SANTA FE, N.M.—New Mexico calls itself the Land of Enchantment. But the spell isn’t working all that well.

Overnight tourist trips in New Mexico have dropped by nearly 10% in the past three years, and spending on everything from souvenir magnets to turquoise jewelry fell by hundreds of millions of dollars.

When state tourism officials convened focus groups in Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles to ask prospective travelers about their perceptions of New Mexico, the same depressing descriptions kept cropping up: “Arid.” “Barren.” “Dull.”

Also: “Close to Arizona.”

Santa Fe putting the boot on parking scofflaws

Posted at: 11/20/2011 2:35 PM

By: The Associated Press

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) – Parking scofflaws in Santa Fe can expect to have their car disabled by a device called a boot, and might even find themselves hauled into court if they continue to ignore unpaid parking tickets.

Slideshow: Martinez administration pledges support for film industry

New Mexico Business Weekly by Megan Kamerick, NMBW Senior Reporter

Date: Friday, November 18, 2011, 11:16am MST

View photo gallery (12 photos)

Megan Kamerick

The event was set up in one of ABQ Studios’ sound stages.

Senior members of Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration gave the film industry and businesses associated with it something they’ve been waiting to hear for a long time: A public affirmation that the governor supports the industry, wants to see it thrive and has no intention of pushing any changes in the state’s film incentive program.

New Analyses Show Oil and Gas Industry Is Inflating the Job-Creating Potential of Shale Gas Development

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The following study was provided by Food and Water Watch.

Will the oil and gas industry create 1 million new jobs for Americans, as its latest advertisement claims? The American Petroleum Institute and major oil and gas corporations are spending millions to convince Americans that with unrestricted access to natural resources, they can lift us from our economic slump in part by fracking our nation’s shale gas reserves.

Hotline Ranks New Mexico Senate Race

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The Hotline’s Senate Seat Rankings include New Mexico’s hotly contested Senate seat which is being vacated by Senator Bingaman.

“Fracking” rules adopted in NM — sorry, Lamb Chop

The lady with the hand-puppet left disappointed.

During a break in the hearing of the Oil Conservation Commission on Thursday (Nov. 17), an environmental activist approached the members of the commission who were about to vote on adopting rules requiring oil and natural gas producers in New Mexico to disclose what fluids they use during hydraulic fracturing operations.

An Alpine Village in the Southwest?

October 19, 2011 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment

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Located in northern New Mexico at a base elevation of 9,200 feet above sea level, the tiny village of Taos Ski Valley, NM is surrounded by green forests and high mountains. First incorporated in 1996, it is New Mexico’s 100th municipality, yet it boasts the world class Taos Ski Valley Resort. The Rocky Mountains surrounding the village provide fabulous skiing during the winter months as well as beautiful hiking and horseback riding terrain in warmer weather. In fact, New Mexico’s highest peak, Wheeler Peak, overlooks the town, standing at a majestic 13,161 feet.

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – A Texas boy scout came home after a long camping trip near Taos in August and showed his father what he thought was a souvenir. The boy’s father, who’s a doctor, realized it was actually an arm bone. He sent it to the office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque.

Just wrapped up what I call a perfect Taos weekend.  It actually started on Thursday with a morning trip to Ojo Caliente Hot Springs, less than an hour from our house and wrapped up Sunday with an outdoor blues jam and potluck!

Cottonwood on Tejon, 8 S. Tejon, is pleased to announce that Irene Braun will be the featured artist for November. An Artist’s Reception in her honor will be held during 2nd Friday Artwalk on November 11th from 5pm to 8pm.

TAOS, N.M. — Activists are planning “Occupy Taos” and “Occupy Santa Fe” protests adding to a number of related rallies around New Mexico.

Suspect arrested in shooting death of Taos man

TAOS, N.M. (AP) — A suspect is in custody in the shooting death of a Taos man while each was in a separate hunting party in the Carson National Forest near Embudo.