Border Separation

Border impact

The Trump administration's zero-tolerance border policy is front and center in the public dialogue. Local media has a pretty good variety of reporting ($) on the issue, and El Paso's TV stations have been covering the daily developments aggressively. There's so much spin that the reality of the situation can get away from you, so dig in for as much as you can stand.

Finding Solace

The Santa Fe Police Department is funding a private position at the Solace Crisis Treatment Center to help the department handle applications for U visas. The federal program provides special dispensation for victims of crimes who work with police to help solve them. Last year, 33 undocumented people came forward after alleged crimes; 29 were granted visas. The city funding for Solace is an alternative to paying for a more expensive full-time position at the Police Department.

Three women to lead SF departments

When SFR wrote about the work left to do if Mayor Alan Webber wanted to make good on his promise to put more women in positions of power at City Hall, the new mayor said it was hard to evaluate since he hadn't made many hires. Yesterday, the city manager announced he'd hired three women ($) to lead the city's Human Resources, Finance and Public Works departments.

Blue sunset

The North Central Regional Transit District—the blue buses—relies heavily on a one-eighth cent gross receipts tax to keep its fleet rolling. Voters approved the tax a decade ago, and the four counties that participate passed identical rules that sunset the tax in 2024 unless voters reapprove it. That vote is set for this fall, and the district is looking to leverage broad public support for its services, despite the fact that much of the public isn't quite sure what the RTD does.

PED grades teacher programs

Despite broad opposition among the educational and political communities, New Mexico's Public Education Department announced it will begin grading both public and private teacher training programs at the state's colleges and universities. The effort is part of a broad push by Gov. Susana Martinez' administration to work as much of its educational changes into official department rules by the time she leaves office. The PED released preliminary grades yesterday. Programs topped out at a B.

Training ground

The National Outdoor Leadership School and Girls Inc. have kindled a interesting partnership that's grown into its second decade. The Santa Fe program for girls is what the national NOLS organization calls a gateway partner, introducing girls to the outdoors, taking them on short car-camping trips and longer hikes to prepare girls for intense backpacking trips (or in tents ones … get it?!) that are great leadership builders for kids. It's this week's Enthusiast column in SFR.

Mutton but love

The Rodeo de Santa Fe starts its four-night run tonight. It's the 69th iteration of the rodeo, which features the ever-popular mutton bustin' event nightly, where kids hang on to sheep for a six-second ride around the arena. Other highlights this year include Mexican charro Tomas Garcilazo and the Kids Exceptional Rodeo on Saturday morning.
 
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