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Serving NMSU and the Community, Student Broadcasters Earn National Recognition

Grace Tackman
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Serving NMSU and the Community, Student Broadcasters Earn National Recognition

Two New Mexico State University (NMSU) student radio broadcasters stepped into the spotlight for their outstanding contributions. Now, they are shining on the national stage. 

KRUX 91.5 FM earned national recognition at the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) Conference in New York City on February 20-21. The NMSU student-run station produced finalists and a national award winner, proving its broadcasters can compete–and win–nationwide. 

The annual IBS Conference gathers college radio and media programs from across the country to celebrate excellence in student broadcasting. KRUX earned finalist spots in four national categories.

Naomi Tercero, KRUX’s online content director, earned a finalist spot for Best Website – Radio, Best Social Media Accounts, and Best Social Media Director – Radio. Tercero won Best Social Media Director – Radio, gaining national recognition for her leadership and innovation in digital media strategy.

“I’m incredibly excited and honored to receive this recognition,” Tercero said as reported by NMSU. “It reassures me that the work I do is meaningful and making an impact. I couldn’t do what I do without my team. As a senior, I’m proud to have this as part of my send-off. I love KRUX, and I’m excited to see it continue growing long after I graduate.”

Additionally, Rubí Reyes secured a finalist spot for Best Public Affairs Program.

“Traveling to New York for the IBS Conference was an incredible opportunity,” Reyes said. “Connecting with other student broadcasters and seeing the work being done nationwide was inspiring. I’m proud to have represented KRUX at that level.”

KRUX 91.5 FM gives NMSU students hands-on experience in broadcasting, journalism, digital media and music programming. The station also serves the Las Cruces community with independent music, public affairs programming, and live events.

Jobless Claims Dipped —US Filings Edged Up to 212K

Juan Oliveros
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Jobless Claims Dipped —US Filings Edged Up to 212K

Initial jobless claims in New Mexico dipped last week. But jobless filings edged up nationwide, new data released by the U.S. Department of Labor revealed.

The state logged 813 new unemployment benefit applications for the period ending February 21. It eased from 836 the previous week.

The state continued to post modest gains, with the late-2025 unemployment rate at 4.2 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The construction, education, and health services sectors have shown solid gains, while information and professional/business services are sluggish.

Across the United States, according to a DOL press release, the seasonally adjusted claims rose to 212,000, a modest increase of 4,000 from the previous week’s total of 208,000.

The four-week moving average, smoothing out weekly volatility, rose to 220,250, an increase of 750 from the previous week’s revised average of 219,500. That number was also revised to 500.

Data across states showed sharp changes. Rhode Island has the largest percentage increase in weekly filings, jumping 132 percent. Michigan posted the steepest decline, dropping 49.9 percent.

Meanwhile, the insured unemployment rate is unchanged at 1.2 percent for the week ending on February 14.

Americans who received unemployment benefits dipped to 1,833,000 during that period, a decrease of 31,000 from the previous week’s total of 1,864,000. The four-week moving average for continuing claims edged up to 1,847,500, an increase of 3,500 from the previous week’s revised average of 1,844,000.

Seeking To Boost Your Spreadsheet Skills? This Training Series Has You Covered

Grace Tackman
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Seeking To Boost Your Spreadsheet Skills? This Training Series Has You Covered

Do your spreadsheet skills need a level up? Check out this newly launched program that aims to give your Excel knowledge a boost.

New Mexico State University (NMSU) Global Campus announced a collaborative microlearning initiative with NM EDGE (Education Designed to Generate Excellence in the Public Sector). The program offers a series of Microsoft Excel courses for professionals, public service employees, and anyone looking to improve their data and spreadsheet skills. 

The Spreadsheet training series will include foundational, intermediate, and advanced coursework. The courses help learners build practical capability in one of today’s most widely used workplace tools. 

The program supports both institutions’ mission to expand access to high-impact professional development and workforce training. NMSU Global Campus provides flexible online microlearning offerings, while NM EDGE delivers targeted professional development for public sector needs. 

What You’ll Learn in the Spreadsheet Training Series?

According to NMSU, each course in the series is designed for flexible, self-paced online learning. The courses may include interactive demonstrations and practical exercises for learners at different skill levels. These range from beginners in Excel to professionals strengthening advanced data management and analysis competencies. 

The program levels include:

  • · Excel For Beginners: Participants will learn essential functions, formatting, and basic formula usage to confidently navigate and work within Microsoft Excel. 
  • · Intermediate Excel I: This level deepens learners’ skills in data organization, logical functions, and more advanced formula structures. 
  • · Intermediate Excel II: The final level focuses on data analysis tools such as PivotTables, advanced functions, and automation techniques to support decision-making and reporting. 

“We’re excited to partner with NM EDGE to provide accessible, career-relevant training that helps learners strengthen key skills at every stage of their professional journey,” said Erika Genty, senior manager of Microlearning. “Excel remains a critical tool across industries, and this series offers structured progress that supports meaningful skill development.” 

This series is well-suited for administrators, managers, elected officials, and staff working in public service. It also serves professionals throughout New Mexico and beyond who want to elevate their spreadsheet and data skills for academic, professional, or personal benefit. 

Interested? View the full program details and register here. 

Celebrating Black History: UNM’s New AFRO Hair Shop Opens Its Doors

Grace Tackman
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Celebrating Black History: UNM’s New AFRO Hair Shop Opens Its Doors

How do you want your hair done? Lineups, braids, locks, and more? You might want to visit the new hair shop at the University of New Mexico (UNM).

On February 12, African American Student Services (AFRO) held a panel discussion. The group also celebrated the grand opening of the AFRO Hair Shop in Mesa Vista Hall. More than a hair shop, it honors Black New Mexicans’ legacy by dedicating space for culture, care, and connection. 

“This shop is not just a student-led initiative—it’s a gift of love from our community,” said AFRO Director Brandi Wells-Stone during the panel. “It has been dreamed of by students, staff, faculty and alumni. It has been imagined in meetings, passing conversations, in our hallways, and jokes turned into a serious proposal.” 

Students who want to get their hair done or offer hair services can contact the AFRO office to reserve space. 

The Inspiration Behind AFRO Hair Shop

For decades, UNM students have met in dorms or offices, where fellow students worked on each other’s hair in various styles. “All of these moments tell a deeper story of the way Black students have always been intentional about building community,” Wells-Stone told UNM News. 

Wells-Stone credits decades of progress to two state bills paving the way: the CROWN Act and Braiding and Licensure Bill. “The passing of New Mexico’s version of the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) affirms that our hair, our natural textures, our locks, our braids, our protective styles cannot be grounds for discrimination, particularly in education spaces,” she said.  

House Bill 281, the “Braiding and Licensure Bill,” exempts barbers and cosmetologists from discipline when braiding hair without a license. “The Braiding and Licensure Bill expands pathways and legitimizes the cultural labor that has always existed in our communities,” said Wells-Stone. 

Both bills link legislation, wellness, and student retention, prioritizing support—not just enrolling—for students who use AFRO services. 

“This is such a special occasion, genuinely,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Eric Scott. “It’s a pivotal moment for the evolution of the student experience here at the University of New Mexico.” 

What’s Inside AFRO Hair Shop?

During the grand opening, AFRO welcomed the community to undo a large braid instead of cutting a ribbon. The unique gesture invited everyone into the hair shop. 

The shop features two salon chairs, two ring lights, mirrors, matts, a guest chair, and a moveable tray for hair products. A neon “The Fro” sign glows on a gallery wall containing posters celebrating Black hair styling history through the ages.  

The room is a converted storage space. Wells-Stone pitched the idea of a shop to the New Mexico Black Central Organizing Committee. The group, together with AFRO alumni, donated funds to bring the shop to life.

This space intentionally contains no televisions. Wells-Stone and her team wanted to prioritize building community. They aim to encourage shop visitors to build friendships, challenge one another, plan together, and communicate with each other. 

“Black hair shops, salons, barbershops, were more than conversation. They were about checking in, laughing, debating, organizing, mentoring, mobilizing, and dreaming,” Wells-Stone said. 

Residency Lawsuit Against Duke Rodriguez Dismissed. He’s Still in the NM Governor’s Race.

Juan Oliveros
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Residency Lawsuit Against Duke Rodriguez Dismissed. He’s Still in the NM Governor’s Race.

Former State Cabinet Secretary and cannabis executive Duke Rodriguez, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor, scored another court victory on Friday after a Santa Fe judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging his residency.

Fellow GOP candidate James Ellison filed the complaint. He alleged that Rodriguez failed to meet the state’s constitutional residency requirements.

Ellison, a former Public Regulation Commissioner, also accused Maggie Toulouse Oliver of failing to properly verify the eligibility of Rodriguez. He further claimed Rodriguez primarily voted in Arizona rather than New Mexico.

‘Break away from the politics of the past’

In his X post, Rodriguez wrote: “Major victory in court today for not just our campaign, but for New Mexicans—this is an opportunity to break away from the politics of the past.”

A spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s Office told Source NM that the first time Rodriguez registered to vote in New Mexico was in 2010. His voter registration was canceled in 2021 due to the voter list maintenance process in accordance with the federal National Voter Registration Act. Rodriguez registered again in New Mexico on January 14, 2025.

Complainants: Rodriguez fails to meet the residency requirement

The court ruling marked the second dismissal this week of a legal challenge against Rodriguez’s candidacy. A judge in Aztec on Tuesday tossed out a separate complaint filed by James Maes, a Navajo Dam resident, and former Republican Party of Bernalillo County chair John Rockwell.

The two complainants argued that Rodriguez did not meet constitutional residency requirement. Rodriguez’s counsel countered that the residency requirements apply to holding office, not to appearing on the ballot.

The Constitution requires that candidates for governor have been continuously registered to vote in the state for five years. The candidates must also have a residence in New Mexico, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Court records show Rodriguez previously described himself as a resident of Scottsdale, Arizona. Over the years, attempts by New Mexico court officials to serve him with parking citations were without success. The mail often returned to the sender.

Rodriguez announced his bid for governor in December. He will face Ellison in the June 2 Republican primary along with first-term state Sen. Steve Lanier of Aztec, Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, and former New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission chair Doug Turner.

APS Reports Rising Graduation Rates for Class of 2025, Two Schools Exit MRI Status

Grace Tackman
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APS Reports Rising Graduation Rates for Class of 2025, Two Schools Exit MRI Status

More high school students in Albuquerque are crossing the graduation stage. New data from Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) show that graduation numbers rose for the Class of 2025. 

APS saw a nearly one percent point increase in its graduation rate. Twelve of the district’s 20 high schools reported gains, with Freedom, Rio Grande, and West Mesa high schools leading the largest improvements. 

APS posted a 76.8% combined graduation rate for the Class of 2025. This notes an increase of 0.9 percentage points from the Class of 2024. The rate does not include charter schools because APS has limited academic control over them.

“We’re happy that our graduation rate continues to improve but know there’s still more work to be done,” said APS Superintendent Gabriella Blakey. She said community partnership is essential to reimagine the high school experience and make it more engaging for students.

The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) released graduation rates Friday. NMPED showed the statewide rate for the Class of 2025 reached 80.6%. This rate is 2.4 percentage points higher than the Class of 2024. 

Two Albuquerque High Schools No Longer in MRI Status 

The NMPED highlighted eight schools that have exited school improvement status. This includes Rio Grande High School and Highland High School, which left the More Rigorous Intervention (MRI) status after sustaining gains in graduation rates. 

Rio Grande High posted a 74.1% graduation rate, an improvement of 5.5 percentage points. Highland High’s graduation rate was 67.8%, a 1.7 percentage point increase over the prior year.

The agency called it “a significant turnaround following years of focused improvement supported by stronger instructional leadership and targeted PED coaching and monitoring.”

APS graduation rates have steadily increased each year since the 2021-2022 school year. The district has gained a total of 6.5 percentage points, excluding charter schools. This increase represents a return to pre-pandemic graduation rates.

APS Reports Graduation Improvements for Class of 2025

All racial and ethnic student groups saw increases. Native students gained 6.6 percentage points–the largest increase recorded among all reported groups. African American students followed with a 4.5 point increase. 

Graduation rates for economically disadvantaged students increased by 7.6 percentage points–the largest one-year increase among all reported student groups. English learners experienced a one-year increase of 5.4%, while special education students experienced a one-year increase of 5.6%.

At the school level, 12 high schools showed an increase in graduation rates. Increases ranged from 0.5 to 7.9 percentage points.

Among APS comprehensive high schools, La Cueva posted the highest graduation rate. At least 89.5% of its students graduated, a 1.7 percentage point decrease from the class of 2024. West Mesa High school increased its graduation rate by 4.8 percentage points, with 70.7% of its students graduating.

Among APS schools of choice, nex+Gen Academy led with 90.8% graduation rate, up 3.7 percentage points. Freedom High School raised its graduation rate by 7.9 percentage points.

APS reports 2025 graduation rates by high school, showing each school’s percentage point increase or decrease:

  • Albuquerque High 77.2% (+2)
  • Atrisco Heritage Academy  81% (+1.3)
  • Cibola High 78.1% (+1.4%)
  • College and Career 90.2% (-5.5)
  • Del Norte High 69.5% (+3.9)
  • Early College Academy 90.6% (-7.9)
  • Ecademy 55.8% (-2.6)
  • Eldorado High 83.1% (+2.1)
  • Freedom High 29.4% (+7.9)
  • Highland High 67.8% (+1.7)
  • La Cueva High 89.5% (-1.7)
  • Manzano High 67.7% (+3.6)
  • Nex+Gen Academy 90.8% (+3.7)
  • Rio Grande High 74.1% (+5.5)
  • Sandia High 82.8% (+0.5)
  • Valley High 73.8% (-0.6)
  • Volcano Vista High 87.2% (-2)
  • West Mesa High 70.7% (+4.8)

State Regulators Order Recall of ‘GH Kush Pops’ After Discovering THC Levels Exceed What is Legal

Juan Oliveros
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State Regulators Order Recall of ‘GH Kush Pops’ After Discovering THC Levels Exceed What is Legal

Regulators have ordered a mandatory statewide recall of a medical cannabis lollipop after discovering it exceeded the legal limit for THC, marijuana’s psychoactive compound. The lollipop contains 200 milligrams of total THC in each package, with each of the two individual lollipops containing 100 milligrams, the Cannabis Control Division said.

GH LLC manufactured the product and sold it as “GH Kush Pops.” Under the law, medical cannabis products may contain no more than 50 milligrams of THC in every serving. So far, no health-related complaints have been reported in connection with the recall.

THC threshold

All licensed retailers have been directed to immediately remove the product from their shelves, according to the Cannabis Control Division.

The state regulator announced the recall after conducting compliance testing and determined the edible product exceeded the allowable THC threshold. Information such as full product details, including packaging images and a list of retail locations that received the item, has been posted on the division’s website.

The state reserves medical cannabis for patients who hold a valid ID card issued by the Department of Health. Patients who purchased the product are advised to review the recall notice.

Health officials warned that consuming THC levels higher than permitted may increase the risk of adverse effects such as impairment, anxiety, dizziness, rapid heart rate, and other unintended reactions.

Potency limits non-negotiable

Retailers may have to destroy the product. It remains unclear, however, if they get credit from the manufacturer. The recall highlights a key point that potency limits are non-negotiable. Even though there is no reported harm, products that exceed the legal THC thresholds are automatically pulled from shelves.

Individuals with health concerns may contact the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center at 1-800-222-1222. They may also consult a healthcare provider. Consumers with complaints not related to health may contact the Cannabis Control Division directly.

DOJ to Review New Mexico’s Sunshine Law — Why it Matters and What Happens Next

Juan Oliveros
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DOJ to Review New Mexico’s Sunshine Law — Why it Matters and What Happens Next

New Mexico’s Department of Justice will convene a task force to review the Sunshine Law in response to House Joint Memorial 2, passed by the state legislature in the final hours of its 30-day session last week.

HJM 2 directs the DOJ to convene a task force to determine the “workability and effectiveness” of the state’s public records law.

The move comes amid mounting complaints from records custodians in local and state agencies who are struggling to keep up with an increase in public records requests.

A response to growing pressure

The Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA), which guarantees public access to government documents, is the center of the review.

Custodians across the state have reported a sharp surge in requests. Some local governments described the workloads as having strained staff capacity and budgets. In Carlsbad, officials have noted a 200 percent spike in records requests in recent years, according to transparency advocates.

The task force will explore solutions to address the heavy workload without sacrificing public access — a balance that has been proven politically fraught in past sessions.

The initiative follows failed attempts of the legislature to overhaul IPRA. Critics, including the Foundation for Open Government, warned that those proposals could have significantly weakened transparency and accountability.

In a lawsuit filed last year, FOG called for “a remedy beyond fees, costs, and fines.”

Why review the law matters

The task force will include representatives from a broad range of public and private stakeholders, namely: DOJ, New Mexico Municipal League, New Mexico Counties, FOG, American Civil Liberties Union, and New Mexico Press Association.

The DOJ will convene the group, which is expected to submit recommendations to a legislative committee by October. Participation is key to the success of the initiative, according to media and transparency advocates.

“Any process like this must be grounded in IPRA’s core principle that public records belong to the public,” Press Association President Belinda Mills said in a statement. She stressed that journalists and transparency advocates must have a voice to ensure that the task force reinforces, rather than erodes, the law’s intent.

Mills said her organization supported the memorial to ensure representation in discussions across the state about the growing burden on records custodians.

A reset after failed reforms

FOG executive director Christine Barber described the task force as a chance to recalibrate the conversation.

“After last year, when we had three different bills that looked to kind of completely gut IPRA, we decided to look at the problem and say, ‘Why are they asking for these changes?’” Barber said. “They are asking for these changes because the records custodians have a huge workload.”

The FOG official wants an open dialogue to focus on practical fixes that do not weaken the law’s protections. Some of the ideas the task force could examine include increasing the number of records custodians, proactively posting more documents online to reduce individual requests, and investing in better records management software.

What happens next

The panel will evaluate how effectively IPRA functions and whether it remains feasible under the present conditions. Its recommendations could help shape future legislation in the next session.

Lawmakers considered the unanimous vote as a signal of bipartisan recognition that the issue requires careful study. The legislature did not approve two measures in last year’s regular legislative session aimed at addressing the issue.

One bill sought to revamp IPRA by creating new exemptions to the law. It also sought to grant broader authority to state and local governments to refuse public records requests.

Another measure also sought to impose fees on public records requests, extend the response time, and make it more difficult to obtain penalty fees for violations of the law.

DOJ spokesperson Chelsea Pitvorec did not respond to queries about when the department is going to convene the panel. She merely stated that the DOJ “stands willing to spearhead this initiative.”

Rio’s Story

Rio Brant
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Rio’s Story

Rio Brant was always a little different from the other geese.

He came from a family of Brant geese, who migrate across North America every fall to get to warmer climates for the winter weather. In 2025, Rio was grown-enough to join his family on long trip south.

During migration, Rio and his family landed in New Mexico, taking a break from the long flight. They stopped at the Rio Grande, and while the other geese were drinking water and making nests, he looked up to see a thousand colorful balloons, scattered across the sky.

Later in the day, the balloons had disappeared. Rio knew he had to see them again and find out where they came from.

Flying in the direction the balloons had been, he saw people, buildings, and smelled food. It seemed as though the city he was flying over was just emitting a warmth and a sense of hospitality he had never seen before. He flew and flew until it was dark, and he could not find the colorful globes that he had been chasing and decided to go back to his family.

The Land of Enchantment

When it was time to move on, Rio felt a pull to stay. There was something about the place, its people, its conversations, its untold stories that kept calling him back.
Rio wasn’t there to tell those stories himself. He just knew they mattered.

That’s when he crossed paths with journalists who shared that same pull; people driven by curiosity, integrity, and a commitment to uncovering stories that often go unnoticed. Together, they realized they had something in common: a belief that stories can create understanding and strengthen community.

So, Rio stayed.
Now, he works alongside the newsroom not as a reporter, but as a guide helping connect people to the journalists and stories shaping New Mexico.

Rio and the newsroom are hoping you stay too and check out the stories that he wanted to make sure got told!

From WNMU to the Super Bowl Stage: Leah Lopez Shines with Bad Bunny

Grace Tackman
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From WNMU to the Super Bowl Stage: Leah Lopez Shines with Bad Bunny

“Say yes to every opportunity you can!” That’s the advice former Western New Mexico University (WNMU) student Leah Lopez gives to the dreamers out there. 

Earlier this month, Lopez performed as a featured violinist in Bad Bunny’s record-breaking halftime show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. WNMU joined audiences worldwide in cheering its former mariachi program member as she took the global stage.

On February 8, Bad Bunny performed the Super Bowl halftime show almost entirely in Spanish. It marked a landmark cultural tribute to Latino heritage. The production featured a violin orchestra, adding classical depth to the modern genre.

Lopez joined a select group of elite musicians chosen to share the spotlight with the global Latin icon. She wore a signature brown suit and bowtie, a nod to the working-class roots and traditional aesthetics. 

Lopez showcased her violin skills to an estimated 125 million viewers worldwide. Her soaring musical accompaniment provided the melodic backbone for Bad Bunny’s hit song “Monaco.” The track masterfully blended high-energy trap with classical orchestral elements.

Lopez’s Journey as a Musician 

Lopez’s musical journey began years ago in her hometown, Tucson, Arizona, where she performed with mariachi bands. After enrolling at WNMU, she became a dedicated and foundational member of the university’s mariachi ensembles. 

At WNMU, she honed the technical precision, rigorous discipline, and vibrant stage presence needed for professional success. These skills eventually propelled her into the competitive Los Angeles music scene.

The musician’s path took her from the quiet landscapes of Silver City to performing alongside a global icon. Along the way, she lived in Guadalajara, Mexico, and she played with a well-known Mexican mariachi band. She relocated to Los Angeles and, with other top-tier musicians, was independently contracted to perform in the Super Bowl halftime show.

Through her performance, Lopez highlights the connection between traditional musical education and modern entertainment. Her Southwest roots and deep training in mariachi music provided the perfect stylistic versatility required for Bad Bunny’s genre-bending sound. This performance showcased her individual virtuosity. It also emphasized the enduring relevance of traditional music programs in preparing students for a diverse range of careers.

Lopez’s Performance: A Proud Moment for the WNMU Community

“Seeing one of our students represent the culture and the high caliber of talent we cultivate here at WNMU is an incredibly proud moment for the entire university,” said ASWNMU President Carlos Carranza. “Leah’s performance on the world’s biggest stage is a testament to her relentless hard work and the artistic foundation she built while participating in our mariachi program. She embodies the spirit of a Mustang—resilient, talented, and ready to lead.”

“Leah’s ability to translate the emotion and technique of mariachi into a global pop context is exactly what we hope for our students and alumni. She has shown our current students that there truly are no limits to where their education can take them,” Carranza further added.

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