TEACHERS-INSURANCE PREMIUMS
Thousands of New Mexico teachers to see insurance cost jump
(Information from: KRQE-TV, http://www.krqe.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Thousands of New Mexico educators will see their insurance premiums jump next month after state lawmakers handed out big raises.
KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reports the New Mexico Public Schools Insurance Authority, the agency insuring more than 30,000 educators statewide, is raising insurance premiums on both its medical and dental plans in October.
For "low" tier medical plans, premiums will rise 3.1%, costing an additional $5 to $16 per month depending on how many people are covered by the plan.
For "high" tier plans, premiums will rise 5.9%, costing an additional $7 to $41 per month.
Dental plan premiums will also be increased by 5%.
Albuquerque Teachers Federation union president Ellen Bernstein says she has already heard from educators who are concerned about premium price hikes.
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MAN ROBS MOM
Police: New Mexico man robbed mom, stole her car
(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.santafenewmexican.com)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A northern New Mexico man is facing charges after police say he robbed his mother for drug money then stole her car.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports 43-year-old Cecilio "Leon" Vigil was arrested Sunday following a high-speed chase in Espanola, New Mexico.
According to a criminal complaint, Vigil's mother called police saying that her son had taken her purse and her white 2006 Hyundai Sonata.
Police say the suspect led police through a high-speed chase until he crashed his car.
Police say a sergeant used a stun gun to subdue Vigil.
Vigil was charged with robbery, aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer, motor vehicle theft and resisting officers.
It was not known if he had an attorney.
___
JEFFREY EPSTEIN-NEW MEXICO-THE LATEST
The Latest: New Mexico cancels lease at remote Epstein ranch
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The state land commissioner is canceling grazing land leases at deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein's secluded ranch in central New Mexico that she says were used to cast a veil of secrecy.
Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard on Wednesday notified holding company Cypress Inc. that leases have been canceled on two state trust land parcels at Epstein's Zorro Ranch near the town of Stanley.
Epstein killed himself in a New York jail cell Aug. 10 while awaiting his sex trafficking trial and inquiries continue into whether his alleged crimes were abetted.
Garcia Richard says access to inspect a state holding within the private ranch was refused repeatedly in August. She also cites misrepresentations in the lease application process that include appraisements signed by former Epstein girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.
OVERDOSE DEATHS-NEW MEXICO
Drug overdose deaths on the rise in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials say the number of drug overdose deaths in the state increased in 2018, largely due to methamphetamine use.
The Health Department reported Wednesday that overall drug overdose deaths among residents rose more than 9% from 491 in 2017 to 537 in 2018.
That marked the second largest number of overdose deaths recorded in the state. There were 540 deaths in 2014.
Officials say methamphetamines were the driver for last year's overdose death rates. More than one-third of overdose deaths involved methamphetamine in 2018, up from 31 percent in 2017 and 12 percent in 2012.
Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel says her agency's work to address drug use is evolving and that the focus will include meth use as well as ongoing efforts aimed at prescription drug abuse.
BORDER WALL-MILITARY FUNDING-NEW MEXICO
$125M for New Mexico defense projects going to border wall
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Federal authorities want to divert $125 million from two planned projects at New Mexico military bases to help to build part of President Donald Trump's wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Members of the New Mexico congressional delegation were informed Wednesday of the Department of Defense's decision.
Funding is expected to be diverted from an $85 million project for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle training facility at Holloman Air Force Base and from a $40 million project for an information systems facility at White Sands Missile Range.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper approved the use of $3.6 billion in funding diverted from 127 military construction projects to build 175 miles of the wall along the southern border.
URANIUM-MOUNT TAYLOR
Environmentalists want New Mexico mine's return blocked
(Information from: Gallup Independent, http://www.gallupindependent.com)
GRANTS, N.M. (AP) — Two environmental groups are asking a New Mexico appeals court to review a ruling that would allow an idle uranium mine in western New Mexico to become active again.
The Gallup Independent reports the Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment and Amigos Bravos have asked the New Mexico Court of Appeals to review a lower court ruling that upheld the New Mexico Mining Commission's decision to permit the Mount Taylor Mine to return to active status.
In July, state District Judge Francis Mathew affirmed the decision.
The mine operated from 1980 to 1982 and from 1985 to 1990, prior to the New Mexico Mining Act.
Operator Chevron Resources sold the mine to Rio Grand Resources in 1991.
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BORDER WALL-MILITARY FUNDING
Pentagon sidelines 127 building projects to fund border wall
WASHINGTON (AP) — A total of 127 military construction projects are being sidelined by a Pentagon decision to shift $3.6 billion to build part of President Donald Trump's border wall.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper approved the transfer of funds on Tuesday. Officials say details about the projects losing their funding will be released after Congress is notified.
The Pentagon comptroller says the projects are being "deferred" and not cancelled, though there is no guarantee the funding will be restored by Congress.
The money is to be used to build 175 miles of wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Congress approved $1.375 billion for wall construction in this year's budget, same as the previous year but far less than the $5.7 billion that the White House sought.
Thousands of New Mexico teachers to see insurance cost jump
(Information from: KRQE-TV, http://www.krqe.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Thousands of New Mexico educators will see their insurance premiums jump next month after state lawmakers handed out big raises.
KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reports the New Mexico Public Schools Insurance Authority, the agency insuring more than 30,000 educators statewide, is raising insurance premiums on both its medical and dental plans in October.
For "low" tier medical plans, premiums will rise 3.1%, costing an additional $5 to $16 per month depending on how many people are covered by the plan.
For "high" tier plans, premiums will rise 5.9%, costing an additional $7 to $41 per month.
Dental plan premiums will also be increased by 5%.
Albuquerque Teachers Federation union president Ellen Bernstein says she has already heard from educators who are concerned about premium price hikes.
___
MAN ROBS MOM
Police: New Mexico man robbed mom, stole her car
(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.santafenewmexican.com)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A northern New Mexico man is facing charges after police say he robbed his mother for drug money then stole her car.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports 43-year-old Cecilio "Leon" Vigil was arrested Sunday following a high-speed chase in Espanola, New Mexico.
According to a criminal complaint, Vigil's mother called police saying that her son had taken her purse and her white 2006 Hyundai Sonata.
Police say the suspect led police through a high-speed chase until he crashed his car.
Police say a sergeant used a stun gun to subdue Vigil.
Vigil was charged with robbery, aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer, motor vehicle theft and resisting officers.
It was not known if he had an attorney.
___
JEFFREY EPSTEIN-NEW MEXICO-THE LATEST
The Latest: New Mexico cancels lease at remote Epstein ranch
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The state land commissioner is canceling grazing land leases at deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein's secluded ranch in central New Mexico that she says were used to cast a veil of secrecy.
Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard on Wednesday notified holding company Cypress Inc. that leases have been canceled on two state trust land parcels at Epstein's Zorro Ranch near the town of Stanley.
Epstein killed himself in a New York jail cell Aug. 10 while awaiting his sex trafficking trial and inquiries continue into whether his alleged crimes were abetted.
Garcia Richard says access to inspect a state holding within the private ranch was refused repeatedly in August. She also cites misrepresentations in the lease application process that include appraisements signed by former Epstein girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.
OVERDOSE DEATHS-NEW MEXICO
Drug overdose deaths on the rise in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials say the number of drug overdose deaths in the state increased in 2018, largely due to methamphetamine use.
The Health Department reported Wednesday that overall drug overdose deaths among residents rose more than 9% from 491 in 2017 to 537 in 2018.
That marked the second largest number of overdose deaths recorded in the state. There were 540 deaths in 2014.
Officials say methamphetamines were the driver for last year's overdose death rates. More than one-third of overdose deaths involved methamphetamine in 2018, up from 31 percent in 2017 and 12 percent in 2012.
Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel says her agency's work to address drug use is evolving and that the focus will include meth use as well as ongoing efforts aimed at prescription drug abuse.
BORDER WALL-MILITARY FUNDING-NEW MEXICO
$125M for New Mexico defense projects going to border wall
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Federal authorities want to divert $125 million from two planned projects at New Mexico military bases to help to build part of President Donald Trump's wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Members of the New Mexico congressional delegation were informed Wednesday of the Department of Defense's decision.
Funding is expected to be diverted from an $85 million project for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle training facility at Holloman Air Force Base and from a $40 million project for an information systems facility at White Sands Missile Range.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper approved the use of $3.6 billion in funding diverted from 127 military construction projects to build 175 miles of the wall along the southern border.
URANIUM-MOUNT TAYLOR
Environmentalists want New Mexico mine's return blocked
(Information from: Gallup Independent, http://www.gallupindependent.com)
GRANTS, N.M. (AP) — Two environmental groups are asking a New Mexico appeals court to review a ruling that would allow an idle uranium mine in western New Mexico to become active again.
The Gallup Independent reports the Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment and Amigos Bravos have asked the New Mexico Court of Appeals to review a lower court ruling that upheld the New Mexico Mining Commission's decision to permit the Mount Taylor Mine to return to active status.
In July, state District Judge Francis Mathew affirmed the decision.
The mine operated from 1980 to 1982 and from 1985 to 1990, prior to the New Mexico Mining Act.
Operator Chevron Resources sold the mine to Rio Grand Resources in 1991.
___
BORDER WALL-MILITARY FUNDING
Pentagon sidelines 127 building projects to fund border wall
WASHINGTON (AP) — A total of 127 military construction projects are being sidelined by a Pentagon decision to shift $3.6 billion to build part of President Donald Trump's border wall.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper approved the transfer of funds on Tuesday. Officials say details about the projects losing their funding will be released after Congress is notified.
The Pentagon comptroller says the projects are being "deferred" and not cancelled, though there is no guarantee the funding will be restored by Congress.
The money is to be used to build 175 miles of wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Congress approved $1.375 billion for wall construction in this year's budget, same as the previous year but far less than the $5.7 billion that the White House sought.
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