Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Wilderness Ranger District fire managers are planning to conduct various prescribed fires beginning Tuesday, Jan. 19 and continuing into the spring as conditions allow. The projects include broadcast burning and pile burning. Pile burns are planned in these locations: Off Hwy 35, and Elkhorn Road, behind Desert West Auction; Lake Roberts off Forest Drive and FSR 4206M; Near Cooney off FSR 150A & 4080T; Near the Gila National Monument Visitor Center; Off Hwy 35 behind Camp Thunderbird; Off Hwy 35 along FSR 4085Y. Broadcast burns are prescribed burning activities where fire is applied generally to most or all of an area within well-defined boundaries. The following broadcast burns are partially funded by the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish: Gattons Park 1 Rx, 60 acres, located along Hwy 35 by the Old GOS Ranch; T-Bird 1 Rx, 128 acres, located off Forest Service Road (FSR) 4085Q (Elks Pasture Road), south of private property on Ponderosa Road and west of Camp Thunderbird.
Todd Denny will be implementing a series of innovative rape prevention workshops for Western New Mexico University students, faculty and staff during January and February. The planned prevention programs will be innovative and sustainable, including experiential workshops and male bystander training. Denny has been planning the workshops since the fall semester, developing curriculum based on specific needs to the WNMU campus, working with several university departments to coordinate the initiative.
the New Mexico Environment Department announced its intention to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—along with the State of Colorado and the owners of the Gold King and Sunnyside Mines—to address the environmental impacts resulting from the 2015 massive waste spill in the Animas River that EPA officials admitted to causing. In August of last year, the EPA caused a release of three million gallons of toxic mine waste into the Animas and San Juan Rivers, depositing toxins on the riverbed, agricultural lands, and elsewhere in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona.
Rep. Conrad James pre-filed legislation, HB 145, which would allow professionals with at least a bachelor’s degree to teach part-time in New Mexico without having to go back to school and receive their teaching degree. The proposal would make it easier for knowledgeable industry professionals to teach and invest in New Mexico students. It would also help with recruitment of qualified instructors for seventh through twelfth grades. In order to qualify as an adjunct instructor, professionals would need a bachelor’s degree, three years of work experience in their field, a passing score on the appropriate teacher license assessment, and successful completion of a pedagogy class. The terms of the adjunct instructor contract and any renewal of that contract cannot exceed one year and may be terminated at any time without cause.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of more than $8.8 million in competitive funding to support Hispanic-Serving Institutions’ (HSIs) agricultural science education programs. These grants will enhance the ability of these colleges and universities to support underserved students and develop a skilled American workforce.
