Good morning, Albuquerque.

Las Placitas Association announced the untimely death of longtime leader Sandra Johnson, founder of Placitas Wild, with a fall fundraiser planned in her honor.

Wildlife advisories report increased bear and mountain lion sightings in east Placitas and urge residents to secure attractants and give animals space.

Six Placitas gardens will open on Sunday, Sept.

13 as part of the Placitas Garden Tour celebrating its 10th year. The self-guided tour features themed gardens with native plants for birds and pollinators — tickets are available online and at local centers.

Musical Theatre Southwest is staging Come From Away from Sept.

4 through 13 at Keshet Dance Center for the Arts—showing how community members helped strangers after Sept. 11. Tickets are available online with discounts for seniors, military, and students.

New Mexico lawmakers voiced concerns about transparency and data safety in using Amira AI to assess K-2 student literacy as 18 districts + 100 charter schools opt to use alternative assessments.

The Public Education Department plans to meet with lawmakers this week to discuss safeguards + clear parental consent measures.

Elsa Castillo, director of the Engineering Student Success Center, earned three major awards during the 2025-26 school year—the SHPEtina of the Year Award in Denver, the Be the Change Award at the school summit, and the New Mexico Impact Award—in recognition of over 25 years supporting STEM students.

A recorded meeting on Aug.

19 revealed that local officials and developers discussed modifying Sierra County’s 18‑month moratorium to allow a proposed solar-powered data center at Spaceport America to move forward — participants weighed water use, energy needs, and public input amid plans for economic growth.

Commissioners honored Capt. Shannon Farrell in an Aug.

26 meeting, marking the end of her 21-year career at Sandoval County Fire and Rescue and 34 years in public safety. She helped build the department’s training and rescue programs (including the K-9 unit) and will be remembered for her leadership.