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 Santa Fe Reporter’s Corey Pein has an amusing story today about the Santa Fe mayor’s race and two candidates, David Coss and Asenath Kepler, who have each attracted impersonators on Twitter. (His is “Devil Coss,” hers is Asinine Kepler.”) Kepler, a former city manager, told SFR that she found the Twitter-personators entertaining, acknowledging that social media can be “a great tool, but it’s also a tool for mischief.”
Also in the Santa Fe Reporter, an interview with State Auditor Hector Balderas. As a state watchdog, he suggests, “if you have truly accountable systems, you won’t have public corruption.”
In other news from the capitol, Kate Nash of the Santa Fe New Mexican reports that job cuts have begun for some exempt state government employees. During October’s special session, legislators passed a bill that would have required Richardson to cut more than 100 exempt, or politically appointed, positions. Richardson vetoed the measure but said he would cut more than 80. According to Nash, the ax has fallen on the first of those.
In Albuquerque, Mayor Richard Berry took office Tuesday–only to be confronted with the news that he will inherit a city budget significantly worse than expected. As the Albuquerque Journal reports, the budget deficit may be as high as $24 million.
Also in the Journal today is a story about two community access cable stations, Channels 27 and 28. The stations’contract with the state appears to be incomplete, which could mean the current ownership would expire at the end of the year. And they’re blaming former Mayor Martin Chavez.
KOB-TV has a story on Sarah Palin’s visit to Roswell yesterday. Palin spent three hours signing her book and greeting the crowd of over 1,000 people.
And The Deming Headlight reports on how the state Motor Vehicle Division is using the Internet to provide more convenient service. With its new project, “DRIVE MVD,” New Mexico drivers will be able to access many services online, including registration renewal, change of address, application for vanity plates, among others. As one official said, “There’s no line when you go online.”
