Albuquerque Route 66 section sees fatal pedestrian crashes
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Nearly one in five fatal pedestrian crashes in New Mexico's largest city last year occurred in a dimly lighted and highly congested section of historic Route 66. An analysis by the Albuquerque Journal found a part of Albuquerque plagued by poverty had eight pedestrian deaths in 2019. That's more than any other location out of the 42 fatal pedestrian crashes last year. The dangerous section of Route 66 is in a part of the city known for high crime rates and outdated infrastructure. A citywide initiative aimed at reducing pedestrian deaths doesn't include this section of Route 66.
NMSU-INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
New Mexico State to drop intensive English program
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State University is restructuring its international programs and will drop an intensive English program amid travel bans. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports the school recently announced it will end its non-credit intensive English language offerings provided by the Center for English Language Programs. The center will fold permanently on May 15. New Mexico State has experienced recent years of decline in enrollment and revenue from tuition and research funds at the land grant university. New Mexico State University Provost Carol Parker is moving to consolidate international and border initiatives, including the creation of a new interdisciplinary community of practice branded "Beyond Borders."
TV-CAPITOL BARBIE
TV pilot 'Capitol Barbie' tackles gender, race and politics
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico-based production company has plans to begin working on a new television pilot in Albuquerque that will be tackling some big topics. The New Mexico Film Office says work on 'Capitol Barbie' is scheduled to start this month at sites around the city. Directed and produced by Riley Del Rey, the mini-series is described as a "mean girls style political thriller" about aspiring Latinos working in Washington, D.C. Del Rey says the aim is to create a show that will engage different political philosophies and inspire debate. The production will feature an all-New Mexico cast and crew.
INFANT-BROKEN RIBS
Police: Man squeezed infant so hard he broke 3 of her ribs
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico man is facing charges after authorities say he squeezed his infant stepdaughter so hard he broke three of her ribs. The Alamogordo Daily News reports Jonathan Salcedo was arrested Wednesday and charged with child abuse following reports of an injured infant. According to court records, a four-month-old infant girl was brought into an Alamogordo emergency room suffering from multiple fractures to the right arm and ribs. Court document alleged that the 26-year-old Salcedo admitted to police he injured the baby after he got angry she wouldn't stop crying and screaming. Salcedo is being held without bail. It was not known if he had an attorney.
ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico conventions set primary lineups for Congress
POJOAQUE, N.M. (AP) — Former CIA operative Valerie Plame's bid for a congressional seat in northern New Mexico fell flat at a statewide Democratic convention where she failed to win enough local delegate votes to automatically qualify for the primary ballot. She vowed to stay in contention by submitting more petition signatures from supporters. Candidates for an open congressional and Senate seat in New Mexico underwent the first test of their political might as the Democratic and Republican parties of New Mexico held statewide conventions. Voting rights advocate Teresa Leger Fernandez and Sandoval County Treasurer Laura Montoya will appear atop the primary ballot for the state's 3rd Congressional District.
ALBUQUERQUE PARTY SHOOTING
Man arrested in shooting at Albuquerque party; 4 wounded
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police arrested a 22-year-old man in a shooting at a house party where a spray of bullets left four person injured, one critically. Jail records indicate Isaiah Perez was booked Saturday on suspicion of multiple felonies, including aggravated assault and child abuse resulting in great bodily harm. The Albuquerque Journal reported that Perez was arrested after returning to the scene of the early morning shooting to retrieve his car. Police said one of the people wounded was a juvenile but police did not provide the child's age and other detailed information about the victims. Perez's case wasn't immediately listed in online court records and it wasn't known whether he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico to activate emergency center for virus outbreak
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is activating the state health department's operations center in a move that officials say will help prepare for any emergency activities related to the coronavirus outbreak. The Department of Health said Friday in a statement that the department's Bureau of Health and Emergency Management will activate the center on Monday. The state's coronavirus website said results of all 48 tests conducted by the state health laboratory through Friday were negative. The department said activation will help top state officials make informed decisions on the virus-related operations while ensuring that department personnel have what the agency called "the highest level of situational awareness and communication within the department."
LEGISLATION-NEW MEXICO
Governor signs bills for child welfare and public safety
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A long list of bills aimed at shoring up workplace protections for pregnant women, allowing greater state investments in local companies, providing bonuses to local police officers and more has been signed Friday by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The first-term governor has until March 11 to decide the fate of scores of bills approved by the Democrat-led Legislature. She and her staff are still poring over a $7.6 billion general fund budget that could increase spending by nearly 8% for the fiscal year starting July 1. Bills signed on Friday address issues of public safety, workplace discrimination, child welfare and economic development incentives.