I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 264-158 today to postpone the nation’s digital television transition from Feb. 17 to June 12. This was the second attempt by the House to pass the bill, which has already been passed by the Senate. Now, it will go to President Obama, who has said he’ll sign it.
The transition is mandated by the federal government. Broadcasters will be required to turn off their analog signals and broadcast only in digital. Many already broadcast in both, but many households only have televisions that pick up analog signals. The federal government had issued $40 coupons to households to help them purchase converter boxes but ran out of money for the program, leaving about 3.3 million households on a DTV coupon waiting list.
A Nielsen study in December found that the Albuquerque local media market is the least prepared in the nation, with 13 percent of households “completely unprepared.” That study also showed that Hispanic households are less prepared than non-Hispanic households.
The postponement means that the federal government won’t mandate the switch over until June 12, but broadcasters may choose to go ahead and do it before then.
According to The Washington Post, the vote was largely along party lines and the bill does not include more money for coupons. However, $650 million for converter box coupons is being proposed for the economic stimulus package, and those who have already applied for coupons will now be allowed to reapply.
