Suicide Rates High in USA

Suicide rates

We wake up with some sad news this morning: Celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain is dead at age 61 from an apparent suicide. The news follows the recent suicide death of fashion designer Kate Spade at age 55. The two deaths illustrate that depression can affect even the rich and famous. It's a disease that does not discriminate; some suicide rates have increased across the nation by as much as 30 percent from 1999 to 2016, according to a new ($) Centers for Disease Control report. In New Mexico, the suicide rate increased by 18.5 percent during that period, according to the data. The New Mexico Department of Health says the suicide rate in New Mexico has been has "consistently" been at least 50 percent higher than that of the greater US. The state Health Department says to call 911 if you or someone you know is in a life-threatening position. There's also a 24/7 treatment line available to New Mexicans. That number is 1-855-NM-CRISIS (662-7474). The Morning Word called the number to confirm it's working. It is.

Good news beat

With bad news there's also good news coming into the weekend. Here's a KRQE profile of a Santa Fe business training courthouse assistance dogs. A black lab named Woodstock will become the latest an to help comfort children in cases in the Bernalillo County Courthouse. There's no such assistance dog in the Santa Fe County courthouse, but Pojoaque Pueblo apparently has the first tribal courthouse assistance dog in the country. Also on the good news beat is a story about efforts by the Santa Fe County firefighters union to combat job-related cancer. And here's a cool SFR story about the Santa Fe Arts Commission acquiring a "Tele-Poem" booth where users will be able to dial a number and hear a poem recited over the receiver.

Dress to impress

Santa Fe Public Schools "tossed out 20-year-old rules calling for uniform-like "standard dress" for students in grades K-8, and has pared down what had been a detailed list of do's and don'ts for high-schoolers," The Santa Fe New Mexican reports ($). The changes come amid debate about whether the dress code treated girls unfairly by targeting female apparel deemed a distraction for boys, for whom the rules were not as strict. The new rules will be put in place for the next school year.

Defeat won’t halt sexual harassment inquiry

The defeat in the primaries of state Rep. Carl Trujillo, a Santa Fe Democrat, to challenger Andrea Romero will not halt a Legislative investigation into Trujillo over sexual harassment claims. If you recall, animal welfare activist Laura Bonar accused Trujillo of inappropriately touching and propositioning her in 2014. It was an ugly primary race, and Trujillo vehemently denied the allegations, saying a lie-detector test exonerated him. A legislative committee continues to investigate the allegations, despite Trujillo's election defeat.

Albuquerque ART

Remember that rapid transit project built under former Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry? In November, just before leaving office, Berry even rode the first ART buses as a sign of the project's completion. It turns out that wasn't actually Albuquerque's ART bus Berry was riding—it was on loan from a California transit authority—and 20 of Albuquerque's own buses are not yet ready, according to a new report by the city's inspector general. The inspector general says the Berry administration dipped into bond money allocated for other projects to pay for ART. (Sound familiar, Santa Fe?)

The weekend

It's Friday, folks.The weather forecasters say it will remain in the 80's today and through the weekend, with some clouds tomorrow but mostly sunny. SFR's the Fork has your breakfast recommendations covered. Opening tonight is the CURRENTS New Media Festival at El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe. Cheers.

Thanks for reading! The Word is going to watch some Bourdain clips this evening, and perhaps reach out to a friend or two. Love each other, please.

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