NAVAJO CODE TALKERS-FILM
Navajo filmmaker to start shooting WWII code talkers movie
(Information from: The Daily Times, http://www.daily-times.com)
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — Navajo storyteller Kody Dayish says it's no secret that the Navajo code talkers played a significant role in the Allied powers' victory in World War II.
The Daily Times reported earlier this month that Navajo servicemen's complicated native tongue was critical in communicating crucial Allied messages that could not be deciphered by Japanese foes.
Their story has been told before in films, but Dayish says it's never been told from a Navajo point of view.
Dayish has wanted to tell his own version of the code talkers' story for some time, but says he wanted to wait until he felt he had the skills and maturity as a filmmaker to tell it properly.
His company, Kody Dayish Production, plans to begin shooting "Unbroken Code" in 2018.
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GUARDIAN RULES
Commission urges changes to guardian-conservator system
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A state Supreme Court commission wants New Mexico to inject more accountability and oversight into its system under which guardians and conservators make financial and other decisions on behalf of incapacitated people.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that implementation of the recommendations to the court, the governor and the Legislature would require $1 million to computerize filing and monitoring of conservator reports, hire auditors and employ special masters to handle grievances.
Other recommendations include calls for adopting laws to provide families with more notice about hearings and requiring mediation or facilitated family meetings in contested cases.
The court established the 16-member commission in April. It released its recommendations Thursday.
Many of those who are deemed incapacitated have dementia, Alzheimer's disease or have mental illness or impairment.

AIR FORCE-TOP NURSE
New Mexico base is home to US Air Force's top nurse for 2017
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Air Force has named its top nurse for 2017 and the award goes to a nurse practitioner stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.
Maj. Cindy Callisto is assigned to the 377th Medical Group. She says the honor comes as a shock.
Callisto says she enjoys her patients and staff and feels like she owes it to them to do her best. She credits her team with helping her through an undermanned summer at Kirtland, where staffing levels fell to 50 percent during one of the most critical times of the year.
Originally from Worcester, Massachusetts, Callisto joined the Air Force in 2000.
Callisto says she has aspirations of being a chief nurse someday and mentoring other nurses with an aim toward retaining more young airmen.

SUNSHINE YEAR-MEDIA LITERACY
Alarmed by fake news, states push media literacy in schools
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — State lawmakers around the country are pushing schools to put more emphasis on teaching students how to tell fact from fiction online, a skill they say is critical to democracy.
Lawmakers have introduced or passed bills calling on public school systems to develop lessons for a form of instruction called "media literacy."
The effort has been bipartisan but has received little attention despite successful legislation in Washington state, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Mexico.
Several more states are expected to consider such bills in the coming year, including Arizona, New York and Hawaii.
Supporters say the misinformation spread during the 2016 presidential campaign has helped their efforts. They want schools to include lessons about how to evaluate and analyze sources of information in civics, language arts, science and other subjects.
Part of an ongoing examination of threats to First Amendment freedoms by The Associated Press, the American Society of News Editors and Associated Press Media Editors.

EMERGENCY LANDING-GUILTY PLEA
Arizona man pleads guilty to intimidating flight crew
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An Arizona man whose behavior aboard a flight earlier this year forced an emergency landing in New Mexico has pleaded guilty to charges that he assaulted and intimidated crew members and flight attendants.
Federal prosecutors say 55-year-old Robert Tomblin of Phoenix entered his plea during a hearing Friday in Albuquerque. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled.
The charges stem from an August flight between Roswell, New Mexico, and Phoenix.
According to court documents, a flight attendant reported to the captain that Tomblin, who was seated in an emergency exit row, appeared to be intoxicated and was acting belligerent.
Attendants asked him to move to another seat due to safety concerns but he refused.
Tomblin was accused of head-butting two police officers before being carried off the plane after the flight was diverted to Albuquerque.
​
SPACE MUSEUM-RENOVATIONS
Theater dome to be replaced at New Mexico space museum
(Information from: Alamogordo Daily News, http://www.alamogordonews.com)
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) — The final phase of renovations at the New Mexico Museum of Space History's theater and planetarium call for a full dome replacement.
The Alamogordo Daily News reports that the work will begin Jan. 2. The construction will close the theater through March 9.
The new dome is being installed by Spitz Inc., the same company that installed a new laser planetarium projection system in the theater in 2016.
The company will use a special process that effectively eliminates seams in the dome by handcrafting each individual panel to be flush with its neighbor, making the entire projection surface uniform.
The new dome will consist of 154 custom-cut panels with reflectivity much greater than the one that was installed in 1980.
Grant funding is helping pay for the renovations.
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SAFEGUARDING O'KEEFFE-THE LATEST
The Latest: Experts try to save Georgia O'Keeffe paintings
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Chemical reactions are threatening to discolor and deform the surface of Georgia O'Keeffe's famously vibrant paintings, and experts are hoping new digital imaging tools can help them slow the damage.
Art conservationists in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Chicago area on Thursday announced a federally funded project to develop new 3-D imaging tools to detect destructive buildup in paintings by O'Keeffe and potentially other artists in museum collections around the world.
Dale Kronkright, art conservationist at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, says the project builds on trial efforts that started in 2011 to monitor the preservation of O'Keeffe paintings without disturbing or damaging the works.
The buildup on her art is soap. It emerges when fats in the original oil paints combine with alkaline materials contained in pigments or through drying agents.
This story corrects the spelling of Georgia O'Keeffe's name in paragraph 3.

AMERICAN SPIRIT CIGARETTES-LAWSUITS
Some complaints against natural cigarette maker to proceed
(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A federal judge in New Mexico has dismissed more than two dozen complaints but is allowing others to proceed against the company behind a line of cigarettes touted as natural.
Scores of plaintiffs sued the maker of American Spirit cigarettes — Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co., and its parent company, Reynolds American Inc. — after the federal Food and Drug Administration in 2015 found consumers were misled regarding risks associated with the products.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that U.S. District Judge James Browning in a Dec. 21 ruling cited various state laws as he weeded out some complaints.
Some rejected claims were premised on the theory that by labeling cigarettes as "additive-free" and "natural," the company tried to suggest its products were less processed than other cigarettes.

SPACE MUSEUM-RENOVATIONS
Theater dome to be replaced at New Mexico space museum
(Information from: Alamogordo Daily News, http://www.alamogordonews.com)
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) — The final phase of renovations at the New Mexico Museum of Space History's theater and planetarium call for a full dome replacement.
The Alamogordo Daily News reports that the work will begin Jan. 2. The construction will close the theater through March 9.
The new dome is being installed by Spitz Inc., the same company that installed a new laser planetarium projection system in the theater in 2016.
The company will use a special process that effectively eliminates seams in the dome by handcrafting each individual panel to be flush with its neighbor, making the entire projection surface uniform.
The new dome will consist of 154 custom-cut panels with reflectivity much greater than the one that was installed in 1980.
Grant funding is helping pay for the renovations.
___
AIR FORCE-TOP NURSE
New Mexico base is home to US Air Force's top nurse for 2017
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Air Force has named its top nurse for 2017 and the award goes to a nurse practitioner stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.
Maj. Cindy Callisto is assigned to the 377th Medical Group. She says the honor comes as a shock.
Callisto says she enjoys her patients and staff and feels like she owes it to them to do her best. She credits her team with helping her through an undermanned summer at Kirtland, where staffing levels fell to 50 percent during one of the most critical times of the year.
Originally from Worcester, Massachusetts, Callisto joined the Air Force in 2000.
Callisto says she has aspirations of being a chief nurse someday and mentoring other nurses with an aim toward retaining more young airmen.

EMERGENCY LANDING-GUILTY PLEA
Arizona man pleads guilty to intimidating flight crew
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An Arizona man whose behavior aboard a flight earlier this year forced an emergency landing in New Mexico has pleaded guilty to charges that he assaulted and intimidated crew members and flight attendants.
Federal prosecutors say 55-year-old Robert Tomblin of Phoenix entered his plea during a hearing Friday in Albuquerque. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled.
The charges stem from an August flight between Roswell, New Mexico, and Phoenix.
According to court documents, a flight attendant reported to the captain that Tomblin, who was seated in an emergency exit row, appeared to be intoxicated and was acting belligerent.
Attendants asked him to move to another seat due to safety concerns but he refused.
Tomblin was accused of head-butting two police officers before being carried off the plane after the flight was diverted to Albuquerque.

SAFEGUARDING O'KEEFFE-THE LATEST
The Latest: Experts try to save Georgia O'Keeffe paintings
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Chemical reactions are threatening to discolor and deform the surface of Georgia O'Keeffe's famously vibrant paintings, and experts are hoping new digital imaging tools can help them slow the damage.
Art conservationists in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Chicago area on Thursday announced a federally funded project to develop new 3-D imaging tools to detect destructive buildup in paintings by O'Keeffe and potentially other artists in museum collections around the world.
Dale Kronkright, art conservationist at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, says the project builds on trial efforts that started in 2011 to monitor the preservation of O'Keeffe paintings without disturbing or damaging the works.
The buildup on her art is soap. It emerges when fats in the original oil paints combine with alkaline materials contained in pigments or through drying agents.

AMERICAN SPIRIT CIGARETTES-LAWSUITS
Some complaints against natural cigarette maker to proceed
(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A federal judge in New Mexico has dismissed more than two dozen complaints but is allowing others to proceed against the company behind a line of cigarettes touted as natural.
Scores of plaintiffs sued the maker of American Spirit cigarettes — Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co., and its parent company, Reynolds American Inc. — after the federal Food and Drug Administration in 2015 found consumers were misled regarding risks associated with the products.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that U.S. District Judge James Browning in a Dec. 21 ruling cited various state laws as he weeded out some complaints.
Some rejected claims were premised on the theory that by labeling cigarettes as "additive-free" and "natural," the company tried to suggest its products were less processed than other cigarettes.
___
OBIT-THOMAS STANFORD
Oscar-winning film editor Thomas Stanford dies at 93
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Thomas Stanford, who was known for his award-winning editing work on "West Side Story," has died. He was 93.
His family says in a newspaper announcement published Friday that Stanford died Dec. 23. They did not provide any details about the cause of death, saying only that he had a "long and happy life."
Born in Germany and educated in Switzerland and England, he moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1987 following a decades-long career as a film editor in Hollywood.
He earned credits for more than two dozen films and television movies. He received an Oscar in 1962 for his work on "West Side Story."
He is survived by his partner Sherry Bendickson; daughter Nina Mullan and her husband Brendt and their children; and son Adam Stanford and his wife Lyn.

UNM-BUILDING REPURPOSED
University of New Mexico plans new purpose for building
(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The University of New Mexico is planning to transform a vacant biology annex building to house an interdisciplinary teaching and learning center for sciences and the museum sciences program.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the university previously planned to use the 8,000-square-foot (743-square-meter) building as art studio space for graduate students.
Art students and faculty members railed against that plan, which the board of regents had approved. The board later scrapped it after finding it too costly.
Official say that under the new plan, the building will feature labs, teaching spaces and storage areas to house the university's collection of thousands of fossils.
Regents have approved the new recommendation, but the board still must approve a detailed design and reallocate the funding.
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CAMPAIGN FINANCE-LAWMAKER
New Mexico lawmaker cited for minor spending violations
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico campaign finance regulators say a Democratic state lawmaker violated campaign finance disclosure rules in several instances.
The New Mexico Secretary of State's Office on Friday directed state Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero of Albuquerque to make numerous revisions to campaign finance reports dating back to 2012 and personally repay a $50 campaign-account donation to a political group that is not registered with the state.
The agency rejected objections by a private investigator to campaign-account spending by Roybal Caballero on trips to out-of-state legislative conferences, the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia and a $48 retirement gift to a leader of the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
Albuquerque-based private investigator Carlos McMahon is seeking strong sanctions against Roybal Caballero. McMahon represents the ex-wife of Roybal Caballero's husband in a child-support dispute.
​

LOS ALAMOS LAB-SPOTTED OWL
Owl population on Los Alamos lab property holding steady
(Information from: Los Alamos Monitor, http://www.lamonitor.com)
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (AP) — A recent survey of endangered species that live within the borders of Los Alamos National Laboratory shows the population of Mexican spotted owls appears to be holding steady.
The northern New Mexico lab, which covers about 38 square miles, recently released the findings. The survey covers the owl, the Jemez Mountains salamander and the southwestern willow flycatcher.
The survey found a pair of Mexican spotted owls living and breeding in Threemile Canyon and at least one Mexican spotted owl in Mortandad Canyon. There may also be siblings living in Acid Canyon.
The Los Alamos Monitor reports that surveyors located the owls by playing a recording of the species' four-note location call and listening for a response. Surveyors spent at least 20 minutes at each station listening for a call.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT-GRANT
Sandoval County using new fund to attract, grow businesses
(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALGODONES, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico manufacturer has been awarded a $50,000 grant from an economic development fund established by Sandoval County.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that Geobrugg North America LLC will add 7,000 square feet to its current 16,000-square-foot facility in Algodones where it makes high-strength steel wire netting for safety applications.
The company plans to install new machines to add lower-strength netting to its product line and that's expected to result in seven more jobs. The company currently has 30 employees.
The grant will help offset the $500,000 cost for expansion. It comes from a new $3 million fund the county created to help recruit, retain and expand businesses.
County Commissioner Don Chapman says it's the first investment to date from the fund and more projects are in the works.
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PNM-ELECTRIC RATES
New Mexico utility wants regulators to reconsider rates
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's largest electric provider wants state regulators to reconsider a recent decision that allows a rate increase for customers but limits the amount of money the utility can recoup on upgrades at a coal-fired power plant.
Public Service Co. of New Mexico filed the request Thursday, saying an agreement reached in May with other stakeholders sets a better path forward as the company transitions away from coal.
If the Public Regulation Commission doesn't approve the settlement agreement, the utility warned there could be legal action.
Utility officials claim the order issued last week by the commission muddies the regulatory waters.
One group that opposes the settlement, New Energy Economy, said the utility has failed to convince commissioners that investments in the coal plant are prudent.

NEW MEXICO BABY NAMES
Sophia and Noah are top names for New Mexico babies in 2017
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Sophia has overtaken Mia as the top name for baby girls in New Mexico, and Noah is the favorite for boys.
The New Mexico Department of Health released the list of top baby names Thursday. The list is compiled by the agency's vital records and health statistics bureau based on birth certificates submitted to the state.
The Health Department has been releasing the top 10 list since 2014.
For 2017, Olivia, Isabella and Emma rounded out the top five for girls. Aurora and Charlotte also made their debuts in the top 10 while Aria returned to the list after dropping off in 2016.
Aside from Noah, the top names for boys in 2017 included Santiago, Elijah, Ezekiel and Josiah.

FUGITIVE SEARCH-EXCESSIVE FORCE
Family sues New Mexico police over civil rights violations
(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Department of Public Safety is being sued by a Grants family who claims officers used excessive force while searching for an escaped prisoner.
Lawyer Adam Flores is representing the family. He tells the Santa Fe New Mexican that his clients were victims of a massive, misguided show of police power.
The lawsuit was filed last week in state district court. It claims officers entered the subdivision where Rueben Olveda was hosting a barbecue in celebration of his 21st birthday in June.
The complaint states the people in Olveda's home were ordered outside while officers pointed guns at them. They were handcuffed while the home was ransacked.
The agency declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Police finally recaptured the prisoner several days later. He had no connection to the family.
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DAIRY ASSAULT
Officials searching for suspect in assault at dairy
(Information from: The Eastern New Mexico News, http://www.easternnewmexiconews.com)
CLOVIS, N.M. (AP) — Eastern New Mexico law enforcement officials are searching for a man suspected of assaulting one diary worker and pointing a gun at another.
Roosevelt County Sheriff Malin Parker declined to provide the name of the dairy or the location.
Parker says the motivation was apparently robbery.
Nothing was taken.
The Eastern New Mexico News reports one man entered a milking barn early Sunday with a gun in hand and battered one worker before leaving with another man.
Parker believes both men fled the scene after realizing they were not going to steal anything valuable.
Parker says the dairy worker who was hit has been treated for "fairly significant injuries."
He called the incident a "fairly stupid crime."
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SAN JUAN COUNTY-FATAL FIRE
Mobile home fire kills 2, injures 1 in New Mexico
AZTEC, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say two people are dead and another was injured following a mobile home fire in northwestern New Mexico.
Volunteer firefighters responded to the blaze Wednesday night along with emergency crews from San Juan County and Farmington. The home was engulfed in smoke and flames when firefighters arrived.
Authorities say firefighters worked to rescue the two individuals who were pronounced deceased on scene. They say the other resident was treated for minor injuries.
State police closed a nearby county road while firefighters and investigators secured the scene.
Authorities said Thursday that the fire remains under investigation.

ROSWELL-POLICE SHOOTING
Roswell police identify suspect in deadly shooting
ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — Roswell police have identified the man who was fatally shot by officers after he opened fire while barricaded inside a shed.
Authorities say they were serving a warrant for 46-year-old James Alan Berrones on Tuesday morning in connection with a domestic violence incident that happened hours earlier at his ex-girlfriend's apartment.
Berrones was accused of arguing with the woman, pointing a handgun at her, wrestling her to the ground and hitting her in the face with the gun. Authorities say he allegedly threated to kill the woman if she called police.
The warrant that police were attempting to serve included charges of aggravated battery and assault against a household member, intimidation of a witness and felon in possession of a firearm.
The shooting is being investigated by multiple agencies.

MINIVAN SHOOTING-CHILDREN
Court sides with New Mexico officer in minivan shooting
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A federal appeals court has sided with a former New Mexico police officer, denying claims that he violated the rights of a woman and her children when he shot at their minivan as they fled.
The ruling came Wednesday in the case of Oriana Farrell, who was pulled over for speeding and leading officers on a high-speed pursuit through Taos in 2013.
Farrell was originally charged with aggravated fleeing, child abuse and drug paraphernalia possession but ended up reaching a plea agreement. She was sentenced to probation and community service.
The appeals court found that Elias Montoya, the officer who fired at the van, should have been granted summary judgment by a lower court.
Montoya argued he had qualified immunity, which shields public officials from legal actions unless their conduct was unreasonable in light of clearly established law.

UNIVERSITY REGENTS
New Mexico considers new nominating system for regents
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico would change the selection process for regents who oversee the state's public universities and flagship medical center under a newly proposed constitutional amendment.
Democratic Sen. Jeff Steinborn and Republican Sen. Mark Moores said Tuesday that they hope to ensure a broader initial search for qualified candidates to oversee the state's major public universities by creating a bipartisan nomination committee. The committee would provide a list of candidates for the governor to choose from when nominating university regents.
The senators say the new system would diffuse frequent stalemates as the Legislature considers political appointments by the governor to regent boards.
New Mexico's public university system is wrestling with declining enrollment and steep cuts in state funding.
If approved by lawmakers, voters would decide on the amendment in November 2018.

OBIT-MARIE NESWOOD
Navajo officials remember female judge as role model
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation officials say Marie Roanhorse Neswood, the first woman to be confirmed decades ago as a tribal district court judge, has died. She was 85.
Officials said Neswood, who was originally from the Navajo community of Crystal in western New Mexico, died Sunday. They did not immediately have any details about the cause of death.
Navajo Council Speaker LoRenzo Bates said Wednesday that Neswood represented her community and the rest of the tribe with dignity and pride during her time on the court and as a member of the Tribal Council.
Neswood was a member of the judicial branch from 1976 to 1989.
She also worked for the Office of the Chief Prosecutor and the Navajo police department. She was elected to the council in 1991.
A funeral Mass was scheduled for Friday in St. Michaels, Arizona.

LAS CRUCES-PEDESTRIAN DEATH
New Mexico pedestrian dies after being struck twice
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a 19-year-old woman is dead after being struck twice, first by a city bus and then by another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.
Las Cruces police identified the pedestrian as Briana Chavez, a resident of the southern New Mexico city.
Officers responded Tuesday evening after getting a call about a pedestrian being hit along Del Rey Boulevard.
Investigators learned that the bus struck Chavez with the bottom left corner of the windshield. The impact forced her into oncoming traffic and she was hit by a southbound car.
Chavez was initially given CPR but died later at a local hospital.
Police say no citations have been issued as the investigation is ongoing.

REHAB CENTER-EXPLOITATION
New Mexico woman accused of stealing patients' money
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — State prosecutors say a former business office manager at an Albuquerque rehabilitation center is accused of using her position to steal thousands of dollars from three elderly patients at the facility.
Court records show Leanne Bennett was indicted by a grand jury this week on three counts of exploiting a resident's property and numerous charges related to the unauthorized use of debit cards.
Investigators say Bennett is accused of gaining access to one resident's checking account and the debit cards of two other residents. She allegedly wrote several checks to herself and made multiple withdrawals.
Defense attorney John Samore described Bennett as a good woman and said he had not yet seen any of the evidence against his client.
According to the indictment, the charges stem from 2012 and 2013.

FATAL OVERDOSE NUMBERS
New Mexico off list of top 10 states for overdose deaths
(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that New Mexico has fallen off of the list of top 10 states for fatal overdoses.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the state was among the top 10 for two consecutive years, but fell to 12th for 2016 according to CDC data posted last week.
In 2014, the CDC said New Mexico had the second-highest drug overdose death rate in the country with 497 deaths reported.
In 2015, the state fell to eighth with 501 deaths.
In 2016, the rate decreased by four, putting New Mexico's rate for drug overdose deaths at 25.2 per 100,000 population.
The CDC says the East Coast is seeing a surge in overdose deaths.
The national average is 19.8 deaths per 100,000 in population.
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BODY FOUND
Police: Body found in Four Hills area was decapitated
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police in Albuquerque say the body found in the Four Hills area is of a woman who was decapitated.
Police say two neighbors walking their dogs Saturday morning found the body in an arroyo behind some homes.
Police were initially unable to identify the victim or the gender, saying massive injuries to the body were making it difficult.
Investigators have found the woman's identity, but police say they won't name her until the family has been notified.
Area residents say the trail near where the body was found is a popular hiking spot and is typically busy.
Police say no suspects have been arrested and no additional details about the case were available.

ROSWELL-POLICE SHOOTING
Suspect killed during standoff with Roswell police
ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — Roswell police say they fatally shot a man who opened fire on officers after barricading himself inside a building.
Authorities say the standoff began after the police department's SWAT team tried to serve arrest and search warrants Tuesday morning at a location just outside city limits.
Police spokesman Todd Wildermuth said the warrants stemmed from another incident that happened the night before but he did not provide any details. He also did not immediately identify the suspect.
As part of standard procedure, the shooting will be investigated by Roswell police, the Chaves County Sheriff's Office and New Mexico State Police.
​
HEALTH OVERHAUL-SIGN-UPS
New Mexico sign-ups for 'Obamacare' dip
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Enrollment in "Obamacare" for 2018 among New Mexico residents fell by nearly 8 percent compared with last year.
The New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance on Tuesday confirmed that 50,539 people signed up for health insurance through the state's subsidized marketplace. Last year the tally was 54,653.
Agency spokeswoman Heather Widler said New Mexico still has a stable marketplace with four health insurance companies offering statewide coverage, including subsidized plans for low-income residents.
She said likely reasons for declining enrollment include this year's shorter enrollment period and federal decisions to repeal subsidies to insurers, eliminate IRS fines for being uninsured and reduce marketing for enrollment.
Across the country, nearly 9 million people signed up for "Obamacare" in 39 qualified states — or 96 percent of the previous total.

MISSILE RANGE-MISSIONS
NM missile range records nearly 5,500 missions in 2017
WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. (AP) — A southern New Mexico missile testing range has logged nearly 5,500 missions this year.
Those missions include firing missiles and rockets, laser tests and training in F-16 fighter jets on 3,200 square miles of the White Sands Missile Range.
Test center commander Col. Eric Rannow says the missions allow the U.S. military to be prepared at all times with cutting-edge technology.
The U.S. Air Force sponsored almost 1,615 training missions this year, with 458 of those involving the fighter jets.
One of the biggest jobs at the missile range is ensuring that weapons work in the conditions where the military needs them. That means testing in nuclear environments and in varying temperatures.
The test center also has taken missions on the road, doing tests in Europe and the Pacific Ocean.

NEW MEXICO-MINE CLEANUP
Old copper mine catches attention of New Mexico land boss
CUBA, N.M. (AP) — For decades, yellow- and white-tinged piles of waste from a defunct copper mine have covered the mountainside at the edge of this quintessential New Mexico village — out of sight, out of mind and not nasty enough to warrant the attention of the federal government's Superfund program.
State Land Commission Aubrey Dunn says something needs to be done as heavy metals continue to leach from the tainted soil. He's awaiting word from consultants about what can be done to clean up the area and how much it might cost.
He's estimating over $5 million — a total he says his office should not be saddled with.
The Nacimiento Mine is among many sites in the West where polluters are long gone and state and local governments have been left holding the bag.

REPEAT DWI-ARREST
New Mexico police arrest man with multiple DWI convictions
SHIPROCK, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a New Mexico man who was recently arrested in San Juan County on suspicion of driving drunk has 14 DWI convictions on his record.
New Mexico State Police say 57-year-old Levi Manuelito was spotted along U.S. 64 near Shiprock on Friday after dispatchers had issued a warning for officers to be on the lookout for an erratic driver.
Manuelito refused to take a field sobriety test and was subsequently arrested for driving while under the influence. Officers discovered his previous DWI convictions while applying for a warrant to draw blood.
Manuelito was booked into the San Juan County jail. It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney.
Authorities say three of the four passengers in Manuelito's vehicle were also arrested for outstanding warrants.

NEW MEXICO DROUGHT
New Mexico still missing out on winter precipitation
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — There has been no measureable rain or snow in New Mexico's most populous city in over 80 straight days, and the National Weather Service says the forecast is calling for another week of dry weather.
If the trend holds, forecasters say Albuquerque could finish in the top five longest periods without precipitation since record-keeping started more than a century ago.
The city's record of 109 days was set back in 1902.
Eastern New Mexico is also dry, as Roswell is not far behind with nearly 70 consecutive days without precipitation.
Forecasters say that by Thursday and Friday, most areas of the state will see temperatures 5 to 15 degrees above seasonal averages.

BILLS INTRODUCED
Lawmakers file dozens of bills; most will see no action
(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Lawmakers have filed more than 100 bills for their session that starts in mid-January.
Most of those will see no action.
That's because the state constitution limits action in monthlong sessions to bills on the budget and taxes. Republican Gov. Susana Martinez also can place items on the agenda, and legislators can revisit bills that she vetoed in the past.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that Martinez has indicated public safety will be a priority.
Democratic House Speaker Brian Egolf says legislators expect a flat budget, which means extra spending will be limited, and proposals for new programs or initiatives might go nowhere.
Bills that would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and create a $15-an-hour minimum wage are among the items filed.
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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Report: New Mexico among least prepared for health disasters
(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A study places New Mexico among the least prepared states for epidemics or other types of public health emergencies due to low public health funding and gaps in staffing.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the study made public last week by the health policy organization Trust for America's Health shows the state as ranking among the bottom 11.
The study says state's public health funding has dropped for the past two years.
New Mexico did score well in three of the 11 indicators the study examined. The state received high marks for biosafety training at state labs, high vaccinations rates against the flu and passing a national public health accreditation.
State Health Department officials told the newspaper that the agency could not immediately respond to questions on the report.

DEPUTY SHOOTS DEPUTY
Special counsel appointed in Santa Fe deputy shooting case
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Special counsel has been appointed to prosecute the case of a former Santa Fe County sheriff's deputy whose first two trials in the killing of another deputy ended when juries couldn't agree on a verdict.
Dona Ana County District Attorney Mark D'Antonio made the announcement Friday, saying two attorneys with New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance will work the case going forward.
D'Antonio said the new counsel will provide "fresh eyes and a rigorous prosecutorial perspective."
The third trial of ex-Deputy Tai Chan is set for April 9 in Las Cruces.
According to testimony, Chan is accused of shooting fellow Deputy Jeremy Martin in the back as Martin fled during an argument at the hotel where they had stopped on a trip to transport a prisoner to Arizona. Chan has claimed self-defense.

TRIBAL POLICE OFFICER SHOT-TRIAL
Complexity prompts delay of trial in Navajo officer's death
(Information from: Gallup Independent, http://www.gallupindependent.com)
GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — It will be 2019 before the man accused of gunning down a tribal police officer in a remote corner of the nation's largest American Indian reservation will stand trial.
The Gallup Independent reports the trial for Kirby Cleveland is being pushed back again due to the complexity of the case given that a conviction could carry the possibility of a death sentence.
The parties requested more time to prepare and line up experts who specialize in everything from DNA to firearms.
Cleveland faces murder and weapons charges in the killing of Navajo Nation Officer Houston James Largo, who was shot March 11 on a dark road in western New Mexico while responding to a domestic violence call.
Before the shooting, Cleveland's wife had called authorities saying he had been drinking and became angry.
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SURPRISE BILLING
Insurance regulator seeks stop to surprise medical billing
(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's top insurance regulator wants new legislation to stop medical providers from hitting patients with unexpected bills for services they thought were covered by their health insurance.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports Insurance Superintendent John Franchini has drafted legislation seeking to ease the burden of surprise health care billing on the patients.
Franchini says he is seeking comment from the public on the legislation that aims to restrict out-of-network billing for some medical procedures and require more transparency from providers.
Franchini says this is a big issue and it's not fair to New Mexico policyholders to be hit by surprise medical bills.
Franchini plans to pursue this legislation for the session that begins next month.
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REPEAT DWI ARRESTS
New Mexico police arrest same man for DWI twice in 6 days
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police say their officers have arrested the same man on suspicion of driving drunk twice in six days.
The first stop was made Dec. 14 along U.S. 64 for a registration violation.
The driver, identified as James Lee, did not stop until reaching the border of the Navajo Nation. He ended up begin charged with driving while under the influence, driving on a revoked license and an unreadable registration.
A warrant was subsequently issued for the charges by the 11th District Attorney's Office.
On Dec. 20, Lee was stopped again along the same stretch of highway. The officer spotted an open container of alcohol in the vehicle and arrested Lee following a field sobriety test.
Lee was booked into the San Juan County jail. It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney.

NEW MEXICO UNEMPLOYMENT
New Mexico jobless rate remains steady for November
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's unemployment rate remained unchanged in November at 6.1 percent, notably less than the 6.7 percent logged for the same period last year.
The state jobless rate is still higher than the national rate, but labor officials say New Mexico for the 12th straight month recorded aggregate gains in the private sector that resulted in 12,600 jobs, or 2 percent growth.
The latest figures released by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions show private service industries reported an additional 10,200 jobs, while goods-producing industries grew by 2,400 jobs.
Construction employment was up 3,000 jobs, or 6.7 percent, which represented the largest numeric and percentage gain of all industries.
The mining industry saw jobs fall by 600. Local, state and federal government jobs also have dropped over the past year.

NAVAJO VOTING RIGHTS
Judge OKs new voting districts in racial discrimination case
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A federal judge is approving new county election districts in southeastern Utah after finding the boundaries discriminated against American Indians who make up roughly half the population.
The new San Juan County voting districts are designed to give native residents an equal voice in local races, but commissioner Phil Lyman said Friday they are unfair and the county plans to appeal.
Local Navajo leader Mark Maryboy, meanwhile, calls the ruling a well-deserved victory.
The Navajo Nation, which also stretches into New Mexico and Arizona, sued Utah's San Juan County in 2012. They said school board and county commission districts were racially gerrymandered.
U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby declared the boundaries unconstitutional. The judge appointed an independent expert to draw new ones and personally ran public meetings to hear local feedback.

DEACON'S DEATH-SENTENCING
Albuquerque man gets 15-year sentence for deacon's death
(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the death of an Albuquerque carpenter and church deacon who police say was run over while trying to stop five teenagers from stealing his van.
Albuquerque Journal reports 20-year-old Xavier Montoya was sentenced Thursday after pleading no contest to second-degree murder for the death of Hector Aguirre.
Montoya will serve the sentence concurrently with an unrelated 19-year sentence for robbery and kidnapping.
Family members of Montoya say he fell into drug use leading up to his arrest.
Police say Aguirre held onto the van as the teens attempted to steal it in September 2016.
Cornelius McCullum who was also charged for the death recently agreed to a plea deal. Three others charged in Aguirre's death are awaiting trial.
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NAVAJOS-BACKYARD GARDENS
NMSU works with Navajos to boost backyard gardens
GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — Agricultural experts at New Mexico State University are working with Native Americans in the northwest corner of the state to boost interest in backyard gardening.
Officials with NMSU's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences say the arid stretch between Gallup and Shiprock used to be home to fruit trees and crops of corn, beans and squash.
As the climate has changed and access to water has decreased, many families have stopped raising gardens so NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service has obtained federal funding for a program to revive the tradition.
During the recent growing season, officials say 19 families were raising backyard gardens. Four schools and three chapter houses also had some form of gardens.
The program helps with fencing, soil supplements, tools, water hoses and drip irrigation lines.
​

MOON MOUNTAIN-LEASE
New Mexico Land Office leases Moon Mountain for recreation
RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — The State Land Office has negotiated a 25-year lease with the village of Ruidoso that will allow for hundreds of acres of trust land on Moon Mountain to be used for recreation.
The Land Office announced the deal this week, saying the property will be open to hikers, mountain bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts as the village plans to offer an expanded trail system and a community observatory for stargazing.
Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn says he and previous land commissioners have worked to create a healthy environment on the mountain through remediation and flood mitigation.
With the lease, he says the public will have better access to explore the area.
The Land Office said it has owned and managed the property since 1905.

NAVAJOS-BACKYARD GARDENS
NMSU works with Navajos to boost backyard gardens
GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — Agricultural experts at New Mexico State University are working with Native Americans in the northwest corner of the state to boost interest in backyard gardening.
Officials with NMSU's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences say the arid stretch between Gallup and Shiprock used to be home to fruit trees and crops of corn, beans and squash.
As the climate has changed and access to water has decreased, many families have stopped raising gardens so NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service has obtained federal funding for a program to revive the tradition.
During the recent growing season, officials say 19 families were raising backyard gardens. Four schools and three chapter houses also had some form of gardens.
The program helps with fencing, soil supplements, tools, water hoses and drip irrigation lines.

FARMINGTON POLICE-SHOOTING
State Police to probe shooting involving Farmington officer
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico State Police Department's investigations bureau has been asked by Farmington police Department to investigate an officer's fatal shooting of a driver.
They say the policeman was on patrol Wednesday in the area of U.S. 64 when he reported seeing a woman hanging out of a pickup truck's passenger-side window and she was screaming for help.
The officer says the driver weaved in and out of traffic before stopping and the woman either fell or jumped out of the vehicle.
Other Farmington police officers arrived on scene to find the driver of truck dead.
He's been identified as 35-year-old Frankie Anchondo of Aztec.
The name of the policeman hasn't been released.
The events leading to the officer discharging his firearm now are being investigated by State Police.

MURDER CASE-CONVICTIONS AFFIRMED
New Mexico Supreme Court affirms convictions in murder case
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court has affirmed all but one of the convictions of a man in a 2013 murder case in Farmington.
The state's high court on Thursday decided to let stand the murder, child abuse by endangerment and several other convictions of Alejandro Ramirez but vacated his conviction of shooting at a motor vehicle.
That conviction will be remanded to the district court for resentencing.
In 2015, Ramirez and his brother were given life sentences without the possibility of parole in the fatal shooting of Johnny "Benji" Vialpando Jr.
Prosecutors say Vialpando was shot nine times in the parking lot of the Animas Valley Mall in Farmington in front of his wife and three stepchildren.
Lawyers for Ramirez claimed his convictions violated the double-jeopardy guarantee against multiple punishments.

FATAL CRASH-SUSPECT CONVICTED
Man guilty of vehicle homicide in Albuquerque girl's death
(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A man has been convicted of vehicular homicide in the death of a 10-year-old girl in Albuquerque.
Jurors deliberated about four hours Thursday before finding 24-year-old Xavier Nelson guilty but they acquitted him on a charge of street racing.
Prosecutors say Nelson faces up to six years in prison when he's sentenced.
They say Nelson was racing his car on Interstate 25 in November 2016 when he slammed into the back of a family's vehicle.
Carmen Esmerelda Rivera-Navarez was ejected from her family's car and pronounced dead at the scene.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that crash data showed Nelson's car was traveling 107 mph at the time of impact.
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KIDNAPPER SENTENCED
Texas man convicted of kidnapping, driving Vegas woman to NM
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A 32-year-old Texas man faces up to life in prison after he was convicted of kidnapping and driving an ex-girlfriend from Nevada to New Mexico in a van where police found her chained to the floor.
A U.S. District Court jury in Las Vegas found Jack Williams Morgan guilty on Tuesday of one count of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
Prosecutors say the 28-year-old Nevada woman was dragged from her home by Morgan and an accomplice in January but freed that night by New Mexico State Police who stopped the van near Espanola.
The woman told police Morgan told her he was going to take her to a cave to "brainwash her to be his wife."
Morgan's sentencing is set for March 20, 2018. The maximum penalty is life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico city manager: Racy texts were 'consensual'
JAL, N.M. (AP) — The manager of a small southeastern New Mexico community who is facing sexual harassment accusations says racy text messages he sent were "consensual."
Jal City Manager Bob Gallagher told The Associated Press on Wednesday he sent "legal and consensual" text messages to an adult female and denied harassment allegations.
In a statement, Gallagher says his female accuser is a "willing, greedy accomplice" who is working with a Jal resident who is angry about a disposal well that was ruled out of compliance.
His statement comes after KOB-TV reported that two women were accusing Gallagher of sending them crude text messages and asking for sex.
Dadrianne White told the station Gallagher repeatedly sent her lewd text messages for two years.
Gallagher says he already has apologized to his wife and family.

OPIOID LAWSUIT-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico adds 3 to suit against opioid makers, wholesalers
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico attorney general's office has added three new pharmaceutical companies to a lawsuit accusing opioid manufacturers and distributors of exacerbating the state's drug addiction crisis.
Attorney General Hector Balderas announced on Wednesday that Mallinckrodt, Insys, and Noramco were added to a lawsuit in state district court against five of the nation's largest opioid manufacturers and three major wholesale distributors.
The suit accuses opioid manufacturers of aggressively pushing highly addictive and dangerous drugs and falsely representing to doctors that patients would rarely succumb to addiction. It accuses distributors of failing to monitor, investigate and report suspicious orders of prescription opiates.
Balderas said the lawsuit is modeled after past litigation against tobacco companies to funnel private profits toward drug treatment and law enforcement.
New Mexico's drug overdose death rate is far above the national average.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico city manager: Racy texts were 'consensual'
JAL, N.M. (AP) — The manager of a small southeastern New Mexico community who is facing sexual harassment accusations says racy text messages he sent were "consensual."
Jal City Manager Bob Gallagher told The Associated Press on Wednesday he sent "legal and consensual" text messages to an adult female and denied harassment allegations.
In a statement, Gallagher says his female accuser is a "willing, greedy accomplice" who is working with a Jal resident who is angry about a disposal well that was ruled out of compliance.
His statement comes after KOB-TV reported that two women were accusing Gallagher of sending them crude text messages and asking for sex.
Dadrianne White told the station Gallagher repeatedly sent her lewd text messages for two years.
Gallagher says he already has apologized to his wife and family.

STATE SENATOR-FRAUD
Second trial set for former New Mexico state senator
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A former New Mexico state senator convicted of fraud, bribery and felony ethical violations stemming from allegations that he used his position for personal gain will stand trial in a separate case next year.
Phil Griego is facing counts of perjury and embezzlement related to campaign finance reports that prosecutors say were falsified. He has maintained his innocence.
The trial has been set for Sept. 24. It's expected to take about two weeks.
Griego was recently convicted of charges that he used his position as a state senator to profit from the 2014 sale of a state-owned building in Santa Fe by pushing the transaction through the Legislature without proper disclosure. He will be sentenced in that case in February.
Griego, a Democrat, resigned from the Senate in 2015 amid an inquiry by a legislative ethics committee.

JUDICIAL NOMINATION
Trump nominates New Mexico lawyer for appellate court post
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — President Donald Trump is nominating a part-time federal magistrate judge in eastern New Mexico to a seat on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.
U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce made the announcement Wednesday, congratulating Joel Carson. The Senate will have to confirm the nomination.
Carson has continued his private practice while serving in his part-time judicial role since 2015.
After earning a degree from Texas Tech University, Carson continued his education at the University of New Mexico School of Law. He then served as a law clerk in the 10th Circuit.
He also worked as general counsel for one of the state's largest oil and gas producers.
Carson has served on legal committees for the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association and the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico.

CHACO CANYON-DRILLING
New Mexico delegates renew push to limit drilling
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Democratic members of New Mexico's congressional delegation are renewing their pleas for federal land managers to limit oil and natural gas drilling in the northwestern corner of the state over concerns about archaeological and cultural sites that dot the region.
U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and Reps. Ben Ray Lujan and Michelle Lujan Grisham sent a letter this week to the acting state director of the Bureau of Land Management in New Mexico.
There have been concerns that the Trump administration could relax rules that have provided a buffer around Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
While the agency has deferred the leasing of several parcels within the buffer zone, critics say there are more parcels that should be excluded while officials work to update the resource management plan for the region.

OPIOID LAWSUIT-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico adds 3 to suit against opioid makers, wholesalers
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico attorney general's office has added three new pharmaceutical companies to a lawsuit accusing opioid manufacturers and distributors of exacerbating the state's drug addiction crisis.
Attorney General Hector Balderas announced on Wednesday that Mallinckrodt, Insys, and Noramco were added to a lawsuit in state district court against five of the nation's largest opioid manufacturers and three major wholesale distributors.
The suit accuses opioid manufacturers of aggressively pushing highly addictive and dangerous drugs and falsely representing to doctors that patients would rarely succumb to addiction. It accuses distributors of failing to monitor, investigate and report suspicious orders of prescription opiates.
Balderas said the lawsuit is modeled after past litigation against tobacco companies to funnel private profits toward drug treatment and law enforcement.
New Mexico's drug overdose death rate is far above the national average.

TOPLESS-DRUNKEN DRIVING
Police: New Mexico DWI suspect smashed car with child inside
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A Santa Fe woman is facing charges after police found her bloody and topless following an apparent alcohol-related crash with a young child inside her car.
Jennifer Jensen was arrested last week following reports that she smashed her red Toyota van in a McDonald's parking lot.
According to a criminal complaint, officers found the 36-year-old Jensen wearing only black underwear and suffering from various cuts. Officers reported also finding an open container of Vodka and a child with no coat in the backseat of the van.
Jensen was later transported to a local hospital for minor injuries. She was charged with aggravated drunken driving and child abuse.
Records show Jensen was arrested for aggravated drunken driving in 2003.
It was not known if she had an attorney.

ANTI-HARASSMENT TRAINING
New Mexico lobbyists offered training against harassment
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Secretary of State's Office is offering training for lobbyists about sexual harassment in an effort to combat workplace misconduct.
Democratic Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver on Wednesday announced two training sessions on Jan. 11 and Jan. 18.
Toulouse Oliver said her office does not have the legal authority to mandate sexual harassment training for lobbyists. At the same time, the agency is urging lobbyists to disclose publicly whether they received anti-harassment training or adhere to outside policies.
The Secretary of State's Office also is providing lobbyists with draft anti-harassment policies and information to help them establish or improve policies at their own businesses.
The New Mexico Legislature is rewriting its own policy against sexual harassment in response to concerns that widespread misconduct has gone unchecked.
​
WHITERIVER FIRE-UNIDENTIFIED BODY FOUND
FBI, tribal police try to ID body found in Whiteriver fire
WHITERIVER, Ariz. (AP) — The FBI and White Mountain Apache Police Department are trying to identify the remains of a man found after a fire at an abandoned house in northeastern Arizona.
The tribal police and fire departments responded to the fire in Whiteriver on Dec. 1.
The house was located in an area frequented by transients and the body was discovered after the blaze was extinguished.
The FBI says the body is that of a man around 5-foot-5 and likely between the ages of 34 and 55.
Authorities are seeking information from the public to help identify the man.

NEW MEXICO DROUGHT
New Mexico remains dry as winter nears
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Drought is continuing its march across New Mexico as the official start of winter nears.
The latest map shows nearly 90 percent of the state is dealing with some form of dryness, from the beginning stages of being abnormally dry to moderate drought. This is notably worse than the same period last year.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque say despite all the fog that blanketed parts of the city Tuesday morning, New Mexico's largest metro area has missed out on measureable precipitation for more than 10 weeks now.
As for a White Christmas, lower elevations are likely going to miss out while the chances are better for some communities in the high elevations across the northern reaches. Models also show temperatures are expected to be frigid.

TRUANCY-MOTHERS CHARGED
New Mexico prosecutors file charges in truancy cases
CLOVIS, N.M. (AP) — Prosecutors in eastern New Mexico have filed charges against two mothers whose children have been repeatedly absent from school.
Ninth Judicial District Attorney Andrea Reeb announced the charges Tuesday, saying that violating the state's compulsory school attendance statute amounts to a petty misdemeanor.
Under the law, a student with more than 10 unexcused absences in a school year is considered a "habitual truant."
In one case, a woman's 15-year-old son compiled 21 unexcused absences as of September.
The matter was referred to the Juvenile Probation Department four times. The case ended up before prosecutors after the mother failed to meet with school officials or the probation office.
In the other case, a 6-year-old student logged 15 unexcused absences as of early October. There also were 11 days in which the child was tardy.

COLD CASE-MISSING MAN
New Mexico authorities seek info in cold case of missing man
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — Authorities are seeking information that might help solve the mystery of what happened to an 83-year-old man from Washington state who disappeared while in New Mexico.
Detectives with the Farmington Police Department say Lynn Goldin left his home in Vancouver, Washington, in August 2016 to search for treasure in the area of Hogback, New Mexico.
Goldin hasn't been seen since. His vehicle hasn't been found and there's been no activity on his credit card.
Goldin's son says his father loved to travel to different states and prospect for unclaimed treasures and that it wasn't his first trip to the area. Authorities say Goldin wasn't searching for any specific treasure, just that he liked to explore.
Authorities say Goldin was driving a grey 2006 Hummer H2 with a personalized Washington license plate, GOLDIN2.

ARREST WARRANT-APODACA
New Mexico candidate paid ticket after arrest warrant issued
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An arrest warrant was issued in August against a Democratic New Mexico candidate for governor because he failed to pay a speeding ticket for two months.
Candidate Jeff Apodaca says he later paid the citation for driving above the speed limit by 11-15 m.p.h. Apodaca campaign spokesman Eric J. Martinez said Tuesday that the speeding ticket was paid after a notice came in the mail.
Martinez says Apodaca initially forgot to pay the ticket while caught up in business and campaign activities across the state. He says it was the first ticket Apodaca received in over eight years.
Previously, Apodaca failed to pay taxes on his property in Santa Fe County for eight consecutive years until selling the vacant lot last year.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico woman says candidate tried to kiss her
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A political supporter of Democratic U.S. Congresswoman and New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham says a rival candidate attempted to kiss her on the mouth at a social event.
Marianna Anaya said Tuesday that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeff Apodaca tried to kiss her on the mouth earlier this year at a whiffle ball game that brought together staff from the Democratic Party and the American Federation of Teachers.
Apodaca campaign spokesman Eric J. Martinez called the allegation absolutely false and an attempt to divert attention from claims that Lujan Grisham discriminated against a transgender intern.
Anaya is a communications organizer for the American Federation of Teachers. She criticized Apodaca for seeking an investigation of Lujan Grisham for possible discrimination.
Apodaca is a former media executive whose father was governor.

RUIDOSO-MILL FIRE
Mill fire leads to power outage for nearly 4,000 in Ruidoso
(Information from: KRQE-TV, http://www.krqe.com)
RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — Electricity has been restored to nearly 4,000 customers in Ruidoso after an outage caused by a fire at a mill.
Authorities say the power was shut off Tuesday morning because of a gas leak that occurred at the Old Dowlin Mill.
KRQE-TV says the gas leak then caused an explosion and in order to put the fire out, PNM crews had to go over power lines.
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BERNALILLO COUNTY-DEPUTY SHOOTINGS-LAWSUIT
Lawsuit filed in fatal Bernalillo County deputy shootings
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in the connection with the fatal shooting of a truck passenger by a Bernalillo County Sheriff's deputy last month.
Martin Jim died in the Nov. 17 shooting along with the vehicle's driver Isaac Padilla.
The deputy involved told authorities that he fired several rounds at Padilla who tried to flee in a stolen pickup truck because he feared for the safety of his colleagues as the suspect revved the engine after being cornered.
Shawntay Ortiz filed the suit Tuesday in state district court. He's seeking damages for the death of 25-year-old Jim, who was his partner.
The suit says Jim didn't pose a danger to anyone.
Sheriff's officials say the office will wait to address the allegations during the litigation process.

DISCRIMINATION-LUJAN GRISHAM
Transgender intern: Rep. Lujan Grisham sent 'fake' letter
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A transgender former intern says an apology letter from her to Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico is a fake.
Riley Del Rey told The Associated Press on Tuesday she never wrote the letter and Lujan Grisham's office is circulating the bogus letter to divert attention from claims the congresswoman fired her because she is transgender.
According to the letter released by Lujan Grisham's office, Del Rey apologized for "unprofessional and unacceptable behavior" and for "shame" she brought to the congresswoman's office.
Del Rey says she never wrote the letter nor signed anything like it despite pressure from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.
Del Rey says she's filing a new ethics complaint against Lujan Grisham over the letter.
Lujan Grisham's office declined to comment on Del Rey's latest allegation.

SCHOOL SHOOTING HOAX
Student in Hobbs High School shooting hoax may face charges
(Information from: Hobbs News-Sun, http://www.hobbsnews.com)
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — A Hobbs High School student may face charges after authorities say he used a school computer to spread a hoax about a pending school shooting.
The Hobbs News-Sun reports the student, whose name hasn't been released, recently was disciplined for creating the hoax days after a gunman killed two students at Aztec High School.
Officials say disciplinary measures were also taken against two other Hobbs students who used their cell phones to photograph the computer screen hoax and then circulated it on their Snapchat social media accounts.
Rumors of the Hobbs High School shooting sparked around 200 parents to pick up their students early last week.
Hobbs High School Principal Zeke Kaney says officials take all threats seriously.
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PEOPLE-PAM GRIER
Pam Grier, Cybill Shepherd to appear at Las Cruces Film Fest
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Pam Grier, the star of gritty 1970s Blaxploitation movies like "Foxy Brown" and "Coffy," is scheduled to be a guest at the 2018 Las Cruces International Film Festival.
Grier will join Cybill Shepherd, star of the television series "Moonlighting," at the film festival which begins March 7.
Grier and Shepherd will be on hand for a screening of "Rose." Both have roles in the film.
The movie follows Shepherd, who plays a recently disabled and widowed former police officer, facing a life threatening illness. She decides to go on a solo road trip in a motorized wheelchair through New Mexico.
The screening kicks off the third year of the five-day festival that brings thousands to Las Cruces.

DISCRIMINATION-LUJAN GRISHAM
Pelosi asked to probe Lujan Grisham's discrimination case
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A Democratic New Mexico gubernatorial hopeful is asking U.S. House Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to investigate claims Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham discriminated against a transgender intern.
Jeff Apodaca said Monday that Pelosi should launch a formal congressional ethics investigation into the charges from a former intern with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.
Riley Del Rey says she was fired from Lujan Grisham's office because of her transgender identity.
Apodaca says "harassment and discrimination are totally unacceptable."
Lujan Grisham said through a spokesman that neither she nor her office would discriminate against anyone.
Apodaca is running against Lujan Grisham for the Democratic nomination for New Mexico governor.
Lujan Grisham told Democratic Sen. Michael Padilla last month to abandon his bid for lieutenant governor over decades-old harassment claims.

ONLINE CHARTER SCHOOL-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico pulls plug on virtual charter school
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico education authorities are pulling the plug on the largest online charter school in the state.
State Public Education Commission Chairwoman Patricia Gipson said Monday that the commission turned down renewal of the charter for New Mexico Connections Academy. She says the school failed to show adequate yearly progress in academic performance.
The Santa Fe-based virtual charter school provides online lessons to more than 1,300 students across the state. The New Mexico Department of Education says that student proficiency rates in math dropped to 11 percent in 2017 and opposed renewal of the school's charter.
Representatives for New Mexico Connections Academy could not immediately be reached for comment. The school can appeal the Public Education Commission's decision and could reorganize under the authority of a local school district.

WATER OUTAGE
Broken water line causes a water outage in Las Cruces area
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Authorities in Las Cruces say residents and businesses in the area of Calico Drive, Agave Lane, Cypress Court and Village Drive are experiencing an emergency water outage.
They say the outage is expected to last until about 6 p.m. Monday for repairs to a broken water line.
Once water service is restored, residents may notice discolored water due to iron and manganese.
Although the water is safe to drink, city officials recommend waiting to wash laundry until after the water becomes clear.
Las Cruces officials say the water discoloration should disappear within 24 hours.
If it does not, residents should flush outside and/or cold-water faucets in the house for five minutes.
If the discoloration remains, residents can call the city for assistance.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico city manager facing sexual misconduct allegations
JAL, N.M. (AP) — A city manager of a southeastern New Mexico community is facing allegations of sexual harassment that include crude text messages to female employees.
KOB-TV in Albuquerque reports at least two women are accusing Jal City Manager Bob Gallagher of sexual misconduct.
Dadrianne White told the station that Gallagher said she "owed him" for helping her get out of jail. White says Gallagher demanded to see nude photos and threatened to send her back to jail if she didn't have sex with him.
Gallagher says he wasn't aware of the text messages but later told KOB-TV the text messages about anal sex were "a joke."
Another female employee says Gallagher asked for sex at a motel room. Jal City Council later suspended Gallagher for that text message.

CHILD CARE-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico lawmakers to grapple with child care funding
(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico lawmakers will have decide in the new year whether to put more money into a program that provides child care for low-income families or whether the funds would be better spent elsewhere.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that Monique Jacobson, secretary of the state Children, Youth and Families Department, is asking the Legislature to approve an extra $25 million next year for child care assistance.
That's a 16 percent increase, to about $134 million a year.
Lawmakers have heard conflicting reports this year on child care assistance.
Nonpartisan analysts for the Legislative Finance Committee reported in August that child care assistance hasn't shown evidence of boosting academic achievement, though they acknowledged it has other benefits for working families.
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NEW MEXICO SCHOOL SHOOTING
Aztec High Schools return to class after deadly shooting
AZTEC, N.M. (AP) — Students of a New Mexico high school are back in class more than a week after a deadly shooting on campus.
Aztec High School students and staff returned Monday and were greeted by residents of this small northwestern New Mexico community who lined the streets to welcome them.
Casey Jordan Marquez and 17-year-old Francisco "Paco" Fernandez were killed on Dec. 7 when a gunman disguised as a student opened fire inside Aztec High School.
Police say the gunman later killed himself.
School officials say students began the day on Monday with an all-school assembly.
The school will be back on a regular schedule Tuesday and Wednesday.