By Milan Simonich The Santa Fe New Mexican No one would cheer a politician who took a stand in 1975 for desegregation of drinking fountains and public restrooms. Segregation of public facilities was outlawed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The best I can say about a latecomer for desegregation is he decided to […]
Posted inLegislature
State Dem Leaders Not Ready To Back MLG’s Hydrogen Bill
By Daniel J. Chacón The Santa Fe New Mexican New Mexico’s two U.S. senators are lending their support to a highly touted but contentious plan by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to turn the state into a hub of hydrogen production. But in the New Mexico Legislature, where Democrats hold majority control of both chambers and […]
Posted inLegislature
Bill To End Statute of Limitations on Child Sex Abuse Cases Sees Little Movement
By Rick Ruggles The Santa Fe New Mexican Another try at lifting the statute of limitations in child sexual abuse cases sits in limbo in the Legislature. A bill introduced by Sen. Katy Duhigg, D-Albuquerque, would remove restrictions on how long a victim of such abuse has to file a civil lawsuit. Many experts say […]
AP
What In the Hell is ‘Stealth’ Omicron?
By LAURA UNGAR AP Science Writer Scientists and health officials around the world are keeping their eyes on a descendant of the omicron variant that has been found in at least 40 countries, including the United States. This version of the coronavirus, which scientists call BA.2, is widely considered stealthier than the original version of […]
Posted inPolicing + Justice
State Not Tracking Cop Training
New Mexico law enforcement is required to receive dozens of hours of additional training every two years in order to keep their certification. But who keeps track of that training? What if nobody is? Records obtained from the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy (LEA), the agency responsible for providing training oversight, show they simply haven’t […]
Posted inNews
Orphaned Wells Cleanup Costs Are Outweighing the Payouts
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. While oil and gas (O&G) producers continue to frack and pollute New Mexico, they crow about their massive contributions to the state’s economy. But years of allowing exploitation of the state’s pristine environment by the industry will cost New Mexico a bundle for years to come. After […]
AP
Millionaires Might Get Taxed On Tickets To Space
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Pity the poor space flight passenger: Flying up up and away from Earth could get even more expensive as New Mexico lawmakers consider taxing the tickets on Virgin Galactic. A bipartisan bill introduced in the state Legislature seeks to close a loophole that excluded spaceflight passenger tickets from gross receipts […]
AP
COVID-19 Booster Drive Is Faltering In The US
NEW YORK (AP) — The COVID-19 booster drive in the U.S. is losing steam, worrying health experts who have pleaded with Americans to get an extra shot to shore up their protection against the highly contagious omicron variant. Just 40% of fully vaccinated Americans have received a booster dose, according to the Centers for Disease […]
Posted inLegislature
NM Voting Rights Act Aims to Expand and Protect Voting Rights
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver on Tuesday announced the introduction of Senate Bill 8, the New Mexico Voting Rights Act. The legislation intends to protect and expand New Mexico voting rights, including expanding online voter registration, providing further protections for Native voters, and creating a permanent, voluntary absentee ballot […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Antiques Road Show Is Coming to NM; Find Out How To Get Tickets
The wildly popular PBS show, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, will visit Santa Fe’s Museum Hill on Tuesday, June 14, for an all-day appraisal event as part of the series’ 27th production tour! This summer PBS’s most-watched ongoing series will visit five cities with stops exclusively at distinctive, historic locations. “I can’t wait to resume our familiar appraisal-event production format […]