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.