TV-THE NIGHT SHIFT
Hospital drama returns to New Mexico for fourth season
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — NBC's hospital drama "The Night Shift" will be returning to New Mexico to film its fourth season.
The New Mexico Film Office made the announcement this week.
Film Office Director Nick Maniatis says principal photography will begin this month in Albuquerque and will continue through July.
The production will take place at Albuquerque Studios.
Set in San Antonio and filmed in Albuquerque, the drama stars Dublin-born Eoin Macken, who plays Dr. TC Callahan, as he tries to run a red-eye emergency room in a largely Mexican-American city.
The production is expected to employ about 350 New Mexico crew members and about 2,500 background talent.
BANK ROBBERY PLEA
Albuquerque man pleads guilty to armed bank robbery charge
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say an Albuquerque man has pleaded guilty to an armed bank robbery charge.
Prosecutors say 22-year-old Isaiah Gallegos entered his plea Tuesday in federal court.
Gallegos was arrested last year on a criminal complaint.
He and four co-defendants were accused of robbing a US Bank branch on March 30, 2016.
Three of the men remained in a vehicle while the fourth entered the bank, threatened to shoot the bank employees and demanded that two bank tellers place cash into a plastic bag.
Gallegos says he acted as lookout while his co-defendants robbed the bank.
Prosecutors say Gallegos faces a sentence of up to 25 years in federal prison.
He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing.
WOMAN PUSHED FROM MOVING CAR
Las Cruces man accused of pushing his wife out of moving car
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Police in Las Cruces have arrested a man accused of pushing his wife from a moving vehicle.
They say 53-year-old Horacio Moreno is facing charges of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and battery against a household member.
It was unclear Tuesday if he has a lawyer yet.
Police were dispatched Saturday night about an injured person and arrived to find a 37-year-old woman unresponsive with visible injuries to her face and body.
She was rushed to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police say the woman was with friends at a home when her husband arrived and picked her up.
The woman says Moreno was armed with a handgun and as the vehicle approached an intersection, Moreno allegedly punched her in the face and pushed her out the passenger door.
SODA TAX-THE LATEST
The Latest: Soda-tax backers outspend beverage industry
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Proponents of a tax on sugary sodas in Santa Fe, New Mexico, are raising and spending more in political contributions than opponents in efforts to sway the outcome of a city ballot initiative.
A political committee supported by the lobbying arm of the soft-drink industry reported in financial disclosures Tuesday that it has received about $1.2 million in cash and in-kind contributions. The Better Way for Santa Fe and Pre-K committee spent most the money in efforts to defeat the tax initiative.
A political committee backed by New York billionaire Michael Bloomberg that favors the tax has received nearly $1.5 million in cash and in-kind contributions to promote the tax. The committee earlier said it was being outspent by the soft-drink industry, but campaign filings show that no longer appears to be the case.
Voters in New Mexico's capital city have until May 2 to decide whether to levy a new 2-cents-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks to expand prekindergarten programs.
ENDANGERED WOLVES-LAWSUIT
Court removes obstacle to releasing wolves in New Mexico
DENVER (AP) — A court has removed one obstacle to the federal government's plan to release more endangered wolves in New Mexico over the state's objections, but it wasn't immediately clear whether or when additional releases would occur.
A Denver-based federal appeals court on Tuesday lifted a preliminary injunction that prevented the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from releasing more Mexican gray wolves after New Mexico refused to agree to the plan.
State and federal officials had no immediate comment Tuesday.
New Mexico could ask the appeals court to reconsider or ask the Supreme Court to hear the case.
Even with the injunction lifted, it wasn't immediately known whether wolf releases would continue under President Donald Trump, who has slowed or reversed other environmental initiatives.
TRUMP-NATIONAL MONUMENTS
Trump wants a review of national monuments
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is asking for a review of the designation of tens of millions of acres of land as "national monuments." He will sign an executive order Wednesday tasking his interior secretary with leading that review.
The action could upend protections put in place in Utah and other states as Trump tries to rack up accomplishments in his first 100 days. The order comes as Trump tries build on the presidential acumen he's established early on at the White House.
The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes the president to declare federal lands as monuments and restrict how the lands can be used.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke told reporters about the move at the White House Tuesday evening.
BUDGET CRISIS
Attorney sidelined in New Mexico state budget standoff
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The lead attorney for the New Mexico Legislature in a legal challenge of major budget vetoes by Gov. Susana Martinez has withdrawn from the case at the urging of a state agency.
Attorney Thomas Hnasko notified the Supreme Court of his withdrawal from efforts to block vetoes by the governor that would defund the legislative branch and all state institutions of higher education. He declined further comment Tuesday.
In court filings, Hnasko says the New Mexico Risk Management Division requested he leave the case based on a "perceived conflict of interest." The private law firm where Hnasko works is contracted as defense counsel by the agency.
Leading Democratic lawmakers say there was no conflict of interest and that the Martinez administration is attempting to delay action by the Supreme Court.
NMSU-FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
NMSU eyes $125 million fundraising campaign amid uncertainty
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State University has launched an ambitious campaign to raise $125 million amid uncertainty with state funding.
The southern New Mexico college is set to hold "an energized event" on Friday to unveil the campaign's theme and to announce a new gift to the university. Country music star Bri Bagwell is scheduled to perform at the event.
Officials say the campaign, which extends through 2019, aims to create $50 million in new scholarship endowments.
Last month, New Mexico State University Chancellor Garrey Carruthers announced that the university is considering merging colleges and cutting programs amid ongoing state budget cuts.
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed the state's entire higher education budget. A special session will now be held for lawmakers to determine funding for colleges and universities.
Hospital drama returns to New Mexico for fourth season
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — NBC's hospital drama "The Night Shift" will be returning to New Mexico to film its fourth season.
The New Mexico Film Office made the announcement this week.
Film Office Director Nick Maniatis says principal photography will begin this month in Albuquerque and will continue through July.
The production will take place at Albuquerque Studios.
Set in San Antonio and filmed in Albuquerque, the drama stars Dublin-born Eoin Macken, who plays Dr. TC Callahan, as he tries to run a red-eye emergency room in a largely Mexican-American city.
The production is expected to employ about 350 New Mexico crew members and about 2,500 background talent.
BANK ROBBERY PLEA
Albuquerque man pleads guilty to armed bank robbery charge
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say an Albuquerque man has pleaded guilty to an armed bank robbery charge.
Prosecutors say 22-year-old Isaiah Gallegos entered his plea Tuesday in federal court.
Gallegos was arrested last year on a criminal complaint.
He and four co-defendants were accused of robbing a US Bank branch on March 30, 2016.
Three of the men remained in a vehicle while the fourth entered the bank, threatened to shoot the bank employees and demanded that two bank tellers place cash into a plastic bag.
Gallegos says he acted as lookout while his co-defendants robbed the bank.
Prosecutors say Gallegos faces a sentence of up to 25 years in federal prison.
He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing.
WOMAN PUSHED FROM MOVING CAR
Las Cruces man accused of pushing his wife out of moving car
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Police in Las Cruces have arrested a man accused of pushing his wife from a moving vehicle.
They say 53-year-old Horacio Moreno is facing charges of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and battery against a household member.
It was unclear Tuesday if he has a lawyer yet.
Police were dispatched Saturday night about an injured person and arrived to find a 37-year-old woman unresponsive with visible injuries to her face and body.
She was rushed to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police say the woman was with friends at a home when her husband arrived and picked her up.
The woman says Moreno was armed with a handgun and as the vehicle approached an intersection, Moreno allegedly punched her in the face and pushed her out the passenger door.
SODA TAX-THE LATEST
The Latest: Soda-tax backers outspend beverage industry
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Proponents of a tax on sugary sodas in Santa Fe, New Mexico, are raising and spending more in political contributions than opponents in efforts to sway the outcome of a city ballot initiative.
A political committee supported by the lobbying arm of the soft-drink industry reported in financial disclosures Tuesday that it has received about $1.2 million in cash and in-kind contributions. The Better Way for Santa Fe and Pre-K committee spent most the money in efforts to defeat the tax initiative.
A political committee backed by New York billionaire Michael Bloomberg that favors the tax has received nearly $1.5 million in cash and in-kind contributions to promote the tax. The committee earlier said it was being outspent by the soft-drink industry, but campaign filings show that no longer appears to be the case.
Voters in New Mexico's capital city have until May 2 to decide whether to levy a new 2-cents-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks to expand prekindergarten programs.
ENDANGERED WOLVES-LAWSUIT
Court removes obstacle to releasing wolves in New Mexico
DENVER (AP) — A court has removed one obstacle to the federal government's plan to release more endangered wolves in New Mexico over the state's objections, but it wasn't immediately clear whether or when additional releases would occur.
A Denver-based federal appeals court on Tuesday lifted a preliminary injunction that prevented the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from releasing more Mexican gray wolves after New Mexico refused to agree to the plan.
State and federal officials had no immediate comment Tuesday.
New Mexico could ask the appeals court to reconsider or ask the Supreme Court to hear the case.
Even with the injunction lifted, it wasn't immediately known whether wolf releases would continue under President Donald Trump, who has slowed or reversed other environmental initiatives.
TRUMP-NATIONAL MONUMENTS
Trump wants a review of national monuments
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is asking for a review of the designation of tens of millions of acres of land as "national monuments." He will sign an executive order Wednesday tasking his interior secretary with leading that review.
The action could upend protections put in place in Utah and other states as Trump tries to rack up accomplishments in his first 100 days. The order comes as Trump tries build on the presidential acumen he's established early on at the White House.
The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes the president to declare federal lands as monuments and restrict how the lands can be used.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke told reporters about the move at the White House Tuesday evening.
BUDGET CRISIS
Attorney sidelined in New Mexico state budget standoff
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The lead attorney for the New Mexico Legislature in a legal challenge of major budget vetoes by Gov. Susana Martinez has withdrawn from the case at the urging of a state agency.
Attorney Thomas Hnasko notified the Supreme Court of his withdrawal from efforts to block vetoes by the governor that would defund the legislative branch and all state institutions of higher education. He declined further comment Tuesday.
In court filings, Hnasko says the New Mexico Risk Management Division requested he leave the case based on a "perceived conflict of interest." The private law firm where Hnasko works is contracted as defense counsel by the agency.
Leading Democratic lawmakers say there was no conflict of interest and that the Martinez administration is attempting to delay action by the Supreme Court.
NMSU-FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
NMSU eyes $125 million fundraising campaign amid uncertainty
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State University has launched an ambitious campaign to raise $125 million amid uncertainty with state funding.
The southern New Mexico college is set to hold "an energized event" on Friday to unveil the campaign's theme and to announce a new gift to the university. Country music star Bri Bagwell is scheduled to perform at the event.
Officials say the campaign, which extends through 2019, aims to create $50 million in new scholarship endowments.
Last month, New Mexico State University Chancellor Garrey Carruthers announced that the university is considering merging colleges and cutting programs amid ongoing state budget cuts.
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed the state's entire higher education budget. A special session will now be held for lawmakers to determine funding for colleges and universities.
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