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How Rail Yards Market and SNAP Helps Families In Need During Summer Break

Ruben Reyes
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How Rail Yards Market and SNAP Helps Families In Need During Summer Break

Have you ever wondered if there are any programs that help families during summer? Sun Bucks located at Rail Yards Market helps them!

At Rail Yards Market, families can use Sun Bucks (also known as Summer EBT) to get $3 for produce for every $1 in SNAP benefits this summer.

Rail Yards Market vendors said the programs help connect families with fresh local food while children stay home from school for the summer.

Market leaders like Casey O’Keefe said the limited time incentives uses unused grant money from New Mexico Farmers Market Association and helps families get more fresh food for their money.

“Yeah, everything is just a lot more expensive right now. I am really grateful that we do have these incentives to help people in time of need, too,” said Casey O’Keefe.

Victoria Montoya, fourth-generation orchard grower said the benefits help farmers and the families they serve.

“The Triple Up program is really beneficial to farmers because it gets the customers in here… but it’s also great for their families because it gives them access to local, healthy, nutritious foods,” said Montoya.

“So many children are food insecure, and so that helps them to be able to come and get food that they wouldn’t usually get,” she added.

The Triple SNAP program runs through August 31 or until funding runs out.

This initiative is very beneficial for families who are living paycheck-to-paycheck. It also symbolizes the solidarity with each New Mexicans.

What Is This Initiative All About?

The New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association is helping Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers stretch their money when buying locally grown fruits and vegetables at farmers markets.

SNAP purchased are matched for dollar-to-dollar in every participating farmers markets and farm stands. According to Denise Miller, executive director of the New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association, the program effectively gives SNAP shoppers 50% off fresh fruits and vegetables.

Though, SNAP benefits are usually doubled year-round; starting August 31, benefits will be tripled.

“If they’re taking $10 off their SNAP EBT card, they will get $30 worth of tokens to spend at the market,” Miller said.

There are existing 51 outlets across New Mexico offering this service.

In Bernalillo County, there are six outlets participating including Rail Yards Market, Downtown Growers’ Market, Cedar Crest Farmers’ Market, Big Jim Farms, Polk’s Folly Farm Butcher Shop & Farm Stand, and Rosales Produce.

Miller urges everyone to give this initiative a try to see if this benefits you.

“So just give it a try, and you’ll probably fall in love,” he said.

What Are The Qualifications?

This initiative coincides with New Mexico’s rollout of changes to its SNAP benefits, including new verification requirements for household expenses.

Effective May 1, the state will require documentation for housing, utility and dependent care expenses when families apply for SNAP or report changes.

State officials say these verifications ensure they calculate benefits accurately. If applicants do not verify expenses, officials may not count them, which could result in families receiving less assistance than what they qualify for.

To verify the housing costs, families can provide a lease, mortgage statements, housing agreements, or a letter from their landlord. Utility bills and records such as daycare provider letters, are also required.

Current SNAP recipient will likely review these changes during renewal period, particularly if their information has changed.

Precautionary measures of this kind ensure that someone in every family has access to services and won’t fall short.

At the same time, thousands of New Mexicans receiving SNAP assistance can now access personalized support to fulfill their work requirements, which is 39 hours per month. Case managers pair enrolled participants with career exploration and job search assistance.

Families who are part of this initiative will be able to have food on their table and ease their burden on their food budget.

For more information, SNAP recipients can contact their local Income Support Division officers or visit yes.nm.gov.

A Boy After Two Heart Transplants Is Finally Going Home — 9-Year-Old Hunter Rael Is Ready to Run, Play, and More

Juan Oliveros
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A Boy After Two Heart Transplants Is Finally Going Home — 9-Year-Old Hunter Rael Is Ready to Run, Play, and More

He spent years in hospitals, operating rooms, and recovery wards. Now, 9-year-old Hunter Rael returned home to Rio Communities on Saturday to a welcome that felt like the beginning of a long-awaited childhood after a journey through two heart transplants.

A procession of motorcyclists and deputies from the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office escorted him. Hunter arrived home after surviving a life-threatening battle that included two heart transplants, the first of which was unsuccessful. The celebration, for Hunter and his family, signaled a new beginning that once seemed uncertain.

Doctors diagnosed Hunter with a rare case of Kawasaki disease in 2022. The disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can cause blood vessel and heart damage. It affects mostly children younger than five years old.

In recent weeks, the young transplant recipient has become a symbol of resilience for many New Mexicans. His medical ordeal inspired a musical performance by the Albuquerque Youth Orchestra. Days later, he participated in an outdoor concert in Albuquerque, where country music star Jelly Roll dedicated a song to him.

But the defining moment came away from the spotlight. After the concert, Hunter and his mother, Anna Moya, returned to Aurora Children’s Hospital in Colorado to complete the final phases of his recovery. Doctors continue to monitor him closely, and while transplant patients always face the possibility of organ rejection, Hunter’s prognosis is encouraging. “He’s a healthy boy, able to do whatever he wants to do right now,” his mother said.

For the first time in his life, Hunter is preparing for experiences many children take for granted. He has started exercising regularly, taking walks, lifting weights, and doing some push-ups and sit-ups.

Most exciting of all, he said, is the thought of playing organized sports. Prolonged health struggles had kept him on the sidelines. Now, with a functioning heart and a renewed future, he is looking ahead to chances that once seemed distant. “You will have a full life to live,” Ms. Moya said of her son. “A full life to get started and enjoy all the stuff he’s missed so far.”

Uncertainty and hospital rooms largely shaped Hunter’s childhood. Now, the journey home was not only a celebration of survival. It was the first chapter of a future that, at last, appears possible for him to embrace.

Venus and Jupiter to Dance in New Mexico Skies: A June Celestial Show Awaits Under the Dark Canopy

Juan Oliveros
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Venus and Jupiter to Dance in New Mexico Skies: A June Celestial Show Awaits Under the Dark Canopy

The night sky of June is preparing its own celestial show as the season’s heat blankets the high desert and mountain ranges, one that requires no more than a clear western horizon, a blanket and perhaps a pair of binoculars.

This month, the state’s popular dark skies — among the best in North America — will display a rare close encounter between Venus and Jupiter, along with beneficial moon timing, the summer solstice and chances for deep-sky stargazing.

What to expect

The highlight will be on June 8-9, when Venus and Jupiter will appear only a pinky finger apart in the western evening sky after sunset, separated by around 1.5 degrees. Mercury may join these two brightest planets in the twilight, creating a compelling planetary canvas in the constellation Gemini.

Venus passes Jupiter every 10 to 15 months. Other times, this occurs near the Sun, such as on August 25, 2027, and a conjunction on November 10, 2028, will follow before dawn in the east-southeast sky. These conjunctions are not unique, but infrequent enough to be remarkable. Venus and Jupiter shine the brightest in the sky next to the Moon and the Sun, making the sight dazzling to behold. The planets will remain very close to each other for several days, offering multiple chances to skywatchers to see as twilight deepens.

The middle of June brings even more drama. A “Super New Moon” coincides with Mercury’s greatest eastern elongation on June 15. Arguably, it will be its best evening appearance for the rest of the year. With no moonlight to wash the heavens, this is prime time for New Mexicans to search for the Milky Way’s luminous core, distant galaxies, and star clusters at International Dark Sky Parks such as Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Capulin Volcano National Monument, Clayton Lake State Park, and the Cosmic Campground.

A thin crescent Moon will later join the planetary tableu around June 16. It will add another photogenic alignment low in the west-northwest.

Summer Solstice: Shifting season

The month culminates with the summer solstice on June 21 — the Northern Hemisphere’s longest day of the year — and the Strawberry Moon on June 29, which is a micromoon. The Full Moon will appear slightly smaller and dimmer than average as it slides low in the sky, traditionally named by Algonquin peoples for the ripening of wild strawberries.

The June Bootids meteor shower peaks around June 27. Stargazers will have a chance to see a few shooting stars per hour, though the waxing moon may interfere.

New Mexico’s Celestial Advantage

Only a few places in the United States can rival New Mexico for naked-eye and telescopic astronomy. Its high mountains, dry climate, and vast stretches with minimal light pollution provide some of the darkest skies accessible to millions of Americans. Local astronomy enthusiasts, the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces and Albuquerque Astronomical Society, regularly host star parties. Other sites like Valles Caldera and Salinas Pueblo Missions usually roll out public programs.

A simple piece of advice for residents of Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, or rural areas. To enjoy the June evening sky, head west of city lights if possible, face a clear horizon in the hour after sunset to see the planets, and protect night vision with red lights. Apps like Stellarium can give precise local timings.

June’s skies offer that invitation: planets dancing close to each other, moonless nights for wonder, and the shifting seasons written in the stars. New Mexicans and visitors need only look up to enjoy the celestial show.

The Great Race 2026 Brings 120 Vintage Cars to Albuquerque for Route 66 Centennial Celebration

Victoria Padilla
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The Great Race 2026 Brings 120 Vintage Cars to Albuquerque for Route 66 Centennial Celebration

Albuquerque will host The Great Race 2026 on June 24 at Balloon Fiesta Park. The event expects more than 120 antique cars for a free public celebration of the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

Why this matters: The Great Race is one of the largest vintage car rallies in the world. It attracts competitors and rare vehicles from around the world. Additionally, the event helps showcase Albuquerque’s significance in the history of Route 66.

This event will allow attendees to see rare automobiles built between 1913 and 1974 and meet drivers from around the globe. In addition, they can participate in interactive experiences that let them take close-up photos and enjoy a festival atmosphere. Food trucks, live music, and other family-friendly activities will be available to create a welcoming atmosphere.

The Great Race 2026 provides a wide variety of benefits. These include celebrating the Route 66 centennial, seeing classic cars, and learning about their history. Furthermore, attendees can engage with family and friends through a community event and develop Albuquerque as a tourist destination for unique auto-related activities.

Through all of this, The Great Race 2026 exemplifies what Route 66 was intended to be. It serves as a fusion of history, culture, and community when held in Albuquerque.

In summary, The Great Race 2026 provides a unique opportunity for Albuquerque residents and visitors to see vintage cars in action. They can also meet and mingle with racers from all over the world. Moreover, everyone can celebrate the spirit of Route 66, strengthening Albuquerque’s role as a destination for heritage tourism. The city will also host family-oriented festivals.

Albuquerque’s Heights Summerfest Returns June 13 at North Domingo Baca Park

Victoria Padilla
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Albuquerque’s Heights Summerfest Returns June 13 at North Domingo Baca Park

Summerfest, a summertime event hosted by the city of Albuquerque’s heights, returns on June 13, 2026. This event will feature live music performances, food trucks, local vendors, and kid-friendly activities at North Domingo Baca Park.

These events are important because they bring people together to celebrate the arrival of summer and their local community and culture in one of Albuquerque’s largest parks.

There will be many great things to do at Summerfest! One option is to shop at the shop for handmade items created by local merchants. Another option would be to sample delicious food from local restaurateurs in the food court. You could also stop by the cantina for beer, wine, or other drinks from local breweries, wineries, and distilleries. For families, there will be lots of kid-friendly activities all day, while music lovers can enjoy a variety of musical performances.

Local artisans and performers can benefit from this cultural enrichment, as can community engagement through shared outdoor activities; small businesses receive economic support and provide free entertainment to the general public.

The title refers to Heights Summerfest as an event that is more than just a concert; it is a community gathering that helps define Albuquerque as a place that values local artists, families, and inclusive celebrations.

Heights Summerfest 2026 will give both residents and visitors an opportunity to enjoy music, food, and culture in a casual outdoor atmosphere. The combination of entertainment and social interaction makes this event a major part of Albuquerque’s summer lineup.

Higher Education Department Unveils Native American Tuition Scholarship: What Students Need to Know

Gregg Morgan
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Higher Education Department Unveils Native American Tuition Scholarship: What Students Need to Know

Another educational opportunity is now available to Native Americans in New Mexico seeking to continue their studies. The initiative aims to expand access to higher education beyond the state’s borders. 

In fact, the Higher Education Department has opened applications for the Native American Tuition Scholarship. The program provides full in-state tuition coverage to Native American Students pursuing higher education in neighboring states. 

The scholarship gives tribal residents of New Mexico the opportunity to attend public colleges and universities in Arizona and Colorado. It also covers studies at Texas Tech University.  

“Education creates opportunity, strengthens communities and helps students build a better future for themselves and their families”, said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez. 

Rodriguez said the scholarship creates pathways for Native American students to achieve their educational goals. She added the program also encourages them to return to their communities in New Mexico in the future. 

Requirements for Applicants

To qualify, applicants must: 

  • be New Mexico residents,
  • demonstrate tribal affiliation, and 
  • enroll in an eligible bordering-state public postsecondary institution. 

The program will prioritize graduates of New Mexico high school.

“This appropriation creates an important opportunity for New Mexico students to engage with neighboring states that hold significant historical and cultural connections to our tribes, enriching their education through deeper awareness of our shared history and continuing relationships,” said Senator Benny Shendo, Jr.  

The program will offer scholarship awards for the 2026-2027 academic year.  

Importance of the Scholarship

“This scholarship affirms our commitment to uplifting Native American students whose educational paths extend beyond state borders, honoring our promise to Tribal communities to support their scholars wherever their journeys lead,” said Director of the Indian Education Division Nathana Bird. 

Bird said the investment reinforces New Mexico dedication to empowering Native American students and championing their future aspirations with unwavering support.

The program will accept applications until July 1. 
Applicants can find additional details on eligibility and the application process at hed.nm.gov.

They Took a Birth Control Shot for Years. Now They Are Suing Pfizer for Giving Them Brain Tumors.

Juan Oliveros
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They Took a Birth Control Shot for Years. Now They Are Suing Pfizer for Giving Them Brain Tumors.

Nine women in New Mexico have joined a growing number of lawsuits against Pfizer. They are alleging that a popular injectable contraceptive dispensed to women for years caused them to develop brain tumors — a risk they say the pharmaceutical giant never warned them about.

Plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in state District Court in Santa Fe, naming Depo‑Provera as the center of the case. Americans have commonly used this long‑acting injectable birth control since the early 1990s. The women argued that years of exposure to the birth-control drug had caused them to develop meningioma, a tumor that forms in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Their court filing comes months after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required Pfizer to add new warning labels for the medication. The FDA cited evidence linking continued use of Depo-Provera to an increased risk of developing hormone-sensitive brain tumors.

The lawsuit is part of a rapidly growing national litigation effort by thousands of women who claim they developed brain tumors after taking the drug. According to the nine New Mexico women, they used Depo-Provera between 1993 and 2020. Each of them claimed they suffered from meningioma and underwent brain surgery to remove the tumors after years of exposure to the drug. Several plaintiffs report chronic issues such as seizures, hearing loss, vision impairment, and cognitive difficulties affecting their daily lives.

The question of when drug manufacturers knew about the risk has become increasingly familiar in pharmaceutical litigation: When did they know about the risk, and did they adequately warn patients and physicians? Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and affiliated companies, the plaintiffs argued, had failed to provide sufficient warnings despite growing scientific evidence linking prolonged exposure to the synthetic hormone in Depo-Provera to the development of hormone-sensitive tumors.

Pfizer marketed Depo-Provera as a convenient alternative to daily birth control pills. Injected once every three months, the injection became especially popular among women seeking a convenient birth-control method. Since its approval, providers have dispensed millions of prescriptions.”

Recent studies, however, have intensified scrutiny of the drug. Researchers said that continued exposure to certain hormone-based medications may increase the risk of developing meningiomas. Most meningiomas remain benign, but their location in the brain can make them life‑threatening. Treatment often requires surgery and, in some cases, radiation therapy. Even after treatment, patients may experience lasting neurological damage.

The litigation is expanding nationwide, and the plaintiffs are asking the courts to determine if the company acted responsibly given the data at hand, giving the women enough information to make informed decisions about their health.

The case is not only about warning labels. It is more about what the plaintiffs say was taken from them: years of good health, peace of mind, and, in some cases, normal lives. It began as a routine birth control shot, the women argue, and later became a life-altering medical ordeal.

The plaintiffs claim they would have chosen different types of contraception if someone had informed them of the risk. Pfizer, however, has not publicly admitted wrongdoing.

What a New Scholarship Program Means for Native American Students — and the Future of Tribal Communities

Juan Oliveros
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What a New Scholarship Program Means for Native American Students — and the Future of Tribal Communities

Native American students in New Mexico have faced, for generations, a hard choice: stay close to home and limit their educational options, or leave their communities to chase a degree beyond their means. And the Native American Tuition Scholarship Program aims to ease that burden.

The New Mexico Higher Education Department rolled out the scholarship program to cover full in-state tuition costs for eligible Native American students enrolled in public colleges and universities in neighboring states, such as Arizona and Colorado, as well as Texas Tech University.

At the outset, the scholarship program seems to be a financial aid initiative. But for most Native students and tribal leaders, it represents something. For them, it is a recognition that educational pathways for Indigenous students transcend political borders. Many Native nations in the Southwest share historical, cultural, and family ties that extend across modern state borders. Students usually choose colleges in neighboring states because of academic programs, proximity to their kin and cultural roots,, or opportunities unavailable at home.

Crossing state lines, however, can mean losing access to affordable tuition. The new scholarship aims to remove that obstacle.

State officials say the program is an investment not only in individual students. It is also investing in the long-term strength of tribal communities. The state initiative allows students to pursue degrees in academic programs, including education, health care, engineering, environmental science, and public service. That is possible now by reducing financial barriers through the scholarship program.

“Education creates opportunity, strengthens communities, and helps students build a better future for themselves and their families”, said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez. This scholarship is about creating pathways for Native American students to achieve their educational goals and come back to their communities in New Mexico in the future.”

Native families often find that economic realities complicate the prospect of a college education. Indigenous communities continue to report the highest rates of poverty and disparity in education in the United States, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The rising cost of college education can make a four-year degree seem unattainable, even for those with strong academic records.

The scholarship delivers a message that geography and income should not constrain talent and ambition from flourishing. Supporters of the program see it as a way to cultivate future tribal leaders. Many Native students who depart for studies elsewhere later come back home as teachers, nurses, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and public servants. They bring with them the skills and expertise back to their communities. That vision is reflected in the state’s greater goal of helping students to advance their educational aspirations while preserving deep ties to tribal heritage and lands.

The scholarship is open to New Mexico residents who can prove their tribal affiliations and attend an eligible institution in Arizona, Colorado, or Texas Tech University. It will prioritize graduates of New Mexico high schools. Applications for the 2026–27 academic year are now being accepted and will close on July 1.

For students who have long viewed college as a dream separated by distance and cost,

The scholarship program may represent more than educational assistance for many students who viewed college as an impossible dream due to distance and affordability. It is also an acknowledgment that investing in Native students is an investment in the future of Native nations themselves. And for many young Native American students weighing where their future might take them, New Mexico is sending a message: their educational journey can cross state boundaries without leaving their communities behind.

“This scholarship affirms our commitment to uplifting Native American students whose educational paths extend beyond state borders, honoring our promise to Tribal communities to support their scholars wherever their journeys lead,” said Director of the Indian Education Division Nathana Bird. “Through this investment, the State of New Mexico reinforces its dedication to empowering Native American students and championing their future aspirations with unwavering support.” 

Gas Prices Remain High Despite Summer Season Fast Approaching

Ruben Reyes
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Gas Prices Remain High Despite Summer Season Fast Approaching

New Mexicans have to tighten their summer vacation budget as gas prices will still remain high.

Gas prices in New Mexico is around $4.20 a gallon as summer vacation season starts and heavier traffic builds on interstates.

Two of largest school districts ended their semesters this week, putting more drivers on the roads in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.

According to Travel and Leisure magazine reports the weekend of June 19 and the Fourth of July will be the busiest times for summer travel.

On a positive note, gas prices have dropped since Memorial Day.

AAA reports the national average is around $4.39 per gallon. While in New Mexico, the average is about $4.20 per gallon.

That is down 5 cents from Wednesday. However, drivers are still paying more than $1 more per gallon than they did at this time last year.

With the summer season fast-approaching, classes ending, many families and friends are hanging out together outside the town. New Mexicans should consider current gasoline prices to ensure a smooth, happy vacation.

Tau Herculids Meteor Shower That Could Surprise Everyone Peaks Tonight — And New Mexico May Have Front-Row Seats

Juan Oliveros
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Tau Herculids Meteor Shower That Could Surprise Everyone Peaks Tonight — And New Mexico May Have Front-Row Seats

New Mexico’s dark skies could become the canvas for the Tau Herculids meteor shower. One of astronomy’s most intriguing celestial shows, it dazzles the sky all night long from May 30 to May 31.

Unlike annual meteor showers with predictable displays, the Tau Herculids are a celestial wild card. Astronomers say the shower’s behavior is notoriously difficult to forecast, raising the possibility that a quiet night with only a handful of meteors could turn into a sudden burst of bright streaks crossing the predawn sky.

The meteor shower came from the fragments of 73P/Schwassmann–Wachmann 3, a fragile comet that broke apart as it approached the Sun in 2006. As the comet disintegrated, it left behind streams of dust and debris that continue to orbit the Sun. When Earth passes through those trails, tiny particles slam into the atmosphere, producing flashes of light commonly known as shooting stars.

What makes this year’s viewing conditions particularly favorable is a coincidence of timing. The meteor shower’s peak arrives alongside a New Moon, eliminating moonlight that would otherwise wash out fainter meteors. The result is an unusually dark sky across much of New Mexico, offering observers a rare opportunity to detect even the dimmest debris trails.

“The absence of moonlight is about as good as it gets for meteor watching,” astronomers often note when discussing ideal viewing conditions. For skywatchers, darkness can be just as important as the number of meteors themselves.

“The Tau Herculid meteor shower is active annually from approximately May 25 to June 4, with peak activity typically occurring on May 31,” according to CosmoBC.

What makes Tau Herculids unique is that its meteors often appear slower than average. Instead of quick flashes across the sky, some may drift more deliberately through the atmosphere, creating longer-than-usual streaks that are easier to spot with the naked eye.

The best viewing time is between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. local time. During this time, the sky reaches its darkest point before dawn. Experts recommend that skywatchers leave urban areas and seek out remote desert locations, hilltop vantage, or other areas far from artificial light.

New Mexico has a reputation as one of the nation’s premier destinations for stargazing. Its vast stretches of open desert and high-elevation terrain offer some of the darkest skies in North America.

Even with ideal weather and a dark sky, the Tau Herculids remain unpredictable. That uncertainty is part of the excitement. Unlike eclipses or planetary alignments that occur according to forecasts, the Tau Herculids meteor shower has an element of mystery. Astronomers know that Earth will move through the comet’s dust stream. What they do not know with certainty is whether the amount of dust remains concentrated along the path.

The celestial reward could be a memorable display for those willing to sacrifice a few hours of sleep. Or enjoy the experience of standing beneath a perfectly dark New Mexico sky, watching and waiting for a surprise from a comet’s dust that continues to streak millions of miles away.

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