IRRIGATION SEASON-RIO GRANDE
New Mexico's irrigation season to begin along Rio Grande
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The 2020 irrigation season for farmers along the lower Rio Grande will begin in the coming days when U.S. water managers begin releasing water from one of New Mexico's largest dams. The Bureau of Reclamation cautioned people below Elephant Butte and Caballo reservoirs that water will be flowing again through the dry riverbed. Initial releases from both reservoirs could reach around 2,000 cubic feet per second. The flows will fluctuate throughout the season. Officials say they're watching snowpack measurements and spring streamflow forecasts to prepare for operations. Early forecasts indicate that runoff is close to average on the Rio Grande.
FREE TUITION-NEW MEXICO
Free University of New Mexico tuition for some students
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The University of New Mexico has announced it will offer free tuition for first-time students whose families make $50,000 or less. The Lobo First-Year Promise scholarship program was announced Thursday and is only available to next fall's freshmen class. University officials say the scholarship will cover tuition and fees not covered by other scholarships, grants and financial aid. The university capped the qualifying household income at $50,000. That's about the state median income. University officials estimate up to 1,500 students are eligible for the program. The scholarship will cover tuition and fees not covered by other scholarships, grants and financial aid.
IMMIGRATION-ASYLUM
Court halts Trump asylum policy, then suspends its own order
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel voted unanimously Friday to suspend an order it issued earlier in the day to block a central pillar of the Trump administration's policy requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases wind through U.S. courts. The three-judge panel told the government to file written arguments by the end of Monday and for the plaintiffs to respond by the end of Tuesday. The Justice Department said at least 25,000 asylum seekers subject to the policy are currently waiting in Mexico and expressed "massive and irreparable national-security of public-safety concerns." Government attorneys said immigration lawyers had begun demanding that asylum seekers be allowed in the United States.
BANDELIER-TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS
Trail improvements planned at Bandelier National Monument
BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT, N.M. (AP) — The National Park Service says the popular loop trail at Bandelier National Monument will be getting a much-needed facelift this summer. Officials say the 1.2-mile paved path at the bottom of Frijoles Canyon is showing the effects of weather, time and tons of foot traffic. The trail provides access to dozens of archaeological sites in the most visited area of the monument. The work is scheduled to begin in May and will last at least a few months. Acting Superintendent Dennis Milligan says visitors should expect rerouting, closures and delays.
AP-US-CHACO-CANYON-DRILLING
US officials cite 'balance' as goal for Chaco oil plan
ALBUQUERQUE, N .M. (AP) — The preservation and protection of Native American cultural sites would be a priority of U.S. land managers under one of the options up for consideration as they work to revamp an outdated guide for management of oil and gas drilling across northwestern New Mexico. But U.S. officials on Friday indicated their preference for an alternative that would "balance community needs and development" while limiting impacts on the cultural way of life of residents. The area is home to Chaco Culture National Historical Park, which has become the focal point of tribes, environmentalists and archaeologists who want to halt development beyond the boundaries of the World Heritage site.
DJIBOUTI-US DEATH
Flags at half staff Monday for New Mexico Guard soldier
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered that U.S. and state flags be flown at half staff Monday in honor of a New Mexico National Guard soldier who died during an overseas deployment. The Defense Department said Spc. Walter Lewark of Mountainair died in a non-combat incident in the Africa nation of Djibouti. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Moriarty Civic Center in Moriarty for Lewark, with internment planned on a later date at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Lewark was assigned to a Rio Rancho-based National Guard unit. He also was a Mountainair police officer and a volunteer firefighter. Lewark was a private first class when he died but was promoted posthumously to specialist.
PLANTING TREES-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico Forestry Division to plant 1,200 trees
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Forestry Division will be planting 1,200 trees across the state in celebration of Arbor Month. Officials say the month of March often has the best conditions for tree planting as snow melt and soil moisture vary from south to north. The work is being organized through the Urban and Community Forestry Program in support of the New Mexico Climate Strategy and the National Association of State Foresters' centennial celebration. State Forester Laura McCarthy says planting trees is an important part of New Mexico's response to climate change since they provide shade and help cool communities.
IT SECRETARY APPOINTMENT
New Mexico technology department gets new secretary
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A longtime information technology administrator for various state agencies is taking over New Mexico's IT department. John Salazar was appointed Friday as secretary of the Department of Information and Technology. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's office says Salazar will begin the job on Monday. Lujan Grisham's office says Salazar has more than 25 years of experience in IT and management. He's a longtime chief information officer who has led technology teams at the Department of Workforce Solutions and the Taxation and Revenue Department, as well as at a private firm in Santa Fe. Lujan Grisham's office says outgoing secretary Vince Martinez is stepping down to pursue other opportunities.
New Mexico's irrigation season to begin along Rio Grande
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The 2020 irrigation season for farmers along the lower Rio Grande will begin in the coming days when U.S. water managers begin releasing water from one of New Mexico's largest dams. The Bureau of Reclamation cautioned people below Elephant Butte and Caballo reservoirs that water will be flowing again through the dry riverbed. Initial releases from both reservoirs could reach around 2,000 cubic feet per second. The flows will fluctuate throughout the season. Officials say they're watching snowpack measurements and spring streamflow forecasts to prepare for operations. Early forecasts indicate that runoff is close to average on the Rio Grande.
FREE TUITION-NEW MEXICO
Free University of New Mexico tuition for some students
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The University of New Mexico has announced it will offer free tuition for first-time students whose families make $50,000 or less. The Lobo First-Year Promise scholarship program was announced Thursday and is only available to next fall's freshmen class. University officials say the scholarship will cover tuition and fees not covered by other scholarships, grants and financial aid. The university capped the qualifying household income at $50,000. That's about the state median income. University officials estimate up to 1,500 students are eligible for the program. The scholarship will cover tuition and fees not covered by other scholarships, grants and financial aid.
IMMIGRATION-ASYLUM
Court halts Trump asylum policy, then suspends its own order
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel voted unanimously Friday to suspend an order it issued earlier in the day to block a central pillar of the Trump administration's policy requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases wind through U.S. courts. The three-judge panel told the government to file written arguments by the end of Monday and for the plaintiffs to respond by the end of Tuesday. The Justice Department said at least 25,000 asylum seekers subject to the policy are currently waiting in Mexico and expressed "massive and irreparable national-security of public-safety concerns." Government attorneys said immigration lawyers had begun demanding that asylum seekers be allowed in the United States.
BANDELIER-TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS
Trail improvements planned at Bandelier National Monument
BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT, N.M. (AP) — The National Park Service says the popular loop trail at Bandelier National Monument will be getting a much-needed facelift this summer. Officials say the 1.2-mile paved path at the bottom of Frijoles Canyon is showing the effects of weather, time and tons of foot traffic. The trail provides access to dozens of archaeological sites in the most visited area of the monument. The work is scheduled to begin in May and will last at least a few months. Acting Superintendent Dennis Milligan says visitors should expect rerouting, closures and delays.
AP-US-CHACO-CANYON-DRILLING
US officials cite 'balance' as goal for Chaco oil plan
ALBUQUERQUE, N .M. (AP) — The preservation and protection of Native American cultural sites would be a priority of U.S. land managers under one of the options up for consideration as they work to revamp an outdated guide for management of oil and gas drilling across northwestern New Mexico. But U.S. officials on Friday indicated their preference for an alternative that would "balance community needs and development" while limiting impacts on the cultural way of life of residents. The area is home to Chaco Culture National Historical Park, which has become the focal point of tribes, environmentalists and archaeologists who want to halt development beyond the boundaries of the World Heritage site.
DJIBOUTI-US DEATH
Flags at half staff Monday for New Mexico Guard soldier
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered that U.S. and state flags be flown at half staff Monday in honor of a New Mexico National Guard soldier who died during an overseas deployment. The Defense Department said Spc. Walter Lewark of Mountainair died in a non-combat incident in the Africa nation of Djibouti. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Moriarty Civic Center in Moriarty for Lewark, with internment planned on a later date at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Lewark was assigned to a Rio Rancho-based National Guard unit. He also was a Mountainair police officer and a volunteer firefighter. Lewark was a private first class when he died but was promoted posthumously to specialist.
PLANTING TREES-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico Forestry Division to plant 1,200 trees
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Forestry Division will be planting 1,200 trees across the state in celebration of Arbor Month. Officials say the month of March often has the best conditions for tree planting as snow melt and soil moisture vary from south to north. The work is being organized through the Urban and Community Forestry Program in support of the New Mexico Climate Strategy and the National Association of State Foresters' centennial celebration. State Forester Laura McCarthy says planting trees is an important part of New Mexico's response to climate change since they provide shade and help cool communities.
IT SECRETARY APPOINTMENT
New Mexico technology department gets new secretary
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A longtime information technology administrator for various state agencies is taking over New Mexico's IT department. John Salazar was appointed Friday as secretary of the Department of Information and Technology. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's office says Salazar will begin the job on Monday. Lujan Grisham's office says Salazar has more than 25 years of experience in IT and management. He's a longtime chief information officer who has led technology teams at the Department of Workforce Solutions and the Taxation and Revenue Department, as well as at a private firm in Santa Fe. Lujan Grisham's office says outgoing secretary Vince Martinez is stepping down to pursue other opportunities.
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