State, Nation & World

North Central Regional Transit District Expands Demand And Paratransit Service As Part Of NMDOT Pilot Program Monday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 22, 2021

NCRTD News:

The North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) will launch expanded demand and paratransit operations in northern Santa Fe County and areas surrounding Taos beginning Monday, Jan. 25.

In Española, demand service is offered within a 15-mile radius from the Española Transit Center (on Paseo de Oñate), within Rio Arriba County only. This now allows the District to service sections of Santa Fe County within that 15-mile radius as well.

That will expand the service to communities such as Chimayo, La Puebla, El Valle de Arroyo Seco, La Mesilla, Pueblo de San Ildefonso, Pojoaque

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State Travel

NMGF: 2021 Big Game Draw Now Open

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 22, 2021

NMGF News:

Are you planning to apply for the 2021 – 2022 big game draw?

Whether you have applied for years or are ready to apply for the first time, here are some things you need to know.

Rules and Information Booklet

Information about rules, seasons, fees and more is available in the 2021-2022 Hunting Rules & Information booklet online now and will be available in print soon. Hunters are encouraged to review season dates, application deadlines and other information before applying for licenses or going afield.

The application deadline for bear and turkey permits is 5 p.m. Feb. 10. The

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State Recreation

Legislative Roundup: 57 Days Left In 2021 Session

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 21, 2021

Legislative Roundup
SFNM

There’s jobs to be had: The House Appropriations and Finance Committee held its initial meeting online Thursday, with lawmakers reviewing budget proposals of both Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the Legislative Finance Committee.

One big difference in the two budgets — which are about $600 million apart — is the LFC’s inclusion of $60 million for state, public school and higher education employees average raises of 1.5 percent, as well as $3 million for pay increases for essential health and social service front-line employees. The governor’s budget has no across-the-board

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State Politics

AmeriCorps NM Members Observe MLK Day With Service

Submitted by Chris Clark on January 21, 2021

Courtesy photo

AMERICORPS News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Observed as “a day on, not a day off,” AmeriCorps New Mexico members observed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 18 as a day of service to improve their communities.

AmeriCorps members with Road Runner Food Bank and the Boys and Girls Club of New Mexico participated in food distribution and public education activities at Thomas Bell Community Center in Albuquerque to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

AmeriCorps members with Families and Youth Incorporated in Las Cruces created a video presentation on the life of Dr. Martin

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Community State

Lawmaker Proposes Overhaul To Graduation Requirements

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 21, 2021

Rep. G. Andrés Romero

By ROBERT NOTT
SFNM

A New Mexico lawmaker who works in education is proposing an overhaul to the state’s high school graduation criteria in a bill that would reduce the number of required classes and give students the option of skipping Algebra 2.

Rep. G. Andrés Romero, D-Albuquerque, has introduced House Bill 83, which also would allow students to choose a capstone class — a long-term project exploring an interest, such as a profession or social issue — in lieu of a core subject.

Under the bill, a high school student opting for the capstone would have to work with an educator

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Education State Politics

Chart 313: COVID-19 In New Mexico Jan. 21, 2021

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 21, 2021

The bars in this chart show the number of active COVID-19 hospitalizations in New Mexico versus date. Source: New Mexico Department of Health. Created by Eli Ben-Naim

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State Public Safety Politics Healthcare

One Los Alamos Diversity Week Int’l. Recipe: Day 4 Poland

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 21, 2021

A bowl of Polish borscht garnished with dill and a dollop of smetana (sour cream). Courtesy/wikipedia

One Los Alamos News:

The recipe for day for of One Los Alamos Diversity Week is Polish Borscht from a Polish friend of One Los Alamos.

Recipe for the Polish version of Borscht

Ingredients

1.5 liters of broth
about 220 ml of beetroot juice
4 red beets
2 potatoes
2 carrots
1 parsley
1/2 season
1 small white onion
a piece of celery
clove of garlic
0.5 cups Hansel beans
a small bunch of dill
2 tablespoons of cream
a slice of butter
1 leek

SPICES:

black pepper
bay leaf
ground cumin
sugar
vinegar
salt to taste

Pour

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Community World Dining

New Mexico House Kicks Off Historic 2021 Session

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 21, 2021

House Speaker Brian Egolf

STATE News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico House of Representatives called to order its 55th Legislature at noon Tuesday.

This year’s 60-day session will be a historic first in state history, with the majority of the session taking place virtually due to COVID-19.

Recognizing the pandemic-related challenges facing New Mexicans, House Democrats are focused on delivering relief to hard-working families and small businesses, and solutions to uplift a generation.

Legislative priorities this session include economic recovery, health care, civil rights, rural infrastructure,

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State Politics

Gessing: Some Basic Facts As Session Gets Rolling

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on January 21, 2021

By PAUL J. GESSING
President
Rio Grande Foundation

To say that this is an unprecedented legislative session in New Mexico is an understatement. After some public debate over how and when the Legislature was going to meet, the Democrats who overwhelmingly control both houses have decided to plow forward with an entirely “virtual” session.

The Roundhouse is closed to the public and if you want to engage with legislators or committees you need to get online and watch, testify, or send emails or calls to their offices. By itself this COVID-related change is both dramatic and problematic.

Then, in

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State Politics Columns