Gallup Sun

ALBUQUERQUE - While reports over the past several days have warned of steep premium hikes, financial assistance will help tens of thousands of New Mexicans afford quality health insurance through the beWellnm, New Mexico’s health insurance marketplace.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a report on Oct. 24 showing that unsubsidized premiums would rise about 25 percent nationally. However, the report also showed that the vast majority of shoppers are receiving financial assistance and will likely see only modest increases and some will experience a decrease in costs. And as premiums rise, so do premium tax credits.

The vast majority of New Mexicans continue to...

Public art has been a force for economic development in New Mexico at least since the Great Depression, when the federal government paid hundreds of unemployed artists to create murals, sculpture, and other artworks that grace federal buildings to this day.

Nearly a century later, many New Mexico cities are using public art projects to promote economic vitality by creating a foundation for community identity, centralizing disparate neighborhoods with a collective vision and attracting the attention of businesses that value culturally vibrant communities. One of those cities is Rio Rancho.

“Public art speaks to our culture and how we value the places we live in,” Daniel...

ALBUQUERQUE – On Oct. 14, Advance New Mexico released a series of attack ads against Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez. On Oct. 15, Stephanie Maez, former House of Representatives (HD 21) and mother of Donovan Maez responded.

“My heart broke when I saw the television ad with Mrs. Veronica Garcia and Mrs. Nicole Chavez Lucero. There are no words to describe what these mothers have had to and will continue to endure with the loss of their children. I pray to God that he heals and we as a community learn from these tragedies.

Now is not a time to exploit…now is a time for unity peace and justice.

My son, Donovan Maez spent nearly one year in jail for a horrendous crime he did...

Each year, the month of October brings cooler weather, pumpkin-spiced foods, costumed trick-or-treaters, and breast-cancer-awareness activities.

Since the initial breast-cancer movement began some 25 years ago, various shades of pink, among other symbolic pink awareness artifacts, have lobbied for our attention during the month of October. It’s a not-so-subtle reminder that October has become an annual time everywhere to raise people’s conscience about breast cancer.

Why does this disease get so much attention when it comes to women’s health? What is it about breast cancer that transforms the national conscience? The color pink is everywhere this month, and it’s hard not to...