KUNM News Update
After more than 50 school districts sued the state and its education secretary over extending the school year to 180 days, a state judge has issued a temporary restraining order. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the order prevents the Public Education Department from enforcing the rule it passed in March amid pushback from school staff and lawmakers.
Local News
Sunday marked the second anniversary for the National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person’s Awareness Day. The New Mexico Indian Affairs Department partnered with the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women to host an event for families to share their stories with officials – and bring attention to the ongoing crisis.
Let's Talk New Mexico
The state Public Education Department recently mandated public schools to operate for 180 days – that’s a 5 day school week. Districts across the state are pushing back with a lawsuit citing lacking funding and transportation, especially in rural areas. Is the mandate overreaching, or, does it fulfill the state’s obligation to students?
-
Homelessness in New Mexico is on the rise and attorney and former state lawmaker Daymon Ely has a plan to address it in Albuquerque. His 60-page report laying out short and long-term goals has sparked plenty of debate in advocacy circles. KUNM’s Megan Kamerick talked with Ely on New Mexico in Focus, along with Jenny Metzler of Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless and John Bulten of East Central Ministries.
-
Among Native American communities, people go missing and experience violence at disproportionately high rates. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) - the first Native cabinet secretary - has been working to implement the Not Invisible Act, which she helped pass as a Congresswoman in 2019. A commission traveled round the country hearing testimony from survivors, advocates, law enforcement and tribal leaders. It released a list of recommendations last November, and now the Departments of Justice and Interior have responded.
-
Indigenous designers gathered at a glitzy party at the Governor's mansion. They say the appreciation of their work is long overdue.
-
Maxeon Solar Technologies' planned factory in Albuquerque was set to break ground in the first quarter of 2024. That is now delayed until at least the second half of the year, as a process of negotiating a federal loan continues.
-
Albuquerque City Councilors held their first meeting this week to discuss and hear from constituents about the mayor’s $1.4 billion proposed budget for the next fiscal year. They'll hold another next Thursday following a regular meeting Monday.
Latest from NPR
- Oregon community reduces planet-warming pollution by building energy efficiently
- Philly is among cities switching tactics on how to address addiction and homelessness
- Archive of Japanese Americans detained in internment camps is available online
- How a U.S. Customs and Border Protection veteran sees his agency's mission