Home Blog Page 16

New Mexico is Fighting Its Maternal Care Crisis With Data and Mental Health Care. Could It Change Lives?

Juan Oliveros
-
0
New Mexico is Fighting Its Maternal Care Crisis With Data and Mental Health Care. Could It Change Lives?

Bringing a child into the world has long meant heightened risks in New Mexico’s vast and rugged landscapes, where rural counties often stretch for hundreds of miles between clinics and hospitals. The state’s maternal mortality rate is well above the national average, with mental health conditions playing an outsized and deadly role. Amid these challenges, a quiet but decisive push is underway, led in part by specialists at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and supported by insurers, state agencies, and community partners. It combines rigorous data collection with expanded mental health services to make maternal care, such as pregnancy and postpartum, safer and more equitable.

New Mexico’s challenges are not unique in rural America; however, they are acute. Approximately one in three counties qualifies as a maternity care desert, lacking adequate maternal services. Mothers who received inadequate prenatal care gave birth to nearly 1 in 4 infants in 2024, according to New Mexico Maternal and Child Health. Disparities hit the hardest among Native American and Hispanic populations, with deaths associated with pregnancy disproportionately high in the northwestern and northeastern regions.

Mental health looms large. According to the New Mexico Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC), mental health conditions accounted for nearly half of pregnancy-related deaths in reviewed cases from 2015–2020. Substance use often overlaps with these issues. Throughout the United States, maternal mental health provider shortages are prevalent. But New Mexico and parts of neighboring Arizona stand out for severe risk.

Data as a Tool for Change

Dr. Trevor Quiner, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and assistant professor in UNM’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, is trying to address these gaps through information. The renewed fund support from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico’s Special Beginnings® Maternal and Infant Health initiative enabled his team to establish the New Mexico Maternal Data Center — a statewide platform that allows hospitals to efficiently collect, share, and analyze maternal and neonatal results.

“It’s a more efficient way to gather this quality improvement outcome data,” Quiner explained, “and allows us to take those next steps instead of being constantly stuck just looking at our data and not having the time to make changes.”

The program supports a perinatal quality and safety specialist, focusing on issues like postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and screening for substance abuse. Clinicians move beyond crude survival metrics, examine near-misses and suboptimal experiences, and use those insights to identify patterns and implement evidence-based protocols across facilities. This data-driven approach is also in line with broader efforts by the New Mexico Perinatal Collaborative, which collaborates with hospitals on quality initiatives informed by MMRC recommendations.

Quiner underscored a collaborative culture: “It’s not just OB-GYN; it’s not just midwives. It’s all of us together.”

Such systems are important in a state where Medicaid covers prenatal care for more than 6 in 10 births. Evaluations by UNM’s Center for Health Policy have investigated care coordination for Medicaid populations when clinicians incorporate behavioral health alongside traditional complications such as preeclampsia.

Training Specialists for the Perinatal Mental Health Crisis

In parallel to the system, Dr. Marquette Rose, director of the Reproductive Psychiatry Fellowship in UNM’s Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, is attending to the mental health side. Backed by BCBSNM Special Beginnings funding, her project supports recruitment and training of fellows in reproductive psychiatry — specialists trained to handle conditions that emerge or worsen during pregnancy and the postpartum year.

“The leading cause of pregnancy-associated deaths is psychiatric illness,” Rose said, “so it is imperative that we’re training providers to take care of patients who are pregnant or postpartum.”

The fellows earn hands-on experience through programs like UNM Hospital’s Journeys Program for behavioral health in reproductive care and the Milagro Program for pregnant patients with a dual diagnosis of mental illness and addiction. The goal goes beyond UNM, training additional specialists who can consult while equipping general providers with stronger tools and greater confidence.

Rose envisions both clinical and far-reaching. “The goal is showing up and being there for these patients in these vulnerable times in their lives. It’s truly far-reaching,” she said.

New Mexico has also taken policy steps. The state requires screening for postpartum depression during well-child visits for Medicaid patients. It has backed initiatives, including telemedicine, to expand mental health coverage and collaborate with groups like Postpartum Support International. Workforce shortages persist, however, especially in rural areas.

Persistent Challenges

Progress is measurable. But it is uneven. Breastfeeding rates have increased, and some child well-being indicators have improved; severe maternal death remains a concern, and access to care remains a challenge. Six hospitals across the state have closed maternity wards, and at least three clinics have closed or been forced to downsize their operations in the last decade, compounding “OB deserts.” Native American women face particularly tremendous burdens, including heightened traumatic stress and financial pressures during pregnancy.

Insurer-led programs, such as HCSC/BCBSNM’s expanded maternal and infant health efforts, invest in quality improvement, substance use support, and telemedicine. Community-based case management under Medicaid’s Turquoise Care program seeks to improve collaborative services.

“This marks an important milestone as we celebrate the first year of our commitment to improving health outcomes for moms and babies in New Mexico,” said Dr. Latha Raja Shankar, BCBSNM vice president of health care delivery and chief medical officer. “We look forward to supporting families at every stage of life, and that starts with maternal care.”

Maternal Care: A Shared Commitment

Quiner and Rose’s projects advanced, underscoring that maternal health extends beyond clinical care. That it is a public health imperative requiring coordinated action. The National Maternal Health Hotline (1-833-852-6262) and resources from Postpartum Support International offer immediate lifelines, while 988 is dedicated to crisis needs.

New Mexico’s initiatives illustrate both the hard realities of rural and underserved America and the promise of targeted, evidence-based maternal care interventions. Officials and clinicians hope to upend preventable deaths and give every family a safer start — even in rural counties.

New Mexico Law Streamlines Licensing for In-Home Child Care Providers

Victoria Padilla
-
0

A new law in New Mexico designed to simplify licensing for in-home child care providers is among roughly 20 measures that took effect this week. State officials say the legislation aims to expand access to child care services while reducing administrative hurdles for providers seeking to operate legally.

Lawmakers said the measure eases certain licensing requirements for qualified in-home providers but maintains health and safety standards. Supporters argue the changes could encourage more caregivers to enter the workforce, helping address the state’s ongoing demand for affordable and accessible child care.

The child care law is part of a broader package of legislation passed during the last session. Other measures taking effect cover public safety, education, healthcare, government operations and consumer rights.

Advocates say expanding licensed in-home caregiving could be especially beneficial for working families in rural communities with limited options. They believe removing unnecessary restrictions will allow providers to begin offering services more quickly, giving families greater access to care.

State agencies tasked with enforcing New Mexico’s new child care law will oversee compliance and provide assistance to community members, businesses and organizations affected by the changes. Officials said providers and residents should review state government websites to understand how the new requirements may impact them.

The law comes as New Mexico is experiencing a worker shortage and rising demand for child care services. Policymakers said that expanding access to quality early childhood care is critical to supporting working parents and strengthening the workforce.

Officials said the new laws represent another step in updating state policies to meet evolving community needs. They encourage residents to stay informed as agencies begin implementing the requirements across the state.


NM PREP Teaches Young Students About Engineering and More

Gregg Morgan
-
0
NM PREP Teaches Young Students About Engineering and More

Many students take a break from academics over the summer. Some local grade-school students, however, recently visited New Mexico State University to participate in a weeklong engineering program.

The NM PREP Academy, hosted by the NMSU College of Engineering, introduces middle and high school students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to the field of engineering. The summer camp offered two separate sessions tailored to each age group, allowing participants to explore campus laboratories and take part in hands-on activities.

“The goals of the NM PREP Academy are to spark interest and engage young middle and high schoolers with in-depth engineering skills and introduce them to labs and professors on campus,” said Justin Butt, STEM outreach program specialist.

“We strive to build good connections and educate future Aggies with technical and soft skills and ultimately help them build their confidence with hands-on activities that simulate real-world engineering experiences,” Butt said.

While on campus, the students visited the NMSU College of Engineering. They learned about what professional engineers are working on. The students also traveled to other parts of New Mexico to see major STEM projects and developments firsthand.

Through the program, students gained exposure to engineering labs in robotics, food science, 3D printing, and more. The initiative expands learners’ academic knowledge of engineering. It also engages and encourages them to explore the creative elements of STEM.

Students Gain Engineering and Life Skills

“They taught us a lot about engineering,” said Elisa Bai, a student at Sierra Middle School. “We went to a lot of different places and learned about different tools. I liked the robots and Taos (restaurant at NMSU), but I thought the coding was fun.”

Students at NM PREP Academy hone their engineering and science skills through hands-on learning. They also develop interpersonal skills during the summer camp. The course emphasizes collaboration, leadership, and presentation skills. Academy leaders hope students carry these skills into their future academic careers.

Throughout the week, program organizers placed students into small groups and encouraged them to collaborate and help one another. Future Rio Grande Prep student Jerret Bales said the support he felt from the people around him made the program memorable. 

“My favorite part was probably the people,” Bales said. “A lot of the people were really, really uplifting and wanting to help and understanding.”

Programs like NM PREP Academy help young students in New Mexico continue their education during the summer. They also help students build connections with peers who share their same dedication to learning.

“They meet new people and face challenges outside of their normal comfort zones and overcome those obstacles together,” Butt said. “This makes for better students and better future engineers. Being an engineer is more than knowing science and math; it’s knowing how to communicate in teams and work together with people who don’t think the same way as you do. If we continue to invest in programs like PREP, we continue to invest in the future of NMSU and the future of the College of Engineering.”

APS Unveils New Principals, Administrators – See If Your School Is on the List

Gregg Morgan
-
0
APS Unveils New Principals, Administrators – See If Your School Is on the List

Several schools across Albuquerque Public Schools will welcome new leaders for the 2026-27 school year, district officials announced.

APS is finalizing leadership assignments for multiple schools and departments ahead of the upcoming academic term. Administrative shifts, according to the district, frequently occur at the end of the school year as educators make career decisions.

Officials said the district continues to prioritize stability and experienced leadership. The adjustments aim to serve students and families more effectively.

The district has already announced several new principals and appointments. And officials will provide updates as additional hires are made before the start of the school year.

New principals 

APS announced the following changes for 2026-27 school year:

  • Rae Lynn Dooley will be principal of Highland High School after a successful stint as principal of Barcelona Elementary School.
  • Ken Merhedge is taking over as principal of Valley High School. He previously served as principal of John Adams Middle School. 
  • Gilber Leiva is the new principal of Atrisco Heritage Academy High School. He previously served as the assistant principal for curriculum at Atrisco Heritage.
  • Desiree Springer will be the new principal of New Futures. She had been the curriculum and instruction/12th grade assistant principal at Valley High School.
  • Kristen S. Seamans will head John Adams Middle School. She previously held the position of assistant principal at Jimmy Carter Middle School.
  • Kimberly Crabtree will serve as principal at Jackson Middle School. Crabtree previously held the role of assistant principal at the school.
  • Renee Salazar Garcia has assumed the role of principal at Lyndon B. Johnson Middle School. She previously served as the school’s interim principal since September.
  • Francesaca Ver Ploegh is now principal of Garfield Middle School. She was previously the assistant superintendent of magnet schools.  
  • Rebecca Rutherford will be the interim principal of Madison Middle School. She is currently an assistant principal at the school.
  • Carlos Garcia will serve as the new principal of Chelwood Elementary School. He has been at Chelwood since November and also served as interim principal at McCollum Elementary School.
  • Ryan Kettler is the new principal at Corrales K-8. Kettler is a former Los Lunas Schools superintendent. He has also worked as an adjunct professor for University of the Southwest.
  • Kristina Anderson will be principal of Georgia O’Keeffe Elementary School. Anderson previously served as the school’s assistant principal.
  • Alfonso Otero is the new principal of Zuni Elementary. He previously served as the principal at Highland High School.
  • Molly Keyes will lead S.Y. Jackson Elementary School. She had been assistant principal at Montezuma Elementary School.
  • Joseph O’Connell has been appointed principal of Alvarado Elementary School after serving as an administrative intern at Eisenhower Middle School.
  • Denise Gomez is the new principal at Mary Ann Binford Elementary School. She previously served as assistant principal at Valley High School.
  • Jonathon Aranda has been designated principal of Susie Rayos Marmon Elementary School. He previously handled the role of assistant principal at Polk Middle School.

Other appointments

APS has also announced several appointments to district administrative positions. The appointments include:

  • Wilson Holland as an assistant superintendent. Holland previously worked at Los Lunas Public Schools.
  • Annittra Atler has been appointed assistant superintendent after serving as senior director of Innovation. 
  • Ryan Finn will serve as the new executive director of Fine Arts. Finn previously worked at Los Alamos High School.
  • Amy Baker has been named executive director of Nursing Services after previously serving as the department’s former senior director.
  • David Vigil is the new executive director of Budget and Strategic Planning. He comes from Rio Rancho Public Schools.
  • Patrick Dyer was named executive director of Maintenance and Operations. He previously worked at Presbyterian Medical Services.

Drivers Buckle Up: Vehicle Registration and Weight-Distance Taxes Expected To Increase

Ruben Reyes
-
0
Drivers Buckle Up: Vehicle Registration and Weight-Distance Taxes Expected To Increase

Rising prices continue to strain household budgets, and motorists will soon pay more for their vehicle registration.

Beginning Wednesday, July 1, passenger vehicle registration fees will increase by 25 percent to help fund more than $1 billion in transportation projects. Separate registration fees for electric and hybrid vehicles will take effect Jan. 1.

In addition to the registration increase, according to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, weight-distance taxes will rise by 35 percent effective July 1.

The registration fee increase applies to passenger vehicles and does not affect off-highway vehicles, trucks, recreational vehicles, motorcycles or buses. Current annual registration fees for passenger vehicles range from $21 to $56. With the increase, those fees will rise to approximately $26 to $70 per year.

Either of these vehicle registration charges has changed since 2004. As a result of this increase, an estimated $70 billion will go to the State Road Fund, allowing investment in road maintenance. More than half of New Mexico’s roads require maintenance, costing drivers more than $1,000 a year in repairs and wasted fuel.

A Clovis Man Is Accused Of Threatening Lubbock Pride Fest

Ruben Reyes
-
0
A Clovis Man Is Accused Of Threatening Lubbock Pride Fest

A Clovis man is accused of posting threatening comments on Facebook targeting the Lubbock Pride Fest.

Michael Thompson allegedly made the comments in response to a Facebook post by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

According to investigators, Thompson wrote, “soooooo whatcha saying is it’s Hunting Season” and “nothing that a little target practice can’t fix.” The 44-year-old Thompson also replied to his own comment, writing, “I don’t need help just more ammo!”

The comments are part of the allegations against Thompson. Authorities have not publicly released additional details about the case.

The FBI National Threat Operations Center filed the criminal complaint with the  U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico after receiving an anonymous tip on Saturday about Thompson’s comments about the event.

FBI agents then coordinated with the local police to track down Thompson. They arrested Thompson in his home in Clovis on Sunday, admitting to his crime and later deleting it.

When they arrested him, he said he was just “running his mouth” and was “stupid for it.”

He will remain in custody but has a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday. If convicted, Thompson faces up to five years in prison.

Did DEA Let Fentanyl Flood New Mexico? Gov. Lujan Grisham Demands Sweeping Probe

Juan Oliveros
-
0
Did DEA Let Fentanyl Flood New Mexico? Gov. Lujan Grisham Demands Sweeping Probe

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday accused the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of allowing massive amounts of fentanyl to flood New Mexico communities in pursuit of bigger drug trafficking cases. She called the alleged tactic a “stunning failure” that cost lives and demanded criminal investigations, civil damages, and accountability from the federal government.

Standing inside the state Office of the Medical Investigator alongside law enforcement officials, health leaders, and local elected officials, the Democratic governor said New Mexico had become collateral to the federal strategy that prioritized dismantling drug cartels over protecting communities. “The DEA knew people would die if these pills made it into New Mexico communities, and the agency let it happen anyway,” Lujan Grisham said in the press conference. “New Mexican lives are not the federal government’s cost of doing business.”

Her remarks came after an Associated Press investigation, supported by a whistleblower complaint, alleged that DEA agents monitored—but did not immediately seize—a staggering number of fentanyl shipments moving through New Mexico between 2023 and 2025 in an attempt to identify higher-ranking members of drug trafficking organizations.

Allegations of ‘letting drugs walk’

The controversy centers on an investigative technique known as a controlled delivery, in which law enforcement allows illegal drugs to continue moving under surveillance to identify larger criminal networks.

According to the AP investigation, current and former DEA agents said officers monitored multiple fentanyl shipments instead of intercepting them immediately. One documented operation allegedly allowed 74,000 fentanyl pills to reach a mobile home park in Albuquerque while agents tracked the delivery.

“And that’s just one transaction. Shockingly, the federal government stood by while monitoring shipments, tallying exact pill counts, and watching as these deadly drugs hit the streets,” Lujan Grisham, in a statement, said.

DEA Special Agent David Howell, who filed a whistleblower complaint, claimed he objected to the strategy as early as 2023, contending that agents were “poisoning our community to make cases.”

Government records reviewed by the AP allegedly showed agents documenting exact pill counts while shipments continued to flow into New Mexico.

A state at the center of the fentanyl crisis

Major trafficking routes connecting Mexico to the rest of the United States have hit New Mexico hard, driving one of the nation’s worst fentanyl epidemics. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid often pressed into counterfeit prescription pills, is more potent than heroin or morphine. Even a small amount can be deadly.

State officials said opioid-related illnesses and overdose deaths have created enormous strain on healthcare systems, law enforcement agencies, behavioral health programs, and emergency responders. The governor’s office estimates the state has spent more than $1.5 billion addressing the opioid crisis through public safety, treatment, and recovery programs.

Lujan Grisham said New Mexico will seek federal reparations for behavioral health funding. She is also exploring broader civil claims that could reach billions of dollars.

State officials seek criminal and civil accountability

The governor has asked New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez to investigate whether federal agents had violated state law during the operations. Torrez’s office has opened a formal probe and requested documents from the DEA.

Lujan Grisham also wants Congress and the White House to support legislation that would prohibit similar operations in New Mexico without state notification. She demanded that the federal government compensate states for the costs of responding to drug trafficking operations.

She said DEA never informed local governments—including Bernalillo County and the City of Albuquerque—that large fentanyl shipments were allegedly being allowed to continue through their communities.

The governor described the alleged conduct as “the most derelict, despicable act” she witnessed during her time in public office.

DEA rejects allegations

The DEA has denied the allegations. A spokesperson previously told the AP that allegations the agency had allowed fentanyl to reach communities are “false and fundamentally mischaracterize the facts.”

DEA Administrator Terrance Cole has asked for an independent review by the US Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General while expressing confidence in the agency’s personnel.

The review will examine the operations and determine whether investigative policies were followed.

A debate over law enforcement tactics

Controlled deliveries have been traditionally used in complex narcotics investigations because they can help authorities identify cartel leaders rather than arresting only the couriers.

Authorities argue that dismantling entire trafficking organizations can ultimately save more lives by disrupting drug supply chains. Critics, however, believe otherwise, arguing that fentanyl’s extraordinary potency fundamentally changes the risk calculation.

Unlike other illegal drugs, a single counterfeit pill containing fentanyl can cause a fatal overdose, deciding to allow shipments to proceed especially controversial.

Although the DEA announced several record fentanyl seizures in New Mexico during 2025, state officials argue those successes cannot justify allowing other shipments to reach communities.

Political pressure grows

The dispute is another flashpoint in longstanding tensions between New Mexico and federal authorities over border security and drug trafficking. Lujan Grisham has repeatedly criticized Washington’s handling of cartel activity. The Trump administration had previously deployed National Guard troops to assist with public safety efforts along the state’s border region.

Now, the governor says she plans to press the issue with both Congress and the White House. Lujan Grisham argued that federal agencies must be held accountable if investigations confirm the allegations.

It remains uncertain if New Mexico can finally recover billions of dollars from the federal government. Legal experts note that sovereign immunity protections and the difficulty of linking specific overdose deaths to individual law enforcement operations could complicate any lawsuit.

Still, the allegations have increased public scrutiny of federal drug enforcement strategies.

Lujan Grisham said, the distinction between building a criminal case and preventing an overdose is difficult to accept for families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl. “The federal government must answer,” she said, “for the pills that reached New Mexico streets—and for the consequences that followed.”

UNM is Quietly Building New Mexico’s Space Economy: What You Should Know

Juan Oliveros
-
0
UNM is Quietly Building New Mexico’s Space Economy: What You Should Know

The University of New Mexico is carving its place in the growing space economy in the high desert of New Mexico, where rocket testing and national laboratories have defined for decades the state’s aerospace legacy.

UNM is positioning itself — and the state — as a hub for sustainable space research, workforce development, small satellite technology, and the scientific groundwork for an Earth-Moon economy as NASA’s renewed moon program and private companies invest in satellites, orbital infrastructure and commercial spaceflight.

University officials say the effort aims to strengthen New Mexico’s role in the emerging space economy by connecting academic research with government agencies, national laboratories and private companies.

“With the talent, infrastructure, and leadership in this room, New Mexico has a real opportunity to lead in the New Space economy,” said Nancy Conrad, a former teacher and widow of Apollo 12 astronaut Pete Conrad. She was one of the resource persons of the one-day workshop hosted by UNM that gathered space research experts. “There’s no other place with this exact combination,” Conrad, who also chairs the Conrad Foundation, added.

Studying the moon

A cornerstone of UNM’s space research is the Institute of Meteoritics and its Center for Advanced Sample Analysis-Moon, or CASA Moon. The program is part of NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute.

Scientists at the center analyze lunar samples from the Apollo missions while preparing for future samples expected from upcoming Artemis missions. Their research focuses on the moon’s geological evolution, including its mantle composition and volcanic history.

Charles “Chip” Shearer, a research professor and co-convener of UNM’s Sustainable Space Research Grand Challenge, has led studies investigating Apollo 17 samples. Recent study, Endogenous, yet Exotic, Sulfur in the Lunar Mantle, which Shearer is part of the research team, identified previously unrecognized sulfur isotope variations that could provide new insights into lunar geology.

UNM also hosted the NASA Exploration Science Forum in July 2025. The forum brought together researchers, students and astronauts to discuss lunar and planetary science.

A Sustainable Space Research Program

UNM’s Sustainable Space Research Grand Challenge, one of several institutional programs, seeks to expand research while supporting New Mexico’s long-term participation in the space economy. 

The initiative envisions to increase research funding, strengthen partnerships with national laboratories and aerospace companies, train future scientists and engineers, and promote public engagement in space science. 

The program also supports interdisciplinary projects ranging from student art inspired by lunar exploration to engineering research on microthrusters and advanced catalytic materials for future space missions. Research areas include spacecraft technologies, in-space resource utilization, space biology, cybersecurity and long-term concepts such as planetary habitation.

Engineering satellites and space systems

UNM’s engineering programs also play an important role in the university’s space portfolio. The Configurable Space Microsystems Innovations and Applications Center, known as COSMIAC, is into small satellite technologies, radiation-hardened electronics, communications systems, and developing aerospace prototypes.

Faculty members and students work on projects from initial design through flight testing, including the Radiation Hardened Electronic Memory Experiment, or RHEME, which is scheduled for deployment aboard the International Space Station.

COSMIAC sits at the intersection of academia, aerospace contractors, including Northrop Grumman and Leidos, and government agencies such as NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Space Force, while emphasizing workforce development and technology commercialization.

UNM also offers an online master’s degree in Space Systems Engineering through its mechanical and electrical engineering departments. The program, developed with input from the Air Force Research Laboratory, is designed primarily for working professionals seeking advanced training in aerospace systems.

Supporting a statewide space economy

Most recent workshops, organized through the Sustainable Space Research Grand Challenge, brought together representatives from universities, national laboratories, Spaceport America and private industry to discuss strategies for expanding New Mexico’s space sector. The participants identified several advantages, including the state’s research institutions, aerospace infrastructure, available land for testing, and growing commercial activity around Spaceport America.

“Most recently, our estimates indicate Spaceport America has totaled $110.8 million in value-added production and $73.1 million in labor income for our state in 2024,” Dr. Kramer Winingham, co-author of a study on Spaceport America’s economic impact on New Mexico from 2019 to 2024, said.

They also pointed to challenges, including the need for stronger statewide coordination, sustained funding, improved access to research facilities and expanded education pipelines connecting K-12 schools with universities and aerospace employers. Workshop participants recommended a more robust public-private partnerships, strengthening of interdisciplinary education, and holding regular statewide collaborations to maintain momentum.

The discussions come as the state’s aerospace ecosystem is growing. Alongside Spaceport America, the state’s national laboratories, military installations and defense contractors provide research capabilities in support to both government and commercial space programs.

Looking beyond Earth

UNM’s strategy focuses less on launching spacecraft. The university focuses more in providing the scientific research, engineering expertise and skilled workforce needed to support a broader space industry. University officials say New Mexico is well positioned to benefit from its combination of research infrastructure, aerospace expertise, and relatively low operating costs.

UNM Vice President for Research Ellen Fisher has emphasized partnerships among universities, government agencies and industry as central to that effort.

University officials and researchers framed space research as a potential source of high-skilled jobs, technology development, and long-term economic growth in a state that seeks to diversify its economy beyond the volatile oil and gas production,

It remains uncertain whether those investments ultimately establish New Mexico as a major space innovation hub. But through its growing research programs, engineering initiatives and workforce training, UNM is positioning itself as an important contributor to the state’s evolving role in the nation’s space enterprise.

New Mexico Intensifies Preparedness as Screwworm Threat Returns

Victoria Padilla
-
0

New Mexico officials have ramped up preparedness initiatives following renewed concerns about the New World screwworm, a deadly livestock pest that has reappeared in parts of North America. State and federal agencies are working with ranchers, veterinarians, and agricultural organizations to prevent the parasite from entering New Mexico and harming the state’s livestock industry.

The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, according to agricultural officials. The pest primarily affects livestock animals. It can also infect wildlife, pets and, in rare cases, humans. Experts warn that an upsurge could have serious economic consequences for New Mexico’s agricultural sector.

State officials plan to increase surveillance, expand outreach to livestock producers, and work with federal agencies to detect any signs of the pest. Officials also recommend treating animals with wounds promptly and immediately reporting suspected cases to animal health authorities.

Veterinary experts say early detection and rapid response are among the most effective ways to prevent the screwworm from becoming established. Officials urged livestock owners to closely monitor their animals, promptly treat wounds, and report suspected infestations to help authorities respond quickly.

Officials also urge livestock producers to follow biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of infestation. They say coordinated surveillance, communication and cooperation among producers, veterinarians and government agencies are essential to protecting animal health.

Agricultural leaders have emphasized the need for increased public education about the signs of screwworm infestation. Officials say greater awareness among livestock producers can improve detection and strengthen response efforts if the pest is identified.

State officials encourage livestock owners to stay informed through updates from state and federal animal health agencies. They say continued vigilance, early reporting, and collaboration among producers and animal health professionals will be critical to protecting New Mexico’s livestock industry from the screwworm threat.

1...151617...97Page 16 of 97