New Mexico Weighs Rules For Community Solar Program - By Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press

New Mexico utility regulators have nearly a year to create a set of rules for governing community solar projects in the state. But utilities say they are already being flooded with applications and requests for interconnection from prospective developers.

  Let’s Talk New Mexico 6/17 8am: Last September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention instituted a moratorium on residential evictions to keep people without secure incomes from losing their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. New Mexico followed suit with a similar state-wide protection order. For ten months the moratoriums have protected thousands of New Mexico renters, but at the same time back rents have continued to accrue and landlords have gone without the income they count on. With the national order protecting tenants scheduled to expire on June 30th and no clear endpoint for the state’s moratorium, there is potential for a massive number of evictions if nothing is done. Join us this week as we discuss the national and state residential eviction moratoriums, as well as programs set up to help tenants get caught up on payments.    

  Vaccine Supplies Eclipse Demand In New Mexico - By Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press

Vaccine supplies have eclipsed demand in New Mexico even as the state makes a hard push toward meeting a key vaccination goal Thursday.

New Mexico Banks On Cash Incentives To Meet Vaccine Goal - By Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press

New Mexico residents who get vaccinated against COVID-19 will now be eligible for a $100 incentive as the state began a hard push Monday.

It’s been a month since fully-vaccinated New Mexicans were allowed to stop wearing face masks in most public spaces and businesses got a choice as to whether to require them of all customers. Still, reaction to the newfound flexibility remains varied and somewhat confusing for both businesses and their customers. 

Sunday marked the 50th anniversary of a Rebellion at Roosevelt Park. It began on June 13, 1971 after a young Chicano man was reportedly arrested for selling a joint to an undercover narcotics agent. As the situation escalated the Black Berets, a Chicano community organization, were called in.

The Berets tried to move people out of the park and speak with police, but were fired upon. This blew up into a riot fueled by decades of racism and police abuse against Albuquerque’s Chicano community. Eventually, the National Guard was brought in.

The violence took place just blocks from the KUNM offices and reporters at the scene gathered sound. As we mark this anniversary, KUNM volunteers Kent Paterson and Ali Liddel share audio from that day.

New Mexico Seeks Reforms At Unemployment Agency - By Morgan Lee, Associated Press

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham vowed Friday to replenish the state's indebted unemployment insurance trust fund to avoid future tax increases to businesses and said a $300 weekly federal bonus to unemployment benefits will continue through the expiration date in September.

Key Reservoir On Colorado River Expected To Match Record Low - By Felicia Fonseca and Sam Metz, Associated Press

A key reservoir on the Colorado River is expected to dip to its record low Thursday in the latest showing of the drought's grip on the region.

After canceling 2020’s LGBTQ Pride celebrations due to the pandemic, Albuquerque Pride is pushing forward this month with mostly online events. The nonprofit has plans for an in-person celebration later this summer.