Scholarship Advocate Appointed To New Mexico Lottery Board - Associated Press
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has appointed five people to the board that oversees the state lottery, including an official with a nonpartisan think tank that has advocated for New Mexico's lottery-funded scholarship program.
The appointment of Think New Mexico's field director to the New Mexico Lottery Authority was announced Monday.
Think New Mexico successfully advocated for legislation that guarantees at least 30% of lottery revenues are funneled to scholarships. Solvency of the program has been an issue for years as the gap between revenues and demand for the financial aid has widened, even though enrollment has been sagging.
New Mexico Gas Co. Makes Case For Rate Hikes – Associated Press
New Mexico Gas Co. is proposing a rate increase to recover the costs of capital investments.
The state's largest natural gas distribution utility announced Monday that it has filed a request with state regulators for a rate hike that would generate more than $13 million. If approved by the Public Regulation Commission, new rates would go into effect in 2021.
The company says average residential customers could see their monthly bill increase by about $1.70. Utility president Ryan Shell said in a statement that bills will still be the lowest in the region. The utility serves roughly 530,000 customers.
Bill Would Ban Private Immigration Detention In New Mexico -Associated Press
New Mexico Democrats plan to try once again to ban privately run detention centers in the state from housing migrants.
Democratic Rep. Angelica Rubio of Las Cruces recently introduced a bill that would prevent cities and counties from signing contracts with the private companies to house or detain immigrants. It is one of the 90 or so prefiled bills drafted by state lawmakers.
Under the proposal, cities and counties with existing contracts can't renew their agreements after June 30, 2020.
Similar bills have previously failed.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has not said if she would place immigration on the call for the upcoming 30-day legislative session.
National Lab In New Mexico Seeks New Hazardous Waste Permit – Associated Press
Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking the renewal of its hazardous waste permit, a process that could be contentious as critics point to what they say are unresolved problems at the northern New Mexico lab.
The state Environment Department and the lab began holding meetings to take comments and educate people about cleanup efforts.
Lab officials say it's too early to comment about the permit renewal, but state officials say guidelines for cleaning up and managing old and new waste at the lab will remain essentially the same.
The permit is up for renewal for the first time since 2010.
President Trump Signs Measure To Preserve Native Languages – Associated Press
President Donald Trump has signed into law a measure that extends federal grant programs aimed at preserving indigenous languages.
The measure also allows more American Indian tribes to participate in the programs. The legislation was named after Esther Martinez, a traditional storyteller and language advocate from a New Mexico pueblo. Her family, tribal leaders and members of the state's congressional delegation praised passage of the bill.
Dozens of tribes and associations across the country are currently sharing more than $11 million in grants for language preservation and immersion through the programs.
New Mexico Military Institute Votes To Increase Tuition - Associated Press
The New Mexico Military Institute is increasing its tuition and fees.
The Roswell Daily Record reports the school's Board of Regents voted last week to increase tuition for all incoming students.
Under the new plan, tuition and fees for New Mexico residents will increase $755, or 5.6%, for the year. They will go from $13,439 to $14,194.
Cadets who qualify for in-state waivers will pay $15,667, up from $14,823. That is an $844, or 5.7%, increase.
Cadets from other places in North America will see a 3.5%, or $756, increase from $21,305 to $22,061.
International students will pay $1,270, or 4.7% more, from $26,959 to $28,229.
Congress Goes On Recess Without Route 66 Preservation Funds - Associated Press
Congress has recessed for the holidays, and it has gone another year without passing legislation that would boost funding for Route 66.
The lack of movement on reauthorizing the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program means there will be no cost-share grants aimed at reviving old tourist spots in struggling towns where the Mother Road passed through.
The program has helped finance projects like rehabilitating parts of the historic Rialto Theatre in Winslow, Arizona, and the Rock Cafe restoration in Stroud, Oklahoma. It's administered by the National Park Service.
Ken Busby, executive director of the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Route 66 Alliance, told Public Radio Tulsa the lack of dedicated federal funding for preservation work puts people trying to save the Mother Road in a tough spot.
New Mexico State To Sell 'Pens' Of Old Basketball Court - Associated Press
New Mexico State is offering fans a piece of the school's old Lou Henson Court.
The Aggies announced last week it will begin selling limited edition pens made from the old court for $129.95.
The pens are crafted from the court's wood that was replaced in 2007 after the Pan American Center underwent a remodel.
Wanda Bowman, the owner of the Las Cruces Ashley Furniture Homestore, acquired the court at an auction in 2017.
Proceeds from sales will go to help the men's basketball team.
The Aggies played on the court for 24 years.
'Game Of Thrones' Author Martin Opens Bookstore In Santa Fe -Associated Press
"Game of Thrones" author and television producer George R.R. Martin is adding bookstore owner to his resume.
The fantasy writer quietly opened Beastly Books last month in Santa Fe. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the shop is next to the movie theater Martin revived in 2013.
The store carries books by him and local authors, including some that are autographed. It also has "Game of Thrones" merchandise. Martin's novel series "A Song of Ice and Fire" inspired the HBO TV show "Game of Thrones."
Martin is a longtime Santa Fe resident.
High Court Upholds Murder Conviction For Albuquerque Man -Associated Press
The state Supreme Court has upheld murder and other convictions for an Albuquerque man in the death of his wife's ex-husband.
Terry White is serving life in prison in the December 2016 death of Don Fluitt.
White's attorney argued the evidence wasn't sufficient to convict White of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary and tampering with evidence.
The high court disagreed Monday, saying the evidence was overwhelming. White had been charged in the case after his DNA was found under Fluitt's fingernails.
Fluitt was found dead in his garage amid a custody battle with his ex-wife over his then-11-year-old daughter.