A Public Service of Santa Fe Community College
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Jan. 16 First News: Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez Discusses Legislative Priorities (Listen)

As the start of the 2015 New Mexico Legislature’s 60-day session draws near, Senate Democrats plan to tackle a variety of issues. Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez of Belen says among other matters, Democrats will be looking at early childhood education, education reform, raising the minimum wage and behavioral health issues that have emerged as a result of changes implemented by the Martinez administration, as well as labor laws. Republicans in both the Senate and House have pre-filed so-called “right to work” bills that seek to allow the state to prevent unions from requiring workers to pay dues. Sanchez says such legislation would hurt working families. *****011615-Sanchez-2 :16***** On the topic of education reform, Sanchez notes that Governor Susana Martinez intends to again seek legislation to hold- back third-grade students who don’t read at grade level. Sanchez is opposed to such a change, saying the evidence-based research shows that students held back are more likely to drop out at a later date due to the problems being held-back causes. *****011615-Sanchez-4 :52***** Asked about what he expects the most contentious issue will be, Sanchez says the both the labor issues and the education issues will be battles. *****011615-Sanchez-5 :33***** Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez. The legislative session begins on Tuesday.

The timeline for resuming full operations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant has been extended. The U.S. Department of Energy and the contractor that runs the federal government's troubled nuclear waste repository now say it could be more than three years before all operations resume at the nation’s underground nuclear waste repository. WIPP has been closed since last February, when a canister of waste from Los Alamos National Laboratory leaked in one of its storage rooms and contaminated more than 20 workers. Full operations will depend on a new ventilation system.

State health officials are reporting five cases of plague in animals in the Santa Fe area since last November. The New Mexico Department of Health says three cats, one dog and one mouse have all been confirmed with plague. Confirmatory testing was conducted at the department's Scientific Laboratory Division. Officials say all of the animals that tested positive are from residences in south Santa Fe near the Interstate 25 corridor. Environmental investigations were conducted at each site to look for ongoing risk to others in the surrounding area. Plague is a bacterial disease of rodents and is generally transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas. It can also be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals, including rodents, wildlife and pets.

An Albuquerque officer who drew national attention after he was shot during a traffic stop is out of the hospital. Albuquerque police spokeswoman Celina Espinoza said Thursday that Lou Golson has been released and is resting at home. Golson was shot earlier this month after he pulled over a suspected drunken driver. The officer fired his weapon but police said 36-year-old Christopher Cook was not hit and fled the scene. Cook was later arrested and is being held on attempted murder and other charges. Authorities say Golson suffered a gunshot wound in the abdomen and broke his wrist. Espinoza says Golson has started physical therapy and wants to return to work soon.

The Southwest is among the areas of the country that are starting the year drier than normal, and that could mean a fifth straight year of drought for New Mexico. That word from federal weather forecasters at the National Water and Climate Center.  They say New Mexico and other states are experiencing prolonged drought, which has focused attention on winter snowpack throughout the region. Snowpack serves as an indicator of how much water can be expected to flow through rivers and streams later in the year. There were a few storms that produced decent snowfall in the higher northern terrain in December. But forecasters say early-season snowpack is below normal in the mountains of New Mexico. Hydrologist Cara McCarthy says this is just the first forecast of the season so things could change.

Santa Fe Weather: Expect sunny skies today with the high, 47. Tonight, it’ll be partly cloudy with the overnight low dipping to 25. Tomorrow: Mostly sunny with the high near 50.