Child Wellbeing Watch: The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book finds U.S. kids’ wellbeing slid from 2019 to 2024, with reading and math proficiency dropping in 47 states and child/teen deaths rising 8%—a reminder that recovery after COVID is uneven. Local Health & Equity: A separate look at uninsured children shows Arkansas slipping in the health domain, while New Mexico is named among states with lower overall scores—fueling renewed calls for stronger access to care. Native Land & Culture: The U.S. House advanced the Albuquerque Indian School Act, moving 10 acres from the former boarding school into a trust for New Mexico’s 19 Pueblos, with the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center planning an entrepreneur and light industry complex. LGBTQ+ Community Life: Los Ranchos’ Pride Fest highlighted local support for its LGBTQ+ community, while a New Mexico story on gender-affirming care underscores how protections don’t always translate into easy access. Faith & Community Spotlight: Sister Blandina Segale’s canonization cause cleared a key Vatican step, as New Mexico Catholic leaders say her work in education and healthcare helped the poor and marginalized. Arts & Tech in Santa Fe: Currents New Media returns with immersive art and technology across Santa Fe, including VR, robotics, and offsite installations. Science & Place: The ngVLA prototype at the Very Large Array site in New Mexico reached “first light,” marking progress toward next-gen radio astronomy. Southern NM Mutual Aid: Deming’s Silver Linings resource center is using federal dollars to expand meals and services for people facing homelessness and hunger. Entertainment: Netflix’s “The Boroughs,” filmed in New Mexico, puts retirees at the center of a sci-fi mystery—treating older adults as capable protagonists.