Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
A Red Flag Warning was in effect for most of the southwest corner of the state today. Fire Weather Watch in effect through this evening for strong winds and low relative humidity. Dry and windy conditions exist due to an upper disturbance moving across New Mexico. Dew points yesterday evening were expected to drop resulting in a relative humidity below 15 percent, creating critical fire weather conditions. Affected areas include Fire Weather Zones 110, 111, and 112: Southwest Mountains of the Gila and Apache National Forests, Southwest Deserts and Lowlands, and South Central Lowlands and Southern Rio Grande Valley. Additionally, a wind advisory is in effect through 8 pm in southern New Mexico and far west Texas.
Marilynn Grijalva of Douglas, AZ, a psychology student at WNMU, was recently awarded the Nancy Kailing Scholarship sponsored by PFLAG, Silver City. The Nancy Kailing Scholarship is awarded annually to a WNMU student who has worked toward securing equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. PFLAG is currently accepting applications for the scholarship through the WNMU Foundation.
In sports action: the Western New Mexico University Men’s Basketball team lost to Fort Lewis College on Saturday night and stand at 1-25 for the season, 1-20 in the RMAC. WNMU will close the regular season Friday night against New Mexico Highlands beginning at 7:30 pm.
The WNMU Softball team defeated Black Hills State University 9-3 this weekend, though lost to Colorado School of Mines 8-4. The Mustang Softball team is currently 7-12 for the season and 3-1 in the RMAC. WNMU will play at Adams State University this weekend with doubleheaders both Saturday and Sunday.
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) is inviting New Mexicans involved in agricultural production to apply for funding through one of two grant programs. Both programs aim to develop new markets and/or expand existing ones for agricultural products grown in New Mexico, but the programs differ in their respective details.
In legislative action: New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez praised legislative compromises that will allow New Mexico to bring driver`s licenses into compliance with federal REAL ID Act requirements and allow judges to deny bail to some violent defendants.
New Mexico Legislators on Thursday adjourned their 30-day regular session that will be remembered for a drastic drop in state revenues along with a few accomplishments. The end of the session saw a number of accomplishments, including the budget, reforming the state’s bail bond system, and a fix to the REAL ID and immigrant driver’s licenses crisis. Bills that did not make it to the Governor’s desk included bills to strengthen the state’s three-strikes law, as well as DWI penalties and child-abuse laws.
