Here’s a look at today’s headlines:

Yesterday, the Secretary of State notified the State Canvassing Board that baed upon the results of the June 7th Primary Election, an automatic recount is required for the Republican House District 32 race between Vicki Chavez and Scott Chandler due to a .9% margin difference in total votes and the Democratic House District 38 race between Karen Whitlock and Mary Hotvedt due to a .84% margin.  Both races were less than one percent of the total vote, and therefore and automatic recount is required.  The recount will begin at 8 am on Friday, July 1st at the Office of the Grant County Clerk.  Due to the recount, the Grant County Clerk’s Office will be closed July 1st.

Last Saturday HMS’ Family Residency Program recognized its second class of rural-trained and exceptionally-qualified Family Medicine residents.  Upon graduation, they will become board certified Family Medicine physicians.  The HMS Family Medicine Residency Program is directly providing highly-trained doctors to stay and practice in rural communities, such as Hidalgo and Grant Counties.  HMS congratulates Alan Schumacher and Rachel Seltzer on their graduation from HMS’ Family Medicine Residency Program.

As the Independence Day holiday weekend approaches, the New Mexico Department of Health urges residents to celebrate safely and use extreme caution with fireworks.  The most recent available Department of Health data reveals and average of 28 people annually visited New Mexico emergency rooms for firework injuries.  A national study showed that on average, 230 Americans wen to the emergency room in the month around the July 4th holiday.  More than half the injuries were burns; the most injured body parts were hands and fingers; firecrackers are the most common source of trouble, and 74% of patients were male.  The Department of Health recommends the following safety steps: never allow young children to play with fireworks; always have a responsible adult supervise all firework activities; watch fireworks displays from a safe distance, never place any part of your body over a fireworks device when igniting a fuse; keep a hose or bucket handy; never try to re-light or pick up a ‘dud’ firework; and light fireworks one at a time.  For more information on fireworks safety, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/.

The Bureau of Land Management would like to remind all public lands users that unless otherwise authorized by the BLM, the possession or use of fireworks on all BLM-managed lands within the State of New Mexico is prohibited.  For more information about areas open to camping or other recreational activities, please visit www.blm.gov/nm/recreation.