"Game of Thrones" author and Santa Fe resident George R. R. Martin says he's "astonished" by low voter turnout in elections. Martin rallied voters and raised money Tuesday for Democratic Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico. About 150 people attended a rally at which Martin spoke, drawing a contrast to elections in this country and the king on the "Iron Throne" in his novels that inspired the hit TV series. If people don't vote, Martin said, "you really can't complain about what happens afterward if the wrong people win election."
Santa Fe Community College is the state’s lead institution on a nearly 15 million grant aimed at putting more New Mexicans to work in healthcare careers. Randy Grissom is Santa Fe Community College’s President: *****100814-Grissom-3 :22***** Grissom says the focus of the grant is on accelerating pathways and technology in health care. He noted that partnerships with employers such as Santa Fe’s Christus-St. Vincent Hospital and other providers will be strengthened through the initiative. The grant will fund similar efforts at ten other New Mexico community colleges, and will bring in close to six-million dollars to SFCC.
Voters in New Mexico's general election can preview their ballots using the secretary of state's web site. The sample ballots will show the lineup of candidates in a voter's precinct along with constitutional amendments, bond issues and in two counties there will be advisory questions about lowering penalties for possessing marijuana. Voters need to type in their name, county and date of birth to download their sample ballot from the agency's web site. Voting started Tuesday at county clerk's offices and election officials began mailing absentee ballots to voters who requested them. Early voting opens at more locations on October 18th..
The numbers are in for the 2014 run of the New Mexico State Fair, and officials says the nearly 459-thousand people attended represented the highest number since the Fair adopted its 12-day format two years ago. The Fair used to run for 17 days. Fair officials attribute this year's attendance to factors including affordable admission prices and good weather for most of the fair along with more concerts and rodeos.
State Health Officials are reminding New Mexicans that it’s time to get your flu shot. This, as the state announced it has already recorded its first flu case of the season. Dozens of flu shot clinics are ready to go from one corner of the state to the other. But it's too early to predict how severe the flu season will be this year. While flu spreads every year, state Health Department spokesman David Morgan says the timing, severity and length of the season usually varies from one season to another. Still, state health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated. State-sponsored flu shot clinics started last week in Lincoln County and the Silver City area. The clinics will continue throughout the month. The University of New Mexico Hospital says its flu clinics have been postponed. Officials say manufacturing issues have delayed delivery of the vaccine.
A former campaign manager for Governor Susana Martinez is set to be sentenced this afternoon by a federal judge in Albuquerque for stealing the governor's email and lying about it. Jamie Estrada faces up to a year and one day in federal prison. He has asked a court to sentence him to probation rather than prison. Estrada pleaded guilty in June to charges of unlawful interception of electronic communication and lying to FBI agents. He provided the hijacked email to the governor's political opponents. Messages sent by Martinez, her aides and supporters never went to intended recipients on 2010 gubernatorial campaign email accounts. Instead they were directed to a computer account controlled by Estrada.
A California-based food producer plans to expand its operation to New Mexico. State and local officials said Tuesday that Flagship Food Group will open a manufacturing plant in Albuquerque. Dozens of workers will be hired within the first year, and the plant could result in as many as 300 jobs over the next few years. The Bernalillo County Commission recently gave initial approval to a 10 million dollar industrial revenue bond package that would finance equipment and building improvements. The county says the package will allow Flagship Foods to take advantage of certain tax breaks. The company plans to make 505 Southwestern and other food products at the new location. The products include salsas and sauces that use New Mexico green chile and other locally grown products.
Santa Fe Weather: Partly sunny today with the high near 74. Tonight, mostly cloudy with the overnight low, 50. Tomorrow: Partly sunny with a 40-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms, tomorrow’s high, 75.