Stuff you need to know, 8.21.23

Today's intelligence: Popular New Mexico pundit Joe Monahan sees handwriting on the wall for Virgin Galactic.

Today's intelligence: Popular New Mexico pundit Joe Monahan sees handwriting on the wall for Virgin Galactic.

This year four-o'clocks are bountiful and so are the sphinx moths which are well adapted to pollinate them.
I give a biased but, I hope, interesting report of what happened this past week in the OSE hearing on opposition to the transfer of water rights for use at Copper Flat Mine. PAWA and the Ladder Ranch presented their cases.

Today's intelligence: Congressman Gabe Vasquez introduces legislation to help pay medical bills of New Mexico oil and gas workers injured on the job.

Today's intelligence: Spaceport America settles a former employee's discrimination lawsuit.

Today's intelligence: no cuts in Colorado water use predicted for 2024 and an update on the congressional redistricting lawsuit filed by the New Mexico Republican Party

I had meant to get this out in time for the Gila Native Plant Society plant sale but let us just use it as a reminder to use native plants in our landscapes wherever we can. Nature will help once you have started.

Today's intelligence: Why did New Mexico rank last in a new study of the U.S. states that offer the best quality of life?

Today's intelligence: The EPA is offering free technical assistance to communities like Truth or Consequences to help them address their water infrastructure problems.
The State Engineer’s Hearing of the protests against the mine’s application to move leased water rights to their wells for use at Copper Flat Mine has now finished its first week. It has yielded some surprises as well as some really excellent research.

Today's intelligence: good news for recreationists about the Rio Grande's continuing flow through Sierra County. Plus: Virgin Galactic FINALLY sends its first tourism passengers to the edge of space.

Research for a book about a man who spent time in many outdoor spaces means a lot of miles of travel, but every mile holds promise of new discoveries and insights into life. This story is about the beginning of an adventure I am still experiencing. Enjoy