albuquerque…

At least 131 women - 100 Democrats, and 31 Republicans - will serve in Congress in 2021, surpassing the record of 127 set two years ago, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. (bellaluna222/Pixabay)

2020 Election Produces Historic Inroads for Women of Color

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- When the U.S. Congress convenes in January, a record number of women will be representing their states. Republican and …

Oct. 20 is the last date absentee-ballot requests can be received by county clerks in New Mexico. (ncsl.org)

NM League of Women Voters Encourages Online Registration

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The League of Women Voters of New Mexico is confident new voter registrations will increase after the state saw an almost 80% …

As the result of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, the percentage of New Mexico children without health insurance continued to drop in 2018, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Victoria_Borodinova/Pixabay)

Despite Small Advances, NM Child Well-Being Stuck at 50th Nationwide

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- A yearly report that looks at indicators of child well-being shows New Mexico in last place among the 50 states, but there is …

A majority of Americans support laws that allow family members or police to request temporary removal of guns from a person deemed at risk to themselves or others, according to a 2019 APM Research Lab/Guns & America/Call To Mind survey. (LoveableNinja/Pixabay)

Will New Mexico Be Next "Red-Flag" State?

SANTA FE, N.M. - A "red flag" gun bill is headed to the New Mexico Senate floor for debate - but not without a major revision from the original …

Native American women face some of the nation's highest rates of homicide, sexual violence and domestic abuse, according to the federal government. (womenadvancenc.org)

Feds Launch Effort to Address Missing and Murdered Native Americans

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A task force charged with solving cases of missing and murdered Native Americans held its first meeting in Washington DC this …

More than 600 events are planned across the U.S. and globe tonight to protest conditions in American immigration detention centers. (Stocksnap/Pixabay) More than 600 events are planned across the U.S. and globe tonight to protest conditions in American immigration detention centers. (Stocksnap/Pixabay)

New Mexico Cities Host 'Lights for Liberty' Vigils

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Two days before mass raids targeting thousands of undocumented families are expected to begin on Sunday, thousands of …

The birth rate for Hispanic women fell by 31% from 2007 to 2017, a decline that demographers attribute to generational differences between Hispanic immigrants and those born in America. (spass/Adobe)

Baby Bust: Fertility and America's Economy

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – It wasn't that long ago that American women regularly gave birth to five or 10 children, but fertility rates across the U.S…

Two-thirds of domestic workers don't have contracts with their employers, according to the National Domestic Workers Alliance. (United Nations University)

New Mexico's Domestic Workers May Soon Get Wage Protections

SANTA FE, N.M. - The people who make it possible for others to have a job in New Mexico may finally get wage protections if a bill makes it through …

A 2017 survey of rural New Mexico residents showed 77 percent of respondents said they trust women to make decisions about abortion for themselves. (freedomworks.org)

New Efforts to Repeal NM's Old Abortion Law

SANTA FE, N. M. – With a more conservative U.S. Supreme Court, state activists want to make sure that abortion will remain legal in New Mexico…

Ninety-eight years after women were granted the right to vote, Latina women in New Mexico earn only 56 cents for every dollar earned by a man doing the same job, and Caucasian women earn 85 cents. (lilysblackboard.org)

NM Registers Voters on Women's Equality Day, August 26

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Women will be encouraged to register to vote in the November election as part of a Women's Equality Day celebration this …

New Mexico has not passed any new legislation related to abortion in nearly 20 years. (Progress Now New Mexico)

NM Reproductive-Rights Advocates Oppose Supreme Court Nominee

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Confirmation hearings for the newest U.S. Supreme Court nominee are not likely before September, but the selection of Brett …

The state minimum wage in New Mexico is $7.50 per hour, but Santa Fe's minimum hourly wage is $11.40. (epi.org)

Report: Minimum Wage Boost Could Reduce Poverty

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A new report calls for raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour to reduce poverty and promote pay …

The 2018 Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence report ranked New Mexico among the worst 10 states for gun safety. (nyagv.org)

Study: Guns, Mass Shootings and Domestic Violence Linked

ALBUQUERQUE – New Mexico has the eighth-highest gun death rate in the country, and new analysis shows there is a strong link between mass …

New Mexico health officials hope unwanted pregnancies can be reduced by allowing pharmacists to provide birth control prescriptions. (thenationshealth.aphapublications.org)

New Mexico Pharmacists to Fill Birth Control Prescriptions

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Individual training begins next week for New Mexico pharmacists who want to prescribe and provide birth control to women…

Critics say inappropriate behavior at the Roundhouse has gone unchecked for years because there was no effective procedure to report such conduct. (Progress Now New Mexico)

Roundhouse Sees Sexual Harassment Training, New Legislation

SANTA FE, N.M. – Training for New Mexico legislators is underway at the State Capitol this week about what constitutes sexual harassment…

New Mexico State University hosts its first conference this week to address sexual violence on campus. (sexualassaultassistanceprogram.org)

NM State University Hosts Conference on Campus Sexual Violence

LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- A New Mexico State University conference this week will help campus leaders be better prepared when victims of sexual assault…

New Mexico will receive $2.5 million in federal grants to help authorities make a dent in the backlog of thousands of untested rape kits. (ocrcc.org)

Albuquerque to Test Huge Rape Kit Backlog

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Victims of sexual assaults that occurred in Albuquerque more than 30 years ago may finally get justice now that decades-old …

President Donald Trump's efforts to dismantle initiatives enacted under the Obama administration now include limiting birth control for women and anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people. (internationalwomensinitiative.org)

NM Reacts to Trump's Rollback on LGBT Rights, Birth Control

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A group in New Mexico that advocates for reproductive justice and health care says the state's rural communities will …

A 2015 report lists New Mexico as third in the nation in cases of men killing women in domestic-violence cases. (Pixabay)

First-Ever Abuse Hotline Open for New Mexico Native Americans

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- For the first time, Native Americans living in New Mexico can call a free crisis hotline to report domestic abuse. Compared …

UNM Launches "Reclaim the Red" Campaign

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Universities across the U.S. - including the University of New Mexico - are back in session. That means it's the start of …

Organizers are planning a Women's March in Albuquerque and Santa Fe on Saturday. (Liv Baca-Hochhausler)

Women's Marches Planned Saturday for Albuquerque, Santa Fe

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Thousands of New Mexicans are expected to take to the streets of Santa Fe and Albuquerque on Saturday to attend marches in …

In a state-by-state analysis, New Mexico got a D- for its workplace policies when it comes to women and families. (iStockphoto)

NM Earns D- for Family-Friendly Policies

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- When it comes to providing workplace policies that support workers with families, New Mexico ranked close to the bottom…

Women in New Mexico make only 78 cents for each dollar men earn, and Latino women make just 55 cents.(Steve Debenport/iStock)

New Mexico Women’s Wages Lag Behind Men

SANTA FE, N.M. - As millions across the country noted Equal Pay Day this week, women in New Mexico found very little to celebrate. A new report out …

A recent survey ranks New Mexico residents 43rd in the country in terms of their financial literacy. (andresr/iStock)

New Mexico Near Bottom of Financial Literacy Rankings

SANTA FE, N.M. - A survey of financial literacy shows New Mexico residents rank poorly in understanding how to manage their money. The state ranks 4…

The Healthy Kids New Mexico program teaches children about fruits, vegetables and even how to make salads in order to maintain a healthy weight. (Pixabay)

New Mexico Lowers Incidence of Childhood Obesity

SANTA FE, N.M. - Health officials in New Mexico say childhood obesity in the state has decreased by 16 percent over the past five years, both in …

A proposal for $41 million in President Obama's budget proposal would help New Mexico and others clear the backlog of untested rape kits. (Wikimedia Commons)

Federal Budget Includes $41 Million to End Rape Kit Backlog

SANTA FE, N.M. - Victims advocacy groups are hailing the inclusion of $41 million in President Barack Obama's proposed budget to help address the …

New Mexico officials discovered more than 5,400 untested rape kits during a recent audit of police evidence lockers. (click/morguefile)

New Mexico Audit Finds 5,411 Untested Rape Kits

SANTA FE, N.M. – Victims' rights advocates are hoping New Mexico officials take steps during the upcoming legislative session to deal with the …

Climate change is likely to have far-reaching impacts on crops and livestock throughout the world, according to a new report. Credit: USDA

Climate Change Poses Multiple Threats to Global Food System

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Climate change will have a big impact on food security across the globe, but will hit the poor and people living in tropical …

Reproductive-health physicians say increases in exposure to toxic chemicals over the last four decades are threatening human reproduction and health. Credit: Suriya Wattanalee/iStockphoto

Physicians Urge Action to Prevent Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

ALBQUERQUE, N.M. - Dramatic increases in exposure to toxic chemicals over the last four decades are threatening human reproduction and health…

In 2014, women earned 78 cents for every dollar earned by men, and a new report says it could be another 45 years before women see equal pay. Credit: Dmitry Ersler/iStockphoto.

Equal Pay For Women Still Decades Away

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Women won't get paid as much as men until the year 2059, according to a report by the Institute for Women's Policy Research…

PHOTO: New Mexicans are encouraged to wear red today to raise awareness about the fight against heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women. Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

It's "National Wear Red Day" in New Mexico, Nation

SANTA FE, N.M. - People in New Mexico and around the nation are encouraged to wear red today in recognition of efforts to fight heart disease…

PHOTO: Young families don't always have a lot to smile about. Those who are struggling may benefit from home-visiting services, and a number of New Mexico organizations want to make sure Congress renews funding for these programs. Photo credit: FEMA.

Funding Uncertain for Home-Visitation Programs In NM

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The clock is ticking on federal funding that helps struggling parents with young children in New Mexico and across the …

PHOTO: The state has made progress in the past few years, but New Mexico's rate of premature births remains well below the goal set by the March of Dimes. Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Energy.

It's a "C" Grade for NM's Premature Birth Rate

SANTA FE, N.M. - New Mexico's premature birth rate has improved over the past several years, but still remains well below the goal set by the March …

PHOTO: Working with parents and children together, rather than separately, may help advance efforts to end the cycle of poverty in New Mexico and across the U.S., is the finding of a new report. Photo courtesy of City of Albuquerque.

Poverty in NM, Nation Requires a "Two-Generation Approach"

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Efforts to end the cycle of poverty in New Mexico may advance if policymakers focus on a two-generation approach that involves …

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2024 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 24 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app
	Embed this Newscast

PNS Daily Newscast - April 16, 2024

2024Talks - April 16, 2024

The Yonder Report - April 11, 2024

NM: Women's