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🌱 Planning your Juneteenth? See what’s happening at Haynes Park.

Rio Rancho, New Mexico Patch AM: a 5 min read

Good morning Rio Rancho! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Planning your Juneteenth? See what’s happening at Haynes Park.
  • What changes is Rio Rancho’s new superintendent planning for next school year?
  • How might Rio Rancho’s ex-mayor fare in the governor’s race?

Also on today's calendar: Sofia Talvik LIVE - Americana/Folk at Rio Rancho House Concerts and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: What do sweet potatoes wear to bed? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 96 and low of 63 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: Hot; a stray p.m. t-shower, temps: high: 98, low: 67.
  • Sunday: A stray afternoon t-shower, with a high of 88 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Celebrating freedom: Rio Rancho marks Juneteenth with free community festival - The Paper. in Rio Rancho (riorancho.news) — Rio Rancho residents can celebrate Juneteenth for free at Haynes Park on Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with live music, performances, vendors, and food trucks. Hosted by the City of Rio Rancho, the annual event honors emancipation while offering family‑friendly entertainment and access to the adjacent swimming pool.
   

2. New Rio Rancho schools leader shares wins and plans after 100 days on the job (kob.com) — Rio Rancho families are getting a first look at new superintendent Dr. Robert Dodd’s priorities after his first 100 days leading Rio Rancho Public Schools. He’s planning a “bridge year” focused on rolling out a new math curriculum, improving support for students with disabilities, and continuing to cut absenteeism, all while visiting every campus and mapping long-term goals for today’s pre‑K students.
   

3. Gregg Hull: Trump endorsement would be a 'pretty cool thing' (nmpoliticalreport.com) — Rio Rancho residents may recognize former mayor Gregg Hull, who just secured the Republican nomination for New Mexico governor and says a Trump endorsement would be a “pretty cool thing.” The piece explains how low approval ratings for Trump and a Democratic-leaning electorate could shape Hull’s uphill general-election fight, while Democrats try to tie him closely to the former president.
   

4. Diné scholar joins UNM Native American Studies (navajotimes.com) — A Rio Rancho native, Madeline Rose Mendoza has been named a 2026–27 postdoctoral fellow in Native American Studies at UNM, where she’ll begin teaching in spring 2027. Her work focuses on Indigenous futurisms, feminist rhetorics, and land‑based teaching, giving local residents a hometown connection to cutting‑edge Native and Indigenous scholarship.
   

5. The shakeup that wasn't (nmindepth.com) — Rio Rancho readers may note former mayor Gregg Hull’s role in New Mexico’s newly semi-open primary, where his big convention lead for governor narrowed once independents joined Republican voters. The article explains how independents had limited impact overall, while Democratic turnout surged behind Deb Haaland, suggesting the party’s base now closely mirrors its progressive convention activists.
   

📸 Around Rio Rancho

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Rio Rancho

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📣 Rio Rancho Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • When your family leaves you in a back yard and they don't have time for you after 9 years you just have to wonder what you did wrong.
    Then they take you to the Pound and leave you there. Well. To be honest? It's the best thing they ever did. Why? Because RWL came along and… (Nextdoor The Knolls)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
    Beanie Weenie was LOST on April 24, 2026 in Rio Rancho, NM 87124 near 39th st and southern Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to… (Nextdoor Rolling Hills)
  • Albertsons Company Inc. posted a job opening for Night Crew Stocker in Rio Rancho. Apply here.
  • Kroger posted a job opening for Cashier in Rio Rancho. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rio Rancho here.

Ok Rio Rancho! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Yammies! (Thank you Lynda S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Rio Rancho

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Rio Rancho

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.