SNAP, Medicaid cuts at forefront as U.S. Sen Luján visits Española schools, Christus St. Vincent

ESPAÑOLA — Española Public Schools' nearly 3,000 students are heading back to their hallways Thursday.

But the district's top officials met Wednesday evening, not to plan for the first day of school, but to discuss with U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján how Española students may be affected by cuts from a recent federal budget reconciliation bill.

"Our district is probably one of the ... less fortunate districts within the state of New Mexico. We have a lot of kids that are in need, you know?" Española school board President Javin Coriz told the senator.

Luján visited with Española school officials as well as Northern New Mexico hospital leaders to anticipate the fallout from a federal reconciliation bill passed last month, including budget cuts likely to trickle down to school meals and hospital