San Juan County Adult Detention Facility Awarded 3-Year Certificate Of Reaccreditation
San Juan County Adult Detention awarded reacreditation. Courtesy/NMC
NMC News:
SANTA FE — The Adult Detention Professional Standards Council (ADPSC) awarded a three-year Certificate of Reaccreditation to the San Juan County Adult Detention Facility during the New Mexico Counties (NMC) 2024 Legislative Conference Jan. 19, 2024, in Santa Fe.
The detention facility was first accredited in April 2013.
The Certificate of Reaccreditation is awarded to those county detention facilities that continue to meet or exceed best practice standards in detention, as developed and approved by the Read More
Kyrala: Response To ‘Appeal For Legitimate Art In Art Tunnel’
By GEORGE KYRALA
Los Alamos
I am very upset by Rabbi Shlachter’s mail to the Los Alamos Daily Post (link), it is reprehensible and hurts many feelings beyond misstating some facts.
The comment and feeling expressed by a Rabbi “to erase expressions from some people’s comments and aspirations on the underpass tunnel” is racist. Erasing people and their feeling just because you feel “repugnant” to an idea that expresses freedom for an abused nation is so undemocratic, uncivilized, unbecoming, and inhumane. That feeling may reflect, and may explain, the total abuse that is been inflicted on Read More
Bernstein: Grief, Education, And Doors
By CHRISTINE BERNSTEIN
Former Los Alamos School Board Member
Now that my term has officially ended…I am ready to speak.
Losing an election was a new experience for me. I went through a myriad of emotions; some I knew I would feel, and others were a surprise.
I realized it was grief. And grief is tricky and can be a sneaky thing.
I googled the stages of grief, and of course, there are many different answers, but I liked this one the best:
- shock and denial.
- pain and guilt.
- anger and bargaining.
- depression.
- the upward turn.
- reconstruction and working through.
- acceptance and hope.
I went through them all Read More
Roundhouse Roundup: Days Remaining In Session – 24
By Santa Fe New Mexican Staff
One more rally: Dozens of supporters of a proposed statewide program offering paid family and medical leave for workers gathered at the Capitol to once again build support for House Bill 6, which would require both employers and employees to pay into a fund that would help cover a portion of a worker’s wages for up to 12 weeks of leave.
Many small-business owners spoke against a similar Senate proposal that died in a House committee last year. The bill was one of numerous failed efforts dating back some 20 years, largely due to concerns that extended paid leave for a worker Read More
SFNF: Pile Burning Planned In Española Ranger District
Scene of Mesa Verde pile burns in Jemez Ranger District. Courtesy/SFNF
Scene of Mesa Verde pile burns in Jemez Ranger District. Courtesy/SFNF
SFNF News:
Santa Fe—Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) fire managers are tentatively planning to begin ignitions as early as this week on pile burn projects located near Hyde Park Road in the Española Ranger District.
The Hyde Park unit is 642 acres of debris left after fuel reduction projects that involve thinning or cutting of trees in the forest. The decision to proceed with each pile burn depends on multiple factors including persistent snowpack, air Read More
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Issues Statement On 51st Anniversary Of Roe V. Wade Decision
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement today, the 51st anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision:
“This date once marked a bright moment in U.S. history, when women were at long last granted autonomy over their own bodies and their own health care. Today, it has become a somber occasion as we are reminded that 18 months ago, the U.S. Supreme Court wrenched those rights away from American women.
New Mexico is a state that will not stop fighting for and supporting women in all aspects of their health care – and those Read More
New Agency Director Faces Ethics Complaint After Urging Employees To Lobby Legislators
Beth Gillia
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
Santa Fe New Mexican
The executive director of a new and little-known state agency is facing an ethics complaint after using her government email to encourage employees to lobby legislators on the office’s behalf but without specifically instructing them to disclose their roles.
Beth Gillia, head of the New Mexico Office of Family Representation and Advocacy, sent an email Sunday urging “interested parties,” including both state and contract employees, to contact members of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee in support of the agency’s budget Read More
Shlachter: Appeal For Legitimate Art In Art Tunnel
By Rabbi Jack Shlachter
Los Alamos Jewish Center
Recently, I walked through the underpass tunnel near the Los Alamos Coop and saw an art space painted with the phrase “Free Palestine.” I recognize the importance of free speech – that is one of the incredible rights we enjoy in this country. This is unlike the situation faced in all of the Middle East (including Gaza) with the exception of rights protected in the democratic, sovereign, and legally recognized State of Israel.
I am glad that the County has created this space for artistic projects by locals but do not believe the intent was to politicize Read More
Security Incident Closes Luna County Magistrate Court
COURT News;
A security incident occurred early today at the Luna County Magistrate Court building in Deming.
Law enforcement is investigating.
The magistrate court is closed for the day, and as a precaution the district court in Deming also is closed today.
Contact local law enforcement for additional information. Read More
JEC Chairman Heinrich On December CPI Data
Sen. Martin Heinrich
JEC News:
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that prices measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.3 percent in December.
Data also show that annual prices grew 3.4 percent over the last year.
“We ended 2023 on a strong note for our economy. While inflation rates rose slightly last month, inflation was still down more than 60 percent since its peak in 2022. Despite some of the bleakest predictions, Read More
Reps. Leger Fernández, Obernolte, Lieu & Sen. Luján Introduce Bipartisan Creative Workforce Investment Act
Congressional News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM), Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA), and Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA) introduced the Creative Workforce Investment Act in the House, a transformative, bipartisan piece of legislation aimed at empowering the creative workforce and expanding access to the arts across communities nationwide.
The companion bill was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) Jan. 10.
“In New Mexico, we know that our creative economy — the people who make the beautiful art we get to enjoy — have the power Read More
New Board Members Join NMFOG Transparency Group
Wende Schwingendorf
NMFOG News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (NMFOG) has elected two new members to its Board of Directors. They are: Wende Schwingendorf, the managing editor of Albuquerque Business First, and Barbara Vigil, former Supreme Court Justice and District Court Judge.
Schwingendorf has extensive experience in the business sector and is also deeply passionate about addressing transparency issues that impact the lives of New Mexicans. She is a lifelong New Mexican with strong ties to media, business and government decision-makers, nonprofits, Read More
State Economic Development: 2024 Job Training Awards
Santa Fe Public Schools EV bus charging station. Courtesy/PPC Solar
EDD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) has kicked off 2024 Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) awards by approving over $1.3 million in funding to support the workforce training of 87 New Mexicans in various aspects of the program, Acting EDD Cabinet Secretary Mark Roper said.
Five companies applied for JTIP assistance, both through the trainee program and the Step-Up program, which provides upskill training for current employees to support higher wages and promotions. The program Read More
Werwath Joins Governor’s Office As Housing Policy Advisor
Daniel Werwath
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced that Daniel Werwath has joined her office as Housing Policy Advisor.
A longtime New Mexico housing advocate, Werwath brings two decades of affordable housing development experience to Lujan Grisham’s senior team.
“Access to affordable housing is a priority for my administration and is top-of-mind for many New Mexicans,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “I am excited to bring Daniel and his expertise to our housing team to advance priorities that build a more stable housing environment in our state.”
Werwath will work Read More
Rachel Tait Stands Ready To Talk Art At Roundhouse
Rachel Tait, a tour guide at the state Capitol, gives a tour Wednesday of the art at the Roundhouse. Courtesy/SFNM
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
During her days as a security guard at the New Mexico Museum of Art, Rachel Tait would relieve bouts of boredom by paying close attention to what the docents were saying as they gave art tours.
“I would sit and listen to them talk about Santa Fe’s history and learn more about the art and culture of New Mexico just by working there,” she said.
Soon, she began researching the lives and works of New Mexico artists, including Will Shuster and Paula Rodriguez Read More
NNSA Releases Annual Performance Reviews Of Management And Operations Partners
NNSA News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Thursday, the National Nuclear Security Administration announced the FY 2023 results of the performance of its Managing and Operating (M&O) partners in meeting NNSA’s performance expectations.
The results can be found in NNSA’s Performance Evaluation Summaries posted on NNSA’s website.
The summaries feature an easy-to-read and transparent assessment scorecard for each contractor partner that operates a lab, plant, and site, and include links to NNSA’s performance goals, called the Performance Evaluation and Measurement Plans.
Redacted versions Read More
Familiar Faces At Opening Of 2024 Legislative Session
American Federation of Teachers-New Mexico (AFT-NM) President Whitney Holland, left, with Rep. Christine Chandler on the floor of the House Chamber ahead of the opening of the 30-day legislative session Tuesday morning at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Sen. Leo Jaramillo, center, entering the House Chamber ahead of the opening of the 30-day legislative session Tuesday at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
House Speaker Javier Martinez reading a document in the House Chamber ahead of the opening of the 30-day legislative Read More
State Republicans Have To Negotiate And Navigate Through Choppy Legislative Waters
State Rep. Jim Townsend, R-Artesia, reads House Bill 41 in his office on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Jim Townsend leans on an old saying as he works his way through this year’s legislative session.
“‘Grab a half-loaf of bread now and come back for the other half,’” the folksy Republican from Artesia said with a laugh as he sat in his office in the state Capitol.
As part of the minority party — Republicans are outnumbered by Democrats by almost 2-to-1 margins in both the House and Senate — Townsend said he and others in in his party Read More
‘The Voters Are My Bosses’: How Four New Mexico Lawmakers Look At Their Job
State Rep. John Block looks over the House floor from his seat Tuesday on the opening day of the 2024 legislative session. Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN and GABRIELLE PORTER
dchacon@sfnewmexican.com
gporter@sfnmexican.com
Rep. John Block
Before the close of business Friday, Rep. John Block emailed his constituents back home in Alamogordo the first of what will be a weekly update of the 30-day legislative session.
The electronic newsletter from the freshman Republican touched on various topics, from “far-left” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s State of the State address Read More
Providers Say Health Department Slow To Give Out Funds For School Health Centers
Dan Frampton, board president of Breaking the Silence New Mexico, fears his organization will run out of money by mid-February and says it is owed $50,000 from the New Mexico Department of Health. Frampton, a licensed clinical social worker, provides suicide prevention services and mental health education to students across the state. ‘We literally save lives by the work we do,’ he said. Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
ALBUQUERQUE — Dan Frampton expects his organization will be out of money by mid-February.
Frampton, a licensed clinical social Read More
