Morning Word: Nuclear Sites Face More Fines

Already hit with $54.3 million in fines, Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant could see even steeper penalties assessed by the New Mexico Environment Department. That, plus we have a roundup of news stories from around the state.

It's Thursday, January 29, 2015.

Winter is back and the weather folks suggest there’s going to be lots of rain and snow with this one. The mountains and higher elevations could get more than a foot of snow between now and Saturday night. Check the forecast here.  Already facing steep fines, Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant could get slapped with additional penalties soon. Read why at the Santa Fe New Mexican.  Small town businesses are being warned that their computers, just like other large firms, can be attacked by hackers.

Information Technology manager Richard Bradfute says more than 50 percent of small and medium-sized businesses have been compromised by hackers at some point. Read more at the Portales News Tribune.  Ruidoso Public School's officials are considering replacing punishment with restorative justice programs to hold teen alcohol and substance offenders accountable. Read more at the Ruidoso News.  UNM Daily Lobo journalist Mateo Rocha takes a look at the importance of acequias to the state's water system. Read more online. The Bureau of Land Management's office in Farmington is getting close to amending its oil and gas resource management plan for the San Juan Basin. An increase in fracturing and horizontal drilling technology prompted the agency to amend its 2003 plan. Read more at the Farmington Daily Times.  After two decades, a popular equine therapy program in Northern New Mexico is coming to an end. The Ride to Pride Horsemanship School and Therapy Center had difficulty securing behavioral health funds. Read more at the Las Vegas Optic.  Philmont Scout Ranch has hired a new facilities superintendent.

Read more at the Sangre de Christo Chronicle.  High school students in Portales who have no plans to attend college could get more vocation program choices next year to prepare them for work. Read more at the Portales News-Tribune.  The Albuquerque Public Schools board executive committee believes Kathy Korte violated its code of ethics when she reprimanded a district employee in an email. Read more at the ABQ Journal. Sen. Cliff Pirtle, R-Roswell plans to introduce legislation to keep New Mexico on daylight-savings time year round. He told Dan Boyd changing the clock is an “unnecessary inconvenience.” Read it at the Albuquerque Journal. Only 51 days left in the 2015 Legislature. The Santa Fe New Mexican posted a roundup from yesterday.

Read it online here. 

Santa Fe Reporter