State

Possibility of Unsettled Weather Exists Through Tuesday

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Courtesy/NOAA
 
NWS New:
 
The National Weather Service in Albuquerque this morning provided an updated outlook regarding the possibility of unsettled weather over portions of northern and central New Mexico for this evening through Monday and Tuesday.
Overview: A pronounced increase in shower and thunderstorm activity is expected late today in northeastern New Mexico from the Sangre de Cristo mountains into the northeastern plains of the state. As an upper level disturbance pushes westward, it will spread copious amounts of moisture farther into New
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Udall Statement on Historic Gridlock in Washington

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Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. Senate News:

WASHINGTON–U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-NM, issued the following statement on the need to end gridlock in Washington:

“I have said for a long time: the Senate is a graveyard for good ideas. Gridlock, hyper-partisanship, delay, obstruction – it all adds up to one thing: broken.

“I have been calling for changes in the Senate rules since I was elected to the Senate – for a simple reason: the Senate is not serving the American people. It’s not serving the people of my home state of New Mexico.

“What we’re seeing is historic abuse of the filibuster and Read More

Highway Maintenance Near Española Monday

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NMDOT News:

SANTA FE–The New Mexico Department of Transportation will begin a month-long pavement preservation project next week just north of Española. 

The maintenance work will begin Monday, July 15 on N.M. 68 between mile markers 6 and 12.  Mile marker 6 is approximately one mile north of the junction of N.M. 68 and N.M. 74.

Two private contractors will be doing the work, which is estimated to be completed on or before Aug. 31, pending good weather and no equipment or material supplier problems.  Motorists can expect to encounter lane closures and minor delays.

For more information, Read More

Luján and Lujan Grisham Highlight Importance of LDRD Program at National Labs

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CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – New Mexico Representatives Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham spoke on the House floor last night on the importance of the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program at the national laboratories. 

The members engaged in a colloquy with Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) and Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) to highlight the need to work together to prevent cuts to this program that supports research and development at the labs.

Click here to watch their remarks. Read More

Areas of Santa Fe National Forest Reopen

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USFS News:

SANTA FE–The Santa Fe National Forest reopen portions of the forest at 8 a.m. today, July 12.

Fenton Lake and Monastery Lake will reopen as well. NM Game and Fish properties along the Pecos River will remain closed. 

The Forest will lift the full closure and move into Stage I fire restrictions. However, some areas of the Forest will remain closed due to impacts by wildfires or potential for flooding. Visit https:////www.fs.usda.gov/santafe/ for a complete list of trails and campgrounds that will remain closed.

“Areas of the forest affected by the Tres Lagunas, Thompson Read More

Valles Caldera Resumes Recreational Activities Today

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Headquarters area of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Photo by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com

VCNP News:

The Valles Caldera National Preserve will resume fishing and other selected recreation activities at 8 a.m. today, July 12.

Recreational programs and activities were suspended during the Thompson Ridge Fire, which burned 22,927 acres of the preserve. Public access was limited to the Valle Grande staging area until preserve officials determined certain areas were safe for visitors.  

“So far the fisheries have not been impacted the way they were after the Las Conchas Fire,

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Bandelier Eases Fire Restriction, Offers Programs

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Bandelier cliff dwelling. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

BANDELIER News:

Bandelier Superintendent Jason Lott announced that, in concert with the re-opening of other public lands in the area, the restrictions at the park due to high fire danger will be lowered to Level I this weekend.

 As of 8 a.m. Friday, campfires will be permitted in the fire grills in Juniper Campground. The campground and all the park trails have been open all along, including overnight backpacking in the Bandelier Wilderness.

Backpackers will still not be able to camp in canyon bottoms, due to flood danger Read More

Governor Announces 2013 A-F School Grades

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The 2013 statewide A-F school grading results. Courtesy illustration

 

STATE News:

 

Gov. Susana Martinez Announces 2013 A-F School Grades

  • High schools show strongest grade improvements, driven by higher graduation rates, increased reading proficiency and greater participation in career/college readiness programs

 

ALBUQUERQUE – Today, Gov. Susana Martinez announced this year’s letter grades for New Mexico’s 839 elementary, middle, and high schools. 

 

More than 70 percent of New Mexico schools maintained or improved their school grade, with high schools Read More

Immigration Reform Would Boost State Revenue $6 Million

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NM News:

ALBUQUERQUE—A report released Wednesday by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) shows that comprehensive immigration reform would bring in new revenue for states.

The analysis estimates that unauthorized immigrants are already paying $10.6 billion a year in state and local taxes nationwide, including the $86 million they pay in New Mexico. The study also estimates that New Mexico stands to gain $6 million in increased revenue should undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S. be allowed to work here legally.

The ITEP analysis assumes a newly legalized immigrant Read More

$2.2 Million to Increase NM’s Health Insurance Enrollment

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Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. Senate News:

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., announced Wednesday that 15 community health centers across New Mexico will receive more than $2.2 million in grants to help enroll uninsured individuals into new affordable health coverage options that will go into effect Oct. 1.

Approximately 20 percent of New Mexico residents are uninsured.

The awards are issued by the Health Resources and Services Administration, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and will allow the health centers to hire an additional 47 workers who will assist New Read More