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News Update Monday June 11th

Lawmakers Told That NM Drought Likely To Persist - The Associated Press

State water officials say the prospects are bleak that seasonal rains will provide much relief from the drought gripping New Mexico.

Legislators were told Monday by the State Engineers Office that the precipitation outlook for June to August is likely below normal for the eastern two-thirds of New Mexico and the odds favor above normal temperatures for most of New Mexico.

That's based on the latest long-term forecast from the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center, which says drought is expected to continue or intensify in New Mexico through the end of August.

The State Engineers Office said precipitation was 47 percent of normal statewide from January to April.

The water management agency made the report to the interim legislative Water and Natural Resources Committee.

NM Earns Nearly $48M From Trust Lands - The Associated Press

Royalties from leases and oil and natural gas production on New Mexico trust land netted nearly $48 million in revenue in May.

The revenue coming into the State Land Office each month supports public schools, universities and hospitals.

New Mexico Land Commissioner Ray Powell says the goal is to create jobs while protecting the state's working lands.

In May, more than $42 million went to public schools alone. Special schools, such as the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Alamogordo and the School for the Deaf in Santa Fe, received nearly $2.3 million.

More than $377,000 went to state colleges and universities.