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.
State Land Commissioner Ray Powell reversed the controversial White Peak land swap that happened under the watch of former commissioner Pat Lyons. Powell’s decision Tuesday returned the northeastern New Mexico area to the State Land Office.
Powell previously halted three of the four land swaps in January. Tuesday’s actions brought an end to the final of the four deals involved in the controversial land swap.
The state Supreme Court halted the land swap earlier this year. Attorney General Gary King had challenged the swap, saying it violated the Enabling Act.
The land swap, with The Stanley Ranch, was opposed by sportsmen and then-Gov. Bill Richardson in 2009. The land is considered by sportsmen to be prime land for hunting.
The state’s highest court agreed. The Enabling Act created the Land Grant Permanent Fund when New Mexico became a state in 1912.
Powell campaigned on more openness in the State Land Office and cited the White Peak land swap as a questionable deal that he did not agree with.
