SEXUAL MISCONDUCT-NEW MEXICO
Panel: 'Evidence' New Mexico lawmaker harassed lobbyist
(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.santafenewmexican.com)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Investigators say there is "credible evidence" a New Mexico state lawmaker, who recently lost in the Democratic primary, sexually harassed a lobbyist on two separate occasions.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports a new 43-page report by a special counsel backed up two allegations by Animal Protection Voters staffer Laura Bonar that state Rep. Carl Trujillo made inappropriate advances toward her.
A bipartisan subcommittee was elected late last week to press ahead with a case against Trujillo and hold an open hearing on the matter before a larger panel of legislators.
Trujillo has adamantly denied any wrongdoing and a lawyer representing him said Saturday that the lawmaker will continue to fight the allegations.
Trujillo lost a primary election in June to upstart candidate Andrea Romero.
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GALLUP-TOURISM BOOM
New Mexico city near Navajo Nation sees tourism jump
(Information from: Gallup Independent, http://www.gallupindependent.com)
GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — A western New Mexico city surrounded by Navajo culture and Native arts and crafts is experiencing a tourism boom not seen since the 1970s.
The Gallup Independent reports officials in Gallup, New Mexico, says the city has seen an increase of around 7 to 10 percent in visitors thanks to foreign tourists.
Officials believe a favorable exchange rate and increased interest by the media in anything to do with Native culture and crafts led to millions of foreigners vacationing in the United States each summer.
Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce director Bill Lee says the area is seeing visitors from Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France and Belgium.
Gallup is located on the edge of the Navajo Nation and sits along the historic Route 66.
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HOBBS-UNITED AIRLINES
Lea County, Hobbs continue subsidies for Houston flight
(Information from: Hobbs News-Sun, http://www.hobbsnews.com)
LOVINGTON, N.M. (AP) — A southeastern New Mexico county and city are guaranteeing United Airlines a subsidy of $2.3 million for the airline to maintain commercial flight service to Houston.
The Hobbs News-Sun reports Lea County approved last week a memo of understanding to provide regular jet service between the Lea County Regional Airport and Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
United Airlines flies twice-daily nonstop flights between Hobbs and Houston.
The agreement requires subsidy payments from the city and county to maintain the commercial airline service, with the city and county each agreeing to provide a subsidy of up to $1.15 million.
The amount of subsidy is based on the percentage of seats filled.
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CONGRESS-IMMIGRATION
Senators seek answers about migrant family separations
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee is demanding answers from federal immigration officials about the Trump administration's separation of migrant children from their families and its struggle to reunite them.
But a hearing scheduled for Tuesday on the topic may have a wider focus after the committee's bipartisan leaders asked federal investigators to probe reports of sexual and other abuse of immigrants at government detention facilities.
The committee chairman, Republican Chuck Grassley of Iowa, and top panel Democrat Dianne Feinstein of California asked late Monday for an examination of alleged sexual, physical and emotional mistreatment of immigrants held at agency facilities. The senators say the problems may have been occurring since 2014 or earlier.
The request for the investigation elevates yet another issue to the Trump administration's list of immigration headaches.

ALBUQUERQUE-FATAL SHOOTING
Albuquerque police ID man who shot girlfriend, then himself
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police have released the name of man who shot his estranged girlfriend before killing himself at a northeast Albuquerque gas station.
They say 61-year-old Wendell Hargrove died at a hospital Saturday.
His 56-year-old estranged girlfriend remains in critical but stable condition.
Albuquerque police were called to the gas station Saturday afternoon for reports that a man and a woman had been shot.
Court records show Hargrove had been with the woman for about 11 years.
He was arrested in September 2005 and charged with several crimes including aggravated battery against a household member and stalking after his ex-wife reported that he broke into her apartment.
Records show Hargrove was sentenced to 18 months in jail.

VEHICLE SEIZURE PROGRAM
Judge: Albuquerque vehicle seizure program unconstitutional
(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A federal judge has found the vehicle seizure program operated in Albuquerque to be unconstitutional.
A lawsuit was filed against the city over the program.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Monday that U.S. District Court Judge James Browning found the program unconstitutional in part because it required vehicle owners to prove their innocence after their car was taken.
Mayor Tim Keller's administration previously said that it would give vehicle owners who weren't driving when their car was seized more protections.
The city for years has operated a seizure program that allowed police to take cars from anyone arrested on suspicion of a second or subsequent drunken driving case, or someone arrested for driving on a revoked license.
The police would take the vehicles regardless of whether the driver owned the vehicle.
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CRASH-ARKANSAS WOMAN KILLED
Police: Arkansas woman dies in New Mexico vehicle accident
GRANTS, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say an Arkansas woman has died in a vehicle accident in New Mexico.
New Mexico State Police identified the victim Monday as 63-year-old Mary Barrett Miller of Fayetteville.
They say the accident occurred about 2 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 40 west of Grants.
State Police say Miller was a passenger in a pickup truck that left the roadway for unknown reasons and struck an overpass support barrier.
Miller was pronounced dead at the scene.
State Police say the 62-year-old man driving the truck also was from Fayetteville and was airlifted to a trauma center with unknown injuries.
His name wasn't immediately released.
State Police say alcohol doesn't appear to be a contributing factor to the crash, which remains under investigation.
​
SENATE-NEW MEXICO-THE LATEST
The Latest: Libertarian US Senate hopeful in New Mexico out
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Libertarian Party U.S senatorial candidate Aubrey Dunn is expected to announce that he is quitting the race, opening the door for former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson to jump in.
Dunn is scheduled to unveil Monday his reasons why he is leaving the race in New Mexico where he was to face Democratic incumbent Sen. Martin Heinrich and Republican Mick Rich in November.
Dunn is the current New Mexico Land Commissioner and won that seat in 2014 as a Republican.
Johnson consultant Ron Nielson told The Associated Press on Friday the former governor is "strongly considering" running if Dunn quits the race.
Johnson garnered 3 percent of the vote against President Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. He ran as the Libertarian Party candidate.

​NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR
Lujan Grisham, Pearce push dueling anti-poverty proposals
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico gubernatorial hopefuls Democrat Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Republican Rep. Steve Pearce are pushing dueling economic plans aimed at tackling poverty in one of the nation's poorest states.
Lujan Grisham released last week her "7-point plan" that would address poverty by raising the minimum wage to $10 per hour statewide and adding more regulation against payday lenders.
Pearce is scheduled Monday to unveil a new proposal he said would create jobs and increase investment in New Mexico.
An annual report in June showed New Mexico fell to last place in child well-being as the number of children in the state living in poverty and without health insurance increased.
The Kids Count analysis also found that 30 percent of New Mexico children were living at or below the federal poverty level in 2016.

SENATE-NEW MEXICO
Libertarian US Senate hopeful in New Mexico to quit race
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Libertarian Party U.S senatorial candidate Aubrey Dunn is expected to announce that he is quitting the race, opening the door for former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson to jump in.
Dunn is scheduled to unveil Monday his reasons why he is leaving the race in New Mexico where he was to face Democratic incumbent Sen. Martin Heinrich and Republican Mick Rich in November.
Dunn is the current New Mexico Land Commissioner and won that seat in 2014 as a Republican.
Johnson consultant Ron Nielson told The Associated Press on Friday the former governor is "strongly considering" running if Dunn quits the race.
Johnson garnered 3 percent of the vote against President Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. He ran as the Libertarian Party candidate.

TROUBLED NEW MEXICO CITY
Troubled New Mexico city still lacks police chief, manager
(Information from: Las Vegas Optic, http://www.lasvegasoptic.com)
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — A northern New Mexico city plagued by lawsuits from former workers over conflicts with the mayor still doesn't have a police chief, a city attorney or a city manager.
And it's unclear when the city of Las Vegas will hire them.
The Las Vegas Optic reports Las Vegas Mayor Tonita Gurule-Girlon still has not made the appointments after two months.
Gurule-Giron has repeatedly said the delays come as contracts are being drawn up by the city's contract attorney for various positions that would help fill other vacancies.
But the delays come as Gurule-Giron has clashed with city council over hires.
Three former city workers, including former Las Vegas City Attorney Dave Romero, are suing Las Vegas over their terminations.
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NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE
City approves resolution opposing nuclear storage facility
(Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com)
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Las Cruces has become the latest community in New Mexico to voice opposition to building a nuclear waste storage facility in the southeast corner of the state.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports the Las Cruces City Council on Monday approved a resolution opposing the transport and storage of high-level nuclear waste in the state.
Holtec International, a New Jersey-based company specializing in nuclear storage, has applied to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a license to construct a nuclear waste storage facility about 35 miles east of Carlsbad.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is accepting public comment on the proposal through July 30. The council voted in support of the resolution after discussing the issue for nearly two-and-a-half hours.
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ALBUQUERQUE-GAS STATION SHOOTING
Man shot at Albuquerque gas station dies; Woman in hospital
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police in Albuquerque say a man who was shot at a gas station in the city has died.
They say the man may have shot the woman and then turned the gun on himself.
Officers were called to the scene around 2:30 p.m. Saturday and found a man and woman with gunshot wounds.
Both were taken to a hospital.
Police say the man later died and the woman remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Their names and ages haven't been released yet.

ALBUQUERQUE-FATAL SHOOTING
1 dead after a shooting at an Albuquerque apartment complex
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a shooting at a northeast Albuquerque apartment complex has left one person dead.
Police say officers responded to the shooting around 10 p.m. Saturday and found a person shot who died at the scene.
The name and gender of the victim haven't been disclosed yet.
Police say there are no suspects in custody yet and information on the fatal shooting is limited.

WOUNDED SOLDIER-REUNION
Florida airman meets soldier who saved his life
(Information from: Citrus County Chronicle (Crystal River, Fla.), http://www.chronicle-online.com)
INVERNESS, Fla. (AP) — A Florida airman who was seriously wounded in the Vietnam War was reunited with one of the two soldiers who saved his life, 51 years after he was shot.
Lyle Davis of Inverness, Florida met up with Chuck Henry for the first time since Henry and another soldier saved Davis' life by taking his ID car and taping it over a hole in Davis' chest. The reunion took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico last April.
Henry tells the Citrus County Chronicle it was heartwarming to see that Davis had survived the attack and gone on to live a rewarding civilian life.
Davis says he was happy to hear for the first time how he was shot during the attack on the Tan Son Nhut Air Base in South Vietnam.
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CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES-WEARY FIREFIGHTERS
Crews lament longer fire season that spawns erratic blazes
ANDERSON, California (AP) — Some 12,000 firefighters are working 24-hour shifts battling deadly California wildfires.
The exhausted and hungry crews are becoming resigned to fire seasons that start earlier and burn longer and unleash increasingly unpredictable blazes. For many of the firefighters slamming down 9,000-calorie meals between shifts, the nonstop effort has become routine.
Crews made progress this weekend on the Carr Fire near Redding, about 230 miles (370 kilometers) north of San Francisco. But it was still threatening thousands of homes and wasn't expected to be fully contained until mid-August at the earliest.
The hotter, drier conditions mean firefighters are trained to take a "tactical pause" to reconsider before charging in against the flames. Cal Fire Capt. Chris Anthony says fires are now more likely to take a "sudden and deadly turn."

ALBUQUERQUE SHOOTING
Man shot at Albuquerque gas station dies; Woman in hospital
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police in Albuquerque say a man who was shot at a gas station in the city has died.
They say the man may have shot the woman and then turned the gun on himself.
Officers were called to the scene around 2:30 p.m. Saturday and found a man and woman with gunshot wounds.
Both were taken to a hospital.
Police say the man later died and the woman remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Their names and ages haven't been released yet.

ALBUQUERQUE-FATAL SHOOTING
1 dead after a shooting at an Albuquerque apartment complex
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a shooting at a northeast Albuquerque apartment complex has left one person dead.
Police say officers responded to the shooting around 10 p.m. Saturday and found a person shot who died at the scene.
The name and gender of the victim haven't been disclosed yet.
Police say there are no suspects in custody yet and information on the fatal shooting is limited.

CRIME TIP ORGANIZATION-ARREST
Director of crime-tip group accused of embezzlement, resigns
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — The former executive director of Crime Stoppers, a San Juan County organization that seeks anonymous crime-solving tips, has been arrested on charges alleging she embezzled more than $2,300.
A criminal complaint accuses 31-year-old Carlee Hooper with embezzlement and tampering with evidence, and an arrest warrant affidavit alleges she made unreported charges by using a bank card attached to a Crime Stoppers bank account and deleted evidence on a Crime Stoppers phone.
The Daily Times reports that defense attorney Shellie Patscheck says Hooper didn't have any malicious intent and that the accusations against her client are based solely on account discrepancies.
Crime Stoppers board Chairman Curtis McGee says Hooper has resigned as executive director and that the organization wants to maintain the integrity of its work with the county Sheriff's Office.

BERNALILLO COUNTY-GRAND JURIES
Court to hold more preliminary hearings, fewer grand juries
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Court officials for New Mexico's populous county plan to drastically reduce use of closed-door grand juries to charge criminal defendants, instead having judges hold more preliminary hearings in open court to hear testimony.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that officials for the 2nd Judicial District Court serving Bernalillo County say the change in how it's decided whether there is probable cause to support formal charges should save money and mean cases are vetted early on.
The change has the backing of the chief public defender who says it will lead to earlier resolutions of some bases but the district attorney says it'll make launching new criminal cases more challenging and resource intensive.
Prosecutors in Bernalillo County now use grand juries to issue indictments in the vast majority of felony cases.

SINGING COP
Espanola officers have fun lip-syncing funky "Low Rider"
(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.santafenewmexican.com)
ESPANOLA, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico police officers are joining a lip-sync challenge aimed at boosting the profiles of their agencies to recruit new officers and to showcase their musical talents.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the Espanola Police Department's video, released earlier this month, features several officers lip-syncing and dancing to 1975's "Low Rider" by the funk band War while surrounded by lowriders.
In the video, Espanola Police Chief Louis Carlos and Deputy Chief Roger Jimenez say the challenge could give the department an opportunity to show its human side.
The police department says most of the response to the video has been positive.
The video came out just in time for the city's Lowrider Day, which celebrates lowrider culture.
Police departments from Seattle to Texas have also participated in the challenge.
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SENATE-NEW MEXICO-GARY JOHNSON
APNewsBreak: Gary Johnson mulling run for US Senate
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Former Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson is considering jumping into the race for U.S. Senate in New Mexico as the current Libertarian candidate prepares to drops out.
Johnson consultant Ron Nielson told The Associated Press on Friday that the former New Mexico governor is "strongly considering" running for U.S. Senate if Libertarian candidate Aubrey Dunn quits the race.
Aubrey's son, attorney Blair Dunn, told the AP that his father was dropping out of the race and would release more details on Monday.
Libertarian Party of New Mexico Chair Chris Luchini said it was his understanding that Dunn was quitting.
The 65-year-old Johnson would go against Democratic incumbent Sen. Martin Heinrich and Republican Mick Rich in November.
Johnson garnered 3 percent of the vote in the 2016 presidential election.

FATAL STABBING-CONVICTION
Michigan man convicted of murder in Albuquerque stabbing
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A Michigan man whose case figured in a New Mexico ruling on pretrial detention of murder defendants has been convicted in a 2017 fatal stabbing in Albuquerque.
The state Attorney General's Office says Muhammad Ameer of Flint faces a mandatory life sentence after being convicted Friday of first-degree murder and armed robbery in the killing of 30-year-old Aaron Sieben near a gas station.
The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled in Ameer's case that judges can't deny a defendant bail because that person is accused of a crime that would have qualified for capital punishment had the state still allowed death sentences.
The ruling said first-degree murder isn't currently a constitutionally defined capital offense that would authorize a judge to categorically deny bail. New Mexico abolished the death penalty in 2009.

POTENTIAL TRUSTEE-TAMPERING
New Mexico college trustee hopeful pleaded guilty to felony
(Information from: Las Vegas Optic, http://www.lasvegasoptic.com)
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — An applicant for a northern New Mexico community college board of trustee once pleaded guilty to jury tampering.
The Las Vegas Optic reports District 2 Luna Community College Board of Trustees hopeful Mark Dominguez pleaded guilty in February 2009 to jury tampering, a third-degree felony.
Under an agreement with the court, he was able to avoid having a felony conviction on his record by completing a conditional discharge period ordered by Judge Abigail Aragon.
Luna Interim President Ricky Serna told the Optic all applicants will be screened to be sure they meet the requirements to be a trustee, including whether they have a felony conviction.

OFFICER-EXTORTION-VOYEURISM
Former Las Cruces officer gets probation for extortion
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A former Las Cruces police officer who pleaded no contest to extorting a woman by offering to delete explicit photos in exchange for sex has been sentenced.
KDBC-TV in El Paso, Texas, reports William D. Gonzalez was sentenced Thursday to 3 1/2 years of probation after authorities say he sent more than 100 text messages to the woman and called her 30 times over a three-day period.
He pleaded no contest to extortion, voyeurism and harassment.
Police say the 31-year-old Gonzalez threatened to publicly reveal naked photos of the woman after she refused to respond to his messages. Authorities say Gonzalez obtained the photos without her permission.
Gonzalez also pleaded no contest to indecent exposure earlier last year.

XCEL ENERGY-TRANSMISSION
Xcel dedicates transmission line linking New Mexico, Texas
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Xcel Energy has finished the first segment of a $400 million transmission project that will deliver power from a hub in West Texas to southeastern New Mexico's booming oil and gas region.
Officials gathered Thursday in New Mexico to dedicate an 86-mile transmission line that stretches from Hobbs to Carlsbad.
The company says the rapid growth of energy development in New Mexico happened in an area with few major transmission lines. As part of initiative launched in 2011, Xcel planned for new lines to boost capacity and to broaden the electricity import and export market.
Xcel says it has seen more requests for new electricity supplies in southeastern New Mexico in recent years. On July 19, the system that serves portions of New Mexico and Texas handled a record demand of 6,151 megawatts when temperatures reached triple digits.

SUPREME COURT-CONVICTION UPHELD
New Mexico Supreme Court upholds conviction in 2013 slayings
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a man who fatally shot a father and daughter in 2013.
Jordan Hurd had appealed his conviction on first-degree murder and aggravated battery charges, saying crime scene photographs should not have been admitted as evidence during his trial. He also argued there was not enough evidence to convict him.
Justices rejected his arguments in a ruling Thursday.
Authorities say Hurd is serving life in prison for the shooting deaths of Wesley Hobbs and his daughter Amanda in Jarales.
Amanda Hobbs' mother, Patricia Hobbs, was wounded in the shooting that authorities say came as Hurd and two other men tried to sell a stolen motorcycle to Wesley Hobbs and obtain drugs at his family's home.

MEXICAN JOURNALIST-ASYLUM
Mexican journalist seeking asylum released from US detention
EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A Mexican journalist detained in a remote West Texas immigration facility while asking the U.S. government for asylum has been released from detention.
The attorney for Emilio Gutierrez Soto and his adult son, Oscar, said the two were released from the El Paso, Texas, facility without bond Thursday night.
Gutierrez fled to the United States a decade ago after articles he wrote alleging corruption in the Mexican military caused his name to land on a hit list. He has come within hours of deportation but is appealing the denial of his asylum request.
His lawyer, Eduardo Beckett, said Gutierrez has told him he is afraid of taking "one step into Mexico."
Mexico is one of the world's most dangerous places for journalism, in league with Syria and Iraq.
​Latest New Mexico news, sports, business and entertainment at 3:20 a.m. MDT

IMMIGRATION-SEPARATING FAMILIES
Clock ticks toward reuniting families separated at border
EL PASO, Texas (AP) — The Trump administration is racing to meet a court-imposed deadline to reunite families who were forcibly separated at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The enormous logistical task was brought on by the "zero tolerance" policy on illegal entry.
Authorities have identified more than 2,500 children 5 and older who may be covered by the order to reunite the families by Thursday's court-imposed deadline.
That effort was expected to fall short, partly because hundreds of parents may have been deported without their children. But, by focusing only on about 1,600 it deems "eligible" for reunification, authorities expected to claim success.
As of Tuesday, slightly more than 1,000 parents were reunified with their children in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. Hundreds more were cleared and awaiting transportation.

SURVIVING URBAN HEAT ISLANDS
'Urban island' heat tests Phoenix, other large cities
PHOENIX (AP) — The American Southwest has been experiencing extreme summertime heat this week. But some cities, like Phoenix, are also "urban heat islands."
That's a phenomenon where temperatures go up in areas covered in heat-retaining asphalt and concrete, creating health dangers for residents.
Officials in Phoenix and other cities are tackling the issue by planting trees, capturing rainwater and promoting lighter-colored asphalt and other reflective construction materials.
But climate researchers say much more is needed to counter the urban heat island effect causing a warming trend in the world's major cities, from Dallas to Mumbai to Nanjing, China.
Dr. Brian Stone of the Georgia Institute of Technology's Urban Climate Lab says cities need to take urban warming into consideration when making land-use decisions. And hundreds of thousands of trees should be planted to cool off urban centers.

VETERANS MEMORIAL-VANDALIZED
Works begins to restore New Mexico Vietnam Veterans Memorial
(Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com)
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Volunteers and city officials have begun work to restore a Vietnam War-era Huey helicopter at the Las Cruces Vietnam Veterans Memorial that was damaged by vandals.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports a group of Las Cruces Parks and Recreation employees and community volunteers started restoration Monday and hope to be done in a week.
The project to restore a Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter after it was damaged by vandals will cost about $20,000.
Damage to the helicopter included a cracked windshield, a shattered downward vision window and a broken searchlight.
Police have charged two teens for damaging the memorial.
City parks administrator Franco Granillo says Las Cruces is looking to add security at the park.
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BODY RECOVERED-RIO GRANDE GORGE
Police: Body recovered from Rio Grande Gorge is identified
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a body recovered from the Rio Grande Gorge has been identified as a man reported missing in May to Albuquerque police.
New Mexico State Police say the Office of the Medical Investigator on Wednesday confirmed the body was that of Ignacio Perez Jr.
The cause and manner of Perez's death remains under investigation.
Perez's vehicle was found by State Police at the Gorge Bridge on May 18.
Search and rescue teams were unable to locate Perez and police say low water levels in the Rio Grande hindered the search.
State police say a body was located by kayakers on Sunday and recovered Tuesday.

PECAN KILLING BUG
Limited pecan weevil quarantine eyed in New Mexico
(Information from: Hobbs News-Sun, http://www.hobbsnews.com)
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — State officials are still discussing ways to eradicate an invasive bug threatening New Mexico's pecan industry.
The Hobbs News-Sun reports pecan growers will have an opportunity to discuss a permanent pecan weevil quarantine next month as a series of public hearings.
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture has proposed the establishment of an interior quarantine to protect pecan growers outside of eastern New Mexico.
Eddy, Chaves, Lea and Curry counties were quarantined since last November, but Curry was recently deemed controlled.
In late 2016, and January of this year, the weevil was found in pecan orchards in multiple counties in southeast New Mexico.
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FILM-WALKING WITH HERB
New Mexicans team up for latest independent film
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A Las Cruces director and a producer from Santa Fe are teaming up for an independent film about a man who is struggling with his faith and is uneasy about getting older.
The New Mexico Film Office says "Walking with Herb" will begin shooting in September in Las Cruces and Artesia. It will star Edward James Olmos, George Lopez and Mary McDonnell.
Santa Fe native Brian Espinosa is the producer and chief executive of Optimism Entertainment. The director is Ross Marks. The story was adapted for the screen by Mark Medoff, another New Mexico resident.
The production will employ more than 50 New Mexico crew members, 25 actors from the state and about 580 extras.
Film Office Director Nick Maniatis says "Walking with Herb" includes an impressive roster of homegrown talent and will feature New Mexico's diverse landscapes.

CHILDREN'S COURT JUDGE-APPOINTMENT
Children's Court judge to lead national organization
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A longtime Children's Court judge in New Mexico has been sworn in as the president of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.
The organization announced Judge John Romero's appointment in a statement Monday, saying he will be the first New Mexico judge to serve in the position.
Romero oversees family and juvenile cases in New Mexico's Second Judicial District, which includes Albuquerque.
Last year, Romero was appointed to the National Advisory Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and Youth in the United State. The committee advises federal authorities on responses to child sex trafficking.

POLICE WHISTLEBLOWER-APPEAL
Appeals court upholds verdict in police whistleblower case
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico Court of Appeals ruling upholds a San Juan County jury's verdict in favor of a former Farmington Police Department detective who successfully sued under the state whistleblower protection law.
The ruling Monday upholds a state District Court's verdict for Frank Dart and award to him of $4,000 in economic damages and $200,000 for emotional pain and suffering.
The case stemmed from Dart's contention that the Police Department had failed to promptly investigate reports of child abuse and neglect referred to police by the state's child welfare agency.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A group of 11 House Republicans has introduced articles of impeachment against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who oversees special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference and President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign.
     The Republicans who introduced the resolution have criticized Rosenstein for not being responsive enough as they have requested documents related to the Russia investigation and a closed investigation into Democrat Hillary Clinton's emails. It is unclear whether there will be enough support in the party to pass it, as Republican leaders have not signed on to the effort.
     The articles were introduced by North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows and Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, frequent critics of the Justice Department. The introduction does not trigger an immediate vote, but Meadows and Jordan could make procedural moves on the House floor that could force a vote late this week or when the   House returns from its upcoming five-week recess in September. The House is scheduled to leave for that recess Thursday.
     The move came about two hours after GOP lawmakers met with Justice Department officials who have been working to provide documents to several congressional committees about decisions made during the 2016 presidential campaign. The department has provided lawmakers with more than 800,000 documents, but Meadows said after the meeting that there was still "frustration" with how Justice has handled the oversight requests.
     Republican leaders, however, have said in recent weeks that they are satisfied with the Justice Department's progress. House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Trey Gowdy said after the meeting that he was pleased with the department's efforts and wouldn't support Rosenstein's impeachment. House Speaker Paul Ryan has also said he is satisfied with progress on the document production.
     Democrats have criticized Republican efforts to pressure the Justice Department in recent months, saying they are attempts to undermine Mueller's investigation.

CHILD ABUSE ARRESTS
Albuquerque woman and her boyfriend accused of child abuse
(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say an Albuquerque woman and her boyfriend are accused of child abuse after her baby son was hospitalized in critical condition.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court, 35-year-old Florencio Mendoza called police Monday afternoon to say his girlfriend allegedly planned to hurt her 1-year-old son.
The Albuquerque Journal reports 24-year-old Dahn Liedy allegedly beat and kicked the baby and doctors had to induce a coma to treat him.
Police say they went to Leidy's apartment and found the infant semi-conscious with bruises on his face, neck and chest and a cut on the side of his lip.
An ambulance took the baby to a hospital, where doctors say they discovered a bleeding laceration to his liver and other signs of blunt force trauma on his body.

OIL AND GAS-NEW MEXICO
Drill rigs in New Mexico reach all-time high
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The number of oil and gas drill rigs operating in New Mexico has reached record levels as development in the Permian Basin booms.
The latest figures show there are 103 active rigs in New Mexico. The state previously reached that mark twice in 2014, beating the previous record of 101 in 2006.
The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association says the state is behind only Texas and Oklahoma when it comes to active rigs.
The group's executive director, Ryan Flynn, says more rigs mean more jobs and revenue for the state. On average, one rig employees around 50 workers.
Revenue from oil and gas royalties, taxes and fees totaled more than $1.7 billion last fiscal year. More than $930 million went to public schools and the state's universities and colleges.

GAME AND FISH-DIRECTOR
Veteran employee to lead New Mexico wildlife agency
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A veteran employee of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has been named as the agency's new director.
The state Game Commission announced the appointment of Michael Sloane on Tuesday.
Sloane has worked for the agency for more than two decades. He began his career in 1994 as a wildlife culturist at a hatchery in Pecos and went on to become chief of fisheries.
Sloane will manage more than 300 employees and an annual budget of more than $39 million.
Sloane was among five candidates considered after a nationwide search. The others included assistant director Christopher Chadwick; Michael Perry of the State Land Office; federal wildlife biologist Daryl Ratajczak; and Matthias Sayer, deputy cabinet secretary for the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.

TRIBAL JAILS-HEALTH CARE
Navajo Nation committee calls for nurses in tribal jails
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — A committee of Navajo Nation lawmakers says it has voted to ask federal officials to assign medical staff to jails on the sprawling reservation that covers parts of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.
In a statement, the Navajo Nation Council's Law and Order Committee said Monday that it wants to ask the Indian Health Service to assign nurses to the facilities, which lawmakers say do not have resources to provide health care to inmates in house.
Federal figures show there are some 80 tribal jails nationwide that hold an estimated 2,500 inmates.
The Bureau of Indians Affairs manages about a quarter of them. Tribes have federal contracts to operate the rest.
An Associated Press review of jail records earlier this year found that on average health care was sought multiple times each week within the facilities.

NEW MEXICO-IMMIGRATION-SEPARATING FAMILIES
Charity awaits migrant families' arrival in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A faith-based charity says it was asked last week by federal immigration authorities to assist and provide services to migrant families in Albuquerque after their reunification at a detention center in southern New Mexico.
Jim Barclay, the president and CEO of Lutheran Family Services, Rocky Mountains, says he was told 12 migrants — the first of roughly 300 parents and children expected in Albuquerque this week — would arrive later Tuesday from the Otero County Processing Center, where some parents were being reunited with children.
The organization says it was told Friday to prepare immediately to receive migrants, but that the arrivals had been delayed. He says he wasn't certain why.
A judge has set a Thursday deadline for the Trump administration to reunite all older children with parents after their separations at the U.S.-Mexico border.

EDUCATION LAWSUIT-NATIVE AMERICANS
Advocates: Ruling holds promise for Native American students
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — It's being billed as a landmark ruling that could reshape New Mexico's education system and how it gets funded.
And some advocates say Native American students are among those who could benefit the most as the state has been tasked by a district judge to follow through with promises made years ago under New Mexico's Indian Education Act.
Adopted in 2003, the act calls for an equitable and culturally relevant learning environment in schools that serve Native American students.
Regis Pecos with the Leadership Institute at the Santa Fe Indian School says the recent court ruling provides a monumental opportunity for tribes to define their vision of education in New Mexico and elsewhere.
State officials plan to appeal, arguing that spending on education has increased. They also say Native American students are now seeing record academic gains.
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SANTA FE FLOODING
Heavy rainstorm hits Santa Fe, damages infrastructure
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Raging waters from the Santa Fe River and arroyos have caused damage to Santa Fe homes, city facilities and infrastructure following a heavy rainstorm.
More than 3 inches (8 centimeters) of rainfall were reported in some areas of northern Santa Fe county on Monday evening.
The storm also caused a power outage in some parts of the city.
A Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office spokesman tells the Santa Fe New Mexican that despite flooded arroyos and roadways covered in debris, no serious accidents or injuries were reported as of 9 p.m. Monday.
City Manager Erik Litzenberg tells the Albuquerque Journal that there is a number of homes and infrastructure that will need to be stabilized and repaired.
The National Weather Service says more rain is likely throughout the week.
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SOUTHWEST HEAT-THE LATEST
The Latest: New highs set in Death Valley, Palm Springs
PHOENIX (AP) — The National Weather Service says a new high of 127 degrees (52.7 Celsius) has been set at California's Death Valley as a heat wave stretches across the U.S. Southwest.
Weather Service forecaster Chris Outler in Las Vegas said the record was set Tuesday, breaking the previous record of 126 (52.2 Celsius) registered for the day in 1916.
He says Las Vegas reached a high of 112 (44 Celsius) on Tuesday, but that wasn't a record for the day.
The weather service says other record highs set Tuesday included 122 (50 Celsius) in Thermal, in California's Coachella Valley, and 121 (49.4 Celsius) in Palm Springs.
Weather service forecaster Andrew Deemer says the Phoenix high of 116 (46.6 Celsius) on Tuesday was tied with the previous record set in 2014.

CHILDREN IN HOT CAR
Trial set for ex-New Mexico daycare workers in hot car case
(Information from: The Eastern New Mexico News, http://www.easternnewmexiconews.com)
PORTALES, N.M. (AP) — A trial date has been set for two former New Mexico daycare owners charged with leaving two children in a hot car last year.
The Eastern New Mexico News reports 31-year-old Sandi Taylor and 62-year-old Mary Taylor will face trial from Sept. 24 to 28 in connection with the death of a toddler.
The mother and daughter pair were indicted in last August on one count of child abuse resulting in great bodily harm and one count of child abuse resulting in death.
Authorities say 22-month-old Maliyah Jones was pronounced dead and Aubrianna Loya, who recently turned 2, was critically injured after the Taylors left them in a hot car for 90 minutes. Authorities say the temperature in Portales, New Mexico, hit the mid-90s that day.
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OIL AND GAS-CARLSBAD CAVERNS
Land managers defer drilling near Carlsbad Caverns
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Federal land managers have opted for more time to study the potential effects of oil and gas operations near Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southeastern New Mexico.
A proposed lease sale first announced last spring had included more than two dozen parcels that were within 10 miles of the park, sparking concern among environmentalists.
The Bureau of Land Management on Monday published its final proposal for the September lease sale and excluded at total of 31 parcels to allow for the agency to study the local geology and its interaction with groundwater.
The Albuquerque Journal reports environmentalists still have concerns about air quality as development expands in the Permian Basin along the Texas-New Mexico border. They want officials to postpone new lease sales until the agency completes a new resource management plan for the area.

GRANTS POLICE TURMOIL
Grant police hit with resignations amid 'low morale'
(Information from: Gallup Independent, http://www.gallupindependent.com)
GRANTS, N.M. (AP) — A city in western New Mexico has been hit with resignations from its police departments.
The Gallup Independent reports two Grant police sergeants, a corporal, a lieutenant and a secretary put in their resignations last week over low morale.
Police Chief Steve Chavez says he has heard from employees that morale is low, but no one is telling him why.
Chavez, who took over the department in June, says he wished the departing employees had given him a chance.
The department is slotted for up to 18 sworn positions and three on the clerical staff.
The resignations come after Chavez changed officer shifts from a 10-hour day to an eight- hour day to curb overtime.
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OFFICER ASSAULT-PLEA
New Mexico man pleads guilty to punching federal officer
RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico man has pleaded guilty to assaulting a Bureau of Indian Affairs police officer following a traffic stop.
Federal prosecutors say 31-year-old Nathan Little punched a BIA officer in the face in November while being booked into the Lincoln County Detention Center in southern New Mexico. Authorities say a traffic stop had revealed he had outstanding warrants.
Little pleaded guilty Friday in federal court in Ruidoso.
He faces a maximum prison term of eight years. A date for his sentencing hearing has not been set.

EDUCATION LAWSUIT-NEW MEXICO
Advocates: New Mexico has chance to close education gaps
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Advocates for New Mexico's most vulnerable public school students say the state has a chance at a new beginning as a district judge recently ordered education officials to reshape polices and the way schools are funded.
Attorneys with the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and dozens of supporters gathered Monday in a park near downtown Albuquerque to celebrate what they called a historic win for New Mexico's at-risk students.
The groups sued in 2014, accusing the state of failing to meeting constitutional obligations to provide a sufficient education for all students. The case highlighted the plight of low-income, Native American and English-language learners.
Advocates acknowledged that New Mexico's struggle with education has persisted for decades and they're hopeful the ruling sets the stage for solving systemic problems.

UBER DRIVER ASSAULT
Rio Rancho man accused of sexually assaulting Uber driver
(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a Rio Rancho man who allegedly sexually assaulting an Uber driver last month is jailed without bond until his trial.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Sandoval County Magistrate Court, 38-year-old Gabreil Munoz is accused of rape, aggravated battery, kidnapping and other charges in the June 10 incident.
The Albuquerque Journal reports Munoz was indicted June 21 on the charges.
A woman who drives for the ride-sharing company told authorities Munoz asked to be taken to his home in Rio Rancho.
He later reached into the front of the car and put it in park, then forcefully pulled the woman into the back seat of the vehicle and allegedly assaulted her.
Munoz also allegedly threatened to kill the woman. She managed to get free and call police.
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​By the Associated Press
Mondelez Global says it's voluntarily recalling some of its Ritz Cracker products over potential risk of salmonella.
     The Hanover, New Jersey-based company says it's recalling 16 varieties of Ritz Cracker Sandwiches and Ritz Bits products in the U.S. The products contain whey powder, which its supplier has recalled due to the potential presence of salmonella.
     Mondelez says no illnesses have been reported yet. Symptoms of salmonella include fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in the young, elderly or those with weakened immune systems.

CONGRESS-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico Dem in key Congress race has massive cash edge
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Records show a Democrat in a closely watched race for an open congressional seat along the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico has almost five times more cash than her GOP opponent.
Federal Election Commission filings show Xochitl Torres Small had $495,980 cash on hand for the second quarter. The filings also said she raised nearly $400,000 after winning the Democratic nomination in May for New Mexico's s Second Congressional District.
Records show that Republican state Rep. Yvette Herrell had $100,294 cash on hand and reported $118,217 in net contributions. Herrell defeated four other opponents in a heat GOP primary.
The seat currently is held by Republican Rep. Steve Pearce, who is running for New Mexico governor.
Democrats have long targeted the heavily Hispanic congressional district where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans. But the district recently has remained in GOP hands.

WILD HORSES-DROUGHT
Drought forces emergency measures for US West's wild horses
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Harsh drought conditions in parts of the American West are pushing wild horses to the brink and forcing extreme measures to protect them.
Federal land managers have begun emergency roundups in the deserts of western Utah and central Nevada. And volunteers in Arizona and Colorado are hauling thousands of gallons of water and truckloads of food for wild horses on remote grazing grounds.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management says the current conditions are a problem of overpopulation aggravated by the severe drought.
Wild horse conservationists balk at the idea that wild horse populations are too high. They suspect the government wants to remove horses from the wild in response to pressure from ranchers whose livestock compete with horses for grazing land.

DRY NEW MEXICO-RIO GRANDE
Environmental group taps reservoirs to boost Rio Grande flow
(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.santafenewmexican.com)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Cities, water managers and a key irrigation district along the Rio Grande have agreed to sell water they don't immediately need to help boost flows along a stretch of the river in central New Mexico to deal with extremely dry conditions and benefit endangered species.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the environmental group Audubon New Mexico says it helped to initiate the agreements, which will amount to more than 320 million gallons (1,200 million liters) being released over a nearly two-month period.
Paul Tashjian, of Audubon New Mexico declined to provide details on costs or the source of funds being spent to help deal with this year's drought emergency, but says Belen, Los Lunas and Bernalillo were providing shares of unused water rights "at cost . without profit."
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SANTA FE FOREST FIRE
Fire in Santa Fe National Forest has grown to 250 acres
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a lightning-caused fire in the Santa Fe National Forest has grown to 250 acres (101 hectares) and is sending smoke over Albuquerque.
KOB-TV reports that some forest roads are closed because of the fire, which started Friday and still is zero percent contained.
The fire currently is burning in the Jemez Ranger District of the forest, shutting down Forest Road 376 from Gilman Tunnels to the intersection of Forest Road 488 and Forest Road 376.
Hotshot crews from Santa Fe and Arizona are working to stall the fire's advance.
Forest officials say no homes or structures are being threatened because of the fire's remote location, which is more than a mile north of Deer Creek Landing and east of Joaquin Mesa.

NEW MEXICO-SCHOOL FUNDING-THE LATEST
The Latest: State officials review ruling on school funding
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — It's unclear whether New Mexico officials will appeal a judge's ruling that the state is violating the rights of at-risk students by failing to provide adequate funding for public schools.
Department of Public Education spokeswoman Lida Alikhani said Saturday that officials are reviewing the ruling issued Friday by state District Judge Sarah Singleton.
The ruling says insufficient funding leaves students "in an inadequate system" and means they'll stay there unless better programs are instituted.
Singleton's ruling on a lawsuit on behalf of students, parents and school districts doesn't specify how lawmakers and other state officials should address the issue.
However, Singleton gives the defendants until April 15 to act to ensure that schools have enough funding to properly prepare students for college and work.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs hailed the ruling.
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SUNZIA TRANSMISSION PROJECT
Groups worry proposed power lines, towers will kill birds
(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Wildlife groups fear a proposed river crossing for a $2 billion power line project that will funnel wind and solar energy from rural spots in New Mexico and Arizona to larger markets could be a death trap for migratory birds.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the project plans to place high-voltage power lines and towers near three wildlife refuges that provide a seasonal roosting-and-foraging bridge for migrating birds.
The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have already approved a small stretch of the project that would cross the Rio Grande in the Socorro-area.
SunZia Project Manager Tom Wray says the project includes bird conservation plans like limiting the highest-levels of wires in sensitive areas and using sun-reflective diverters to keep birds away.
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NEW MEXICO UNEMPLOYMENT
New Mexico unemployment drops to 4.9 percent in June
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's unemployment rate is down.
The state Department of Workforce Solutions reports that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in June 2018, down from 5.1 percent in May and from 6.1 percent in June 2017.
The department's monthly report released Friday says total nonagricultural payroll employment grew by 17,300 jobs between June 2017 and June 2018, a 2.1 percent increase.
The private sector accounted for most of the over-the-year increase, growing by 15,900 jobs while the public sector added 1,400 jobs.
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FEEDING BEARS-BITTEN
New Mexico man who fed wildlife at his home bitten by bear
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) — Officials say a 70-year-old southern New Mexico man who regularly fed wildlife at his home suffered multiple injuries when he was bitten by a bear as he stepped outside.
The state Game and Fish Department says conservation officers went to the man's Cloudcroft home Friday after his wife drove him to an Alamogordo hospital for treatment of injuries that included arm puncture wounds and leg scratches.
According to the department, the man acknowledged feeding cracked corn to wildlife and that multiple bears routinely entered the residence.
Officers found pet food bowls near the house, bear prints on windows and scratch marks on the porch.
Department Director Alexandra Sandoval says it's good that the man will recover quickly from his injuries but feeding wildlife "is never an acceptable practice."