- NEW MEXICO STATE-CARLSBAD
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Carlsbad's school board is voicing support for a proposal to convert the New Mexico State University branch campus into an independent community college. The Carlsbad Current-Argues reports the board voted unanimously Tuesday for a pro-conversion resolution. Mayor Dale Janway last year created a city task force that studied several possible approaches and ultimately presented the state with a report recommending conversion. Carlsbad officials say their community wants increased flexibility regarding curriculum to meet needs of local employers. Creating an independent community college would require approval by the state Legislature. NMSU officials contend Carlsbad is best served through a university campus.
- OIL AND GAS-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — President Joe Biden's 60-day moratorium on new oil and natural gas leases and drilling permits is prompting widespread concerns in New Mexico, where spending on education and other government programs hinges on the industry's success. About half of production in the state happens on federal land and amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties each year. Republicans and some community leaders say any moves to make permanent the suspension would be economically devastating. Congressional members from other western states also have concerns, saying the ripple effects of the moratorium will hurt small businesses already struggling because of the pandemic.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Vaccination clinics scheduled for hundreds of public school employees throughout Albuquerque and surrounding communities won't happen after all. New Mexico health officials say the state is focusing the current round of vaccinations on people 75 and older and those who have underlying medical conditions that put them at risk from COVID-19. But news of the scuttled clinics angered one state senator and left school administrators with two of the state's largest districts disappointed. Republican Sen. Craig Brandt of Rio Rancho said the Health Department's actions demonstrate a callous disregard for families and teachers in his district.
- AP-US-IMMIGRATION-CONGRESS
WASHINGTON (AP) — New President Joe Biden unveiled a bold immigration plan just days ago. And Democrats are already acknowledging that if anything emerges, it will likely be more modest. Immigration is so politically flammable that it's resisted major congressional action since the 1980s, and this time seems no different. Biden wants to make citizenship available for the estimated 11 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally and ease other restrictions. But even supporters like No. 2 Senate Democratic leader Dick Durbin of Illinois say the party may have to settle for less, with helping young Dreamer immigrants become citizens the cornerstone of the effort.
- MEDICAID-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has surpassed all other states in its reliance on Medicaid health care as the coronavirus wreaks economic havoc and shifts the way people receive health care. State Medicaid Division Director Nicole Comeaux says residents have flocked to the federal- and state-subsidized health care program for people living in poverty or on the cusp, with 43% enrollment statewide as of November. That's up from 40% before the pandemic. The recent expansion could be costly if bonus federal matching funds expire as scheduled in April. Comeaux says the state could see a $170 million shortfall for the coming fiscal year.
- CORONAVIRUS RELIEF-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A $100 million burst of grants to small business across New Mexico illustrates the overwhelming breadth and depths of economic distress brought on by the coronavirus. Public records obtained by The Associated Press show that successful applicants included businesses run by leading state legislators and a family amusement park that has sued the governor twice to reopen. Others include Catholic charities, local chambers of commerce and near-empty restaurants and hotels run by lone proprietors and local business magnates. The money ran out too soon for thousands of applicants that were denied grants. State lawmakers are now devising new lifelines for local businesses crippled by the pandemic.
- HIGHER EDUCATION-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Officials at New Mexico's two largest universities say freshman enrollment is holding steady if not increasing despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic. However, University of New Mexico President Garnett Stokes acknowledged that enrollment overall has decreased and officials are concerned about the negative trend. Stokes on Thursday delivered her annual state of the university address as colleges and universities across the country grapple with shrinking enrollments. At New Mexico State University, President John Floros expects spring enrollment to hold steady. He said the challenges going forward will be finding more ways to make higher education accessible to more people.
- AP-US-BIDEN-OIL-MORATORIUM
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Biden administration has suspended new oil and gas leasing and drilling permits on U.S. lands and waters for 60 days as officials move to reverse the energy and environmental policies of the Trump administration. The suspension announced Thursday follows campaign pledges by President Joe Biden to halt new drilling on U.S. lands and end the leasing of federal energy reserves as part of his plan to address climate change. It drew a quick backlash from the oil industry and Republicans who said it could kill jobs. The order did not ban new drilling outright and a small number of senior Interior Department officials can still issue approvals.