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N.M. educators seek a role in setting requirements for extended learning
Danielle Gurnea said she doesn’t mind the additional hours teaching middle school students in Las Cruces, and if state lawmakers approve additional funds for her public school district to expand extended learning or professional development, she just wants a say in the matter. “I enjoy doing programs with my school, but I also appreciate when […]
Folklórico dancers bring life to the rotunda while lawmakers mull over art and music in schools
An athlete and an introvert dance together on top of the New Mexico seal inlaid in the floor at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. The circumstances of how they got here is the perfect setup for a high school coming-of-age story. The athlete suffered an injury preventing him from being on the field, so he […]
Lujan Grisham calls on N.M. lawmakers to legally protect abortion rights during State of the State
Cheers filled the House chambers in Santa Fe on Tuesday afternoon when Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced she wants to expand protections for abortion services and care in the state. “We do that, and we make it clear to practitioners, to women and families that in every corner of this state: Your body autonomy and […]
NM Rep. Javier Martínez becomes the sixth Democrat to report shots fired at his home, police have potential suspect in custody
Rep. Javier Martínez is set to take on the role as the speaker of the House in the New Mexico Legislature when it convenes in Santa Fe on Jan. 17. Today, the Democrat that represents areas in downtown and Old Town Albuquerque, is the fourth elected official from his party to report bullets fired at […]
New Mexico education funding tied to the fate of the omnibus bill in Congress
New Mexico is one step closer to expanding funding for public schools and meeting the demand of voters in the state. Congress is doing its year-end negotiations to draft a spending bill to keep the federal government operable and pay for projects nationwide. Early this morning, lawmakers unveiled a $1.7 trillion spending package that includes […]
PED says it issued 4,000+ new teacher licenses. But there are still hundreds of vacancies.
New Mexico waived fees for teacher licenses for a 60-day stretch during the spring. Education officials are beaming at the fact that the free window brought in thousands of new applicants to help fill the vacancies in classrooms across the state. Since the beginning of the year, the N.M. Public Education Department has issued 4,198 […]
New Mexico public education secretary calls for more money to boost test scores, graduation rates
Budget requests by state agencies for the 60-day legislative session are in, and the biggest was saved for last on Thursday. Public Education Secretary Kurt Steinhaus was the final boss to make his department’s pitch to the Legislative Finance Committee ahead of the 60-day session starting Jan. 17. The Public Education Department accounts for 45% […]
Early childhood education advocates look for stopgap funding as they await a decision from Congress
Early childhood education in New Mexico needs a bridge that officials say will cost almost $154 million. This money could cover day care and preschool costs, help with recruiting staff and boost aid for working parents in the state until Congress passes a bill allowing New Mexico to move money from the Land Grant Permanent […]
State legislators approve changes to anti-harassment policy
New Mexico lawmakers from both political parties had a heated debate Monday before approving changes to the Roundhouse anti-harassment policy in the wake of an investigation into allegations against a prominent state senator this year. Outgoing Rep. Daymon Ely (D-Albuquerque) took a third swing at changing the policy to open up a secretive process, add […]
Want to spread holiday cheer? Send a letter to an elder
Personal letters can come few and far between for the residents living at the Dr. Guy Gorman Senior Care Home in Chinle, Arizona. Diné elders living at the home on the Navajo Nation could see their holiday loneliness eased by a card sent from your home. Liz McKenzie (Diné) is directing their Christmas spirit to […]
State’s 911 emergency system failing to locate every New Mexican. Rural homes missing from maps.
When most New Mexicans call 911, operators are able to locate the emergency through the standard geographic information services that map out addresses. Now imagine you’re one of the thousands of people who are harder to locate because rural life sometimes means your home, mail and utility addresses point to three different locations. Emergency responders […]
Nine names heading to the governor, who will select a brand new Public Regulation Commission
The committee responsible for sorting through the applicants who are seeking an appointment to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission unanimously voted on Friday to refer nine names to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. One notable name was not on the list: Commissioner Cynthia Hall, who served on the PRC since 2017 representing the Albuquerque area. […]