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ime to recount the ballots. The process to verify the Public Lands Commissioner race begins this morning. More job cuts at a Southern New Mexico behavioral health company. And some good news for teachers just starting their careers.
It's Thursday, Dec. 10 and we've got the Morning Word.
The vote recount in the Commissioner of Public Lands race gets underway today after the Supreme Court finally settled disputed ballot test procedures.
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More job cuts at a nonprofit behavioral health group. Medicaid–funded La Frontera New Mexico says it’s cutting 40 positions.
Some of those are vacant and simply won’t be filled.
Governor Susana Martinez wants to give new school teachers a pay raise. After her announcement at Zuni Elementary on Wednesday, experienced teachers said they deserve a raise too.
Read more at the Albuquerque Journal
A couple of lightning strikes caused some big problems in Grant County.
Silver City Sun-News Reporter Susan Dunlap has the story.
A Rio Rancho city councilor was censured Wednesday for failing to disclose his alleged conflict of interest.
Details about the Bernalillo County Commissioners inquiry into their top manager are beginning to leak out. Reporter Alex Goldsmith discovered a female employee has accused Tom Zdunek of violating her personal space after he touched her elbow. The timing isn’t good for Zdunek. Commissioners have been considering renewing his $158,000 a year contract. It expires in June.
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SFR's Joey Peters has the scoop on a $300,000 whistleblower settlement for a former New Mexico Department of Health employee.
Peters, who investigated the allegations for months, notes the settlement was reached shortly after the state served him with a subpoena for all his reporter’s notes.
The business manager for two Albuquerque charter schools is suing for wrongful termination. Mario Guggino says he was fired after blowing the whistle on possible embezzlement at the Southwest Learning Center and Sams Academy.
He’s now suing the state and Southwest Learning Center. The FBI has been investigating the case.
Children Youth and Families Division plans to ask the Legislature for a lot more money to help with needed reforms after the tragic death of 9-year-old Omaree Varela. Administrators also want additional funding to recruit for 93 new staff positions. See more at KOAT 7
It’s not easy bringing a major Hollywood film to the top of Kachina Peak at Taos Ski Valley, but Rick Romancito reports productions crews shooting Director Zach Snyder’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” got it done last week.
The Warner Bros. Picture stars Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill and is scheduled to be released in 2016.
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If the movie company needs a 1960-era underground missile silo, there’s one for sale in Roswell.
Santa Fe City Councilor Patti Bushee’s plan to create a working group to address climate change and energy resources with the Public Service Company isn’t setting well with Mayor Javier Gonzales.
Daniel Chacon has details at the Santa Fe New Mexican.
Speaking of Roswell, there’s more legal maneuvering in the proposed horse slaughter and meat packing company there. The New Mexico Attorney General has accused Valley Meat, Dairy Packing, Mountain View Packing and their Attorney Ricardo de Los Santos of setting up shell companies to apply for permits they’d already withdrawn.
Read more at the Albuquerque Journal.
If you have air travel plans today, you’ll probably want to check for delays. The West Coast is getting battered by a huge storm.
Check your flight at the Federal Aviation Administration flight delay website.
Santa Fe Reporter