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Urban Air Adventure Park Brings Year‑Round Indoor Adventures to Albuquerque Families

Victoria Padilla
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Albuquerque’s Urban Air Adventure Park offers indoor adventure attractions year‑round, such as wall climbing, coasters, and trampolining. In addition, the park offers birthday party packages.

This headline thus presents Urban Air as an overall indoor amusement facility—not just a trampoline park—that engages kids in physical play. Moreover, it provides a safe place for entertainment. The park is also the primary location for birthday celebrations or family entertainment.

Attractions at Urban Air include an indoor coaster (Sky Rider), a climbing challenge (Leap of Faith), an obstacle course (Warrior Course), a battle beam, jumps into airbags (DropZone), and trampoline areas (ProZone). Birthday girls and boys can schedule birthday celebrations seamlessly, with food/activities included. Alternatively, parents can purchase memberships for unlimited park use.

Benefits: Year-round activities for visitors, no matter the weather; active play contributes to health and fitness; family-friendly events create community engagement; and it helps you save money on memberships and passes for the summer.

The wording reflects how Urban Air Adventure Park has been marketed and promoted as the premier indoor adventure destination in Albuquerque, combining fun, fitness, and family in one place.

Finally, Urban Air Adventure Park provides families in Albuquerque with safe, fun, and affordable activities that create an atmosphere of entertainment, making it a place for future birthday parties, a facility for membership, and a great summer entertainment destination.

APS Secures Grant to Expand Access to Outdoor Learning 

Gregg Morgan
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APS Secures Grant to Expand Access to Outdoor Learning 

Children deserve more than access to classrooms, they also need access to nature. Outdoor spaces allow them to learn, explore, and engage with inspiring lessons beyond the traditional classroom environment.  According to studies, outdoor learning has many benefits. These include reduced stress, improved mood, better concentration, and stronger student engagement in school.

A new funding aims to support hands-on environmental education and experiences for students of Albuquerque Public Schools (APS). The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division Outdoor Equity Fund awarded the district a $40,000 grant. The funding will expand outdoor learning opportunities for students.

The state allocated $1.9 million for outdoor education and recreation programs. The investment seeks to connect more than 22,000 young people across New Mexico with these experiences. 

APS will utilize the funding to support about 5,000 sixth-grade students SHIFT (Systems, Humans, and Interconnected Futures Together). The program will engage students in place-based learning that builds environmental literacy through classroom lessons and outdoor field experiences.

Inside SHIFT

Students participating in SHIFT will explore ecosystems firsthand and strengthen their connection to the natural world. The program includes visits to Valles Caldera National Preserve.

“Through this work, students engage in environmental stewardship, systems thinking, and real-world learning outside the classroom,” said Los Padillas Wildlife Sanctuary Resource Teacher Charlie Ciernia.

Additionally, the program promotes wellness and engagement while helping students build stronger connections to the land and their communities. SHIFT will launch as a pilot program next school year. The program aims to expand access to outdoor learning for more APS students in the future. 

“We’re excited about the continued growth of outdoor learning across APS and the opportunity to expand access for more students, especially through experiences that support wellness, engagement and connection to place,” Ciernia added.

This investment demonstrates a growing commitment to experiential education that fosters curiosity and prepares students for the future.

Landowner Arrested Over Pecos River Dispute. Why the Battle for River Access Continues to Escalate.

Juan Oliveros
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Landowner Arrested Over Pecos River Dispute. Why the Battle for River Access Continues to Escalate.

The struggle over who has the right to fish and recreate along the Pecos River has unraveled in courtrooms as a test of the balance between private property rights and public access to natural resources. That dispute took a dramatic turn this week when state authorities arrested a private landowner for allegedly threatening fishermen with a firearm.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced the arrest of Erik Michael Briones, a landowner along the Pecos River. Torrez filed five counts of aggravated assault in San Miguel Magistrate Court against Briones. Prosecutors allege that the landowner threatened several fishermen during separate encounters along a stretch of the Pecos River bordering his property between April 2023 and March 2026.

State investigators said Briones brandished a firearm and warned fishermen that he would begin ‘target practicing’ nearby, making them fear he was about to shoot. “These allegations involve dangerous and unlawful intimidation directed at New Mexicans who were exercising their legal right to access and recreate in public waters,” Torrez said.

Private landowner and the law

The dispute involves a legal question of whether members of the public can use rivers that flow through private property. It has divided landowners, anglers, and outdoor recreation advocates for years.

The law protects the public’s right to use streams and streambeds through private property as long as they do not trespass on private property in reaching them. This right applies even to waters passing through privately owned land. In a previous court filing, the New Mexico Department of Justice secured court rulings affirming that right along portions of the Pecos River.

In its April 21 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit sided with the New Mexico Department of Justice, affirming the public’s right to use navigable public waters, including the Pecos River. The ruling has strengthened the state’s position in a case closely watched by property-rights advocates and outdoor recreation groups across the West.

Briones has long opposed the state’s interpretation of public access laws. At the height of the dispute in 2023, he maintained that he and his family were victims of harassment and trespassing by anglers entering his property. “One trespasser threatened to come back when we were gone and burn our cabin down,” Briones told a television investigation at the time. “One trespasser that I got the Game and Fish to remove with me told me, ‘I’m from Texas, you don’t know who my daddy is, he’s going to come after you.’”

Simmering tensions

The river access dispute continued to escalate in the courts. A federal court granted the state’s motion last month to hold Briones in contempt in the related civil litigation. The court found continued violations connected to public-access protections and court orders governing use of the river corridor.

His arrest now brings the bitter legal and political battle into the criminal justice system. It raised the stakes in a dispute that has become a symbol of simmering tensions across the American West over access to rivers and streams flowing through private land.

The criminal charges against Briones are allegations for the court to decide. It is likely to renew debate over how states balance private property rights with public access to rivers and streams, which have been viewed as shared natural resources.

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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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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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.

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