Reading Test Questioned
Dan Boyd reports Sen. Gay Kernan, R-Hobbs, who has repeatedly sponsored legislation aimed at ending the practice of “social promotion” in New Mexico public schools,
about requiring students to pass a state-sponsored standardized reading assessment to advance to third grade.
Oklahoma and Florida have already relaxed student reading requirements.
Gas Prices Plunge
The average price of gasoline has plunged 14 cents over the past two weeks,
. It’s good news for consumers, but low crude prices continue to impact the state’s budget.
Republican Legislative Priorities
House Speaker Don Tripp, R-Socorro, has
, including the budget, education reform and tougher public safety laws.
Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla wants lawmakers to allow voters to decide whether funds from the state’s permanent fund should be used to help
, “before it’s too late.”
Allen Sanchez, the president of Chi St. Joseph’s Children, and the sponsor of those New Mexico Truth ads, says it is time to
of the trust's money.
New Mexico Truth is about the barriers to success our children face. It is an awareness-raising and educational campaign in this year of mercy called for by Pope Francis. We should all be taking inventory of ourselves and our community as an act of compassion.
...
The truth is that we are number one in childhood poverty and 49th in child well-being. We also have a solution. We believe New Mexico must invest in early childhood programs to end our cycle of poverty.
Speaking of the pope, planning is almost complete for his trip to Juarez next month. Lauren Villagran plans to cover it for the Albuquerque Journal and has
for people planning to cross the border for the historic papal visit.
It looks like
is taking steps to resume production of about 50 to 80 plutonium pits by 2030 and increasing its overall plutonium capacity. A nuclear watchdog group contends it’s not needed, since there are enough pits to last until 2080.
Luring jobs to New Mexico and developing the local workforce may be a top priority, but the economy is going to take a hit after
and terminate 394 jobs.
Madrid, NM (south of Santa Fe), is listed as one of the
for stressed-out progressives to visit and relax in.
Cosmic Campground (located in the Gila National Forest) is the first spot in the country to earn an
.
International Dark Sky Sanctuaries are public or private lands possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights. Their dark nighttime conditions are specifically protected for their scientific, natural, educational or cultural value, and are often located in some of the most remote and undeveloped parts of the world. Sanctuary designations are made by IDA to increase awareness of these fragile sites and promote their long-term conservation.
Owners of electric cars want lawmakers to start thinking about
that prohibits car manufacturers like Tesla from offering direct service to their customers. Sen. Peter Wirth, D- Santa Fe, said he will back changing the laws.
“It was shocking to me to learn that these Tesla owners in New Mexico have to have their cars towed out of state for service. That was was eye-opening,” he said.
Wirth said the dealership restriction is another example of how legislation has not kept up with technology. “These are the types of changes happening, and the laws need to adjust,” he said. “I hope we can have a constructive discussion.”
TMZ published a web story last week claiming
is endorsing Donald Trump for president, but once you watch the video, it’s not exactly clear that she’s jumped into the Republican front-runners’ camp.
Super Bowl 50 is set after Denver and the Carolina Panthers, both number one seeds, won their conference championships on Sunday.
The Patriots and Cardinals head home.
Santa Fe Reporter