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Trump ousts Kristi Noem from DHS; Rural CA community colleges deploy AI to keep students on track; Algae-powered concrete earns University of Miami project top prize; As Ukraine war lingers, ND sponsors press for speedy work approvals.

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Kristi Noem is fired from her position as Homeland Security Secretary, but moves to a new and unclear role. The Senate Majority Leader blames Democrats for the ongoing DHS shutdown and the House fails to advance a war powers resolution for Iran.

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Advocates for those with disabilities in Idaho and nationwide are alarmed by proposed Medicaid cuts, programs that provide virtual crisis care are making inroads in rural South Dakota and Wyoming, and the mighty bison returns to Texas.

NM advocacy group: more climate change infrastructure needed

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Tuesday, July 30, 2024   

A New Mexico advocacy group is reminding lawmakers the state must revise its approach to extreme heat, air pollution and the oil and gas industry if families and communities are to survive the changing climate.

Despite major wildfires in recent years, the state has only three air-quality monitors, all placed in major cities.

Charles Goodmacher, founder of Do Good LLC, said at a recent hearing of the Water and Natural Resources Committee, the number could be increased by attaching them to the statewide network of weather stations.

"Then local communities could be much more aware of when they need to issue warnings to people to stay inside or to wear masks and other precautions," Goodmacher explained.

Las Cruces typically records the state's hottest summer temperatures, followed by Albuquerque. Multiple studies have shown hotter temperatures increase anger and aggression, which is thought to increase crime; another major topic facing lawmakers. The advocacy group wants a statewide public health and climate program established and a $10 million fund created to help towns and cities address climate needs.

Data show the Southwest is the fastest-warming area in the lower 48 states and Goodmacher suspects it could be contributing to New Mexico's increased crime in the past five years. He argued climate effects have been traced to negative impacts on the state budget.

"Loss of income to our rural and agricultural parts of the state. Farmers and ranchers are having to change their crops or change which breed of cattle," Goodmacher pointed out. "These kinds of things are happening already in New Mexico."

Efforts to reduce crime have been a major focus in New Mexico this month, with the governor holding a special legislative session. The governor's proposals were not approved, but lawmakers did OK funding to pay for those affected by the recent South Fork and Salt wildfires.



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