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Fire Officials Share Grill Safety Tips Ahead of Fourth of July Cookouts

Victoria Padilla
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Fire officials, as thousands of families prepare for Fourth of July, are urging residents to follow basic grilling safety practices to help prevent fires, injuries and property damage during one of the busiest outdoor cooking weekends of the year.

Officials recommend using gas and charcoal grills only outdoors in well-ventilated areas. Keep grills away from homes, decks, fences, and other combustible materials. They also warn against using grills indoors, where they can create fire hazards and build up of dangerous carbon monoxide.

Before lighting a propane grill, officials advise inspecting the propane tank, hose and connections for leaks or damage. They also recommend cleaning grease buildup and ensuring the grill is in good working condition to reduce the risk of flare-ups and equipment failure.

Safety experts warn that grills must never be left unattended while in use. They warn that people must never leave grills unattended while in use. Keep children and pets away from the cooking area, and grill operators should use long-handled utensils and avoid loose-fitting clothing. Also, keep a fire extinguisher or a readily available water source nearby in case of an emergency.

According to fire officials, grease fires remain one of the leading causes of barbecue-related fires. If a grease fire occurs, people should turn off the gas supply if it is safe to do so. Do not use water to extinguish a grease fire, officials urged. Instead, use an appropriate fire extinguisher or close the grill lid to help smother the flames.

The reminder comes as many households take grills out of storage for Independence Day celebrations. Fire officials note that outdoor cooking, combined with fireworks and hot, dry weather, can increase the risk of accidental fires.

Fire departments encourage residents to review grilling safety guidelines before holiday festivities begin. Officials say a few simple precautions can help ensure a safe and enjoyable Independence Day for everyone.

New Mexico Soccer Academy U-16 Girls Reach Girls Academy National Finals for First Time

Victoria Padilla
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The New Mexico Soccer Academy’s U-16 girls team has made program history by advancing to the Girls Academy National Finals, marking the first time an academy team has reached the championship stage of one of the nation’s premier youth soccer competitions.

The team earned its spot in the national finals following a strong postseason run against some of the country’s top youth soccer clubs. Coaches and players said the achievement is the product of months of dedication, disciplined training, and teamwork throughout the season.

Academy officials described the milestone as a significant moment for both the players and the organization, saying that the Girls Academy is among the nation’s top platforms for player development and collegiate recruiting.

Coaches credited the team’s success to its discipline, resilience and ability to execute at a high level against elite competition. They said the players consistently demonstrated teamwork and composure throughout the season and postseason.

The team deserves it, Simon Rothman, the team’s head coach, said. “They have had a lot of tough days, a lot of 7 o’clock mornings in the cold running fitness,” he added.

The team’s run to the national finals has generated excitement across New Mexico’s youth soccer community. Team officials say the accomplishment highlights the growth of youth soccer in the state and showcases the caliber of players and coaches being developed through local programs.

Academy leaders hope the historic appearance will inspire younger athletes to pursue competitive soccer while bringing greater recognition to New Mexico’s youth soccer programs. They also believe the achievement could encourage more young players to participate in the sport.

As the team prepares for the championship match, coaches and supporters remain focused on representing New Mexico on the national stage. Regardless of the outcome, academy officials said the players have already established a new benchmark for the program and secured a place in its history.

University Partnership Helps Usher in a New Era for NMSU Head Start

Gregg Morgan
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University Partnership Helps Usher in a New Era for NMSU Head Start

Early childhood education’s benefits extend far beyond the classroom. Research has shown that children who participate in programs such as Head Start are more likely to graduate from high school, pursue higher education, and become economically self-sufficient as adults.

For more than four decades, New Mexico State University has implemented Head Start programs in Doña Ana County, New Mexico’s second-most populous county, supporting children from birth to age 5 through early learning, developmental, health, and family well-being services.

Now, under new leadership, NMSU Head Start is working to build on that legacy, charting a new course for growth following years of enrollment challenges.

A key factor in the program’s longevity has been its close partnership with the university. Unlike most Head Start programs nationwide, NMSU Head Start operates through a higher education institution. Colleges and universities account for only a small share of the roughly 1,600 organizations that administer Head Start programs across the United States, with about 60 institutions maintaining formal partnerships.

At NMSU, the program is housed within the university’s College of Health, Education and Social Transformation, creating opportunities to integrate academic expertise, workforce development and community-based early childhood services.

That university-supported model has helped sustain NMSU Head Start for more than 41 years. However, like many early childhood programs across the country, it has faced significant challenges in recent years. Enrollment began declining in 2019 before dropping further during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting fresh efforts to strengthen outreach and expand access for families.

The Program’s Turnaround

When Zaira Falliner became director of NMSU Head Start in 2024, the federal Office of Head Start had placed the program on probation. Falliner inherited a program with low enrollment and high staff turnover. She worked closely with Dawn Gonzales, NMSU Head Start’s chief financial officer, to stabilize the program and restore federal compliance.

“The first year coming on was making sure we survived,” Falliner said. “One of our big successes in my first year was that we resubmitted our five-year grant proposal to the Office of Head Start to make sure our schools and classrooms would receive enough funding. Once OHS accepted our proposal, we got out of our probationary period.”

Ava Armstead-Cozart joined the program in 2025 as its principal investigator and an assistant professor in the College of HEST. She brought more than 20 years of Head Start experience to the role. Together, Armstead-Cozart and Falliner restructured the program and led its turnaround.

Today, they are expanding the Head Start and Early Head Start programs to meet the unique needs of Doña Ana County. They are also introducing new wraparound services for families and afterschool programs. 

Enrollment also reached a new milestone. During the 2025-2026 academic year, the program sustained 99 percent enrollment. It served a record 155 students across 11 classrooms in five locations.

“Strengthening our leadership model and increasing our community engagement were pivotal to improving our visibility,” Armstead-Cozart said. “We are where we are today because of our dedicated team and support from the College of HEST.”

High School Students Step Into UNM Lab For Real Research

Gregg Morgan
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High School Students Step Into UNM Lab For Real Research

Universities are continuing to provide learning opportunities during the summer, with programs that give students hands-on research experience while classes are out of session.

At the University of New Mexico, a partnership with New Mexico’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and United Way is providing paid research positions for high school students. The participants help monitor mosquitoes and other insects that can spread diseases affecting people and agriculture.

The students are mentored by Jake Greenberg, a lecturer III and principal investigator in UNM’s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and University College. He teaches the fundamentals of scientific research as students collect insect samples across central New Mexico, identify mosquito species, process specimens in the laboratory, maintain scientific records and prepare samples for future disease screening.

According to UNM, the project supports ongoing surveillance of mosquitoes that can transmit diseases such as West Nile virus. It also tracks other insects of public health and agricultural importance, including invasive species such as the New World screwworm fly.

What Students Gain From the Experience 

Many of the students are working in a university research laboratory for the first time.

“Research can seem intimidating until students actually experience it,” Greenberg said. “These students quickly realize that science is something they can do as a career. They’re making meaningful contributions to a real research project while developing skills that will serve them in college and beyond,” he said.

Students learn laboratory techniques along with scientific communication, teamwork, data collection, laboratory safety, and problem-solving. These skills prepare them for a wide range of career paths.

The internship allows students to explore careers in chemistry, biology, environmental science, public health, and medicine. It also builds their confidence through authentic research experiences.

The Power of Collaboration 

The partnership expands opportunities for students by bringing universities and community organizations together. The program combines workforce development with research and public service. It helps students envision themselves as future scientists while addressing issues that directly affect communities across the state.

Mosquito-borne diseases and invasive insect species continue to pose challenges throughout the Southwest. The students contribute valuable surveillance data while inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals.

The project goes beyond scientific research at UNM. It creates pathways into higher education, fosters community partnerships, and prepares students to tackle real-world challenges through science. 

Couple Scales Empire State Building Spire, Stages Apparent Proposal 1,450 Feet Up Before Police Arrest

Ruben Reyes
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A couple breached security Wednesday, climbed to the top of the Empire State Building spire, unfurled a banner about 1,450 feet above New York City, and staged what appeared to be a marriage proposal before police took them into custody.

The security breach at one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks occurred around noon.

The incident came amid heightened security in New York following weeks of increased police presence after the New York Knicks’ first championship in 53 years prompted large, and at times destructive, celebrations. Authorities also have increased security ahead of FIFA World Cup-related events and the expected wedding celebration of pop star Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden.

Law enforcement officials identified the two masked climbers as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov. Officials said the pair will face multiple charges related to the incident, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Investigators later determined that Nikolau and Kuznetsov are well-known stunt performers. Authorities are still investigating how the pair gained access to a restricted area closed to the public.

The couple, who live in New Jersey, are facing charges including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal tampering, criminal trespass and other offenses, according to the NYPD Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information.

Angela Nikolau, 33, posted photos and videos of the climb on Instagram, including an image of her engagement ring with the New York skyline in the background.

Her climbing partner, Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, who also goes by Ivan Beerkus, appeared to propose during the stunt. The couple was featured in the Netflix documentary “Skywalkers: A Love Story.”

Netflix declined to comment.

At the top of the building’s antenna Wednesday afternoon, the pair unfurled a banner reading: “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”

The video of the apparent proposal quickly spread across social media. “The last thing that people who are responsible for the Empire State Building want is to turn this place into a target for that sort of activity, because ultimately it will end in some sort of tragedy,” Andrew George McCabe, former Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), said. “The danger here, the recklessness, is obvious and can’t be overstated,” McCabe, in CNN’s expert commentary, added.

Authorities have not said how the pair gained access to the top of the 1,454-foot landmark. The Empire State Building’s antenna carries broadcast signals for most of New York City’s local television and radio stations.

Despite extensive security, New York’s skyscrapers have long attracted trespassing climbers seeking high-profile stunts.

Heading Out for the Fourth of July? Expect Crowded Airports, Busy Highways, and Delays

Ruben Reyes
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As the Fourth of July holiday nears, the Albuquerque International Sunport and New Mexico roadways are preparing for one of the year’s busiest travel periods, with millions of people expected to travel across the region.

The Transportation Security Administration expects about 248,000 passengers to pass through New Mexico airports during the holiday travel period, a 7 percent increase from last year.

Officials advise travelers to be at the airport at least two hours before their scheduled flights, review TSA identification and carry-on requirements, and allow extra time for parking and traffic. Parking lots are likely to fill quickly, and travelers may want to consider off-site parking lots that offer free shuttle service to the terminal.

AAA reports that about 5.4 million people across the Mountain region will travel 50 miles or more over the Independence Day holiday, a 0.7 percent increase from last year. About 4.3 million travelers, or 85 percent, will drive

Gas prices vary across New Mexico, with drivers in Farmington paying the highest average prices among the state’s major metropolitan areas, while Albuquerque motorists are paying the lowest. Despite gas prices remaining higher than a year ago, travel demand continues to be strong.

“We saw record travel over Memorial Day, even though gas prices were much higher than even where they are now,” AAA said.

Drivers should expect heavier traffic throughout the holiday weekend, particularly on Sunday as travelers return home.

Check, Plan, and Execute Travel Plans

The New Mexico Department of Transportation advises checking its website or calling 511 for updated road closures and information.

The major I-25 construction project in Albuquerque will significantly impact travel. But no other construction projects outside it will

Officials urge travelers to plan, leave early, and avoid driving under the influence. “If you are going to be celebrating with alcohol, have a plan. It’s so important. And of course, it could save a life. That means have a ride share in your phone, have an overnight stay or a designated driver, but never get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol,” Daniel Armbuster from AAA said.

Experts also recommend checking tire pressure and packing jumper cables, as extreme heat can worsen existing car problem.

Hotter Weather Returns to New Mexico as Storm Chances Decrease in Southeast

Victoria Padilla
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Hotter weather will return across much of New Mexico this week as thunderstorms decrease, especially in the southeastern part of the state.

Forecasters said a growing high-pressure system will bring warmer conditions and limit rainfall in several regions. Isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms remain possible over northern and western New Mexico, particularly near higher terrain. However, drier air moving into southeastern New Mexico is likely to suppress storm development.

Temperatures will continue rising through the rest of the week, with many areas experiencing above-average highs. The combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and limited rainfall will dry out vegetation, increasing fire weather risks in drought-affected areas.

Meteorologists warned that the hot and dry pattern may also intensify the risk of heat-related illnesses for those spending extended periods outdoors. Officials urge residents to keep hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, and check on vulnerable family members and neighbors.

Even with reduced storm coverage, any thunderstorms that develop could produce gusty winds, frequent lightning strikes, brief but heavy downpours, and localized flooding. Officials recommend monitoring local weather closely before traveling or planning outdoor activities.

New Mexico has entered the early phases of its summer monsoon season, but most of the state’s southeastern region will stay hotter and drier than normal for several days.

UNM Astronomer Says TESS Discovery of Monster Exoplanet Could Reveal Hidden Population of Distant Exoplanets

Juan Oliveros
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UNM Astronomer Says TESS Discovery of Monster Exoplanet Could Reveal Hidden Population of Distant Exoplanets

NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has discovered its first exoplanet through gravitational microlensing, a technique the spacecraft was never designed to use. A University of New Mexico astronomer says the breakthrough could reveal a hidden population of distant planets buried in TESS data.

The discovery, published Tuesday in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, marks the first time TESS has found an exoplanet by detecting the distortions of space-time caused by gravity instead of observing a planet passing in front of its host star. “When TESS launched, no one expected it to be capable of finding this kind of planet,” said Diana Dragomir, a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of New Mexico and a co-author of the study.

The newly discovered monster exoplanet, Gaia23bra b, is a super-Jupiter about 1.6 times Jupiter’s mass. It orbits an orange dwarf star at a distance comparable to Jupiter’s orbit around the Sun, which is nearly 40,000 light-years from Earth — way beyond the approximately 150-light-year distance where TESS has made most of its exoplanet discoveries.

It would have been extremely unlikely to discover the exoplanet using the transit method that has made TESS one of NASA’s most successful planet hunters.

Instead, astronomers discovered the monster exoplanet through gravitational microlensing, which occurs when the gravity of a foreground star bends and magnifies the light of a more distant background star. The brief period of brightening can reveal planets orbiting the foreground star. “The discovery implies that there are probably other so-called microlensing planets hiding in TESS’s data that we hadn’t previously thought to look for,” Dragomir said.

In 2023, the European Space Agency’s Gaia spacecraft detected an unusual brightening event. Researchers later searched archived TESS observations and found that the satellite had been observing the same region of the sky with much denser time coverage. “Gaia’s observations were too sparse to pick up on the planet,” said lead author Mallory Harris, a doctoral student at the University of New Mexico. “The TESS spacecraft happened to be monitoring the same area of the sky during the event, and its denser time coverage showed extra features in the light curve caused by a planet.”

More than 6,000 exoplanets have been confirmed, with nearly three-fourths discovered through the transit method. Microlensing has detected fewer than 5 percent of known planets, but it excels at finding those orbiting farther from their stars—systems that resemble the architecture of the solar system.

“Transits and microlensing are complementary because they each reveal a category of planet the other may not be able to detect,” Dragomir said. “Transits give us the size of a planet, and in concert with other methods we can determine its mass and density. Microlensing gives us masses and orbital distances for planets we’d otherwise never see.”

Dragomir said the discovery suggests TESS could play a bigger role in studying planetary systems across different parts of the Milky Way, complementing NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The state space agency has scheduled the launch of the telescope in August and will conduct the largest microlensing survey. “Since TESS looks elsewhere in the galactic plane, it can naturally find microlensing planets in other parts of the galaxy, as demonstrated by this first microlensing planetary system,” she said. “That means it could help us study planets in regions with different conditions.”

NASA scientists say TESS observations and Roman’s future survey, when combined, could help researchers better understand how planetary systems form and evolve across the galaxy. The findings could shed light on whether environments outside the crowded galactic center are more favorable for the emergence of a potential Goldilocks zone.

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

Juan Oliveros
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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.

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