The ongoing federal government shutdown means half the typical number of federal safety inspectors are on the field during the world’s biggest hot air balloon rally taking place in Albuquerque this week. But there will be no impacts on safety, according to Fiesta and longtime FAA officials.

The 53rd Exxonmobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is happening this week. You may see these balloons every year, but have you ever wondered what goes into actually getting them up? KUNM was paired with a crew for the day on their journey into the air.

A group of nonprofits is calling for reductions to water demand, changes at Glen Canyon Dam and more transparent negotiations.

The Albuquerque Police Department is seeking an independent review of the hanging death last year of a Black man following a rally by community groups Monday night.

WildEarth Guardians and The Yes Men — artist-activists known for impersonating and parodying companies and organizations — launched billboards and a website for parody company ExxtremeEnergy to coincide with ExxonMobil’s title sponsorship of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which occurs over the next 10 days.

About 200 graduate student workers and their supporters picketed at the intersection of Yale Blvd. and Las Lomas Rd. on the campus of the University of New Mexico on Friday. The demonstration was organized by the United Graduate Workers of the University of New Mexico Local 1466. A new round of contract negotiations with the UNM administration began in April.

Over the last seven years $1.6 billion dollars have been spent on New Mexico students’, especially those named in the landmark Yazzie/Martinez lawsuit, but inequities have persisted. Advocates are outraged as years of promises have been broken and many kids in the state’s public education system have been left behind. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico we’ll dig into why the state has yet to carry out the plans.

The theme of this year's Exxonmobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is "Painted Horizons" and begins Saturday and KUNM wants to hear your moments!

Behavioral health reform may come earlier than planned to parts of New Mexico. The executive committee overseeing the reform and development of services across the state announced early access funding opportunities at its meeting Tuesday. The state is putting up to $26 million to fund urgently needed services while planning the larger system. That’s about $2 million for each behavioral health region.

The special legislative session ended Thursday evening in Santa Fe, where all of the bills that addressed the recent federal budget cuts passed while others stalled in committee.