Trump blames Democrats, not his team, for border deaths
President Donald Trump claims that two Guatemalan children who died in U.S. custody were already ill, yet both young migrants passed initial health screenings by border officials.
As Democrats criticized Trump for also tweeting Saturday that Democratic immigration policies were responsible for the deaths, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen visited medical officials and Border Patrol agents at the Arizona and Texas southern borders. The visit came amid promises of additional wellness screenings for migrant children.
In Guatemala, the mother of 8-year-old Felipe Gomez Alonzo, who died Christmas Eve, told The Associated Press that her son was healthy when he left with his father on their journey hoping to migrate to the U.S.
STRANDED FAMILY RESCUED
New Mexico family stuck in snow, rescued after 2 days
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Searchers rescued a family of four who "stayed hunkered down" in their pickup for two days after getting stuck in snow in mountains in southern New Mexico.
The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports that the family from Carlsbad was reported missing Thusday and that searchers on snowmobile found them safely inside their pickup near Mayhill in the Lincoln National Forest.
The search began after the Otero County Sheriff's Office contacted the New Mexico State Police upon being notified that the family didn't return to a hotel in the area.
State Police Officer David Miller said the family — a man and his three children ages 11-14 — "stayed hunkered down in that pickup truck for the last two days, waiting."
Mayhill is 98 miles (157 kilometers) north of El Paso, Texas.
AMERICAN MOTHERS-LATHAM
New Mexico woman to lead mothers' advocacy group
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A nonprofit group that advocates on behalf of mothers across the U.S. has tapped New Mexico's tourism secretary to be its next leader.
American Mothers Inc. announced Friday that Rebecca Latham will assume the role of chief executive officer on Jan. 1. Latham served as the state's tourism boss under outgoing Gov. Susana Martinez.
Latham has been a member of American Mothers' board of directors since April 2017.
Before being appointed tourism secretary in 2015, she served as the agency's communication director and was previously the director of tourism and economic development in the northern New Mexico community of Red River.
Latham's new duties will include growing a philanthropic initiative that supports other nonprofit organizations that help women and children.
NAVAJO NAVAJO-COMPANY
Navajo bill aimed at changing company to for-profit status
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — A bill proposed for consideration by the Navajo National Council is aimed at making a tribal-owned energy company a for-profit corporation.
The Daily Times reports that the legislation would authorize the tribe to petition the U.S. Interior Department to allow the Navajo Transitional Energy Co. to become a for-profit corporation under the Indian Reorganization Act.
The NTEC is a tribal enterprise company created in 2013 to purchase the Navajo Mine near Fruitland.
Besides owning the mine, the company acquired a 7 percent interest in the Four Corners Power Plant this year and is exploring options for the tribe's potential purchase of the Navajo Generating Station near Page, Arizona.
The council on Friday began a special session scheduled to conclude Monday.
JUVENILE RECORDS-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico court rescinds proposed rules on juvenile records
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Proposed rule changes that would have sealed records in many New Mexico crime cases involving juveniles have been rejected by the state Supreme Court.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the court on Dec. 30 rescinded amendments that the court previously approved in 2017 but suspended last January to provide more time for public comment.
A committee that drafted the proposed amendments said sealing records in delinquency proceedings was consistent with "protecting the privacy of children who come in contact with the courts, particularly in the digital age."
However, the court's latest order said it was rescinding the proposed amendments under "the general rule of transparency" guiding New Mexico courts and because the Legislature hasn't required the automatic and immediate sealing of court records filed in delinquency proceedings.
OFFICER KILLED-APPEAL
Court upholds sentence for man accused in officer's death
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court has upheld the life sentence for a man convicted of killing a suburban Albuquerque police officer.
In 2016, Andrew Romero was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, plus 60 years, following a jury trial in Los Lunas. He was convicted of shooting and killing Rio Rancho Officer Gregg Nigel Benner in 2015.
Romero's attorney argued on an appeal before the state's high court that the jury was tainted during his trial because four jurors indicated they had been exposed to media coverage resulting from the shooting. The defense argued that that none of the 12 jurors should have been exposed to media headlines in the case.
DISTRIBUTION COMPANY-INVESTMENT
Distribution company to invest $16.5M in New Mexico
SANTA TERESA, N.M. (AP) — A regional distribution company has plans to invest another $16.5 million to expand its operations in southern New Mexico.
Gov. Susana Martinez's office announced Friday that Valley Cold Storage and Transportation plans to increase its presence in the border community of Santa Teresa and will add 10 jobs.
The expansion is being supported by up to $150,000 in local economic development funds.
State Economic Development Secretary Matt Geisel called Valley Cold Storage a homegrown success story. The company serves southern New Mexico, West Texas and northern Mexico.
Since 2011, the governor's office says New Mexico has invested nearly $130 million in improvements in Santa Teresa to attract businesses to the bustling area. That has included roadway reconstruction, water infrastructure and a port of entry visitor center.
PEOPLE-CHEVEL SHEPHERD
Winner of "The Voice" to perform at New Mexico inauguration
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Chevel Shepherd, the winner of NBC's "The Voice," is scheduled to perform next week at the inauguration of New Mexico Gov.-elect Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Lujan Grisham's office says Shepherd will perform "God Bless America" at the inaugural ceremony along with other songs at the two inaugural balls on Jan. 1.
The Democratic politician says Shepherd, a 16-year-old from Farmington, has made New Mexicans proud with her remarkable talent.
Shepherd was declared the winner of "The Voice" earlier this month after weeks of competition. Singer Kelly Clarkson was her coach.
Shepherd has said she also plans to schedule a concert in January in her hometown.