Santa Fe New Mexican

A punch list for Santa Fe: Spiff up the place The city of Santa Fe needs a punch list, a to-do list of tasks — within a matter of weeks and months — to improve the city’s look and feel.

OUR VIEW: The city of Santa Fe needs a punch list, a to-do list of tasks — within a matter of weeks and months — to improve the city’s look and feel. sfnm.co/4h0gZhZ

Incoming mayor should retain the city manager Many expect wholesale changes from Alan Webber's successor. But retaining an experienced pro can get the new mayor off to a faster start.

RINGSIDE SEAT: The new mayor should avoid a rush to judgment by retaining City Manager Mark Scott. Four of Webber’s five city managers ranged from terrible to mediocre. Only Scott brought deep experience and professionalism to City Hall. sfnm.co/4nCyVSb

Santa Fe-area pool inspections, June 1-Sept. 1 Public aquatic venues are regulated according to the New Mexico Administrative Code and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Model Aquatic Health Code.

Here's how some Santa Fe-area pools fared in inspections for June 1-Sept. 1. sfnm.co/4nDxHpT

Deep dive on pool inspections: How do they work in New Mexico? The Environment Department's Public Aquatic Venue Safety Program inspects all public aquatic facilities in the state. The New Mexican is beginning to publish area reports.

The Environment Department's Public Aquatic Venue Safety Program inspects all public aquatic facilities in the state. The New Mexican is beginning to publish area reports. sfnm.co/4mUsTLs

Don't believe all that polls tell you, Lobos football coach Eck says Back in the days before the transfer portal and NIL shenanigans, preseason polls were compiled using concrete data points and not the flimsy reports voters rely on today.

Before his team’s trip to San Jose State last week, New Mexico football coach Jason Eck was asked about the preseason poll that had his Lobos picked to finish 11th in the 12-team Mountain West. sfnm.co/4n1CiRG

Lobos fans gets first look at new players, coaches during Lobo Howl The University of New Mexico did its best to make it a successful launch with the Lobo Howl.

For the first time since the men’s program hit the reset button in April, fans got their first look at the team that will try and carry on the momentum built by three straight trips to the postseason and two straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament. sfnm.co/3IXrqpK

From the Truchas Lakes to Pecos Falls, scenes from 4 days backpacking in the Pecos Wilderness Fall nights in the Pecos Wilderness are long and cool, and even if the closest human is miles away, the sounds echoing through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains let you

Fall nights in the Pecos Wilderness are long and cool, and even if the closest human is miles away, the sounds echoing through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains let you know you are not alone. sfnm.co/4oqHeRd

Three-way Santa Fe City Council District 1 race may be decided by recent team up Katherine Rivera, Patricia Feghali announced cross-endorsement under city’s ranked-choice system, which David Montoya called "an abuse of the system."

Against the backdrop of a crowded mayor’s race marked by widespread voter discontent with Santa Fe’s direction, three candidates are vying to take the seat of longtime District 1 City Councilor Signe Lindell, who is not seeking reelection. sfnm.co/4pWL5a3

Reading between lines got papers in trouble during Wen Ho Lee espionage saga The scientist's espionage arrest became a flashpoint for questions about nuclear security and discrimination against Asian Americans.

White Rock is typically a sleepy place but in March 2000, roughly 80 White Rock and Los Alamos residents came out to protest the 100th day of Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist Wen Ho Lee being jailed for alleged espionage. sfnm.co/3WojMYB

Former 'Daily Lobo' editor victorious after 2-year records battle with UNM Lily Alexander, now a reporter for The New Mexican, settled a lawsuit with UNM for $195,000 over its refusal to hand over police weapons records.

Lily Alexander, now a reporter for The New Mexican, settled a lawsuit with UNM for $195,000 over its refusal to hand over police weapons records. sfnm.co/4nHHpYc

Early voting opens Tuesday at Santa Fe County Clerk's Office Voters will elect a new mayor, two new city councilors, school and community college boards and approve or reject ballot measures.

The Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office will open to early voters Tuesday, offering a chance to a cast ballot in person ahead of the Nov. 4 local election. sfnm.co/4pXCZ0S

Wind grounds balloons but doesn't stop the fun on first morning of fiesta What began as anxious rumblings turned into a brief jovial panic after a gust made Balloon Fiesta Park into an obstacle course.

Guests and piloting teams coming from local cities and worldwide destinations for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta shared a mix of joy, disappointment and understanding at the delicate nature of balloon travel and its resulting grounded balloons.

Not just a bunch of hot air: Balloon Fiesta has strong impact beyond Albuquerque Merchants throughout Santa Fe say the event provides a noticeable bump to their business in early October each year.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is undeniably a signature event for its host city, creating an economic impact well into nine figures.

But its financial influence stretches well beyond the borders of the Duke City, making an impact in Santa Fe.

Wind grounds balloon on first morning of Fiesta What began as anxious rumblings turned into a brief jovial panic after a gust made Balloon Fiesta Park into an obstacle course.

The realization that Saturday morning winds would prove too much for hot air balloon flight came slowly at first, then all at once.

Lowrider images from 'New Mexican' photojournalist Gabriela Campos featured in Smithsonian exhibit Curators approached Campos five years ago about the show, which includes work from famed Chicano photographer Estevan Oriol.

A collection of "New Mexican" photographer Gabriela Campos’ lowrider work is now on display in Washington, D.C., at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in an exhibit titled "Corazón y vida: Lowriding Culture" that opened Sept. 26 and will run through October 2027.

Penalties, turnovers sink Lobos in 35-28 loss to San Jose State The Lobos (3-2, 0-1) trailed by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter but rallied behind Layne.

After navigating the first four games of the season without turnovers or penalties being much of a sore spot, the New Mexico football team had plenty of both in a 35-28 loss at San Jose State on Friday night.

'We should be able to afford rent and food': UNM grad workers fight for benefits, immigrant protections UNM graduate workers protested Friday against contract negotiations they claim have been met with bad faith from the university.

Friday saw the latest installment in a series of protests taking place alongside union negotiations between University of New Mexico officials and the school’s United Graduate Workers union, which represents more than 1,500 teaching, research, project and graduate assistants at the school.

Two teen boys charged in homeless woman's slaying in Española The 15-year-olds face attempted murder charges involving another victim and are accused of opening fire on a tent camp at a homeless shelter.

Two 15-year-old boys are accused of murder in the death of a woman whose body was found in late May behind an Española strip mall.

Pueblo governors chairman resigns in wake of DWI arrest in Pojoaque Records obtained by The Associated Press show James Mountain submitted a resignation letter Tuesday from the council representing 20 pueblos.

An embattled figure in Native American politics has resigned as chairman of the All Pueblo Council of Governors and ended his outside consulting work for the state of New Mexico days after he was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

New Mexico governor signs 2 special session bills, 'still deliberating' on weakened vaccine bill Four of the five other bills the Legislature sent to the governor's desk earned Lujan Grisham's stamp of approval.

While Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed four bills into law Friday the Democratic-led Legislature passed during a special session that ended a day prior, the fate of a watered-down bill dealing with vaccines for children remains in limbo.

Rising Together: Virgil Ortiz Collaborates on Hot-Air Balloon for Heritage Hotels’ Anniversary The Cochiti artist creates a balloon that honors Pueblo culture and celebrates the regional hotel chain's spotlighting of New Mexico and Indigenous artists.

Cochiti artist Virgil Ortiz is creating a balloon that honors Pueblo culture and celebrates the 20th anniversary of Heritage Hotels and Resorts. The project is a milestone for the hotel group and a new way of bringing Native storytelling to a global stage. sfnm.co/3KzbFFY

U.S. poet laureate Arthur Sze an early riser and a frequent reviser Santa Fe's Arthur Sze aims to familiarize people nationwide with both Indigenous issues and Southwestern terms and terminology as the U.S. poet laureate.

Santa Fe's Arthur Sze aims to familiarize people nationwide with both Indigenous issues and Southwestern terms and terminology as the U.S. poet laureate. sfnm.co/46PuNXP

Get ready: Early voting starts Tuesday The municipal election candidates are still talking, shaking hands and speaking to voters in their homes and at forums. On Tuesday, get ready to start voting — the city will

OUR VIEW: On Tuesday, get ready to start voting — Santa Fe will move to that strangest of seasons, the simultaneous campaign and election season. sfnm.co/3KFrD1j

'New Mexican' columnist, Santa Fe records custodian honored with First Amendment awards New Mexican columnist Milan Simonich and city records custodian Katherine Garcia-Gallegos were among Thursday's honorees.

A columnist for The New Mexican and the city of Santa Fe’s records custodian were among the winners this year of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government’s Dixon First Amendment Freedom Awards. sfnm.co/3VNzzQw

New Mexico Senate signs assault the First Amendment Senators shamed themselves five years ago by ejecting a reporter who didn't get their permission to photograph a public meeting. Signs claiming permission is required continue to mar the Capitol.

RINGSIDE SEAT: Senators shamed themselves five years ago by ejecting a reporter who didn't get their permission to photograph a public meeting. Signs claiming permission is required continue to mar the Capitol. sfnm.co/4o5RNZG

New duck-billed dino discovered in New Mexico Hadrosaurid Ahshislesaurus wimani, named for the Ah-shi-sle-pah Wilderness where it was found, may have stretched more than 35 feet long.

It may look like a certain type of duck-billed dinosaur and quack like one, too. But dinosaur bones identified in northwestern New Mexico, long believed to be Kritosau rus navajovius, actually belong to something new. sfnm.co/3KA86PS

'A place to witness': Volunteers in Santa Fe will read the names of Gaza's dead over next several days Volunteers in Santa Fe are taking turns reading, nonstop, the names of everyone who has died in Gaza since Oct. 1, 2023.

Volunteers in Santa Fe are taking turns reading, nonstop, the names of everyone who has died in Gaza since Oct. 1, 2023. The reading, from a 1,200-page book, is poised to continue at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe until Monday evening. sfnm.co/48NRZrZ

New Mexico State Aggies snap skid in 37-10 rout of Sam Houston Thursday's Aggies win snapped their modest two-game losing streak and gave them their first victory in Conference USA. At 3-2 overall and 1-1 in league play, they are now halfway

Logan Fife passed for a touchdown and ran for another on an Aggie tush push, leading New Mexico State to a 37-10 win over Sam Houston on Thursday night in Las Cruces. sfnm.co/46CY7SE

UNM's push for University Stadium upgrades evokes plenty of ideas Here’s the main takeaway from last week’s game and Thursday’s grand plan: University Stadium is outdated and simply not equipped to handle sellout crowds.

The University of New Mexico athletic director on Thursday announced the school has launched a development plan and feasibility study to enhance University Stadium. This isn’t an action plan to rebuild the place, mind you. sfnm.co/4nyi8PZ

Lobos open MWC play Friday at San Jose State Off to a 3-1 start for the first time in 16 years, the Lobos travel to the Bay Area on Friday night for their conference opener against San Jose State.

Off to a 3-1 start for the first time in 16 years, the Lobos travel to the Bay Area on Friday night for their conference opener against San Jose State. sfnm.co/48fqozS