Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Expected dry and windy conditions for tomorrow in Southwest New Mexico have led to a Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch. The Fire Weather Watch is in effect for the southwest deserts and lowlands, south central lowlands, and southern Rio Grande valley. A red flag warning means that critical fire conditions will occur, including a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures.
Members of the Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees met on Monday to determine a selection committee to choose a permanent chief executive officer. Those chosen in the executive session were Mary Harcinski, health data analyst to represent medical staff; Denise McNutt; Dr. John Stanley, family practitioner; Chris DeBolt, representing retirees; Dr. Miguel Navarez, WNMU; Jean Fortenberry, GRMC Foundation; Dr. Brian Robinson, Independent Physicians Association; Kevin Cook, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.; Dan Otero, CEO Hidalgo Medical Services; Billy Billings, Grant County District 4 commissioner; Tom Hester, GRMC Auxiliary; James Marshal, Silver City assistant town manager; Frank Cordova, Cobre Schools; Derek Ratcliff, chamber; and Ben Potts, Silver Schools.
New Mexico MainStreet announced that 21 New Mexico Communities have been designated as Main Street America Accredited programs for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Main Street Center. All programs that received accreditation will be recognized at the National Main Street Conference in Pittsburgh in May. Included in the list of communities are Deming MainStreet and Silver City MainStreet.
A county-by-county look at the cost of electricity finds wind and natural gas the cheapest power sources for most of the country, followed by solar and some nuclear power. The study tried to include outside costs, like the health impacts of pollution, to get to an accurate comparison. In large parts of the Southwest, utility-scale photovoltaic solar provides the cheapest power.
In legislative action, two bills that aim to ensure New Mexico attracts and retains good teachers passed the House of Representatives. HB 163 ensures a teacher’s evaluation is not disproportionately affected by students who have too many absences. HB 124 provides a three-tier framework for teachers to advance to level II and level III licensure.
Yesterday, the House passed House Joint Memorial 4 to establish an Infrastructure Funding Interim Committee to study the state’s public infrastructure funding systems and to propose measures for reform.
House Bill 292, which would bar the federal government from using state lands to build a wall on New Mexico’s border with Mexico, passed the House Government, Indian and Veterans Affairs Committee. If enacted, HB 292 would prohibit any property owned or held in trust by the state to be used, sold, leased or eased to the federal government for the construction of a barrier.
The House of Representatives unanimously approved House Joint Memorial 6 to request that the CYFD and the Department of Public Safety consider training their providers on the connected between animal abuse and intra-family violence.
The reports from the legislature included in today’s headlines are highlights of news releases received by Silver City Radio, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the station.
