Morning Word: NM Still Ranked Near the Bottom in Child Well-being

Nearly a third of the state's youth live in poverty

It's Tuesday, July 21, 2015

The annual Kids Count’s report shows nearly a third of New Mexico’s children are living in poverty. The data compiled by the Annie E Casey Foundation shows the state still ranks 49th for child well-being.

Read it at the Santa Fe New Mexican.  Project ECHO, a University of New Mexico health care program developed to deliver remote medical care to rural parts of the state, is getting a big $14 million grant from the GE Foundation to expand the program to other states. Read it at the ABQ Journal.  That huge methane gas hot spot that scientists discovered over the Four Corners region is likely the result of wasted oil and natural gas that gets vented into the atmosphere and is likely costing the state millions of dollars in lost royalties. The pollution has prompted members of New Mexico’s federal delegation to ask the Bureau of Land Management to promptly consider new industry rules. Read the AP story here.  The Public Regulation Commission’s independent hearing officer told the Public Service Company of New Mexico he won’t reconsider his decision ordering the investor-owned utility to turn over any communications they may have had with PRC commissioners and a financial analyst. Steve Terrell has the story.  A Franciscan sister from New Mexico was recognized at the White House on Monday for her work on climate change issues.

Engineers and construction crews have spent almost 10 years working to shore up a dam near Questa, but it appears more work still needs to be done.

Andrew Oxford reports.  Justin Horwath reports a Los Angeles-area commercial real estate lending company is suing one of the Santa Fe Railyard District developers for defaulting on a nearly $10 million loan. Read it at the Santa Fe New Mexican. A New Mexico Department of Transportation contractor that has worked on 28 different projects around the state is being investigated for “shortchanging taxpayers.”

Larry Barker investigates.  US Sen. Tom Udall, D-New Mexico, says there is more work to be done lifting trade embargos, but he is welcoming the restoration of diplomatic relations with Cuba.

Read more at the Los Alamos Daily Post.  Breaking Bad

's Stephen Michael Quezada, who serves as an elected Albuquerque School Board member, has his eyes set on higher office. Reporter Dan McKay got word Quezada plans to run for a Bernalillo County Commission seat. Read it at the ABQ Journal.  KOB reports an Albuquerque Isotope baseball player could be headed to Denver and the major leagues by the end of the month. Check it out here.  And finally, baseball fans in Santa Fe have another Fuego victory to celebrate this morning. They beat the Las Vegas Train Robbers, 8-7.

Read it at the Santa Fe New Mexican. 

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