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.
Lawmakers may reconsider the state’s tax incentives for filmmakers, KOB reports. Adding up to $46 million last year alone, the tax breaks would be scrapped under a plan lawmakers are examining. However, the New Mexico Film Office warns that such a move could cost the the state up to 9,000 jobs and put 200 local film companies out of business.
In other financial news today, the Daily Lobo reports the possibility of research budget cutbacks at the University of New Mexico. With a $4.4 million deficit within the research and economic development sector, paying back debts may endanger educational programs, including the science and engineering departments. Despite economic threats to research, UNM President David Schmidly enjoys an annual salary upwards of $600,000.
And the domestic partnership battle rages on in Santa Fe, reports KOAT. The Republican Party came up with a poll of its own, suggesting that the majority of New Mexico stands opposed to a bill to be voted on this week by the Senate. This “push poll,” however, may be an attempt to deny previous findings by the American Civil Liberties Union that there is majority support for domestic partnerships in several Senate districts. It’s unclear how these polls will affect lawmakers.
Away from the political battlefield, the Alamogordo Daily News writes today about the donation of a prehistoric pottery collection to the Forest Service. After 20 years of display in a Ruidoso gift shop, the pottery owners kindly gave up the artifacts to public domain.
And, in light of Fat Tuesday, check out The Daily Times’ piece on the Mardi Gras tradition. On that note, as the French say, laissez les bon temps rouler — let the good times roll!
