Critics of New Mexico’s teacher evaluation model often point to an unfairness in letting a teacher’s job performance weigh so heavily on standardized test scores.

Now, several questions are being raised about whether this testing material has anything to do with subjects many instructors actually teach, or even the students in their classroom.

In most cases across the state, the New Mexico Public Education Department bases half of a teacher’s yearly evaluation on standardized test scores results.

A bad evaluation, ultimately marked as “ineffective,” means that teachers in some cases can’t advance up to a higher teacher license level, which would bring a higher salary. At...

As the first person in my family to qualify for a mortgage, I know how vital it is to get and keep a home. Buying a home is part of the American Dream and one of the best ways for families to find stability that builds communities, neighborhoods— and safety.

In keeping with my commitment to protect the safety of all New Mexico families, I encourage all New Mexicans struggling with mortgage foreclosure to contact our “Keep Your Home New Mexico” program immediately.  Through the program, I have dedicated the resources of my office in partnership with agencies around the state to help homeowners preserve their part of the American Dream—and the roof over their heads.

Our “Keep...

Some of the top business minds in Gallup and McKinley County met three days this week to look over plans for economic development, discuss the pros and cons of doing business in the immediate area and become more informed with regard to the possibilities of growing this community.

The training session, that took place June 8-10, was sponsored by the Greater Gallup Economic Development Company in downtown Gallup.Sectors represented included city, county, tribal and chapter governments, hospitals, schools, universities, utility companies and many local business owners.

Kent Wilson, retired owner of Four Corners Welding and Gas Supply and current Chairman of the Planning and Zoning...

Mary Jean Christiansen most likely wasn’t expecting to defend a wine tasting event when she came before the City Council June 9 to discuss the 94th Annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial request of $50,000 in lodgers tax money for use of advertising the four day event.

However, Councilor Allan Landavazo saw it as an opportunity to address the opening night wine tasting event. Landavazo, who manages Castle Furniture in Gallup, said “100 percent of the people I talk to don’t want it.”

He also said that the individuals he spoke to are primarily Native Americans and informed him that alcohol wasn’t a part of their traditional culture.

“Ceremonial is a celebration of...