Good morning, Albuquerque.

Albuquerque Public Schools must now prepare at least half their meals from scratch under a new state law, which has raised food costs from 25% to 40% per meal and increased the food services budget to a projected $95 million this school year.

Cafeteria workers say they are feeling overwhelmed by the added workload.

The University of New Mexico has expanded its NSF CAREER cohort to boost proposal writing skills for early career faculty, with 18 proposals submitted this summer from multiple colleges and participation rising from (23) to (32).

A new cohort will begin next year.

The University of New Mexico will co-host the virtual UR Inspiration Undergraduate Research Conference on Friday, Oct.

23 with partners from Florida International, UTEP, CSU Long Beach, la Universidad Cuauhtémoc, and Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (this free event is open to all attendees). Presenters will share their research in Spanish or English.

Conservationists in New Mexico challenged the federal ruling that labels wild Mexican wolves as nonessential — a designation that limits their protection — while officials defended the decision using their breeding program data and noted a ruling is expected within six months.

Record rains in September brought the Rio Grande back to continuous flow through Middle Valley and boosted Elephant Butte Reservoir from 27,000 to about 93,000 acre-feet.

Crews are fixing canal banks and clearing sediment from floods + keep watching as drier weather might return later this month.

Bernalillo County commissioners declared a state of emergency on Wednesday night at the CARES campus to unlock funds for recovery services, boost enforcement + develop an overdose hotspot dashboard amid a worsening fentanyl crisis.

Bernalillo County commissioners voted 4-1 yesterday to let the North Valley mosque project at 9600 Second NW near Alameda proceed with conditions that include a traffic study (and noise controls).

Meals on Wheels New Mexico will deliver 5,747 additional meals to homebound seniors in Bernalillo and Placitas thanks to a $50,000 Blue Impact grant from Blue Cross + Blue Shield of New Mexico, which expands face-to-face delivery in rural areas.

Dr. Steve McLaughlin will succeed retiring CEO Kate Becker as UNM Hospital's chief executive in December plus he will also serve as permanent vice president of clinical affairs while continuing his work in the emergency department.

Robin Divine said summers working in her father's Albuquerque pediatric practice instilled her passion for healthcare & shaped her path in leadership.

Her early experiences continue to influence her commitment to patient care.