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Santa Fe Police are investigating an apparent suicide by train that took place at the Zia Rail- Runner station in Santa Fe Sunday morning. New Mexico transit officials say a man died after he deliberately standing in front of a Rail Runner train shortly before 11am Sunday. The New Mexican reports police have identified the man—said to be 47—but are withholding his name until family members are notified. Rio Metro spokesman Jay Faught says about 75 passengers were on the southbound train. They were taken by bus to the NM 599 Station and boarded another train.
If you’re traveling to and from Albuquerque from northern New Mexico, there’s a new option to consider: Boutique Air has started three daily flights between Los Alamos Municipal Airport and the Albuquerque International Sunport. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for later today in Los Alamos to mark the new service. Boutique Air’s chief executive Shawn Simpson says Los Alamos is a unique community that's oriented around world-class research so the airline expects it to be a significant destination for many. Los Alamos is home to Los Alamos National Laboatory. It will also host part of the new Manhattan Project National Historical Park. Aside from New Mexico, Boutique Air offers routes in several states, including Arizona, California, Texas, Colorado, and Nebraska.
Governor Susana Martinez says it's been a record-breaking year for New Mexico's film industry. Martinez announcing Friday that the motion picture industry brought in nearly 290-million dollars into the economy last year, the largest amount in history. The governor says the strong film incentive program has been a factor in bringing projects to the Land of Enchantment. Martinez signed a pair of bills boosting the already booming industry into law in April. One measure expands the incentive program to allow qualifying television pilot episodes to receive additional rebates. Another permits film companies to assign their tax rebates to banks on a one-time basis to get upfront loans. Movies currently in production in New Mexico include "The Magnificent Seven" with Denzel Washington and TV's "Better Call Saul."
The Bureau of Land Management has cleared the way for drilling on more than a dozen parcels of national forest land in northern New Mexico that were initially put up for bid more than a year ago. The decision came last week despite opposition from environmentalists. Signed by the BLM's state director, the decision covers nearly 31 square miles along the San Pedro Mountains north of Cuba. The environmental group WildEarth Guardians is weighing whether to appeal the decision or take the case to federal court. The BLM chose to defer other parcels that initially had been up for lease in the area. The agency also says the 13 parcels that were approved comply with the area's resource management plan and other federal rules.
Federal officials are praising New Mexico for helping reduce the time students use to take standardized tests. But the New Mexico Public Education Department says more than 60 percent of school districts are unnecessarily duplicating assessments in at least one area on districts' tests. Officials say that's hurting state efforts to reduce the testing time statewide. The "New Mexico Assessment Inventory" released Friday showed that state-mandated testing time had declined between 2010 and 2015 by around two-and-a-half hours across all grades. And state officials expect to see further reduction in testing time by 90 minutes next year. New Mexico Education Secretary Hanna Skandera says districts duplicating work should look to those such as Aztec and Las Cruces where testing times have been reduced.
A New Mexico state senator wants to see the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta soar even higher economically. Senator Lisa Torraco told the Albuquerque Journal Sunday that she is proposing several ideas to create more jobs and generate more spending during the nine-day festival. The Albuquerque Republican says the balloon fiesta should keep visitors on the field beyond the morning ascensions. Torraco says she envisions adding all-day events involving mariachi bands, Native American dancing, local beer tastings and other events that showcase the city. She also suggests lowering vendor fees to bring in more participation. Fiesta executive director Paul Smith says Torraco's suggestions are intriguing and definitely merit further discussion. The event draws tens of thousands of spectators from around the world every October.
A proposal to rename Roswell streets after Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez has divided officials and residents. The Roswell Daily Record reports that city Business owners on the streets involved in the current proposal say they would have to get all new business cards, letterhead and other materials with their company address. City officials say a decision will wait until a new street-naming policy is in place.
Santa Fe Weather: Sunny today with the high 62. Tonight: Clear skies with the overnight low, 38. Tomorrow: Mostly sunny with the high 59.