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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gas Prices Remain High Despite Summer Season Fast Approaching

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Smoking Rates are Falling, Vaping is Rising: Why New Mexico’s Anti-Smoking Victory Comes With a New Public Health Warning

Juan Oliveros
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Smoking Rates are Falling, Vaping is Rising: Why New Mexico’s Anti-Smoking Victory Comes With a New Public Health Warning

Health officials measured progress in the campaign against tobacco by a single metric: fewer people smoking. By that metric, New Mexico is winning, as the percentage of adult cigarette smokers in the state has sharply declined from 15 percent in 2022 to 11.7 percent in 2024, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.

The decline is one of the most promising public health trends in recent years. It reflects progress in anti-smoking campaigns, greater awareness of tobacco-related diseases, and broader access to cessation programs. But a more complicated reality lurks beneath that success.

Cigarette smoking is decreasing, but nicotine use is not disappearing. It is changing form, instead. State health officials say more New Mexicans are increasingly shifting to electronic cigarettes. The shift is reshaping the state’s tobacco control challenge. Adult e-cigarette use rose from 7.3 percent in 2022 to 8.2 percent in 2024, suggesting that many users may be replacing cigarettes with vaping devices instead of abandoning nicotine altogether.

The trend has prompted health officials to use this year’s World No Tobacco Day. They warned that a reduction in smoking does not necessarily mean a reduction in health risks. “New Mexicans have made progress quitting smoking, but it remains a significant public health problem,” said Anthony Garcia, director of the Department of Health’s Nicotine Use Prevention and Control Office. “More people are vaping, especially youth, because it’s sold as a safer choice to cigarettes, but e-cigarettes contain toxic chemicals linked to cancer along with brain, cardiovascular, and respiratory harm.”

The shift mirrors a wider national pattern in which vaping products are gaining popularity. E-cigarettes have attracted smokers seeking to quit smoking cigarettes, as well as younger users who prefer vapes over traditional cigarettes.

Health experts, however, warn that “safer” does not mean safe. Vaping generally exposes users to fewer toxic substances than smoking cigarettes; e-cigarettes still deliver nicotine, a highly habit-forming drug that can affect brain development in adolescents and cause harm to the heart and lungs. Researchers said the long-term health consequences of prolonged e-cigarette use remain under study, according to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The stakes are still high in New Mexico. According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, tobacco use kills approximately 2,600 New Mexicans each year. It is responsible for nearly one-fourth of all cancer deaths statewide.

At the same time, recent data reveal that prevention initiatives among young people may be producing results. High school cigarette smoking declined from 8.3 percent in 2019 to 3.3 percent in 2023. During the same period, high school e-cigarette use fell from 33.4 percent to 18.8 percent. Among middle school students, vaping fell from 15.1 percent to a record low of 10.4 percent.

The declines suggest that vigorous public health messaging, school-based prevention initiatives, and increasing awareness of vaping risks may have helped curb nicotine use among younger users. Still, officials caution that the battle is far from over.

The core challenge facing public health agencies today is not convincing people to stop smoking. But it is helping them stop nicotine addiction in all its forms. To that end, the NMDOH is urging residents who use cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or other nicotine products to seek free services through state-supported cessation programs. Resources are also available at QuitNowNM.org or DejeloYaNM.org for people struggling with vaping addiction.

The declining numbers tell a story of progress—but also of adaptation. Nicotine is finding new ways to stay as cigarettes lose ground. Public health officials are confronting a question that goes beyond smoking itself: how to end addiction when the product keeps changing form.

‘Every Role at APS Is Vital’: Superintendent Blakey Honors Staff as School Year Closes

Gregg Morgan
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‘Every Role at APS Is Vital’: Superintendent Blakey Honors Staff as School Year Closes

Another school year has come to a close. Students, together with their families and friends, celebrate achievements in academics, athletics, and the arts. Beyond the awards and recognitions earned by learners, schools should also honor the dedication and hard work of their staff. Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) Superintendent Gabriella Blakey emphasized this message in her weekly address.

“We’ve wrapped up another school year, and I want to take a moment to acknowledge all you did for our students and thank you for your hard work,” Blakey told APS workers.

She said APS launched about 4,600 graduates into the next chapter of their lives this year. She said the district anticipates welcoming new preschoolers this fall, illustrating the continuous cycle of growth and learning in schools. 

Blakey, however, said this continuous cycle is grounded in the reality that every student’s year is unrepeatable. This means they get one chance at kindergarten, one at sixth grade, and one at their senior year.

“The work we do as educators is vital, and I’m not just referring to our role in helping students learn to read and do math at grade level and preparing them for college or the workforce. We build up their confidence, teach them to work around the roadblocks they encounter, and encourage them to reach for the stars,” she said. 

Every Staff Member Contributes to Student Success

The superintendent added APS serves as a safety net, providing students free meals, caring adults to talk to, and more.

Blakey congratulated APS employees on completing another school year and thanked them for supporting students throughout the period. 

“At the center of all this work are our amazing teachers, aides, counselors, school nurses, principals and the many other individuals who work at each of our schools. They are making a difference in our students’ lives,” Blakey said.

“As I’ve said many times, every role at APS is vital to our students’ success – from our bus drivers and cooks to our accountants, custodians and plumbers,” she said. 

“I see the fruits of your labor during my visits to schools.”

Blakey said she was amazed by the confidence she observed in students at Coronado Dual Language Magnet School. Months after her visit, she continued to recall the precocious student who guided them on a tour of the school.

She added that the poise of Cleveland Middle School eighth-graders during portfolio presentations was also inspiring. They stand before a room of family members, teachers, and other school personnel. They discuss how much they have grown over the last three years and thank those who helped them along the way.

More Strategies Planned for Next Year

Blakey said the district made a concerted effort this year to focus on high-dosage tutoring, and deeper learning through Genius Hour for elementary students. She also said APS prioritized fostering a sense of belonging among our sixth graders and establishing freshman academies at several of high schools. 

She said the freshman academies provide smaller cohorts for ninth graders. The initiative encourages students to explore different career options and focus on work-based and real-world learning.

She said she looks forward to continuing to build on these strategies next school year. 

“In the meantime, I hope those of you who are off this summer have the opportunity to rest, relax and explore, and that you’re ready to come back with renewed energy in August. For those of you who work through the summer, I hope you can also carve out time to rest and recharge,” Blakey said.

“Come August, we all need to be ready to give our students our best. Because they will never get another chance in that grade,” she said.

Albuquerque Police Release Video of Deadly Shooting Involving a 23-Year-Old Man

Ruben Reyes
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Editor’s note: This article is an update about this article.

Albuquerque police released video that shows 23-year old Jose Armad firing and shattering a patrol car windshield before police shot him.

According to them, this happened Tuesday evening near Eighth Street and Bellamah Avenue after officers responded to a call about Armas threatening to take his own life.

Police said officers shot back and killed Armas. In the released body camera video, gunshots ring out, glass shattered, and officer take cover.

“Cops could have and should have stopped him from ever going back over here but they let him and scared him back into the house, prompting him to get a weapon,” said Elier Ramirez, Armas’ brother.

APD Chief Cecily Barker said two officers suffered shrapnel injuries when the gunfire hit the patrol unit, but they are fine.

Meanwhile, police said a multi-agency task force and the department’s Internal Affairs Force division will investigate the shooting to determine whether officers followed protocol.

Victims who struggle with mental health tend to see this kind of situation as overwhelming, prompting them to act violent. However, it is also the duty of the officers to understand the situation.

However, when things escalate, officers’ lives are at stake. It is relatively crucial how they would take charge. This is where the line between compassion and duty lies.

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