AP-US-EL-MORRO-MONUMENT-DARK-SKIES
New Mexico's El Morro monument recognized for dark skies
RAMAH, N.M. (AP) — A national monument in western New Mexico that is home to an impressive bit of Southwest history inscribed on a towering sandstone bluff has earned recognition as an International Dark Sky Park. Officials at El Morro National Monument made the announcement earlier this month, saying they're planning to host more programs in 2020 that will highlight the area's spectacular night skies. The International Dark Sky Places Program was founded in 2001 to encourage communities, parks and protected areas around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education.
DWI CHECKPOINTS
New Mexico police plan for sobriety patrols in January
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police are planning a series of sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols in January as part of an effort to catch drunk drivers. The patrols will happen in counties across the state. Authorities say they hope continued attention will help reduce alcohol-related fatalities. Statistics compiled by state transportation officials and the University of New Mexico show 369 people died on New Mexico roads between January and November. That's more than last year, but fewer crashes this year have involved alcohol.
AP-US-FOUR-DEAD-NEW-MEXICO
New Mexico police investigate killing of 4 on Christmas Day
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — Police in New Mexico are investigating the shooting of four people found dead on Christmas Day as a murder-suicide. Police in the Albuquerque suburb Rio Rancho on Thursday identified the dead as family members, including a 14-year-old boy. A woman told KRQE-TV she's related to the people who lived in the home, and her mother and brother found the bodies. They went to the home because they were concerned that they had not heard from the family. Police called the killings a tragic event for the family and the rest of the community.
NEW MEXICO-YEAR IN REVIEW
New Mexico Democratic agenda, oil boom make 2019 headlines
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Democrats pushed forward a progressive agenda as the booming oil industry made headlines in 2019 with record revenues for the state's coffers. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham began her tenure with a Democratic majority in the Legislature and set out with aggressive plans for the education system, energy production and gun control. She got almost everything she sought and has vowed to push ahead with legalizing recreational marijuana and expanding early childhood education. Meanwhile, violent crime in the state's largest city, the arrival of Virgin Galactic at Spaceport America and the immigration crisis along the border dominated the news this year.
OBIT-WILLIAM PRATT
William Pratt, latecomer to New Mexico Statehouse, dies
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Physician and political latecomer William Pratt has died after serving just over a year in the state House of Representatives. The 84-year-old Democrat died Wednesday in Albuquerque from complications related to a stroke. He joined the Legislature by appointment in 2018 and then was elected to fill a seat held for 24 years by a Republican who retired. Pratt served in a northeastern Albuquerque district where registered Republicans slightly outnumber Democrats. A spokesman for the House speaker says Pratt's legislative stint and long career in medicine showed a dedication to public service.
NEW MEXICO WEATHER
Forecasters: Storm systems to drop rain, snow on New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Forecasters say much of New Mexico is about to get more snow and rain, with the precipitation continuing into next week. Advisories and watches issued by the National Weather Service say a pair of storm systems will initially drop rain in lower elevations starting late Thursday night and Friday before temperatures drop and change the precipitation to snow. The weather service says significant snow accumulations are likely across the northern and western mountains with lesser amounts in lower elevations of central and western New Mexico. Forecasters are advising travelers to check weather reports because travel impacts are possible along Interstates 25 and 40 in northern and western New Mexico.
NEW MEXICO ENERGY FUTURE-SCHOLARSHIPS
Utility extends aid for Navajo workforce scholarship program
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's largest electric utility is making a $500,000 commitment to Navajo students in the Four Corners region to ensure they will continue to receive dedicated funding for future job opportunities. Public Service Co. of New Mexico recently announced its pledge as the utility prepares to close the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station near Farmington. In operation for decades, the power plant and the coal mine that feeds it have employed many tribal members. The utility already has funneled $1 million to the workforce training scholarship program since 2013. In that time, almost 700 scholarships have been awarded.
WIND FARM-TRUST LAND
New Mexico land boss signs lease for Gladstone Wind Farm
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An Illinois-based company that develops wind farms in the United States and Canada has won a bid for thousands of acres of state trust land in New Mexico where it plans to build its next project. The lease was approved and signed last week by Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard. The Gladstone Wind Farm will be located in Union and Colfax counties in an area has been designated as prime for wind energy generation. It's also close to two existing transmission lines. Aside from the trust land, the project will include 8,000 acres (32 square kilometers) of private land.
New Mexico's El Morro monument recognized for dark skies
RAMAH, N.M. (AP) — A national monument in western New Mexico that is home to an impressive bit of Southwest history inscribed on a towering sandstone bluff has earned recognition as an International Dark Sky Park. Officials at El Morro National Monument made the announcement earlier this month, saying they're planning to host more programs in 2020 that will highlight the area's spectacular night skies. The International Dark Sky Places Program was founded in 2001 to encourage communities, parks and protected areas around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education.
DWI CHECKPOINTS
New Mexico police plan for sobriety patrols in January
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police are planning a series of sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols in January as part of an effort to catch drunk drivers. The patrols will happen in counties across the state. Authorities say they hope continued attention will help reduce alcohol-related fatalities. Statistics compiled by state transportation officials and the University of New Mexico show 369 people died on New Mexico roads between January and November. That's more than last year, but fewer crashes this year have involved alcohol.
AP-US-FOUR-DEAD-NEW-MEXICO
New Mexico police investigate killing of 4 on Christmas Day
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — Police in New Mexico are investigating the shooting of four people found dead on Christmas Day as a murder-suicide. Police in the Albuquerque suburb Rio Rancho on Thursday identified the dead as family members, including a 14-year-old boy. A woman told KRQE-TV she's related to the people who lived in the home, and her mother and brother found the bodies. They went to the home because they were concerned that they had not heard from the family. Police called the killings a tragic event for the family and the rest of the community.
NEW MEXICO-YEAR IN REVIEW
New Mexico Democratic agenda, oil boom make 2019 headlines
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Democrats pushed forward a progressive agenda as the booming oil industry made headlines in 2019 with record revenues for the state's coffers. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham began her tenure with a Democratic majority in the Legislature and set out with aggressive plans for the education system, energy production and gun control. She got almost everything she sought and has vowed to push ahead with legalizing recreational marijuana and expanding early childhood education. Meanwhile, violent crime in the state's largest city, the arrival of Virgin Galactic at Spaceport America and the immigration crisis along the border dominated the news this year.
OBIT-WILLIAM PRATT
William Pratt, latecomer to New Mexico Statehouse, dies
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Physician and political latecomer William Pratt has died after serving just over a year in the state House of Representatives. The 84-year-old Democrat died Wednesday in Albuquerque from complications related to a stroke. He joined the Legislature by appointment in 2018 and then was elected to fill a seat held for 24 years by a Republican who retired. Pratt served in a northeastern Albuquerque district where registered Republicans slightly outnumber Democrats. A spokesman for the House speaker says Pratt's legislative stint and long career in medicine showed a dedication to public service.
NEW MEXICO WEATHER
Forecasters: Storm systems to drop rain, snow on New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Forecasters say much of New Mexico is about to get more snow and rain, with the precipitation continuing into next week. Advisories and watches issued by the National Weather Service say a pair of storm systems will initially drop rain in lower elevations starting late Thursday night and Friday before temperatures drop and change the precipitation to snow. The weather service says significant snow accumulations are likely across the northern and western mountains with lesser amounts in lower elevations of central and western New Mexico. Forecasters are advising travelers to check weather reports because travel impacts are possible along Interstates 25 and 40 in northern and western New Mexico.
NEW MEXICO ENERGY FUTURE-SCHOLARSHIPS
Utility extends aid for Navajo workforce scholarship program
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's largest electric utility is making a $500,000 commitment to Navajo students in the Four Corners region to ensure they will continue to receive dedicated funding for future job opportunities. Public Service Co. of New Mexico recently announced its pledge as the utility prepares to close the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station near Farmington. In operation for decades, the power plant and the coal mine that feeds it have employed many tribal members. The utility already has funneled $1 million to the workforce training scholarship program since 2013. In that time, almost 700 scholarships have been awarded.
WIND FARM-TRUST LAND
New Mexico land boss signs lease for Gladstone Wind Farm
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An Illinois-based company that develops wind farms in the United States and Canada has won a bid for thousands of acres of state trust land in New Mexico where it plans to build its next project. The lease was approved and signed last week by Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard. The Gladstone Wind Farm will be located in Union and Colfax counties in an area has been designated as prime for wind energy generation. It's also close to two existing transmission lines. Aside from the trust land, the project will include 8,000 acres (32 square kilometers) of private land.
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