Here’s a look at today’s headlines:

The Silver Consolidated School Board of Education at their recent meeting swore in Mike McMillan.  Work session discussions of the meeting included an explanation of the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the planning of a retreat, and the inclusion of two public comment spots on the agenda.  The regular session began with reorganization of the Board – Frances Vasquez became president, Mike McMillan was named Vice President and Egan secretary.

The Copper Rose Assembly of Rainbow Girls have been assisting with the Kiwanis Free Easter Egg Hunt preparations for the April 4th Event.  Rainbow Girls have filled over 2,700 eggs with goodies.  Appreciation is extended to Ace Hardware and Wal Mart for their major donations. Additional thanks is given to Carson Insurance, Walgreens, Hester House, Kris’s Unique Boutique, and Girl Scouts for their donations.

PNM is offering Silver City residents the opportunity to receive a PNM Home Energy Checkup that can help them save energy and reduce electric bills.  Assessors will be in the Silver City area on Monday, March 23rd.  PNM urges customers to call 1-855-775-6491 to schedule their Home Energy Checkup.  Assessment and installation includes smart power strips, LED nightlight, programmable thermostat, CFL bulbs, faucet aerators, low-flow showerhead, and possibly an Energy Star qualified refrigerator.

In legislative action:

Rep. Nate Gentry, House Floor Majority Leader, released the following statement in response to Senate Democrats blocking HB 41, a bill that would end the failed policy of social promotion, which passes our children onto the next grade even when they cannot read.  “Tonight, Senate Democrats had the perfect opportunity to prove that our children are more important than petty politics. Instead, they proved that some things never change, and that is very sad.”

The New Mexico House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday that cracks down on domestic violence by giving police officers 24 hours to arrest the offender without a warrant. HB 462, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Fajardo, passed on a unanimous 65-0 vote. It now heads to the Senate.  Under current law, someone who commits domestic violence can flee the scene, and an officer is required to obtain a warrant before arresting the suspect. If the legislation becomes law, police officers will have 24 hours to arrest the offender without having to attain a warrant. The bill will now go to the New Mexico State Senate.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1030, the Secret Science Reform Act of 2015with a bipartisan vote of 241-175. The EPA has been proposing, finalizing, and implementing far reaching and economically harmful regulations without releasing the science on which these regulations are based. Without transparency, independent scientists cannot review and verify the science nor can the affected public be certain that that the extra red tape and bureaucracy is actually necessary. Today’s bill prohibits the EPA from proposing or implementing regulations without first publishing the science on which they are based for independent review.