Here are some of the latest news headlines from our area and around the state:
Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest recently made homemade treats to take to the High Desert Humane Society. The girls made chicken, peanut butter, and mint flavored treats and toured the facility with Gigi Shoaf, Office manager for the Humane Society. The girls in attendance also learned about the Animal Control officer’s truck that is used to bring animals to the shelter. To learn more about Girl Scouts, visit the local website at www.gsdsw.org.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced approximately $11.2 million in financial assistance to American dairy producers enrolled in the 2016 Margin Protection Program for Dairy. The payment rate for May/June 2016 will be the largest since the program began in 2014. The narrowing margin between milk prices and the cost of feed triggered the payments, as provided for by the 2014 Farm Bill.
New Mexico is getting $400,000 from the federal government to battle the Zika virus. According to the Associated Press, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the money will be used to help detect and treat microcephaly, an often-fatal condition in infants linked to Zika. The money will also help ensure affected infants and their families are referred to appropriate health and social services and enable New Mexico to monitor over time the health and developmental outcomes of children affected.
There’s still no word on if or when Gov. Susana Martinez will call a special session to address the state’s money shortfall, but one nonprofit group wants lawmakers to consider a tax increase on alcohol sales as a way to increase state revenues.
