State makes some improvements in child poverty

New Mexico is ranked 50th out of the 50 states for child well-being by the 2019 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, released June 17 by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. This is the third time the state has ranked last in the nation. New Mexico fell to the last spot in 2013, then again in 2018.

Louisiana ranked 49th this year, bumping Mississippi up to 48th. New Hampshire ranked first.

“It’s disappointing, but not terribly surprising to see New Mexico ranked at the bottom again, given the last ten years,” New Mexico Voices for Children Executive Director James Jimenez said. Voices for Children runs the state’s KIDS COUNT program. Further...

In expressing his “significant concern regarding the persistent threats to our election systems,” Attorney General Hector Balderas joined a total 22 attorneys general from around the country June 18 to urge Congress to take action to protect the integrity of America’s elections.

In a letter addressed to key U.S. Senators, Balderas and the other attorneys general ask Congress to provide additional election security grants to states and localities, support the establishment of cybersecurity and audit standards for election systems, and pass bipartisan election-security legislation.

“Make no mistake; our elections were attacked by Russian operatives in 2016, and they will be...

Celebrating Hard-Working Men and Women Who Help Keep Communities Clean

Every week the big green garbage truck rumbles into the neighborhood and the mechanical spectacle of its hydraulic arm grabbing, lifting, dumping and returning trash and recycling carts to the curb commences.

This commonplace show is accompanied by a brief symphony of safety warning beeps and the crunching of trash being compacted before the driver moves on to the next home. Some of Waste Management of New Mexico’s most loyal residential fans and avid watchers are the kids who eagerly await the arrival of their garbage man on collection day.

June 17 marks the start of National Garbage Man Week. There will be no...

A condo or a cabin? Beach or mountain? Country or city? USA or overseas? What is your favorite vacation spot? Adventurer or homebody?

Some people choose a staycation - a vacation spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.

And some people use vacation time for home improvements - which really isn’t a vacation. The purpose of a vacation is supposed to be rest and relaxation. And fun.

However, some jet-setters cram so much activity into their annual vacation - they need a vacation from their vacation when they return home.

I’ve often wondered where people that live at the beach take their vacations. Do they travel to the mountains? Do they go somewhere dry? Do they...