Public News Service

The New Mexico Public Education Department has more than 9,000 educators and administrators enrolled in its Science of Reading training. (lithiumphoto/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

NM program aims to improve kids' reading skills

In the past four years, the way New Mexico children are taught to read has undergone a major shift. Following passage of a state law in 2019…

Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello received both the Beazely Award and the International Award for their project

ABQ museum installs teeter-totter from U.S.-Mexico border wall

An art installation intended to jump-start social commentary about the treatment of immigrants has found a permanent home in Albuquerque. In 2019…

Attendees at a New Mexico summit discuss how to help in a state ranked one of the most food-insecure in the nation. (Courtesy Roadrunner Food Bank)

SW food banks meet to brainstorm hunger solutions, create action plan

People who receive emergency food services from New Mexico food banks and other charitable organizations were among those at a strategic summit Friday…

Almost all of New Mexico's 2,000 school buses run on diesel fuel. (Thomas/AdobeStock)

Advocates for electric school buses want NM to follow Colorado's lead

Studies show the health of New Mexico children who ride school buses could improve if the buses were electric instead of diesel, and efforts are …

Black and Latino youths are more likely to experience a gun homicide closer to their home when compared with white youths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock/Bettencourt/peopleimages.com)

NM lawmakers move gun-control bills forward

Gun control legislation is making headway in the 2024 New Mexico legislative session. On Wednesday, the New Mexico Senate passed a bill to ban guns …

In the United States, some 200 food banks feed more than 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other community-based agencies. (Roadrunner Food Bank)

How hunger disproportionately impacts rural communities

Some 44 million Americans are struggling with hunger, including 250,000 in New Mexico, and a nationwide food bank network wants Congress to help…

New Mexico is one of 10 states where 20% of school districts have funding below adequate levels, according to a new report. (exellentschools.org)<br />

Report: NM school funding suffers from lack of 'economic capacity'

A new report says state funding for public schools has fallen off a "fiscal cliff" in 39 states, and that New Mexico is one of 10 states where some 60…

The rate of New Mexico high school students not graduating on time was down from 33% a decade ago to 23% in 2019-2020. (Julie/Adobe Stock)

Report: New Mexico's child well-being slowly improving

Child well-being in New Mexico appears to be slowly improving with a marked decline in child poverty. Data from New Mexico Voices for Children found …

On average, the 20% of taxpayers who make the least money face a state and local tax rate nearly 60% higher than the top 1% of households, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. (narawit/Adobe Stock)

NM child advocates seek more 'tax equity' from 2024 legislative session

It is no secret the majority of state and local tax systems favor the wealthy but New Mexico is making progress in turning it around. The latest …

A diet devoid of indigenous foods is known to have a dramatic effect on the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives. (Courtesy: Save the Children)

Navajo Nation children embrace cafeteria's native foods

Across the globe, hunger is an enormous threat to children. To combat the problem, one rural school district in northwest New Mexico is bringing …

Following participation in a guaranteed income pilot program, 12% of rural New Mexico families said their child was on track to complete their grade level. (Fernanda/Adobe Stock)

NM cash-assistance program eased hardships for immigrant households

A new report from the nonprofit advocacy group New Mexico Voices showed a guaranteed cash assistance program designed for immigrants improved work and…

New Mexico aims for 'no hungry holidays' by doubling donations

Just a few days into December, food bank demand is high while some warehouse shelves are lean, and in New Mexico, a matching donation program this …

First-generation students make up one-third of all college students, but only 27% will attain a degree within four years. (MonkeyBusiness/Adobe Stock)

NM's first-generation students inspire siblings to pursue college

First-generation college students face a host of expectations and challenges - and that's why New Mexico State University will spotlight their accompl…

New Mexico lawmakers this year passed the Healthy Hunger-Free Students' Bill of Rights, which provides students free breakfast and lunch regardless of their income. (USDA)<br />

USDA unveils new alliance to strengthen school food procurement

As part of October's National Farm to School MonthNational Farm to School Month, the Department of Agriculture has announced a new effort to improve …

New Mexico's Healthy Foods Market, operated by Roadrunner Food Bank, distributes fresh produce and perishable food items monthly in nine urban, rural and tribal communities. (Photo courtesy RRFB)

New Mexico's Food Activists Shine Light on Hunger

The lines at hunger relief organizations are longer now as pandemic-related benefits have ended, but you can help your neighbors with grocery …

Las familias que viven en �reas rurales, son de estatus mixto, tienen un dominio limitado del ingl�s o experimentan una inestabilidad residencial significativa son las que tienen m�s probabilidades de tener dificultades con la actual

Medidas a tomar para preservar la cobertura de Medicaid en NM

Después de tres años de cobertura continua de Medicaid durante la pandemia de COVID-19, esta protección terminó. Como resultado…

Families that live in rural areas, are of mixed status, have limited English proficiency or experience significant residential instability are most likely to struggle with the current

Steps New Mexicans Can Take to Preserve Medicaid Coverage

After three years of continuous Medicaid coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, that protection has ended. As a result, New Mexico is assessing …

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has found trauma is present in almost every age, race, ability, and socioeconomic group. (MNStudios/Pixabay)

NM Teachers Have Tools to Ease 'Back to School' Transition

Since the pandemic, back-to-school season brings up a lot of emotions for parents and kids, and can be even harder for those affected by a school …

The average young person knows at least one other person who's been injured or killed by a gun, according to a survey by Everytown for Gun Safety and the Southern Poverty Law Center. (michelmond/Adobe Stock)

Report: Young Americans Feel Unsafe, Support Stricter Gun Laws

Some 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and almost 60% want to see stricter gun laws, according to a new report from …

The National Weather Service says a heat index at or above 90 degrees poses a significant health risk. (nmsd.k12.nm.us)

Study: NM Needs New Policies to Protect Children from Extreme Heat

New Mexico must do more to protect children and other vulnerable residents from extreme heat, according to a new report from the advocacy …

New Mexico is one of only a few states to include immigrant tax filers who use their Individual Taxpayer Identification Number in filing for state and federal credits and rebates. (JoshuaResnick/Adobe Stock)

NM Aims to Promote Justice with Tax Rebates for Immigrant Workers

Tax rebates can boost economic growth, and the rebates available in New Mexico this summer are designed to reverse discriminatory exclusions of …

Emergency allotments added to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the pandemic have ended, increasing the number of food-insecure households. (Courtesy Roadrunner Food Bank)

NM Group Offers Families, Kids Summer Food Assistance

New Mexico kids on vacation from school are no longer queueing-up for cafeteria meals - and that can increase hunger for low-income children and their…

The 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act protects Native children from forced removal from their families, tribes and culture. (ruslanita/AdobeStock)

SCOTUS Adoption Ruling Delivers Win for Tribal Sovereignty

Native Americans, tribal leaders and other supporters of last week's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding adoption say it affirms their …

New Mexico used federal pandemic funds to expand child care assistance, which was replaced by state funding during the 2023 legislative session to prevent a reversal. (nmvoices.org)

NM Kids' Well-Being Falls Short; Child Advocates Expect Turnaround

New Mexico ranks last in a new report on kids' overall well-being by state, but children's advocates said the two-year-old data does not tell the …

The phenomenon called summer learning loss is notable in countries with lengthy breaks, including the United States and Canada. (AdobeStock/peopleimages.com)

NM's Schoolchildren Get Help Through 'Make Summer Fair' Program

Summer, with its 90-day break from school, can be fun but also a challenge for New Mexico's rural kids who rely on school for companionship and meals…

A one-day food drive sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers (AFL-CIO) has delivered more than 1.82 billion pounds of food in the past 30 years. (Courtesy Roadrunners)

'Stamp Out Hunger' Food Drive Returns to New Mexico Saturday

One in five children in New Mexico is at risk of hunger, and this weekend you can make a difference. Hunger-relief organizations are promoting the …

La pandemia de COVID-19, que dur� dos a�os, oblig� a muchos alumnos de escuelas p�blicas a asistir a clases a distancia a trav�s de Internet. (Kawee/Adobe Stock)

Conductor de autobús ABQ y otras personas elogiadas por respuesta de COVID en audiencia

El presidente de la Federación Americana de Profesores fue interrogado el miércoles en el Congreso sobre la respuesta del sindicato ante la …

The two-year COVID-19 pandemic forced many public school children to attend their classes remotely via internet. (Kawee/Adobe Stock)

ABQ Bus Driver, Others Praised for COVID Response at Testy D.C. Hearing

The American Federation of Teachers president was grilled in Congress on Wednesday about the union's response to the coronavirus pandemic - but manage…

A report based on federal data shows New Mexico's rate of homelessness is 12 individuals per 10,000 people, compared with 18 per 10,000 nationwide - lower than neighboring Colorado, also at 18 per 10,000, but higher than Texas at eight per 10,000. (M-SUR/AdobeStock)

NM Homelessness Declines, But Rural Folks Face Barriers

In the past two years, homelessness in America has risen only 1%, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - which …

College students who are also parents have high dropout rates, with approximately 52% leaving school within six years without obtaining a degree, according to the Institute of Women's Policy Research. (Ersin/AdobeStock)

NM Community College Boosts Support for Student Parents

In today's higher-education landscape, more than one-in-five college students also are parents - leading one New Mexico college to create a Student …

New Mexico is considered one of the U.S. states most vulnerable to climate-change impacts that threaten physical health, the economy and people's way of life. (mmg1design/AdobeStock)

NM Resiliency Bill Aims to Help People Prepare for Climate Change

Worsening environmental conditions because of extreme weather and climate change are cited as why proactive legislation is needed by the New Mexico Le…

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 …

Virtual tutoring for K-12 students has shown mixed results, but New Mexico is counting on it to improve academic performance. (Westock/AdobeStock)

New Mexico Turns to Virtual Tutoring To Boost Student Grades

To boost educational outcomes, New Mexico will start the new year with a free, virtual tutoring program - focused on math, language arts, and science …

In a 2018 ruling, a state District Court judge found New Mexico was failing to prepare students equally for college and a career, specifically citing a lack of sufficient education for Native Americans. (AdobeStock/mmg1design)

NM's Boost in Early Education Funds Included in Federal Omnibus Bill

New Mexico voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot question in November to spend more money on early childhood education and public schools, and now …

When the 2023 legislative session convenes, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says she'll push lawmakers to ensure all public school students get free school meals. (vejaa/AdobeStock)

Post-Pandemic, Hunger in NM Still a Critical Concern for Thousands

Holiday preparations are underway, and those who battle hunger in New Mexico are urging communities to remember their neighbors at a time when food …

The expansion of tax credits and free school meals during COVID-19 temporarily lifted more than three-million children out of poverty during the latter half of 2021, according to a Child Trends report. (disha1980/AdobeStock)

Study: Lifting Children Out of Poverty Losing Momentum

A new study found progress made to reduce child poverty over the past 25 years in the U.S. is at risk of stalling or being reversed. Child poverty …

The 2022 Kids Count report found 56% of New Mexico three- and four-year-olds are not in preschool, the lowest ranking in the nation. (Susan Warner/savethechildren.org)

NM Voters to Decide Major Funding Shift for Early Childhood Education

In educational performance, New Mexico consistently ranks at or near the bottom among the 50 states, but it could change if an influx of dedicated …

New Mexico ranks second in the nation for childhood hunger, according to Feeding America, with one in five children, or about 20.5% of children in the state, at risk of hunger. (nokidhungry.org)

Your Chance to Help Alleviate Hunger in New Mexico

A silver lining of the pandemic was more money available to address hunger, but those funds are drying up, and many in New Mexico will struggle this …

Children ages 5 to 17 miss nearly two million school days in a single year due to dental health problems, according to the Healthy Schools Campaign. (teeth.org.au)

Health Screenings: Getting NM Kids Back to School on the Right Foot

As children head back to school in New Mexico, experts say it is important to get them in for a physical and get their hearing, vision, and teeth …

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 …

A new report shows the meal gap in New Mexico is 43.6 million meals, according Feeding America's

Federal Pandemic Funds Reduced NM Hunger; Longterm Worries Remain

Food insecurity in New Mexico dropped during COVID, but groups working to fight hunger worry the temporary reprieve will reverse itself now that …

The COVID pandemic caused major challenges for families and blunted progress in New Mexico to improve child well-being, according to New Mexico Voices for Children. (DeanMoriarty/Pixaby)

NM Struggles in Child Well-Being Report but Celebrates Positive Trends

Since 2020, New Mexico has been working to create a more cohesive, equitable and effective early-childhood system. But it could be a while before it …

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 …

In New Mexico, a new map indicates 144,377 residents - including 38,749 children - face potential health threats by pollution from the oil and gas industry. (Jimmy Cloutier/Howard Center for Investigative Journalism)

New Map Shows More People Live within Oil & Gas "Threat Radius"

A newly created map reveals more Americans are being exposed to health threats from proximity to oil-and-gas production facilities. The map's release …

The Journal of the American Medical Association says trans youths with access to gender-affirming care are 60% less likely to have moderate to severe depression and are 73% less suicidal. (MaryBettiniBlank/Pixabay)

States Form Coalition to Counter Anti-LGBTQ Bills

New Mexico and 18 other states have announced plans to introduce legislation they say will be needed to protect transgender kids from civil and crimin…

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico includes one in four children being at risk of hunger, and one in six people overall. (hfcc.edu)

Letter Carriers 'Stamp Out Hunger' Campaign Returns After COVID Hiatus

Mail carriers across New Mexico are gearing-up for the "2022 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive" this Saturday, May 14. The National Association of Letter …

Since the start of the pandemic, at least 30,000 immigrant families in New Mexico were excluded from stimulus rebate checks, unemployment benefits and other safety-net programs. (SomosUnPuebloUnido)

Statewide "Guaranteed Basic Income" Launches in New Mexico

In the next few days, more than 300 undocumented or mixed-immigration-status New Mexico families will begin receiving $500 monthly for the next year…

Child well-being in New Mexico was steadily improving prior to the onset of the pandemic, according to a new report from the state's Voices for Children. (AlexandraKoch/Pixabay)

Report: NM's Hispanic Families Hurt Most by Pandemic

New Mexico's families of color, Hispanic families in particular, have been hit hardest by income losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to …

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