Mandatory Participation for 55,000 New Mexicans Starting January 1, 2026, approximately 55,000 residents of New Mexico who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be required to fulfill new work, volunteering, or educational obligations. This federal mandate targets able-bodied adults aged 18 to 64 who do not have children under 14 to care for,…
Introduction to a New Era The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team is entering an exciting new chapter under the leadership of head coach Eric Olen. Hired on March 30, 2025, Olen brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to a program eager to reclaim its competitive edge. Following a remarkable NCAA…
Community Spirit Captured in Travel PoPville, a beloved hyperlocal blog originally known as Prince of Petworth, continues to foster community connections through its engaging merchandise program. Recently, the blog has highlighted the adventures of its readers with PoPville T-Shirts, which have traveled far and wide, including a stunning photo from the Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque,…
Significant Policy Shift Announced In a landmark decision, President Trump has issued an executive order aimed at reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This pivotal move could transform the landscape for New Mexico’s cannabis industry, acknowledging the plant’s accepted medical use and easing various regulatory hurdles. Impact on…
Personal Tragedy Inspires a Life-Saving Mission Clarie Miller, now the state suicide prevention coordinator for New Mexico, turned her devastating personal loss into a powerful advocacy for mental health. After losing her husband, Brett Miller, to suicide in 2008, she dedicated her life to preventing others from experiencing similar pain. The Alarming Suicide Rates in…
Background of the Case In a dramatic turn of events, Debra Leigh Newton, who vanished from Louisville, Kentucky, in 1983 with her then-3-year-old daughter, Michelle, has been arrested in Florida. Using the alias Sharon Neely, Newton’s life took a surprising twist when law enforcement apprehended her earlier this month following a tip from Crime Stoppers….
Connecting Students with College Opportunities On October 29, 2025, six students from Los Alamos High School (LAHS) took a significant step towards their futures by participating in the annual American Indian Senior Day at the University of New Mexico (UNM). This outreach event, organized by UNM’s American Indian Student Services (AISS), is designed to guide…
Overview of the Arrest On December 10, the Rio Rancho Police Department (RRPD) apprehended three individuals—Deshawn Jaynes, Marc Smith, and Alexander Paredes—at a Walmart in Rio Rancho. The trio is accused of being part of an organized retail crime operation linked to thefts across 11 states, including New Mexico. Details of the Criminal Activity According…
Incident Overview On Friday morning, Bernalillo County Fire Rescue (BCFR) and Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR) responded to a vehicle fire reported around 6 a.m. on Fairhaven Avenue, near the intersection of Bridge and Sunset. Neighbors reported seeing a large plume of smoke rising from the area, prompting a swift emergency response. Fire Response and Management…
Efforts to Revitalize State Rivers New Mexico is witnessing a renewed push for river restoration, as highlighted in a recent episode of New Mexico in Focus (NMiF). Environmental experts are advocating for increased state investment in tackling the severe degradation affecting key waterways such as the Rio Grande, Jemez, and Santa Fe rivers. Factors contributing…