Here’s a look at today’s headlines:

Deming High graduate Erika Alvarez has been awarded national recognition through the HEP and CAMP educational programs which serve students from migrant or seasonal farm worker families. She is the recipient of Roberto Rodriguez Champion Award.  This award is presented to just one CAMP student nationwide.  Alvarez is a 2014 graduate of Deming High School.

The High Desert Humane Society once again will have FREE bags of straw for area pet owners. Thanks to The Wilderness Kennel Club who donated straw bales to us, we have already been handing out bags of bedding this season. Weather is beginning to turn cold so don’t forget to protect your pet with a nice warm straw bed. Available Tuesday through Saturday 8:30 to 5:00 pm. At 3050 S. Cougar Way.

Governor Susana Martinez recently announced $193,700 in funding to help more New Mexico small businesses expand to international markets. This funding will provide training, assistance, and other resources to help small businesses export their products around the world.  New Mexico continues to grow as a leader in in international commerce and trade, particularly between the U.S., Mexico, and Central and South America. In 2014, New Mexico’s total exports to Mexico alone set another all-time high of more than $1.5 billion, nearly doubling in just one year. Also in 2014, New Mexico set yet another all-time high in total exports at nearly $4 billion, an increase of nearly $1 billion from 2013, and nearly doubling over the last four years. The U.S. Department of Commerce has ranked New Mexico No. 1 in the country in export-related job growth, and the next state wasn’t even close. They also ranked three New Mexico metro areas in the top five in the nation for export growth. New Mexico has also now just had its 37th consecutive month of year-over-year job growth.

U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued the following statement on the bipartisan budget agreement announced this week: “Over the last several years, New Mexico has been hit hard by the dysfunction and hyper-partisanship that led to devastating sequestration budget cuts and an inability to pass appropriations bills and long-term budgets. This has not only threatened budgets for everything from national parks to our national laboratories’ nuclear nonproliferation efforts, it has hurt working families across our state. Budget uncertainty and cuts have affected education, child care assistance, scientific research and development, military readiness, rural economic development, agriculture grants and so many other important programs that support jobs and families in New Mexico. That’s why I have pushed so hard for an end to sequestration cuts and a return to responsible long-term budgeting.”