Bill signing is under way in Santa Fe

In the last few days, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed bills into law in quick succession.

A bipartisan measure providing more funding for New Mexico firefighters that will help departments across the state purchase essential equipment, including water tanks and firetrucks, was signed April 7.  Senate Bill 256, sponsored by Sen. William Burt, R-Alamogordo, and Rep. Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, passed both chambers with unanimous support.

Senate Bill 93, which advances broadband connection and development received the governor’s signature April 7. It establishes an Office of Broadband Access and Expansion to centralize and coordinate...

SANTA FE — The bill calling for the creation of an independent Citizens Redistricting Committee was signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham April 6.

Sponsored by  Sen. Brenna McKenna, D-Corrales, Senate Bill 304 increases redistricting transparency by including Graphic Information System data of all 33 counties on the Secretary of State’s website.

In addition, the bill combines many of the bi-partisan elements from the 2021 60-day Session’s Senate Bill 15, co-sponsored by House Speaker Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, which creates the Redistricting Act and a seven-member Citizen Redistricting Committee tasked with drawing New Mexico’s state House, Senate, U.S...

Week ending Friday, April 2, 2021


Ursine Illness

California wildlife officials warn that a new unexplained neurological illness is causing some black bear cubs in the state to exhibit overly friendly “doglike” behavior with humans. Several have been fearlessly eating and camping out in backyards as humans look on. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says one young bear that was picked up was lethargic and underweight, displaying head tremors and a subtle head tilt.  Encephalitis, or brain inflammation, appears to be the cause. “At this point, we don’t know what causes the encephalitis, so we don’t know what, if any, health risks these bears might pose to other...

TSAILE, Ariz. – Nelson BeGaye, a former Diné College Board of Regent who served from 2015 to 2019 and tirelessly pressed for Navajo culture in the school’s leadership and inside the classrooms, passed away April 15 at the age of 69.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer issued a proclamation April 17 ordering all flags on the Navajo Nation to be flown at half-staff in honor of the former longtime Navajo Nation Council member.Board President Greg Bigman, who served alongside BeGaye on the Board said he tremendously advocated for Navajo language and culture beyond academic programs but also on the board where he requested the college ceremonial basket be...