Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. and McMoRan Exploration Co. Announce Special Meeting Date

PHOENIX, AZ, and NEW ORLEANS, LA, May 3, 2013 – Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE: FCX) and McMoRan Exploration Co. (NYSE: MMR) today announced that MMR will hold a special meeting of its stockholders on June 3, 2013, to vote on the proposed acquisition of MMR by FCX. Stockholders who held shares of MMR common stock at the close of business on April 4, 2013, the record date of the special meeting, will be entitled to vote on the proposed merger. The transaction is expected to close on June 3, 2013, subject to satisfaction or waiver of all closing conditions, including MMR shareholder approval at the special meeting.

50 Percent Cuts in hours to hit about 10 percent of GRMC employees

The Beat confirmed through several sources today that after a directors' meeting at the county-owned Gila Regional Medical Center this morning, 70 people were informed they would have their hours cut back 50 percent, as of May, 19, 2013. In addition, the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, the chief information officer and the chief nursing officer/chief operations officer would voluntarily take off one day a month unpaid. The total workforce at GRMC is about 700 employees, so this action impacts about 10 percent of the paid staff.

Tour of Gila racers take the Inner Loop

Here they come! Up Pinos Altos Road with leaders in front

Freezing temperatures possible tonight

Special weather statement
National weather service el paso tx/santa teresa nm
359 pm mdt thu may 2 2013

Nmz404>407-409>413-417-txz418>424-031500-
Southwest desert/lower gila river valley-lowlands of the bootheel-
Uplands of the bootheel-southwest desert/mimbres basin-
Sierra county lakes-northern dona ana county-
Southern dona ana county/mesilla valley-central tularosa basin-
Southern tularosa basin-otero mesa-western el paso county-
Eastern/central el paso county-
Northern hudspeth highlands/hueco mountains-salt basin-
Southern hudspeth highlands-
Rio grande valley of eastern el paso/western hudspeth counties-
Rio grande valley of eastern hudspeth county-
Including the cities of...Lordsburg...Redrock...Virden...Animas...
Hachita...Antelope wells...Cloverdale...Deming...Columbus...
Truth or consequences...Derry...Spaceport...Garfield...Hatch...
Radium springs...Las cruces...Vado...Sunland park...Alamogordo...
Tularosa...White sands monument...Orogrande...
White sands range headquarters...Chaparral...Crow flats...
Downtown...West el paso...Upper valley...Fort bliss...Socorro...
East and northeast el paso...Hueco tanks...Loma linda...
Dell city...Cornudas...Salt flat...Sierra blanca...Fabens...
Tornillo...Fort hancock
359 pm mdt thu may 2 2013

New Mexico Drought Monitor April 30, 2013

www.nmdrought.state.nm.us
 
Santa Fe—This chart depicts an analysis of drought severity in New Mexico.  The U.S. Drought Monitor is produced in partnership between the National Drought-- Continue reading

GRMC Board of Trustees Chairman Jim Leidich Resigns

Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) Board of Trustee Chair Jim Liedich has given the Grant County commissioners his letter of resignation. His letter stated, “It has been a pleasure to serve the hospital and its fine caregivers, as well as the people of Grant County these past eight years.”

It is anticipated that the Grant County Commissioners will formally accept the resignation at its regular meeting on May 9. In the meantime, the current Vice Chair Charles Kelly will serve as acting Chair of the Board. The County Commissioners will appoint a replacement of the open position during their June meeting.

Gila Regional Seeks Expense Reduction in Changing Times

Changes in the healthcare landscape have created a challenge for rural hospitals across New Mexico, and to a varying degree, throughout the country. The challenges include the growing shift from inpatient care to outpatient care coupled with the extreme reduced payment reimbursements currently adopted and proposed by Medicare, Medicaid and the State Sole Community Providers funds. These challenges are then compounded by the increased numbers of uninsured and underinsured patients in our region.

In this fiscal year, Gila Regional Medical Center has lost significant amounts of money as a result of reimbursement cuts and volume declines. Cash flow has declined significantly as a result of a federal decision to hold reimbursements of money required for indigent and sole community hospital funding. In response to these continued conditions, Gila Regional is making a variety of adjustments.

Piedra Fire update noon

Piedra Fire Information - 5/2/13 - 12:00 pm

Situation: The Piedra Fire was reported early this morning and is currently about 10 acres in size. Smoke continues to be very visible in the City of Albuq-- Continue reading