Pearce: MIT study validates concerns over SunZia

From KOAT-TV.com - ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —Congressman Steve Pearce says a Massachusetts Institute of Technology study on the potential impacts of the SunZia transmission line on White Sands Missile Range validates concerns over the project.

     The Hobbs Republican told reporters Tuesday on a conference call the study proves key U.S. Department of Defense concerns that the proposed 500-mile transmission project could interfere with missile tests. He says a proposed transmission line would be harmful to White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base.
      That assessment counters the study's interpretation from SunZia project manager Tom Wray. He pointed to the study that said, although electromagnetic interference could affect certain missile guidance systems, no problems would occur if missiles remain at least 200 feet from lines.
     Pearce recommended the line be moved farther north or buried underground. More

Pearce: MIT study validates concerns over SunZia

Pardoned felons now eligible to obtain concealed gun licenses

From KOB-TV.com - By: Stuart Dyson, KOB Eyewitness News 4 - The door is open for any New Mexico convicted felon who gets a pardon to get a concealed-carry handgun license.
     The state’s Attorney General has issued an official legal opinion saying a pardon from the governor erases the felony conviction. That means the former criminal can apply for a concealed-carry permit just like anybody with a clean record.
     “The case law here in New Mexico really indicates that a pardon really does make it like the felony essentially didn’t occur,” said Gary King. “People who’ve been convicted of a felony and who receive a pardon from the governor would be eligible to get a concealed carry permit.”
     Albuquerque’s new Police Chief Gorden Eden requested an opinion from the Attorney General on the issue about a year ago, when he the state’s Secretary of Public safety. King said it’s a good thing for New Mexico governors to keep in mind when they’re considering pardons.
     “I would think that there might be some concern that certain felons might cause the state to want to not allow that person to ever carry a firearm again, whether they got a pardon or not,” King said.
     Gov. Martinez has issued only a couple of pardons at this point, a spokesman said, and they were for elderly and ill people. Gov. Bill Richardson only issued a handful in his two terms. More

Pardoned felons now eligible to obtain concealed gun licenses

Wealthy environmentalists push Democrat Harry Reid to lean-in to green energy

Commentary by Marita Noon - Democrats have decided to lean-in, not back-away, from so-called clean energy. Despite the embarrassing history of government-funded green-energy failures, “wealthy environmentalists are pushing Democrats to take bolder positions on climate change”—and global warming, as an issue, provides the impetus for more green-energy spending.
     The Boston Globe reported on a recent “summit between Washington’s liberal elite and San Francisco’s climate intelligensia” that included “Senate majority leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, six other senators, and … Al Gore.” The Globe points to new efforts by Democrats to “make global warming a central issue during the midterms.”
     Reid has, according to the Globe, “pledged to allot time to anyone who wants to discuss climate change at party lunches or on the Senate floor.” He needs to keep the ruse alive because he is connected to more than $3 billion in Energy Department green-energy deals that helped him get reelected in 2010—behavior that has earned him the moniker: “one of America’s most corrupt politicians.”
     Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), along with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), has planned an all-night talkathon on the subject that will take place on Monday, March 10—about which Boxer said: “So many Senators coming together for an all-night session shows our commitment to wake up Congress to the dangers of climate change.” According to a press release from the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, 28 Senators will be participating—slightly more than one quarter of the Senate.
     Apparently they don’t want to miss out on the $100 million in campaign cash the “wealthy environmentalists” have committed to cooperative candidates—while also “threatening to withhold money from candidates in swing states who support the Keystone oil pipeline.” Read full column

Wealthy environmentalists push Democrat Harry Reid to lean-in to green energy

Sen. Howie Morales earns top spot on primary ballot

Howie Morales

Sen. Howie Morales of Silver City has earned the top spot on the Democratic primary ballot in the race for governor. 

Morales received 29 percent of delegate votes at Saturday's pre-primary nominating convention at Laguna Pueblo. Santa Fe businessman Alan Webber finished with 21 percent, according to unofficial results. Longtime government administrator Lawrence Rael got 20 percent. Attorney General Gary King and Sen. Linda Lopez of Albuquerque didn't get the necessary 20 percent support to earn an automatic spot on the June primary election ballot. 

However, King and Lopez can still get on the ballot by submitting extra signatures on nominating petitions to the secretary of state. 

Candidates will appear on the primary ballot based on their performance, with Morales listed first.

Information from The AP. 

Sen. Howie Morales earns top spot on primary ballot

Gov. approves emergency medication in schools

New Mexico schools will now be able to stock emergency medication to treat students who suffer asthma attacks or allergic reactions. 

Gov. Susana Martinez is expected to sign Senate Bill 75 into law Sunday at the American Lung Association's Albuquerque office. 

The legislation will allow school nurses to administer the medication even to students who don't have a prescription. Supporters say this will help quickly treat children who haven't been diagnosed with a respiratory problem but suffer an asthma attack at school. 

However, those who have asthma often carry their medications.

Information from The AP. 

Gov. approves emergency medication in schools

Background checks required for first responders

Paramedics and other emergency medical service providers in New Mexico will now be required to go through criminal background checks. 

Gov. Susana Martinez signed into law Saturday a Senate bill that mandates the background checks be done before the state licenses an applicant or renews a license for paramedics or emergency medical technicians. 

Supporters of the measure say large cities already do background screenings for fire departments and ambulance companies. They say, however, it's not enforced in smaller communities and rural areas.

 The background checks take effect July 1.

Background checks required for first responders

Woman says she found more than $70K at Walmart

From KOAT-TV.com - ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —An Albuquerque woman claims she found a bag with more than $70,000 dollars in cash in it at a local Walmart and returned it to its rightful owner. Michelle Fazio and her 4-year-old son Anthony were shopping at the Walmart on Eubank Boulevard Thursday afternoon.
     As Fazio was about to put her son in a shopping cart, she claims she saw a bag of money. Fazio said she went through the bag trying to find information to identify its owner. “I think God let me find it because he knew I would do the right thing,” said Fazio.
     She claims she found a card with an attorney’s name on it. She was then able to find a number and call him. Fazio said she learned an elderly woman had gone to the Walmart earlier with her caregiver and left the money behind. Fazio said through the help of the attorney, who is the woman’s sole proprietor, she was able to return the money to a caregiver.More

Woman says she found more than $70K at Walmart

Swickard: Using Carrots on Students

© 2014 Michael Swickard, Ph.D. There is a lot of talk about getting students to attend school out of a sense of duty and to avoid the truant officer. We can get students into schools using a stick. And, there is a slim chance that some students will thank us in their prayers for teaching them discipline. Don’t hold your breath. Student outcomes usually worsen rather than improve.
     It has been years since I was smacked for being a slacker in high school. I remember the time well. Also I was an English teacher at Albuquerque High School a long time ago. Carrot or stick: I understand both sides of the issue and it is my opinion that carrots work so much better than sticks. 

     Even though there is mandatory attendance, there is not mandatory buy-in. Schools may have their body, but not their mind. Students have free will and many are incredibly shortsighted. They should eat right, do homework, drive responsibly and not hang with the “wrong” kids.

     Each day they should rush to school and sit all twitterpated to hear what words of wisdom the teacher has to say. My father said, “The military cannot make someone do something, but it can make that person sorry they did not.” That is the philosophy of the stick. And it works some of the time. 

However, it does not work with those students who, when told that if they do not graduate they will end up living under a bridge. They usually roll their eyes and say, “Oh, well.” For those students that stick is just a waste of time. At least a third of high school students do not graduate from a free public school education.
     What do we want? We want the students to enthusiastically embrace education and apply themselves to it, and graduate. So why not cut to the chase and use a carrot? Charlie Munger in Poor Charlie’s Almanac wrote, “When you do not get what you want, check the incentives that you are using.”

     These students who do not come to school can learn all of the words to a hundred rap songs with ease. They learn elaborate skateboard tricks. Many are multi-talented in art and music. Why? Because the reward **THEY** want is within their control.

     The secret to getting what we want them to do is to use a carrot they want. What do they want that we can ethically provide? Cars rate high on the student “cool” meter. What if at graduation a new car is given away by a drawing? The keys are given right then to a graduate. That would get their attention. Read full column

Swickard: Using Carrots on Students

Republican primary candidates at odds over email hacking claims

Allen Weh, left, and David Clements

From KOB-TV.com - By: Caleb James and Elizabeth Reed, KOB Eyewitness News 4 A serious legal battle is brewing in the Republican primary race for one of New Mexico's U.S. senate seats, and it's pitting members of the same party against each other.
     David Clements and Allen Weh are both Republicans fighting for their party's nomination to challenge Democrat Tom Udall for his seat in the senate. But on a website called BernalilloCoverup.com, Clements accuses Weh's campaign manager of hacking Clements' campaign email account.
     A lawyer for Weh's campaign manager, Diego Espinoza, confirmed he will file a defamation lawsuit against Clements before the end of the week. He sent us a statement that reads:
     "David Clement's accusations are absurd. His intentions were clearly to disparage Diego Espinoza to benefit his struggling campaign. Diego denies every accusation leveled at him and Mr. Clements will be held accountable for his publicity stunt in court."
     On Thursday morning, Clements' campaign released a statement in response to the possible defamation lawsuit: "It is astounding to watch Allen Weh sacrifice his own campaign manager in hopes of driving the story away from the fact that he underperformed and underwhelmed Republican delegates at Saturday's pre-primary convention. Announcing a lawsuit, via press release, before the case has even been filed is a clear indication that Allen Weh and Diego Espinoza's case is nothing but a publicity stunt. Nonetheless, we look forward to setting a trial date immediately, as truth is an absolute defense to the claim of defamation." More

Republican primary candidates at odds over email hacking claims

Tests show 'no health risk' for WIPP workers exposed to radiation

From KOB-TV.com - By: Elizabeth Reed, KOB.com - Officials at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant have released more information about the amount of radiation released after a leak at the site near Carlsbad.
     According to the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring Research Center, the plant released about a month's worth of radiation in a period of four and a half days. Thirteen WIPP workers were exposed to radiation at the low-level nuclear waste site.
     Officials note that follow-up testing of the employees showed exposure levels were extremely low and that the employees were unlikely to experience any health effects as result. The testing came back negative for plutonium and americium.
     The amount of airborne radiation detected at WIPP was also below the EPA's acceptable level, according to the research center. "We have sent samples to the Center for Disease Control for validation," said Farok Sharif, president and project manager of Nuclear Waste Partnership. "Biological testing continues on other workers who were at the site following the initial exposure event, and there is always the possibility of positive exposure results from that testing. The ability to detect extremely small amounts of radioactive material also means there may be false positives that occur throughout the testing process."
     The radiation leak was detected last month. The plant is allotted a certain amount of airborne radiation per year. There is no word yet on what caused the leak. More

Tests show 'no health risk' for WIPP workers exposed to radiation