TV-JAMES MEREDITH
James Meredith film weighs 'complicated' civil rights figure
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — A new documentary is diving into the complicated and sometimes contradictory life of James Meredith, a Black civil rights figure who helped change Mississippi. "Walk Against Fear: James Meredith," scheduled to air Thursday on the Smithsonian Channel, examines the life of a U.S. Air Force veteran whose admission to the University of Mississippi forced President John F. Kennedy to send federal troops into the state to quell a white supremacy uprising. Meredith was later shot during a peaceful demonstration in Mississippi. Years later, he drew anger from civil rights leaders for endorsing former Klansman David Duke for Louisiana governor. 

JUDGE RETIRES-MISCONDUCT
New Mexico judge retires amid allegations of misconduct
GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico officials have allowed a judge to retire while facing 10 allegations of misconduct in office. The Gallup Independent reported McKinley County Magistrate Judge April J. Silversmith retired Aug. 31. Silversmith faced accusations of excessive absences from work, failing to attend court for the required 40 hours per week, failing to recuse or inappropriately involving herself in cases concerning family members and yelling at court staff members. Silversmith and her attorney requested the case remain sealed, but the allegations became public Sept. 4 when the New Mexico Supreme Court ordered the court filings to be opened.

AMTRAK GRANT-NEW MEXICO
Grant to help pay for work along Southwest Chief rail route
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Amtrak a $5.6 million grant for track improvements and other work in New Mexico and Colorado along the Southwest Chief passenger train route between Chicago and Los Angeles. The grant will help pay for upgrading 12.4 miles of rail near Lamy, New Mexico, replacing thousands of ties south of Raton Pass and along another section of track and removing loose rock in Raton Pass and other locations. Other planned work includes rebuilding railroad bridges and grade crossings.  The Transportation department said the work will result in higher speed limits for trains and reduced maintenance costs.

LAS CRUCES-AIR SERVICE
New Mexico city explores options for commercial air service
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The Las Cruces City Council has given the green light to continue exploring what it would take to reestablish commercial air service for the southern New Mexico community. Consultants told councilors during a work session Monday that research indicates the airport could sustain two to four daily flights to Dallas, Phoenix or maybe both cities. The consultants also identified American Airlines as a potential provider. The city's economic development department has been working with the consultants to determine the feasibility of restoring passenger service. The goal would be daily, regional commercial flights out of the Las Cruces airport. 

DRY NEW MEXICO
Managers warn that Rio Grande could go dry in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — If hot and dry conditions persist, federal water managers warn that it's possible Albuquerque could see its stretch of the Rio Grande go dry this fall. The Bureau of Reclamation has teamed up with the Interstate Stream Commission and irrigators to lease the last block of water available to keep the river as stable as possible before winter. The entities will pay Albuquerque's water utility $700,000 for the extra water. Other emergency releases happened earlier this year as spring runoff was poor and the monsoon season was spotty. Officials say New Mexico will wrap up the irrigation season with very little water left in storage.

LEGISLATOR RESIGNS
Trujillo resigns from New Mexico House, leaving office early
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico legislator not running for re-election this year has resigned and is leaving office before the end of his term. Democratic Rep. Jim Trujillo of Santa Fe announced his resignation Monday. He previously cited health concerns and a desire to spend more time with family members when he announced last October he wouldn't run for re-election. Trujillo represented House District 45 and served as co-chairman of the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. The Santa Fe County Commission will select a replacement to serve the remainder of Trujillo's term. Voters in November will elect a successor who will take office in January. 

FATAL SHOOTING-ALBUQUERQUE
Albuquerque police:2 dead after shooting; 1 person detained
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police say one person was detained and nobody else was being sought in a double fatal shooting prompted by an altercation during a party. Police said officers early Tuesday found the two people fatally shot at an apartment complex. No identities were released and police didn't immediately say whether the person detained was a suspect in the shooting. A brief police statement said "there are no outstanding subjects related to this incident."

FOUR CORNERS-WEATHER STATION
Location of new Four Corners weather radar system announced
DURANGO, Colo. (AP) — The location of a new permanent weather station for the Four Corners region has been announced. La Plata County and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe said Monday they plan to build the station on tribal lands about 15 miles south of Durango. The radar system is expected to fill a notorious blind spot for weather and radar modeling. The Four Corners' hubs currently process data at elevations too high to accurately model the region. For instance, in Grand Junction, Colorado, the radar system cannot locate storms coming into the Four Corners below an altitude of 28,000 feet. This means weather forecasters miss many incoming storms.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
Child support collectors intercept federal recovery checks
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has increased annual child support collections by $18 million as it intercepts federal economic impact payments to parents whose children do not live with them. The budget and accountability office of the Legislature says that child support collections by the state's enforcement office increased to $156 million in the 12 month period ending on June 30, up from $138 million the prior year. Agency performance evaluations for the April-June period turned up stark variations in efficiency.

THREATENED THISTLE
US proposes protections for rare thistle in New Mexico
SILVER CITY, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to list a rare plant that was once found in the the American Southwest and Mexico as a threatened species. The agency outlined its intensions in Tuesday's Federal Register. Aside from adding the Wright's marsh thistle to the list of imperiled species, 159 acres spanning five southern New Mexico counties would be set aside as critical habitat. The thistle used to be found in southern Arizona and parts of Mexico. It's now in just eight separate locations in New Mexico. The proposal comes after environmentalists threatened to sue in 2019 over delayed action.

ELECTION 2020-FACEBOOK-NEW MEXICO
Website: Trump leads all Facebook ad spending in New Mexico
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — Researchers say President Donald Trump has spent more money on Facebook advertising targeting New Mexico users since July than any other candidate. A New York University Tandon School of Engineering project that monitors Facebook spending reports that the Trump campaign and his various affiliates have spent $380,700 on Facebook ads in the state since July 1. That's more than two times the amount spent during the same period by Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. Damon McCoy, professor of computer science and engineering at the New York University Tandon School of Engineering, and doctoral student Laura Edelson built the NYU Tandon Online Transparency Project.

CHACO CANYON-DRILLING
Survey cited in push to protect sites sacred to tribes
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Archaeologists and Native American leaders are pointing to a recent survey of an area around Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico that's considered sacred to some tribes in the Southwest. They say work done this summer shows there are around 4,200 sites outside the park's boundaries that deserve protection. They released some details from the pilot project Monday. A public comment period wrapped up Friday as federal land managers consider revisions to a plan that would govern oil and gas development in northwestern New Mexico. Officials say they have received more than 14,000 comments. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is among those who sent letters.

AP-US-MOBILE-APPS-PRIVACY
US judge dismisses New Mexico privacy claims against Google
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A U.S. district judge has dismissed New Mexico's privacy claims against Google. The judge concluded in a ruling Friday that federal laws and regulations do not require direct consent from parents when schools participate in Google's education platforms. The company had asked that the case be dismissed, saying in court filings that it hasn't violated any laws. New Mexico can amend its complaint, and Attorney General Hector Balderas said Monday he will continue to litigate to protect child privacy rights. The lawsuit was filed in February 2020, alleging that Google violated state and federal laws by collecting personal information.

LATINO CONVENTION
US Latino civil rights group moves 2021 convention online
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — The oldest Latino civil rights group in the U.S. has decided to move its 2021 national convention online over the uncertainty caused by COVID-19. The League of United Latin American Citizens' board of directors voted Saturday to hold a virtual gathering for its members instead of a July 2021 in-person gathering in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The state currently limits the number of people for large gatherings and the group's national conventions typically attract thousands. The virtual convention means the 90-year-old organization won't hold elections and members will not vote on any measures. Voting currently requires members to be physically present. 

ELECTION 2020-HOUSE-NEW MEXICO
Torres Small, Herrell meet in 1st debate in close House race
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small and Republican challenger Yvette Herrell have finally met in a televised debate in southern New Mexico's closely watched U.S. House race. Torres Small stressed bipartisanship during the KOAT-TV/Albuquerque Journal-sponsored debate on Sunday. Herrell tried to link the Democrat to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Herrell says she would be a conservative voice and stressed her Christian values. Torres Small repeatedly highlighted her votes on oil and gas that bucked the Democratic Party. The race is a rematch of the 2018 campaign. Torres Small won that one by less than 4,000 votes and flipped the traditionally Republican-leaning district. 

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 22 new coronavirus cases, no deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation health officials are reporting 22 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus but no additional deaths. The latest figures released Monday bring the total number of cases to 10,312 with the known death toll remaining at 555. Tribal officials said 105,451 people have been tested on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah and 7,253 have recovered from COVID-19. The Navajo Nation has implemented a stricter weekend lockdown as it looks into new clusters of coronavirus cases from family gatherings and off-reservation travel. Residents now are being required to stay home from Friday evening until early Monday morning. 

ELECTION 2020-HOUSE-NEW MEXICO
Torres Small, Herrell meet in 1st debate in close House race
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small and Republican challenger Yvette Herrell finally have met in a debate in southern New Mexico's closely watched U.S. House race. Torres Small stressed "bipartisanship" during the KOAT-TV/Albuquerque Journal-sponsored debate Sunday while Herrell tried to link the Democrat to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Herrell said she would be a "conservative voice" and pointed to her "Christian values." Torres Small repeatedly highlighted her votes on oil and gas that bucked the Democratic Party. The race is a rematch of the 2018 campaign where Torres Small won by less than 4,000 votes to flip the traditionally Republican-leaning district. 

ELECTION 2020-SENATE-NEW MEXICO
Biden endorses Luján for US Senate bid in New Mexico
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is throwing his support behind Democratic U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján for U.S Senate in New Mexico. The former vice president said Sunday that Luján is a "proven leader" who has helped craft legislation like the CARES Act _ the COVID-19 relief bill. Biden also cited Luján's work on health care reform while in the U.S. House. Luján and Republican Mark Ronchetti are vying for an open U.S. Senate seat in New Mexico. Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Udall is retiring. Luján and Ronchetti have traded attack ads on who is the better candidate for health care reform in New Mexico.

RACIAL INJUSTICE-NEW MEXICO PROTEST
Police seek suspect who drove car into protesters at UNM
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque's police chief says he's making a priority out of finding the suspect who reportedly drove a vehicle into racial injustice protesters near the campus of the University of New Mexico. No one was hurt in Friday's incident. Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said in a statement Saturday that the city "will not tolerate this kind of behavior." Demonstrators claim the driver was disparaging them before driving through the crowd. They had gathered for a third night of protests after a grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky, decided not to indict any of the officers directly involved in the death of Breonna Taylor.

CRIME SWEEP-ALBUQUERQUE
Latest crime sweep nets 36 arrests in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police say the latest in a series of city-wide crime sweeps has netted 36 arrests, including many suspects with a history of gun violence. Police Chief Harold Medina said Saturday that the "anti-crime operation" has resulted in 151 arrests since Aug. 19. The majority of the 36 offenders booked into jail Wednesday through Friday during the fourth edition of the crack down have a criminal history for gun violence and property crimes. Officers and detectives cleared 53 felony warrants, made 20 felony arrests; recovered nine firearms, nine stolen vehicles and issued 183 citations.

OIL INVESTMENTS
Permian investments grow as market shows signs of recovery
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — An American energy investment company has pledged $8.5 million to develop oil and gas assets in the Permian Basin that are owned by Shell Oil Co. The announcement this month by U.S. Energy Development Corp. to acquire interest in a horizontal well project near the New Mexico-Texas state line is an indication that some operations are looking to expand their footprint in what is still considered one of the country's most productive oilfields. The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports that the project will target part of what government scientists have identified as the largest continuous oil and gas resource in history.

NAVAJO HEMP FIGHT
Navajo officials set on shutting down New Mexico hemp farms
PHOENIX (AP) — The Navajo Nation is not letting go of a fight against what it says are illegal hemp farms cultivated through immigrant labor. A member of the tribe and head of the operation, Dineh Benally says his business partnership with a Las Vegas dispensary has provided dozens of jobs on the vast reservation that includes parts of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. A New Mexico judge, however, approved last week a temporary restraining order keeping Benally from running the Shiprock area farms. Benally called the ruling disappointing and harmful to the Navajo Nation's economy. He says more than 200 members of the tribe are employed there.

POLICE STAFFER-MISSPENDING
Albuquerque police chief's staffer cleared of misspending
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The head of the outgoing Albuquerque police chief's staff has been cleared of allegations of abusing a city credit card and getting an inappropriate pay raise. The Albuquerque Police Department announced Friday the results of an internal investigation of John Ross, the chief of staff for Chief Mike Geier. Geier's secretary in July accused Ross of using the city-issued card for personal purchases like a $2,500 laptop. According to the probe, Ross only committed a minor infraction. He did not list the purchase of two items on the card within the required three days of their acquisition. 

AP-US-TRUMP-PUBLIC-LANDS
Judge removes Trump public lands boss for serving unlawfully
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration's leading steward of public lands has been serving unlawfully and blocked him from continuing in the position. U.S. District Judge Brian Morris said Friday that U.S. Bureau of Land Management acting director William Perry Pendley was never confirmed to the post by the U.S. Senate as required under the Constitution and served unlawfully for 424 days. The ruling marks the latest pushback against the administration's practice of filling key positions without U.S. Senate approval. Montana's Democratic governor had sued to remove Pendley. The agency oversees almost a quarter-billion acres of land, primarily in the U.S. West. 

RACIAL INJUSTICE-NEW MEXICO PROTEST
Police seek suspect who drove car into protesters at UNM
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque's police chief says he's making a priority out of finding the suspect who reportedly drove a vehicle into racial injustice protesters near the campus of the University of New Mexico. No one was hurt in Friday's incident. Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said in a statement Saturday that the city "will not tolerate this kind of behavior." Demonstrators claim the driver was disparaging them before driving through the crowd. They had gathered for a third night of protests after a grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky, decided not to indict any of the officers directly involved in the death of Breonna Taylor.

CRIME SWEEP-ALBUQUERQUE
Latest crime sweep nets 36 arrests in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police say the latest in a series of city-wide crime sweeps has netted 36 arrests, including many suspects with a history of gun violence. Police Chief Harold Medina said Saturday that the "anti-crime operation" has resulted in 151 arrests since Aug. 19. The majority of the 36 offenders booked into jail Wednesday through Friday during the fourth edition of the crack down have a criminal history for gun violence and property crimes. Officers and detectives cleared 53 felony warrants, made 20 felony arrests; recovered nine firearms, nine stolen vehicles and issued 183 citations.

OIL INVESTMENTS
Permian investments grow as market shows signs of recovery
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — An American energy investment company has pledged $8.5 million to develop oil and gas assets in the Permian Basin that are owned by Shell Oil Co. The announcement this month by U.S. Energy Development Corp. to acquire interest in a horizontal well project near the New Mexico-Texas state line is an indication that some operations are looking to expand their footprint in what is still considered one of the country's most productive oilfields. The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports that the project will target part of what government scientists have identified as the largest continuous oil and gas resource in history.

NAVAJO HEMP FIGHT
Navajo officials set on shutting down New Mexico hemp farms
PHOENIX (AP) — The Navajo Nation is not letting go of a fight against what it says are illegal hemp farms cultivated through immigrant labor. A member of the tribe and head of the operation, Dineh Benally says his business partnership with a Las Vegas dispensary has provided dozens of jobs on the vast reservation that includes parts of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. A New Mexico judge, however, approved last week a temporary restraining order keeping Benally from running the Shiprock area farms. Benally called the ruling disappointing and harmful to the Navajo Nation's economy. He says more than 200 members of the tribe are employed there.

POLICE STAFFER-MISSPENDING
Albuquerque police chief's staffer cleared of misspending
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The head of the outgoing Albuquerque police chief's staff has been cleared of allegations of abusing a city credit card and getting an inappropriate pay raise. The Albuquerque Police Department announced Friday the results of an internal investigation of John Ross, the chief of staff for Chief Mike Geier. Geier's secretary in July accused Ross of using the city-issued card for personal purchases like a $2,500 laptop. According to the probe, Ross only committed a minor infraction. He did not list the purchase of two items on the card within the required three days of their acquisition. 

DRY SOUTHWEST
Climatologist: Dry areas in US Southwest getting drier
BERNALILLO, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's state climatologist says the fingerprints of climate change are evident in the persistent drought that's plaguing the American Southwest. Dave DuBois says dry areas are becoming drier due to a semi-permanent high-pressure system over the West that has become stronger in recent years. He also warned during an online briefing Thursday that the region should be prepared for more warm temperatures and less precipitation this fall and winter. In Nevada, forecasters continue to track a record-setting dry streak for Las Vegas as their colleagues in Arizona hold out hope for a break from record heat next week.

AP-US-TRIBAL-ARTIFACTS-NEW-MEXICO
War god carving returned to New Mexico tribe by auctioneer
ZUNI PUEBLO, N.M. (AP) — A hand-carved figure held sacred by a Native American community in New Mexico has been returned to the tribe by an Ohio auction house. Cowan's Auctions announced Thursday that the 15-inch carving of a Zuni Pueblo war god was returned in late August after being discovered in an estate collection that had been consigned to the auction house. The wooden war god carvings are ceremonially brought to shrines on tribal lands where they are left to return to the elements. Over the years, many have been illegally removed and have made their way to museums and private collections. Zuni Pueblo has recovered more than 100.

By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration's leading steward of public lands has been serving unlawfully and blocked him from continuing in the position.
     U.S. District Judge Brian Morris said Friday that U.S. Bureau of Land Management acting director William Perry Pendley was never confirmed to the post by the U.S. Senate as required under the Constitution and served unlawfully for 424 days.
     The ruling marks the latest pushback against the administration's practice of filling key positions without U.S. Senate approval.
      Montana's Democratic governor had sued to remove Pendley.
      The agency oversees almost a quarter-billion acres of land, primarily in the U.S. West.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
Demand surges for absentee ballots across New Mexcio
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Voters across New Mexico have submitted nearly 250,000 absentee ballot requests with especially strong demand among Democrats for alternatives to in-person voting amid the pandemic. State election regulators on Thursday also said initial vote tallies could extend beyond Election Day if voters wait until late in the cycle to mail or hand deliver ballots. Fewer than 8,000 absentee ballots were cast statewide in the 2016 presidential election. In other pandemic developments, the governor cited a slight increase in the rate of spread for COVID-19 statewide and more substantially signs of spread in areas including Albuquerque and Sandoval County.

​POLICE STAFFER-MISSPENDING
Albuquerque police chief's staffer cleared of misspending
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The head of the outgoing Albuquerque police chief's staff has been cleared of allegations of abusing a city credit card and getting an inappropriate pay raise. The Albuquerque Police Department announced Friday the results of an internal investigation of John Ross, the chief of staff for Chief Mike Geier. Geier's secretary in July accused Ross of using the city-issued card for personal purchases like a $2,500 laptop. According to the probe, Ross only committed a minor infraction. He did not list the purchase of two items on the card within the required three days of their acquisition. 

DRY SOUTHWEST
Climatologist: Dry areas in US Southwest getting drier
BERNALILLO, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's state climatologist says the fingerprints of climate change are evident in the persistent drought that's plaguing the American Southwest. Dave DuBois says dry areas are becoming drier due to a semi-permanent high-pressure system over the West that has become stronger in recent years. He also warned during an online briefing Thursday that the region should be prepared for more warm temperatures and less precipitation this fall and winter. In Nevada, forecasters continue to track a record-setting dry streak for Las Vegas as their colleagues in Arizona hold out hope for a break from record heat next week.

AP-US-TRIBAL-ARTIFACTS-NEW-MEXICO
War god carving returned to New Mexico tribe by auctioneer
ZUNI PUEBLO, N.M. (AP) — A hand-carved figure held sacred by a Native American community in New Mexico has been returned to the tribe by an Ohio auction house. Cowan's Auctions announced Thursday that the 15-inch carving of a Zuni Pueblo war god was returned in late August after being discovered in an estate collection that had been consigned to the auction house. The wooden war god carvings are ceremonially brought to shrines on tribal lands where they are left to return to the elements. Over the years, many have been illegally removed and have made their way to museums and private collections. Zuni Pueblo has recovered more than 100.

ELECTION 2020-JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
New Mexico Democrats hold up Trump judicial appointments
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's Democratic senators have placed the judicial confirmation process for two U.S. District Court vacancies on hold until after the Nov. 3 election. They say the president has politicized the process, so they'll wait until the voters have spoken. Using their home-state consultation authority, Sens. Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall confirmed Thursday that they have interrupted the vetting of the two lifetime appointments. They say they took the action even before the death of liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in response to a White House news conference where President Donald Trump rallied his base with talk of his judicial appointments.

ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO
Trump tweet about wall hints at possible visit to New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — President Donald Trump is hinting at a visit to New Mexico without providing further details in a tweet about protecting gun rights and building a border wall. Trump tweeted Friday, "Working hard in New Mexico. ... Will be there soon." The Trump administration has completed 20 miles of border wall construction along the 185-mile section of New Mexico's southwestern border with Mexico. Trump last visited the state a year ago and this year has highlighted violent crime trends in Democratic-led Albuquerque. Hillary Clinton won the state in 2016 by a margin of 8 percentage points.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
Demand surges for absentee ballots across New Mexcio
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Voters across New Mexico have submitted nearly 250,000 absentee ballot requests with especially strong demand among Democrats for alternatives to in-person voting amid the pandemic. State election regulators on Thursday also said initial vote tallies could extend beyond Election Day if voters wait until late in the cycle to mail or hand deliver ballots. Fewer than 8,000 absentee ballots were cast statewide in the 2016 presidential election. In other pandemic developments, the governor cited a slight increase in the rate of spread for COVID-19 statewide and more substantially signs of spread in areas including Albuquerque and Sandoval County.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-CHILD CARE
New Mexico subsidies keep child care afloat despite virus
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Child care providers say a government agency formed in July has helped them stay afloat despite the coronavirus pandemic. The Early Childhood Education and Care Department recently expanded child care subsidies to groups left behind under previous rules, such as remote workers and students. This week, eligibility for child care assistance was extended to graduate students. Co-payments also have been waived for months now. Providers and parents say elevating the new agency to a cabinet-level department has led to better communication and more efficiency, resulting in improved services for children.

INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER CASE-PLEA
Arizona man pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter charge
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say an Arizona man has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with a car crash in New Mexico and is facing a federal prison sentence. They say 28-year-old Maroquez Clah of Red Valley entered his plea Monday in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque. Clah remains on release pending a sentencing hearing that hasn't been scheduled yet. Prosecutors say Clah is facing a prison term of up to eight years followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court. Clah was arrested on Feb. 14 on an indictment charging him with involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say Clah was driving under the influence of alcohol and was involved in a crash that killed another man. 

UNEMPLOYED MINE WORKER EXPO
Silver City expo for mine employees out of work by pandemic
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Western New Mexico University and Chino Mine's parent company are co-hosting an expo next week to help mine employees put out of work by the coronavirus pandemic. The Silver City community's first drive-through training expo is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Officials with Freeport-McMoRan and the university say advisers will provide services and give personal consultations to mine employees and contractors. The university is waiving application fees for all expo attendees and expediting the admission application process during the two-hour event. Western New Mexico's mining industry has been hit hard by the economic downturn.  

VIRUS OUTBREAK-PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Push to reopen private schools arrives in federal court
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A federal judge is weighing whether pandemic-related occupancy limits for private schools in New Mexico violate constitutional rights to equal protection and freedom of assembly. A federal judge heard preliminary arguments Wednesday without ruling in a case being closely watched by educators and the Trump administration. The lawsuit by the father of a 7th-grader at a prep school in Albuquerque says the state is violating the U.S. Constitution by setting more stringent limits at private schools regarding in-person instruction. President Donald Trump has threatened to divert federal funding away from public schools that decline to reopen.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
3 states added to New Mexico's high risk list
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Travelers arriving in or returning to New Mexico from Colorado, Oregon and Rhode Island will be required to quarantine for 14 days in a bid to manage the spread of the coronavirus. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham added those three states to New Mexico's list of "high risk" states on Wednesday based on coronavirus positivity rates and per capita infections.  In all, there are 39 states on New Mexico's list of high risk states. People who can show documentation of a valid negative COVID-19 test taken within the 72 hours before or after entry into New Mexico from another state are exempt from the quarantine requirement.

RACIAL INJUSTICE-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico governor wants longer Census count if Biden wins
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says that states may push for a special census enrollment period next year if President Donald Trump leaves the White House. The comments came at a recent meeting of the governor's advisory council on racial injustice. A new council meeting was scheduled Wednesday. A federal judge is weighing whether the 2020 Census count will end early on Sept. 30 or continue through the original Oct. 31 deadline. A coalition of cities and civil rights groups argues that ending the census early will lead to an inaccurate count that overlooks minority communities.

SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL
New Mexico objects to license for nuclear fuel storage plan
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The state of New Mexico is strongly objecting to a recommendation by federal nuclear regulators that a license be granted to build a multibillion-dollar storage facility for spent nuclear fuel from commercial power plants around the U.S. State officials in a letter submitted Tuesday to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said the site is geologically unsuitable and regulators have failed to consider environmental justice concerns. A group of state lawmakers also has raised concerns. New Jersey-based Holtec International wants to build what it has described as a state-of-the-art complex that could one day hold as many as 10,000 canisters of spent nuclear fuel.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Push to reopen private schools arrives in federal court
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A federal judge is weighing whether pandemic-related occupancy limits for private schools in New Mexico violate constitutional rights to equal protection and freedom of assembly. A federal judge heard preliminary arguments Wednesday without ruling in a case being closely watched by educators and the Trump administration. The lawsuit by the father of a 7th-grader at a prep school in Albuquerque says the state is violating the U.S. Constitution by setting more stringent limits at private schools regarding in-person instruction. President Donald Trump has threatened to divert federal funding away from public schools that decline to reopen.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
3 states added to New Mexico's high risk list
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Travelers arriving in or returning to New Mexico from Colorado, Oregon and Rhode Island will be required to quarantine for 14 days in a bid to manage the spread of the coronavirus. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham added those three states to New Mexico's list of "high risk" states on Wednesday based on coronavirus positivity rates and per capita infections.  In all, there are 39 states on New Mexico's list of high risk states. People who can show documentation of a valid negative COVID-19 test taken within the 72 hours before or after entry into New Mexico from another state are exempt from the quarantine requirement.

RACIAL INJUSTICE-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico governor wants longer Census count if Biden wins
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says that states may push for a special census enrollment period next year if President Donald Trump leaves the White House. The comments came at a recent meeting of the governor's advisory council on racial injustice. A new council meeting was scheduled Wednesday. A federal judge is weighing whether the 2020 Census count will end early on Sept. 30 or continue through the original Oct. 31 deadline. A coalition of cities and civil rights groups argues that ending the census early will lead to an inaccurate count that overlooks minority communities.

SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL
New Mexico objects to license for nuclear fuel storage plan
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The state of New Mexico is strongly objecting to a recommendation by federal nuclear regulators that a license be granted to build a multibillion-dollar storage facility for spent nuclear fuel from commercial power plants around the U.S. State officials in a letter submitted Tuesday to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said the site is geologically unsuitable and regulators have failed to consider environmental justice concerns. A group of state lawmakers also has raised concerns. New Jersey-based Holtec International wants to build what it has described as a state-of-the-art complex that could one day hold as many as 10,000 canisters of spent nuclear fuel.

BALLOON FIESTA
Albuquerque aims to save spirit of annual balloon fiesta
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Fall in Albuquerque just isn't fall without the annual international hot air balloon fiesta. It draws tens of thousands of spectators and pilots from around the globe each October. Organizers had to cancel this year's event due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Mayor Tim Keller said Wednesday he wants to keep the tradition alive for residents. So local pilots are being invited to launch from city parks, golf courses and other open spaces from Oct. 3-11. City officials stressed that spectators won't be allowed at the launch sites but that the balloons will be visible from around the city after they lift off.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
Enrollment drop could hurt funding for New Mexico schools
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Education advocates are urging New Mexico lawmakers to pass legislation that would preserve school budgets amid a drop in enrollment during the pandemic. Officials say New Mexico schools are seeing as much as a 5% decrease in enrollment this year. That could lead to a drop in funding for public schools next year because state funding is allocated based on student enrollment 40 days into the semester. Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart calls the latest enrollment numbers an "outlier" and is asking legislative leaders not to punish schools for numbers recorded this year.

CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE
New Mexico agency to provide more help for child care access
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — In its latest attempt to bolster access to child care, New Mexico is allowing subsidies for parents who work or study remotely. Families at or below 200% of the poverty line can apply for assistance. The Early Childhood Education and Care Department said Tuesday that the changes allowing remote workers and students to use the subsidies are permanent. Parents have been struggling to balance work and child care with most schools closed because of the pandemic. Child care providers also have struggled to stay afloat with higher costs to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and lower profits because fewer children are allowed in their buildings at once.