- GEORGE RR MARTIN-BOOKSTORE
'Game of Thrones' author Martin opens bookstore in Santa Fe
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — "Game of Thrones" author and television producer George R.R. Martin is adding bookstore owner to his resume. The fantasy writer quietly opened Beastly Books last month in Santa Fe. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the shop is next to the movie theater Martin revived in 2013. The store carries books by him and local authors, including some that are autographed. It also has "Game of Thrones" merchandise. Martin's novel series "A Song of Ice and Fire" inspired the HBO TV show "Game of Thrones." Martin is a longtime Santa Fe resident.
- LOS ALAMOS LAB-CONTAMINATION
EPA to issue permits for Los Alamos storm water runoff
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico officials are planning another public meeting focused on the state's oversight and scientific monitoring of environmental impacts at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The Environment Department has scheduled the next meeting for Jan. 9 at the University of New Mexico campus in Los Alamos. The gathering follows a recent decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that storm water runoff from the lab and Los Alamos County are contributing to violations of water quality standards and that those discharges must be controlled and regulated under an EPA-issued permit. Environmentalists say controlling the discharges will protect downstream users from heavy metals and other contaminants.
- NEW MEXICO-FIRST DAY HIKES
New Mexico urges residents to get outside on New Year's Day
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico officials are urging residents to spend time outside on the first day of the year. The State Parks Division is hosting a series of hikes at nine state parks on New Year's Day as part of the annual First Day Hikes initiative. Visitors can also participate in Polar Bear Plunges at Storrie Lake State Park and Eagle Nest Lake State Park. Last year, the National Association of State Park Directors reported that nearly 55,000 people rang in the New Year on First Day Hikes, collectively hiking over 133,000 miles (214,043 kilometers) throughout the country on the guided hikes.
- ALBUQUERQUE-LANGUAGE SERVICES
New Mexico city gets grant to fund language services
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's largest city has been awarded a grant by a private foundation to increase the number of interpreters who can help non-English-speaking residents navigate local government. The city of Albuquerque recently awarded a $45,000 contract to a local nonprofit organization to boost access to language services for residents. The 18-month contract with Valley Community Interpreters is covered in full by the grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. City officials say the effort is aimed at increasing participation by all people in civil programs and economic life in Albuquerque.
- ROUTE 66-LOSING PRESERVATION?
Congress goes on recess without Route 66 preservation funds
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Congress has recessed for the holidays, and it has gone another year without passing legislation that would boost funding for Route 66. The lack of movement on reauthorizing the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program means there will be no cost-share grants aimed at reviving old tourist spots in struggling towns where the Mother Road passed through. The program has helped finance projects like rehabilitating parts of the historic Rialto Theatre in Winslow, Arizona. Route 66 Alliance executive director Ken Busby says the lack of dedicated federal funding for preservation work puts people trying to save Route 66 in a jam.
- NEW MEXICO GAS-NEW RATES
New Mexico Gas Co. makes case for rate hikes
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gas Co. is proposing a rate increase to recover the costs of capital investments. The state's largest natural gas distribution utility announced Monday that it has filed a request with state regulators for a rate hike that would generate more than $13 million. If approved by the Public Regulation Commission, new rates would go into effect in 2021. The company says average residential customers could see their monthly bill increase by about $1.70. Utility president Ryan Shell said in a statement that bills will still be the lowest in the region. The utility serves roughly 530,000 customers.
- LOTTERY BOARD-SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship advocate appointed to New Mexico lottery board
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has appointed five people to the board that oversees the state lottery, including an official with a nonpartisan think tank that has advocated for New Mexico's lottery-funded scholarship program. The appointment of Think New Mexico's field director to the New Mexico Lottery Authority was announced Monday. Think New Mexico successfully advocated for legislation that guarantees at least 30% of lottery revenues being funneled to scholarships. Solvency of the program has been an issue for years as the gap between revenues and demand for the financial aid has widened, even though enrollment has been sagging.
- IMMIGRATION-NEW MEXICO
Bill would ban private immigration detention in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Democrats plan to try once again to ban privately run detention centers in the state from housing migrants. Democratic Rep. Angelica Rubio of Las Cruces recently introduced a bill that would prevent cities and counties from signing contracts with the private companies to house or detain immigrants. It is one of the 90 or so prefiled bills drafted by state lawmakers. Under the proposal, cities and counties with existing contracts can't renew their agreements after June 30, 2020. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has not said if she would place immigration on the call for the upcoming 30-day legislative session.