At the invitation of Senator Tom Udall, members of the UNM-Gallup American Indian Business Association attended a July 20 Town Hall meeting to discuss the introduction of the Senator’s CREATE Act. This recent legislation will help New Mexico artists and others working in cultural education and tourism to access resources and gain support for their businesses. Some key provisions of the CREATE Act include:

Support by the Small Business Administration in assisting artists and entrepreneurs in obtaining financial support

Provision of incubators and grant programs that support the arts industry from key governmental units such as the Economic Development Administration and Rural...

Gallup Film Festival receives bulk of funds



Throughout the fiscal year, the city’s Lodger’s Tax Committee recommends funding for the promotion and marketing of various events that bring tourism to Gallup. The Gallup City Council allocated $33,400 at the July 26 regular meeting to five different groups, upping the ante for the annual Gallup Film Festival and taking off $2,000 from the Second Street Arts Festival.

“I would like the council to consider raising the proposal to $16,000,” City Councilor Allan Landavazo told the panel when it came time to talk about the film festival. “I think the festival can become something bigger than what it was last year.”

GFF...

CONSUMER COMPLAINTS PROMPT ACITON

SANTA FE – At the urgent request of New Mexico Public Regulation Commission Chair Valerie Espinoza, the NMPRC’s Transportation Division has issued an advisory to tow services operating in the state to properly secure their cargo after the agency received a number of complaints from the public.

“Our chief concern is always public safety, for our families and those traveling to and within our state,” Espinoza, who represents District 3, wrote. “I have personally observed many instances where something could have easily gone wrong, and thus prompted a letter being mailed on July 7 to towing companies, reminding them of their legal...

Hepatitis is one of those silent illnesses we talk about often in public health. It’s estimated to be the seventh leading cause of death in the world, and yet it is one of those infections that many people living with it are not even aware they have.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  report hepatitis is an infection caused by one of five viruses – hepatitis A, B, C, D or E. Every form of hepatitis can cause inflammation of the liver, but hepatitis B and C often leads to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

That’s why World Hepatitis Day was recognized July 28, by the World Health Organization to raise awareness and promote understanding of hepatitis.

Not all hepatitis is...