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Valentine’s Day Themed Farmer’s Market at Albuquerque Rail Yards

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – This weekend, February 14 and 15, the Barelas Rail Yard’s Market and Bernalillo County Commission District 2 are holding their annual Valentine’s Day themed Farmer’s Market.

From 10a.m.-4p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the Rail Yards on 1st Street will be filled with local vendors, live music, hearts, and festive atmosphere.

The Rail Yards’ regular Sunday Farmer’s Market is inactive in February due to the cold weather but usually occurs every weekend from May to October. During the months without the Sunday Farmer’s Market, holiday events such as this weekend’s Valentine’s Market give Albuquerque residents somewhere to go and support local businesses.

According to their website, Railyardsmarket.org, they are entirely non-profit. The community and organizers have been holding the Farmer’s Market, among other events, since 2014.  

The website gives readers a look into the background of the Rail Yard’s Market, and it also provides information about vendors participating in the Markets, as well as links to follow if a business wants to become a vendor.

In addition to their website, perhaps a more youth-accessible platform, Rail Yard’s Market Instagram profile posts about upcoming events and what to expect.

In anticipation for this weekend, the Instagram page has posted a list of activities and events, tagging accounts they are partnering with, and ramping up excitement.

They have shared that there will be a Kids Zone with crafts and coloring pages, Pet Adoptions with BernCo Animal Care Services, tours of the Rail Yards, and live music.

The Market Experience

UPDATED MONDAY, FEB. 16 – On Sunday, despite it being the day after Valentine’s, the Rail Yards were still bustling with people, vendors, food, and music.

Local vendors lining the walkway were brightly filling the space with handmade decor and baked goods. Other booths had clothing, stickers, and many festive trinkets for the holiday.

The main entrance had food trucks outside, including Bing Tea, a well-known boba-tea and dessert truck. There was a large display with life-size version of candy conversation hearts with couples and friends using available props to take photos.

The Rail Yards are a unique place to invite people to support local business and cultivate an experience you wouldn’t find anywhere else.

If you missed the Valentine’s Day Market, don’t worry! The Rail Yards Market hosts many events every year. Their social media and their website are always up to date with upcoming events to check out and support. And, as always, their Sunday Farmer’s Market will begin again in May and run through October, every week from 10a.m. to 2p.m.

Olivia Woodard is a journalist for Brant One News. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Instagram at @brantonenews.

UNM Launches Historic Partnership with China’s Zhejiang Conservatory of Music (ZJCM)

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The University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Fine Arts and the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music (ZJCM) recently formalized a landmark international partnership. The collaboration connects UNM with one of China’s leading institutions for higher music education.

According to UNM News, the agreement marks a significant step in UNM’s commitment to global engagement, collaboration and international education.

UNM string faculty members Carmelo de los Santos and Christoph Wagner, traveled to China for the agreement signing. De los Santos is a professor of violin, while Wagner is an assistant professor of cello and head of strings.

They visited during UNM’s winter break and signed an official exchange and cooperation agreement on Dec. 29, 2025. The partnership established new pathways for student exchanges and study abroad opportunities for UNM music students. 

During their official engagement, ZJCM invited de los Santos and Wagner to participate in its prestigious New Year’s Concert. They also led masterclasses and engaged in educational activities with ZJCM students.

Their artistic involvement underscored the partnership’s collaborative spirit and showcased the international stature of UNM’s string faculty.

ZJCM is located in Hangzhou, one of China’s most vibrant cultural and technological centers. It features a state-of-the-art campus and a student body of more than 3,000 musicians. It also boasts a world-class faculty representing both Chinese and international traditions. 

The institution is widely recognized for its excellence in performance, pedagogy and artistic innovation.

Why UNM and ZJCM’s Partnership Matters

College of Fine Arts Dean Harris Smith highlighted the agreement’s significance and emphasized its impact on the broader UNM community.

“On behalf of the College of Fine Arts and the Department of Music, I am excited about this partnership and the meaningful cultural impact it will have for our faculty and students,” said Smith. “Experiences like these enrich the college experience, fostering artistic growth, global perspective and cross-cultural understanding through music.”

With this historic agreement, UNM Music continues to expand its global footprint and create transformative opportunities for students. It also strengthens international partnerships through artistic excellence.

New Mexico Officials Vow to Keep Health Insurance Affordable Despite Federal Cuts

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SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO — New Mexico officials vowed to keep health insurance affordable as enrollment in the state climbed by 17 percent. The figure defied a nationwide decline driven by higher premiums and coverage losses following federal subsidy cuts.

State officials said the growth, the highest increase in enrollment in the country, indicates the commitment of the government in protecting access to health care despite US Congress’s decision not to extend enhanced federal tax credits.

“Health insurance should protect people against medical debt, not cause it,” said Health Care Authority Cabinet Secretary Kari Armijo.

“The Health Care Affordability Fund is not only helping New Mexicans stay covered but is shielding working families from massive costs when they use care,” the cabinet secretary added. 

The Health Care Affordability Fund lowers premiums and out-of-pocket expenses for individuals who purchase insurance through BeWell NM, New Mexico’s health insurance marketplace. It offsets the loss of federal subsidies and helped protect consumers from rising costs of the national health care.

The expiration of enhanced subsidies has pushed insurance prices higher and contributed to more than 1 million people losing coverage across the United States. New Mexico, however, has taken a different path. The state utilized state resources so that residents are protected from the rising from being priced out of insurance.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said, “affordability is a top priority.”

“The results speak for themselves. People urgently need affordable health care.”

And the state has proved it can deliver even at a time when federal support falls short, Grisham in a statement said.

National data from Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) show many people are forced into high-deductible plans amid rising costs with an average deductible of $7,476. The high costs discouraged people from seeking care.

In New Mexico, however, the opposite is happening. Records showed enrollment in high-deductible Bronze plans fell from 3.4 percent to 3.1 percent. On the other hand, there is an increase of sign-ups for Turquoise Plans that offer the lowest out-of-pocket expenses in the state marketplace.

To keep health insurance affordable, House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski introduced House Bill 4. The bill would increase revenue to fund the Health Care Affordability Fund.

“House Bill 4 is one of the most critical bills we will hear this session,” Szczepanski said.

The bill, according Szczepanski, ensures that families won’t “lose health coverage because of decisions made far outside our state.”

House Bill 4, the lawmaker said, has the support across the aisles “to keep care affordable, stabilize our health system, and put people first with this bill.” 

Blue Pony Energy to Build $1.6B Low-Carbon Fuels Plant in New Mexico

LOVINGTON, New Mexico — Blue Pony Energy, a Houston-based energy company, will build a $1.6-billion manufacturing facility in Lovington, New Mexico. The project is expected to create 90 jobs over the next 10 years and support about 221 direct and indirect positions.

The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) projects more than $4.6 billion in statewide economic impact over 10 years.

State officials are pitching the project as part of a broader strategy to expand advanced energy industries. It also aligns with New Mexico’s climate and clean energy objectives.

“New Mexico is leading the nation as a place for advanced energy companies to build,” Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a press release.

New Mexico’s Clean Energy Transition

New Mexico has charted the path of net-zero emissions aimed at transforming its energy economy. Grisham’s 2019 executive order directed state agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45 percent by 2030 compared with 2005 levels and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The state’s Climate Action Plan outlines these targets.

“The New Mexico Climate Action Plan is more than a set of goals — it is an actionable roadmap to a resilient, energy-independent, and prosperous future for every New Mexican,” said Environment Secretary James Kenney.

To transition towards these goals, New Mexico enacted the Energy Transition Act (ETA). The law establishes renewable energy standards for utilities, mandating at least 50 percent renewable electricity by 2030 while privately-owned utilities has to comply with a fully zero-carbon electric supply by 2045, and rural coops by 2050.

An analysis by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), however, showed that New Mexico needs even more policy action to close the gap between current emissions and its climate goals. Economic and demographic trends have limited progress toward the 2030 target, EDF pointed out.

Blue Pony technology

Blue Pony’s Lovington project will employ technology that convert natural gas into synthetic fuels and specialty products with significantly lower carbon intensity. This aligns with state priorities to expand low-carbon solutions.

Advanced energy is a priority industry under the governor’s economic strategy and the EDD’s State Plan.

The Houston-based energy company cited the region’s business climate, infrastructure, and shared sustainability goals in choosing Lovington.

Blue Pony CEO Justin Rencurel said the project site is an ideal location for the company to “deploy advanced technologies.”

State Environment Secretary James Kenney said the investment aligns with both the emerging clean fuels industry and long-term environmental health.

Kenney said, Blue Pony is “a perfect fit as our state becomes a hotbed of the rapidly evolving clean fuels industry.”

Lawmakers also underscored the dual priorities of economic growth and climate action.

“New Mexico does not have to choose between our climate and our economy,” said Representative Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces). The state can lower its carbon footprints while pursuing economic growth and creating employment opportunities, he said.

Blue Pony is eligible for up to $2 million in state Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) funding. Pending final approval, the City of Lovington will also provide additional local LEDA support.

Officials expect the project to attract further investment, expand revenue, and strengthen the economy across southeast New Mexico.

Home streak ends for the Lobos 

The University of New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team took on Utah State Aggies to ultimately break the tie they both placed in the Mountain West this season. Ultimately, they took a hard loss in the pit and broke their four-game winning streak. The Lobos lost 86-66. 

On February 4, 2026, the Lobos battled for a hard-fought win inside The Pit. With tipoff set for a late 9 p.m. start, the energy in the arena stayed high. Both teams battled up and down the court. Defense dominated the night. Each side matched the other’s intensity possession by possession.

The Lobos struggled early, converting just five of their first 16 shot attempts. While both teams showed flashes of promise, they mirrored each other’s style of play. This resulted in back-to-back possessions where neither side could establish an offensive rhythm in the opening stages of the game.

“It felt like we had some opportunities around the basket in the first half that we didn’t capitalize on. All of those things just weren’t at the level we needed tonight,” Eric Olen, head men’s basketball coach for UNM said.

The second half proved rocky for the Lobos from the opening minutes, setting the tone not only for the players but for the crowd as well. It quickly became clear that the Lobos and Aggies would battle down to the wire. Though the Aggies eventually gained the upper hand. Utah Aggies capitalized on Lobo mistakes, scoring 19 points off Lobo turnovers.

The Lobos’ defense showed signs of life late in the second half, but the deficit proved too large to overcome. With the Aggies holding a commanding 64–44 lead at the midway point of the half, New Mexico managed only an 8–2 run to cut the margin to 14 with 7:25 remaining. That surge would be the Lobos’ final push. The game ultimately closed in an 86–66 loss.

Whether the Lobos will get a chance at redemption against the Aggies remains uncertain, as potential tournament matchups are still up in the air. However, with more basketball left to be played, many fans view this matchup as a learning opportunity. It could serve as valuable preparation should the two teams meet again.

Lobos women’s basketball dominates Lady Rebels 

On Jan. 28 2026 The University of New Mexico women’s basketball took on UNLV lady rebels for the second time this season after a devastating first loss. This time, Lobos stuck to a strong study tactic. As a result, they made sure to secure a home victory in the woman basketball showdown.

The Lady Rebels suffered a double-digit loss to the Lobos, marking just the second time UNLV has lost a Mountain West Conference game by double digits since 2021. This snapped their long-standing winning streak. The Lady Lobos set the tone early. They jumped out to a 20–9 lead by the end of the first quarter, demonstrating how woman basketball teams can bounce back after defeat.

The Lobos led on the scoreboard for a total of forty minutes and not once trailed. The Lobos redeemed big time from the last matchup against UNLV. In fact, it seemed as if it was a completely different ball game on the defensive side. Undoubtedly, the intensity of woman basketball was evident throughout the match.

Their last matchup ended in 71-81 with UNLV securing the victory. Some would say that there were a few hiccups that contributed to the loss of the Lobos, one being a couple of starters being sick and injured. However, this time the Lobos had the whole team to bring the heat of what they couldn’t the first time. 

When asked about their defensive effort, Joana Magalhães and Jessie Joaquim emphasized the team’s focus and determination heading into the matchup. Joaquim spoke about the mindset that carried them through the game. “I told my teammates that tomorrow is a win or win—we were ready for this game,” she said. Magalhães echoed that confidence. She pointed to the team’s improved execution. “Discipline— our discipline was so much better, and I know the players we’re going to face,” Magalháes said.

Magalhães led the team in scoring and anchored the defense, setting the tone on both ends of the court. Still, the victory was not the result of one standout performance alone. The Lady Lobos have consistently shown this season that success comes from collective effort. This win only reinforced that identity. Notably, the excitement surrounding woman basketball has grown as the Lobos continue to succeed. Together, they proved that preparation, discipline, and unity remain the foundation of their success moving forward.

Santa Fe’s Budget Process Overhaul: What It Could Mean for Taxpayers

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Santa Fe officials have expressed intentions to improve the city’s annual budget process. Recent budgets have been criticized for being completed late, focusing excessively on minor details, and lacking clear connections to resident priorities such as road maintenance, park upkeep, and police staffing. (Charnot, 2025)

A City of Santa Fe resolution from September 2025 states that the budget process from 2023 to 2025 did not align with long-term objectives or annual priorities and placed excessive emphasis on spending details rather than service quality. The resolution establishes a new schedule to initiate the budget process earlier, incorporate community feedback, and monitor progress toward established goals.

City leaders have identified governance and timing as significant challenges. In a May 2025 report regarding the city’s FY2026 budget vote, then-city manager Mark Scott advocated for the involvement of all council members, stating, “I don’t believe that it’s helpful to do budget committees that aren’t the entire set of councilors.”

Why budget process problems matter for households

For taxpayers, the city’s budget process has direct implications. Inefficiencies or issues within the process can result in tangible costs and disruptions:

  • Services and reliability: If the city doesn’t focus on clear goals—like how often roads get fixed or how well parks are kept up—residents might see services that are uneven or unreliable, even when the city spends more money. The new plan aims to focus more on quality and results that people can actually notice.
  • Taxes and fees: When the budget is delayed, or priorities are unclear, the city may have to make quick decisions—like raising fees or delaying projects—because there isn’t enough time to plan better solutions. Santa Fe’s rules require each department to review its fees each year before the mayor submits a budget proposal. Outside experts and lenders also look at how well the city plans its budget.
  • Bond costs: People who lend money to the city pay attention to how well Santa Fe plans its budget. If the budget isn’t clear or doesn’t show real progress, it can make borrowing money more expensive for the city. Santa Fe’s budget always includes payments on money it already owes.
  • Household planning: If the city waits until the last minute to finalize the budget, families might suddenly have to pay higher rates or face delayed projects. The new plan is to give people earlier warnings about what’s coming and use better estimates to avoid surprises.

What’s next

For residents seeking to understand the impact of municipal financial decisions, key indicators will include the transparency of Santa Fe’s goals and progress updates, as well as the extent to which future budgets clearly delineate choices among service quality, taxes or fees, and long-term projects, in accordance with the resolution’s schedule.

UNM FiRES Center Works to Strengthen Wildfire Resilience in New Mexico

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The Center for Fire Resilient Ecosystems and Society (FiRES) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) has committed to continuing to help communities across the state become more resilient to wildfires. 

FiRES, an interdisciplinary center, conducts research and community outreach to help communities address the negative impacts of fires. A team of UNM faculty experts is working with state officials and policymakers for the initiative. 

According to UNM News, the FiRES Center will continue to expand partnerships, engage communities, and lead projects to mitigate wildfire damage.

The team is partnering with Sandia National Laboratory scientists to improve the efficiency of wildfire smoke modeling. Current models run slowly, so collaborative researchers are working to improve efficiency to enable faster smoke predictions. This partnership was made possible through the center’s connections and ongoing conversations. 

Some additional projects the team is currently pursuing include landscape-scale risk modeling, fuel moisture monitoring, and improving post-fire reforestation methods. 

“The effect of these fires on our communities, ecosystems, and watersheds will depend on the choices we make in land management today. So, the center’s team is working toward solutions for living in a fire-prone landscape,” said the center’s Director Matthew Hurteau.

Reports show that New Mexico has been getting hotter and drier with each passing year. This winter, record-breaking warm temperatures across the state could significantly affect this spring’s wildfire season. 

How the UNM FiRES Center Started Its Work

Hurteau, a biology professor in the Biology Department at UNM, officially established the center in 2024. Although he started the connecting and research work much earlier. The center envisions a future where communities and ecosystems in New Mexico and the western U.S. are resilient to wildfire. 

“Our state is highly flammable,” said Hurteau. “There are people working to alleviate this, and I wanted to bring them all together to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our discussions and solutions.”

The FiRES team includes multiple UNM departments, including biology, economics, communication and journalism, pharmaceutical sciences, and computer sciences. Team members also represent internal medicine, geography, environmental studies, and the Earth Data Analysis Center. They also collaborate with Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, as well as the U.S. Fire Service.

“I wanted the FiRES Center to be a hub that connects all the folks working on fire research, not just at UNM, but beyond the UNM boundaries as well,” said Hurteau. 

The Center conducts fundamental and applied research to develop next-generation tools for fire and vegetation management. It assesses the economic impact of fires, the benefits of fire-resilience management, and the effects of air quality on public health. 

UNM FiRES Center’s Commitment to Sustainable Solutions for Communities

Apart from being ecological problems, fires affect the economy, public health, water supplies, and communities. The faculty are passionate about working in the community to help identify sustainable solutions. 

“We take the role of a public university very seriously and want to be of service and work with the community as much as we can,” Hurteau said. 

For one, Chris Marsh led NM’s Legislative Finance Committee on a burn-area tour discussing post-fire reforestation and watershed recovery. Marsh is a research assistant professor in the biology department. The tour highlighted where state investments would be needed after wildfires. 

In addition to tours, the faculty participates in legislative panels. They help share and analyze the impact of wildfires on watersheds, ecosystems, and community resilience. 

How a Passion Sparked a Meaningful Impact

Hurteau’s passion for this work stems from firsthand experience after moving to Flagstaff, Ariz., from Vermont. He recalled that in his first winter there, 1996, the climate shifted toward hotter, drier conditions. This change resulted in a severe fire season. The town watched as air tankers constantly circled, evacuations occurred, and several homes were lost. 

This experience sparked his interest in developing a way to assist communities affected by wildfires. He started by studying forestry. He then pursued wildland fire training and certifications, during which he learned that land management is a tool. 

With firsthand wildfire experience, he wanted to unite people from all aspects of wildfire work to promote communication and knowledge sharing. Hurteau ultimately formed a think tank of New Mexican experts to address pressing issues facing the state and communities. 

According to UNM News, the team’s work remains important today and directly impacts the state’s future. 

Director of New Mexico Wildfire Claims Office Placed on Leave Amid $500,000 Compensation Controversy

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The director in charge of handling compensation claims for New Mexico’s Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon wildfire was put on administrative leave after reports showed he and his wife received more than $500,000 for smoke damage and other losses at their Angel Fire property.

Jay Mitchell and Deputy Director Jennifer Carbajal were placed on leave, according to an internal email reported by Source New Mexico and the Albuquerque Journal on February 12, 2026. The Durango Herald reported that a senior FEMA official is now leading the office and that claims processing will continue as usual.

There are concerns about both the size and location of the payments, including $266,000 given to Mitchell for smoke and ash cleanup at his Angel Fire home. Documents from Source New Mexico and New Mexico PBS show that Mitchell and his wife received over $500,000 from a $5.45 billion FEMA fund set up for victims of the 2022 Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire (Lohmann, 2026). Reports also noted that their property was “far from the wildfire perimeter,” leading to criticism, as some victims have not yet been paid.

Political pressure grew after the news came out. Members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham called for Mitchell to resign, and protesters gathered outside the Las Vegas claims office. In a joint statement, Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, along with Representative Teresa Leger Fernández, called Mitchell’s leave a “step in the right direction,” but said there are still “outstanding questions” about how the office is managed and held accountable.

FEMA emphasized that staff should avoid speculation and clarified that Mitchell’s administrative leave does not mean he has been found guilty of any wrongdoing. A spokesperson explained that, so far, there is no evidence of improper actions related to the payments. FEMA underscored its commitment to fairness and transparency, stressing that all claims are reviewed carefully and taken seriously.

Next Steps

Lawmakers are asking more questions about how the compensation program is run and whether it’s as transparent as it should be. They want to know how many claims still haven’t been paid, how much money remains, and whether FEMA or Congress will make any changes to how things are done. Representative Leger Fernández said Congress needs regular updates about claims, remaining funds, and timelines, and stressed that the office must keep up with its legal reporting duties.

NMSU Alumni Pond Renovation Begins, Completion Expected in May

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New Mexico State University’s (NMSU) Alumni Pond renovation project is underway and scheduled for completion by late May. 

The development marks the next phase in restoring one of NMSU’s recognizable campus spaces, with construction set to begin in early January.

NMSU reported that the renovation is being completed in partnership with local contractor Crosstown Construction. Local designers Molzen-Corbin & Associates are leading the project design.

Safety a Priority During NMSU Alumni Pond Construction 

While construction continues, crews will maintain the area surrounding Alumni Pond as an active construction zone. Temporary fencing and restricted access remain in place. 


“Safety is our top priority as we move through this phase of construction,” said Jose Loera, executive director of Facilities and Services. 

Loera said campus community members can expect heavy equipment on site and hauling trucks operating in the area. “…but routes have been planned to minimize traffic impacts as much as possible.”

Campus officials are rerouting pedestrian traffic around the perimeter of the fenced construction zone to ensure safe access to nearby areas. They encourage pedestrians to follow posted routes while construction is ongoing; signage has been installed to guide foot traffic.

“This project represents an important investment in preserving a space that holds meaning for generations of Aggies,” Loera said. “We appreciate the campus community’s patience as we work to complete the renovation safely and efficiently.”

NMSU Raises Funds for Alumni Pond Renovation

The Alumni Pond renovation helps NMSU reinvest in key campus amenities. It also aims to enhance the overall experience for students, employees, alumni, and visitors. 

The university will share updates on the project’s progress as construction continues through the spring semester.

NMSU, along with the NMSU Foundation, continues raising funds for the Alumni Pond restoration project. They aim to support additional enhancements beyond current construction.

Contributions will help fund features such as a new pedestrian bridge, lighting, landscaping, and other elements designed to further enhance the space.


Those interested in contributing to the Alumni Pond Restoration Fund can visit alwaysanaggie.org/donate/alumni-pond.