SANTA FE SHOOTING
Santa Fe police searching for suspect in shooting, car theft
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Police in Santa Fe are searching for a suspect who shot a man in the head outside a motel before fleeing the scene in a stolen car. They say officers were called to the GreenTree Inn around 1 p.m. Saturday on a report of gunfire. When officers arrived, they reported finding a 59-year-old man the victim bleeding in the parking lot. Medics rushed the man to a hospital where he's listed in critical condition. His name hasn't been released. Police say witnesses gave them a description of the suspect and the license plate number of the stolen vehicle.
​
MARIJUANA REPEAL-ALAMOGORDO
Alamogordo repealing city ordinance on marijuana possession
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) — With New Mexico legalizing recreational marijuana, Alamogordo is repealing the city ordinance against unlawful possession that has been on the books since 1960. The Alamogordo Daily News reports that the repeal ordinance approved unanimously by the commission will take effect June 29, That's the same date that state law will allow people age 21 and over to possess up to two ounces of marijuana. Alamogordo City Attorney Petria Bengoechea said the state law will be enforced. Bengoechea also said no one is currently incarcerated for illegal marijuana possession under the ordinance being repealed since it is punishable with a fine. 

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 9 new COVID-19 cases and 4 more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation is reporting nine new confirmed COVID-19 cases and four additional deaths. Tribal health officials say the latest figures released Saturday night pushed the total number of cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago to 30,839 on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The known death toll now is 1,322. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said people must continue getting vaccinated, wear face masks and practice social distancing. 

CONGRESS-NEW MEXICO
Special House election measures political pulse after Trump
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A special congressional election is testing the pulse of politics in the Albuquerque metro area and a few outlying rural communities at a turning point in the pandemic and economic recovery. Four names are on the ballot in Tuesday's congressional election to succeed Deb Haaland after her confirmation as secretary of the U.S. Interior Department. Republican Mark Moores hopes to erode the 219-211 Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives with his hardline campaign platform on crime and immigration enforcement. Democrat Melanie Stansbury has embraced President Joe Biden's core agenda for economic recovery, free universal preschool, infrastructure and the environment. 

DRUG OVERDOSES-NEW MEXICO
Drug overdose deaths in New Mexico increase by 25% in 2020
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Drug overdose deaths in New Mexico in 2020 increased by 25% from the previous year, continuing a trend seen before the pandemic. The Albuquerque Journal reports that increased abuse of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl pumped up the number of overdose deaths to 721 in 2019, up from 574 in 2019. According to the Journal, the provisional numbers were gathered by the federal government and broken down by QuoteWizard, a division of LendingTree, according to the Journal. Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid that is prescribed for legitimate medical uses but it also is smuggled into the United States from Mexico and often trafficked illegally.

CHILD WELFARE-TRANSPARENCY
New Mexico's child welfare agency seeks tech, culture change
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's child welfare agency is promising increased transparency after its use of an auto-deleting messaging app came under fire by state lawmakers and others. The state Children, Youth and Families Department also is improving an antiquated records system that makes it hard for the public to get information. But two former top staff members who were recently fired say that a culture of punishing internal dissent is hurting the agency's efforts to modernize. One says his warnings to stop using the messaging app were ignored until an investigative report about the practice spurred public outcry. Another says the record system project is at risk of failure.

MARIJUANA REPEAL-ALAMOGORDO
Alamogordo repealing city ordinance on marijuana possession
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) — With New Mexico legalizing recreational marijuana, Alamogordo is repealing the city ordinance against unlawful possession that has been on the books since 1960. The Alamogordo Daily News reports that the repeal ordinance approved unanimously by the commission will take effect June 29, That's the same date that state law will allow people age 21 and over to possess up to two ounces of marijuana. Alamogordo City Attorney Petria Bengoechea said the state law will be enforced. Bengoechea also said no one is currently incarcerated for illegal marijuana possession under the ordinance being repealed since it is punishable with a fine. 

DRUG OVERDOSES-NEW MEXICO
Drug overdose deaths in New Mexico increase by 25% in 2020
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Drug overdose deaths in New Mexico in 2020 increased by 25% from the previous year, continuing a trend seen before the pandemic. The Albuquerque Journal reports that increased abuse of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl pumped up the number of overdose deaths to 721 in 2019, up from 574 in 2019. According to the Journal, the provisional numbers were gathered by the federal government and broken down by QuoteWizard, a division of LendingTree, according to the Journal. Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid that is prescribed for legitimate medical uses but it also is smuggled into the United States from Mexico and often trafficked illegally.

​CONGRESS-NEW MEXICO
Special House election measures political pulse after Trump
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A special congressional election is testing the pulse of politics in the Albuquerque metro area and a few outlying rural communities at a turning point in the pandemic and economic recovery. Four names are on the ballot in Tuesday's congressional election to succeed Deb Haaland after her confirmation as secretary of the U.S. Interior Department. Republican Mark Moores hopes to erode the 219-211 Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives with his hardline campaign platform on crime and immigration enforcement. Democrat Melanie Stansbury has embraced President Joe Biden's core agenda for economic recovery, free universal preschool, infrastructure and the environment. 

CHILD WELFARE-TRANSPARENCY
New Mexico's child welfare agency seeks tech, culture change
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's child welfare agency is promising increased transparency after its use of an auto-deleting messaging app came under fire by state lawmakers and others. The state Children, Youth and Families Department also is improving an antiquated records system that makes it hard for the public to get information. But two former top staff members who were recently fired say that a culture of punishing internal dissent is hurting the agency's efforts to modernize. One says his warnings to stop using the messaging app were ignored until an investigative report about the practice spurred public outcry. Another says the record system project is at risk of failure.

NEW MEXICO WEATHER
Forecasters cite risks from New Mexico storms in coming days
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The National Weather Service says forecasts for much of New Mexico in coming days could spell trouble in much of the state. The Weather Service said an "active weather pattern" possibly continuing as late as Wednesday will produce slight or marginal risks for severe weather each day. Forecasters say risks include heavy rainfall that could produce for flash flooding. According to the weather service, people undertaking outdoor activities should check forecasts frequently and plan for possible thunderstorms and flooding hazards.  Areas were forecasters are urging caution include eastern New Mexico, the Rio Grand Valley and mountains in central and northern New Mexico.

EQUAL PAY LAWSUIT-NEW MEXICO
Former pension boss sues New Mexico over pay discrimination
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The former head of New Mexico's pension system for educators is accusing Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and others of denying her equal pay. Jan Goodwin filed a federal lawsuit Thursday. She claims she forced to leave her position at the Educational Retirement Board because the administration refused to pay her the same as a male counterpart at the State Investment Council. An attorney for Goodwin says Lujan Grisham and others violated the state's Fair Pay for Women Act. The lawsuit alleges that the pay disparity goes back more than a decade. The governor's office contends the claim is baseless.

POLICE OFFICER KILLED-CONVICTIONS AFFIRMED
Court affirms convictions in Albuquerque policeman's death
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court has affirmed the convictions of a man in the fatal shooting of an Albuquerque police officer in 2015. In a unanimous opinion Thursday, the state's high court rejected Davon Lymon's arguments on appeal challenging his convictions of first-degree murder, evidence tampering, forgery, receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. In 2019, Lymon was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole for the murder plus 11½ years for the other charges. Police officer Daniel Webster was shot as he tried to handcuff Lymon, who was stopped while driving a motorcycle that police dispatchers reported was stolen.  

CHILD WELFARE-TRANSPARENCY
New Mexico's child welfare agency seeks tech, culture change
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's child welfare agency is promising increased transparency after its use of an auto-deleting messaging app came under fire by state lawmakers and others. The state Children, Youth and Families Department also is improving an antiquated records system that makes it hard for the public to get information. But two former top staff members who were recently fired say that a culture of punishing internal dissent is hurting the agency's efforts to modernize. One says his warnings to stop using the messaging app were ignored until an investigative report about the practice spurred public outcry. Another says the record system project is at risk of failure.

NEW MEXICO WEATHER
Forecasters cite risks from New Mexico storms in coming days
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The National Weather Service says forecasts for much of New Mexico in coming days could spell trouble in much of the state. The Weather Service said an "active weather pattern" possibly continuing as late as Wednesday will produce slight or marginal risks for severe weather each day. Forecasters say risks include heavy rainfall that could produce for flash flooding. According to the weather service, people undertaking outdoor activities should check forecasts frequently and plan for possible thunderstorms and flooding hazards.  Areas were forecasters are urging caution include eastern New Mexico, the Rio Grand Valley and mountains in central and northern New Mexico.

EQUAL PAY LAWSUIT-NEW MEXICO
Former pension boss sues New Mexico over pay discrimination
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The former head of New Mexico's pension system for educators is accusing Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and others of denying her equal pay. Jan Goodwin filed a federal lawsuit Thursday. She claims she forced to leave her position at the Educational Retirement Board because the administration refused to pay her the same as a male counterpart at the State Investment Council. An attorney for Goodwin says Lujan Grisham and others violated the state's Fair Pay for Women Act. The lawsuit alleges that the pay disparity goes back more than a decade. The governor's office contends the claim is baseless.

POLICE OFFICER KILLED-CONVICTIONS AFFIRMED
Court affirms convictions in Albuquerque policeman's death
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court has affirmed the convictions of a man in the fatal shooting of an Albuquerque police officer in 2015. In a unanimous opinion Thursday, the state's high court rejected Davon Lymon's arguments on appeal challenging his convictions of first-degree murder, evidence tampering, forgery, receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. In 2019, Lymon was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole for the murder plus 11½ years for the other charges. Police officer Daniel Webster was shot as he tried to handcuff Lymon, who was stopped while driving a motorcycle that police dispatchers reported was stolen.  

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 3 new COVID-19 cases: No more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Thursday reported three new confirmed COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths. Tribal health officials said the latest figures pushed the total number of cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago to 30,815 on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The known death toll now is 1,318. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said people must continue getting vaccinated, wear face masks and practice social distancing.  

THREATENING BIDEN-ARREST
Lawyer: Las Cruces resident denies threatening to kill Biden
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A defense lawyer for a New Mexico man accused of threatening to kill President Joe Biden says texts the man sent were taken out of context and were "simply political expression." According to court records, 39-year-old John Benjamin Thornton of Las Cruces was arrested Monday. A criminal complaint alleged he violated federal law by threatening in communications in interstate commerce to injure another person. Assistant Public Defender Bernadette Sedillo said Thursday that Thornton denies the allegations. Sedillo also said the messages cited in the complaint were taken out of context and represented political expression, not ""a true threat made by Mr. Thornton."

EDUCATION FUNDING-MISSED DEADLINE
New Mexico education agency missed deadline, $37M requested
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Public Education Department has missed a deadline to submit school funding data to the federal government by three days, which could cost the state millions of dollars. The Albuquerque Journal reported that the U.S. Department of Education has now asked the state to transfer more than $37.5 million from a state reserve fund by the end of the month to make distributions to local education agencies. The shortfall came after the state Public Education Department in March 2020 missed a deadline to submit an application seeking federal approval to take credit for federal aid in the state's public schools funding.

URANIUM CLEANUP
Navajos voice concern over plan to transfer uranium waste
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. nuclear regulators are considering a proposal to transfer 1 million cubic yards of waste from a former uranium mine in western New Mexico to a mill site less than a mile away as part of a cleanup effort. But indigenous activists and nuclear watchdogs say the proposal doesn't go far enough in protecting the area and surrounding Navajo communities from more contamination. The deadline to comment on a draft environmental review of the proposal is Thursday. It will be up to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to make a final decision after considering the comments.

​DEMING – Luna County is currently seeking letters of interest to fill, by appointment, four openings on the Extraterritorial Zoning Commission. 
     According to a media release, two of the appointees would serve two-year terms, and two would serve three-year terms.   
     The commission administers the extraterritorial zoning regulations imposed through the concurrent jurisdiction of the city of Deming and Luna County. 
     The commission consists of nine members serving staggered terms with the city and county each appointing four members, and the remaining member appointed at large by the eight city and county appointees. 
     Anyone interested in serving on the Extraterritorial Zoning Commission should submit a letter of interest by June 9th, 2021, to the Luna County manager's office.  
     Call 575-546-0494, option 1, with any questions. 

POLICE OFFICER KILLED-CONVICTIONS AFFIRMED
Court affirms convictions in Albuquerque policeman's death
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court has affirmed the convictions of a man in the fatal shooting of an Albuquerque police officer in 2015. In a unanimous opinion Thursday, the state's high court rejected Davon Lymon's arguments on appeal challenging his convictions of first-degree murder, evidence tampering, forgery, receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. In 2019, Lymon was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole for the murder plus 11½ years for the other charges. Police officer Daniel Webster was shot as he tried to handcuff Lymon, who was stopped while driving a motorcycle that police dispatchers reported was stolen.  

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 3 new COVID-19 cases: No more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Thursday reported three new confirmed COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths. Tribal health officials said the latest figures pushed the total number of cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago to 30,815 on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The known death toll now is 1,318. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said people must continue getting vaccinated, wear face masks and practice social distancing.  

THREATENING BIDEN-ARREST
Lawyer: Las Cruces resident denies threatening to kill Biden
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A defense lawyer for a New Mexico man accused of threatening to kill President Joe Biden says texts the man sent were taken out of context and were "simply political expression." According to court records, 39-year-old John Benjamin Thornton of Las Cruces was arrested Monday. A criminal complaint alleged he violated federal law by threatening in communications in interstate commerce to injure another person. Assistant Public Defender Bernadette Sedillo said Thursday that Thornton denies the allegations. Sedillo also said the messages cited in the complaint were taken out of context and represented political expression, not ""a true threat made by Mr. Thornton."

EDUCATION FUNDING-MISSED DEADLINE
New Mexico education agency missed deadline, $37M requested
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Public Education Department has missed a deadline to submit school funding data to the federal government by three days, which could cost the state millions of dollars. The Albuquerque Journal reported that the U.S. Department of Education has now asked the state to transfer more than $37.5 million from a state reserve fund by the end of the month to make distributions to local education agencies. The shortfall came after the state Public Education Department in March 2020 missed a deadline to submit an application seeking federal approval to take credit for federal aid in the state's public schools funding.

URANIUM CLEANUP
Navajos voice concern over plan to transfer uranium waste
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. nuclear regulators are considering a proposal to transfer 1 million cubic yards of waste from a former uranium mine in western New Mexico to a mill site less than a mile away as part of a cleanup effort. But indigenous activists and nuclear watchdogs say the proposal doesn't go far enough in protecting the area and surrounding Navajo communities from more contamination. The deadline to comment on a draft environmental review of the proposal is Thursday. It will be up to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to make a final decision after considering the comments.

WATER USAGE RECOMMENDATION
City of Farmington asks residents to reduce water use by 10%
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — City officials in New Mexico have approved a measure urging residents in Farmington to reduce their water usage by 10% as drought conditions continue throughout San Juan County. The Farmington Daily Times reported that the advisory, which asks residents to voluntarily reduce their water use to ease demand on the city's water system, will go into effect June 1. City officials said there are several ways residents can reduce their water consumption, including reducing landscaping and lawn watering, avoiding washing hard surfaces such as sidewalks, repairing indoor and outdoor leaks promptly and limiting shower time and laundry usage.

BIDEN-EMHOFF
Doug Emhoff campaigns with Democrat in New Mexico contest
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, is campaigning in New Mexico on behalf of a Democratic congressional candidate. Thursday marked his first such trip on behalf of a candidate. Emhoff appeared with Melanie Stansbury, the Democrat running in next week's special election for New Mexico's 1st Congressional District. They were joined by local labor unions and other supporters. The congressional seat came open after Rep. Deb Haaland became President Joe Biden's Interior Department secretary. Biden has endorsed Stansbury. The president and Harris have largely stayed away from political events since taking office.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports six new COVID-19 cases, 4 more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Wednesday reported six new confirmed COVID-19 cases and four additional deaths. Tribal health officials say the latest figures pushed the total number of cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago to 30,793 on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The known death toll now is 1,306. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez says people must continue getting vaccinated, wear face masks and practice social distancing.  

SUSPENDED SCHOOL BOARD
New Mexico education agency suspends Los Lunas school board
LOS LUNAS, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Public Education Department has suspended the members of the Los Lunas school board. State education officials on Wednesday said the decision was prompted by evidence that some members allegedly violated ethical standards, the state Public School Code and procurement and public access laws. The agency said it first warned the board about violations in November and that training followed in January and February. Superintendent Arsenio Romero said he couldn't comment, other than to say the school board is an integral part of the success of a school district and student outcomes and it's important that everyone is held to high standards.

LESSER PRAIRIE CHICKEN
US wildlife managers propose protections for rare chicken
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. wildlife managers are proposing federal protections for the lesser prairie chicken. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday said it will consider public comments and scientific information over the coming months before making a final determination. Once listed as a threatened species, the chicken's habitat spans parts of five states — including a portion of the oil-rich Permian Basin. Environmentalists have been pushing to reinstate protections. Landowners and the oil and gas industry have been working on voluntary conservation programs. Still, federal officials say threats remain. They are proposing to list the northern population as threatened and those in eastern New Mexico and the southern Texas Panhandle as endangered.

TEACHER BONUSES-NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque school district backtracks on COVID bonuses
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The superintendent of New Mexico's largest school district is backtracking on a promise to channel federal pandemic relief toward employee bonuses. The proposed payments of at least $6 million were thrown in doubt Wednesday after state auditors warned the bonuses could violate state constitutional provisions against giving away taxpayer dollars. Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Scott Elder said Tuesday that the constitution may prevent the district from delivering promised payments of $1,000 to full-time teachers and staff and $500 for part-timers in recognition of work since the outbreak of the pandemic. Payments were scheduled for about 12,000 employees.

WILDFIRE-FIREFIGHTER INJURED
Wyoming smokejumper critically injured in New Mexico
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Officials in Montana have identified a wildland firefighter who was critically injured while fighting a wildfire on private land in southwestern New Mexico. The Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana says Tim Hart of Cody, Wyoming was injured Monday in the Animas Mountains. Forest spokeswoman Marna Daley says Hart was injured in a hard landing after parachuting into rocky terrain. Hart is a member of an elite Hotshot crew based in West Yellowstone, Montana. The U.S. Forest Service said Hart was hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday in El Paso, Texas.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico increases COVID-19 death toll by 114 after audit
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Health officials in New Mexico have added more than 110 coronavirus-related deaths to the state death toll on Monday after completing an audit of public health records. The Albuquerque Journal reported that the state Department of Health added 114 deaths to the final report released last week. All but one death was added because of the audit. Department spokesman David Morgan said the death toll was adjusted to 4,245 virus-related deaths after the audit identified inaccurate data and addressed incomplete information, including asking hospitals in Texas that were handling COVID-19 patients from New Mexico.

MARIJUANA-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico proposes new rules for recreational pot growers
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has taken its first major regulatory steps toward legal production of recreational marijuana with the publication of a long list of proposed rules. The proposals released Tuesday for cannabis businesses outline fees, quality controls, audit requirements and criminal background checks for producers. A public comment period on the rules will culminate with a June 29 hearing as the state Regulation and Licensing Department takes control of New Mexico's legalization effort. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the legalization bill last month. It calls for recreational marijuana sales to start no later than April 1, 2022.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports six new COVID-19 cases, 4 more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Wednesday reported six new confirmed COVID-19 cases and four additional deaths. Tribal health officials say the latest figures pushed the total number of cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago to 30,793 on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The known death toll now is 1,306. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez says people must continue getting vaccinated, wear face masks and practice social distancing.  ​