IMMIGRATION-FAMILY DETENTION-THE LATEST
The Latest: Government takes step to dismantle agreement
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — The U.S. government has taken a major step to end a decades-old agreement governing the conditions and length of time in which immigrant children can be held.
Government attorneys filed a notice of termination for what's largely known as the Flores settlement agreement on Friday night.
They say there have been significant changes in the law and in practice since the agreement was signed in 1997 and that new federal regulations issued last week implement the terms of the agreement.
The agreement is supposed to end when the government has adopted its rules through regulation. But immigrant advocates say the new regulation, which would allow the government to detain families with children indefinitely and for much longer than it's allowed now, "would eviscerate the settlement's crucial protections for vulnerable children."
The government's request has to be approved by a judge.
_____
DRUG BUST-NEW MEXICO
Federal authorities seize $4 million in drugs in New Mexico
LAGUNA PUEBLO, N.M. (AP) — Federal officials say officers seized 85 pounds of drugs on a road that runs through a reservation in New Mexico.
Interior Department officials said Thursday that the bust happened within the boundaries of the Laguna Indian Reservation west of Albuquerque.
The drugs purportedly had a street value of more than $4 million.
Drugs seized included 82.8 pounds of methamphetamine, 2.4 pounds of heroin and 2,000 cigarette cartridges with a THC, the psychoactive element in marijuana.
The Interior Department's statement did not identify the person arrested in the bust.
GREEN BONDS-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico forgoes green bonds on energy efficiency projects
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is foregoing green-bond financing that has the potential to attract socially conscious investors as it forges ahead with energy efficiency improvements to a fleet of state buildings in Santa Fe.
The New Mexico Finance Authority found few prospects for savings on borrowing costs after studying the bond market for borrowing money to finance environmentally minded infrastructure projects.
Correspondence by the finance authority indicates that separately bundled bonds for the Santa Fe energy efficiency project would be too small of an offering to attract competition from investors. Tax-exempt bonds without green certification were sold in June.
Installation of solar window film began this month at state offices. The General Services Department expects to reduce utility costs by 50% at revamped buildings and save $1.1 million annually by contract.
CARLSBAD POLICE SHOOTING
Authorities: Teen killed by police in Carlsbad fired gun
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — State authorities say an officer in a small city in New Mexico shot and killed a 16-year-old after the youth brandished a pistol and opened fire.
New Mexico State Police say they are investigating the shooting that happened Thursday in Carlsbad.
The Carlsbad Police Department detective who opened fire was not identified.
Authorities say officers were investigating a homicide and searching for 16-year-old Randall Gamboa at an apartment complex when they saw him walking and approached him.
Authorities say the teen shot at police, prompting the detective to open fire.
Authorities say Gamboa died at Carlsbad Medical Center.
Authorities say they believe the gun he had on him was the same one used in the homicide that police were investigating.
State police say their investigation is ongoing.
JAIL INMATE DEATH
Sheriff investigates jail inmate's death in New Mexico
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say an inmate at a southern New Mexico jail died after becoming ill and collapsing in his cell.
The Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office says it is investigating the death of 47-year-old Zachary Barela. He had been jailed for a year and 10 months.
The Office of the Medical Examiner is also investigating, and an autopsy at the agency's facility in Albuquerque is pending.
Sheriff's officials say Barela became sick on Wednesday evening and collapsed around 10:20 p.m.
Authorities say Barela had not reported medical issues at the jail, where he was booked in October 2017 on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault on an officer and shooting at a home.
NEW MEXICO ENERGY FUTURE
Fight over energy law heads to New Mexico Supreme Court
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Environmentalists and the state's largest electric utility are asking the New Mexico Supreme Court to settle a dispute over whether the state's new energy law must be considered as regulators deliberate the planned closure of a coal-fired power plant.
The groups petitioned the court Thursday to force the Public Regulation Commission to take into account the Energy Transition Act as part of the proceedings over shuttering the San Juan Generating Station.
Aside from mandating more renewable energy, the measure includes a financing mechanism that supporters say is necessary for the plant's closure in 2022.
The law allows Public Service Co. of New Mexico and other owners of San Juan to recover investments by selling bonds that will be paid off by utility customers. The bonds will fund decommissioning costs and job training programs for displaced workers.
WEST NILE VIRUS-NEW MEXICO
More West Nile cases reported in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials say five more cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in the state since the first human case was reported in early August.
The Health Department says the new cases were reported in Bernalillo, Doña Ana, San Juan and Valencia counties.
New Mexico has had cases of West Nile every year since the virus migrated to the state in 2003. There were seven cases in 2018 and 33 cases in 2017.
West Nile virus is most commonly spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. There are no vaccines to prevent it or medications to treat it.
Officials say five of the six cases this year resulted in neuro-invasive disease, the most severe form of the disease. One case resulted in uncomplicated West Nile fever.
The Latest: Government takes step to dismantle agreement
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — The U.S. government has taken a major step to end a decades-old agreement governing the conditions and length of time in which immigrant children can be held.
Government attorneys filed a notice of termination for what's largely known as the Flores settlement agreement on Friday night.
They say there have been significant changes in the law and in practice since the agreement was signed in 1997 and that new federal regulations issued last week implement the terms of the agreement.
The agreement is supposed to end when the government has adopted its rules through regulation. But immigrant advocates say the new regulation, which would allow the government to detain families with children indefinitely and for much longer than it's allowed now, "would eviscerate the settlement's crucial protections for vulnerable children."
The government's request has to be approved by a judge.
_____
DRUG BUST-NEW MEXICO
Federal authorities seize $4 million in drugs in New Mexico
LAGUNA PUEBLO, N.M. (AP) — Federal officials say officers seized 85 pounds of drugs on a road that runs through a reservation in New Mexico.
Interior Department officials said Thursday that the bust happened within the boundaries of the Laguna Indian Reservation west of Albuquerque.
The drugs purportedly had a street value of more than $4 million.
Drugs seized included 82.8 pounds of methamphetamine, 2.4 pounds of heroin and 2,000 cigarette cartridges with a THC, the psychoactive element in marijuana.
The Interior Department's statement did not identify the person arrested in the bust.
GREEN BONDS-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico forgoes green bonds on energy efficiency projects
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is foregoing green-bond financing that has the potential to attract socially conscious investors as it forges ahead with energy efficiency improvements to a fleet of state buildings in Santa Fe.
The New Mexico Finance Authority found few prospects for savings on borrowing costs after studying the bond market for borrowing money to finance environmentally minded infrastructure projects.
Correspondence by the finance authority indicates that separately bundled bonds for the Santa Fe energy efficiency project would be too small of an offering to attract competition from investors. Tax-exempt bonds without green certification were sold in June.
Installation of solar window film began this month at state offices. The General Services Department expects to reduce utility costs by 50% at revamped buildings and save $1.1 million annually by contract.
CARLSBAD POLICE SHOOTING
Authorities: Teen killed by police in Carlsbad fired gun
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — State authorities say an officer in a small city in New Mexico shot and killed a 16-year-old after the youth brandished a pistol and opened fire.
New Mexico State Police say they are investigating the shooting that happened Thursday in Carlsbad.
The Carlsbad Police Department detective who opened fire was not identified.
Authorities say officers were investigating a homicide and searching for 16-year-old Randall Gamboa at an apartment complex when they saw him walking and approached him.
Authorities say the teen shot at police, prompting the detective to open fire.
Authorities say Gamboa died at Carlsbad Medical Center.
Authorities say they believe the gun he had on him was the same one used in the homicide that police were investigating.
State police say their investigation is ongoing.
JAIL INMATE DEATH
Sheriff investigates jail inmate's death in New Mexico
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say an inmate at a southern New Mexico jail died after becoming ill and collapsing in his cell.
The Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office says it is investigating the death of 47-year-old Zachary Barela. He had been jailed for a year and 10 months.
The Office of the Medical Examiner is also investigating, and an autopsy at the agency's facility in Albuquerque is pending.
Sheriff's officials say Barela became sick on Wednesday evening and collapsed around 10:20 p.m.
Authorities say Barela had not reported medical issues at the jail, where he was booked in October 2017 on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault on an officer and shooting at a home.
NEW MEXICO ENERGY FUTURE
Fight over energy law heads to New Mexico Supreme Court
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Environmentalists and the state's largest electric utility are asking the New Mexico Supreme Court to settle a dispute over whether the state's new energy law must be considered as regulators deliberate the planned closure of a coal-fired power plant.
The groups petitioned the court Thursday to force the Public Regulation Commission to take into account the Energy Transition Act as part of the proceedings over shuttering the San Juan Generating Station.
Aside from mandating more renewable energy, the measure includes a financing mechanism that supporters say is necessary for the plant's closure in 2022.
The law allows Public Service Co. of New Mexico and other owners of San Juan to recover investments by selling bonds that will be paid off by utility customers. The bonds will fund decommissioning costs and job training programs for displaced workers.
WEST NILE VIRUS-NEW MEXICO
More West Nile cases reported in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials say five more cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in the state since the first human case was reported in early August.
The Health Department says the new cases were reported in Bernalillo, Doña Ana, San Juan and Valencia counties.
New Mexico has had cases of West Nile every year since the virus migrated to the state in 2003. There were seven cases in 2018 and 33 cases in 2017.
West Nile virus is most commonly spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. There are no vaccines to prevent it or medications to treat it.
Officials say five of the six cases this year resulted in neuro-invasive disease, the most severe form of the disease. One case resulted in uncomplicated West Nile fever.
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