GOP Lawmaker Eyes Utah Driver's License Model For New Mexico - Russell Contreras, Associated Press
A key New Mexico Republican lawmaker says he will propose a bill next session modeled after Utah's immigrant driver's license law.
Rep. Paul Pacheco told The Associated Press he will sponsor legislation that would grant New Mexico "driving privilege cards" for undocumented immigrants. Pacheco says he decided to look at the Utah model amid a stalemate between Republicans and Democrats over revising a New Mexico law that allows immigrants to obtain state driver's licenses regardless of status.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently denied New Mexico an extension from tougher federal requirements on state driver's licenses.
The decision means New Mexico IDs won't be valid for federal purposes.
Pacheco had previously sponsored a measure to repeal New Mexico's immigrant driver's license law.
Funeral Of Slain Albuquerque Police Officer Lines City Streets – The Associated Press
Thousands of people lined the streets of Albuquerque as law enforcement officers guided the funeral procession for slain officer Daniel Webster.
People stood with their hands of their hearts today, and many held American flags. Others were dressed in blue as sirens blew while the funeral procession passed through the city.
Some emotional witnesses held signs of support saying they stood "behind the blue line."
Webster, who was 47, died Thursday at a hospital from injuries sustained in a shooting a little more than a week earlier. Police say Webster stopped a man riding a motorcycle with a stolen license plate when the suspect opened fire and fled.
No Arrests Yet In Las Cruces Church Explosions – The Associated Press
Authorities still are searching for a person of interest in the explosions outside two Las Cruces churches three months ago.
Two small bombs detonated outside Calvary Baptist Church and Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church about 20 minutes apart on Aug. 2.
The churches are located about 3 miles apart and both had some minor property damage.
There were no injuries, but the incidents spurred heightened security at churches throughout Las Cruces.
No suspects have been apprehended.
At a news conference Monday, FBI spokesman Robert Wright says the agency still is looking for a person of interest seen on surveillance video around the time one of the bombs went off at Calvary Baptist.
The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
Officials Investigate After Escaped Inmate Recaptured – The Associated Press & The ABQ Journal
New Mexico corrections officials are investigating how an inmate who escaped and was recaptured ended up at a minimum-security facility in the first place.
Ronald Martinez was arrested Monday in the Tome area after being reported missing from the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility Level One Farm earlier that day.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the 42-year-old convicted felon had spent 16 years in federal prison for two armed carjackings before racking up his current charges for forgery and vehicle theft.
Officials say it is unclear how Martinez was trusted in the "farm" area of the facility, where there are few security measures. For his escape, Martinez slipped out of his bed early Monday morning and wasn't noticed to be missing until 5 a.m.
Mora School Chief Resigns Amid Fake Credential Probe – The Associated Press & The Las Vegas Optic
An embattled northern New Mexico superintendent under fire for faking his credentials has resigned.
The Las Vegas Optic reports that Mora Independent School District superintendent Charles Trujillo recently submitted his resignation and it was approved by the school board.
Trujillo's resignation follows an investigation by the Optic that Trujillo faked his credentials to obtain his administrative license. Two days after the Optic story was published, Trujillo surrendered his education licenses to the state Public Education Department.
The Mora board had voted on Oct. 22 to place Trujillo on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the PED investigation. State Education Secretary Hanna Skandera later informed the district it was breaking the law by continuing to pay him.
EPA Grants More Time For Mine Spill Repayment Pact – The Associated Press
The Environmental Protection Agency has given La Plata County and the Southern Ute tribe more time to work out an agreement with the agency for compensation for their costs from the Gold King Mine spill.
The county and the tribe said last week that EPA headquarters in Washington hadn't responded to multiple requests for an extension, which was granted Monday. It's unclear how much more time the tribe and county will have to hash out an agreement with the EPA.
Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner and Rep. Scott Tipton asked the EPA to make sure local governments and tribes are fully reimbursed.
An EPA-led crew inadvertently released 3 million gallons of wastewater tainted with heavy metals from the mine in August. Colorado, New Mexico and Utah rivers were affected.
Above-Average Snowfall In New Mexico's Higher Elevations – The Associated Press
Forecasters say New Mexico's winter likely will feature more snowfall than normal, at least in the higher elevations.
The National Weather Service's Albuquerque office is predicting above-average snow snowfall in the state's higher-elevation mountain areas during December through February.
According to the weather service, its forecast is based on snowfall data from the last four strong to extreme El Nino events and climate forecast models.
Man Accused Of Impersonating A Police Officer In New Mexico – The Associated Press
A man is being held without bond in New Mexico after allegedly impersonating a police officer and leading authorities on a high-speed chase.
Dona Ana County sheriff's officials say 38-year-old Eduardo Soliz was arrested Monday on suspicion of aggravated fleeing of a police officer, receiving stolen property and impersonating a police officer.
They say Soliz had active warrants out of Texas for burglary and embezzlement.
A Las Cruces resident called 911 to report a possible prowler in the area who was identifying himself as a police officer.
The caller said the man was wearing a bulletproof vest with what appeared to be law enforcement badges on his chest and belt.
Sheriff's deputies say a chase ensued that reached speeds of up to 100 mph before authorities deflated his car's tires.
Feds Investigate Albuquerque Medical Research Lab – The Associated Press
Federal officials have acknowledged that a nonprofit institute in Albuquerque that uses animals for research is the subject of an investigation.
Confirmation of the investigation stemmed from a public records request filed earlier this year by the animal-right group Stop Animal Exploitation Now, a frequent critic of the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which regularly inspects the lab, stated in a recent letter that the records could not be released due to an open investigation.
The agency on Monday did not immediately respond to questions about what spurred the investigation.
The lab was fined nearly $22,000 in 2011 for Animal Welfare Act violations, and federal inspectors reported earlier this year that an untrained technician's actions resulted in the death of one of the lab's research dogs.
Navajo Nation On Track To Spend $20M On Planes - Felicia Fonseca, Associated Press
Navajo Nation lawmakers have given the OK for a team to negotiate a $20 million loan to acquire three new planes.
The bill passed earlier this month is raising questions among tribal members about the need on the vast reservation where running water and electricity are considered luxuries. Unemployment hovers around 50 percent.
Navajo Nation Council Delegate Davis Filfred says the planes are essential for doing business. The reservation has no commercial air service and driving to meetings can take hours.
His colleague, Amber Crotty, says the potential purchase reinforces the perception that Navajo leaders are out of touch with the struggles of the people.
Filfred's bill awaits action by President Russell Begaye. He says he'll veto the bill if it affects direct services to Navajos.
EPA Grants More Time For Mine Spill Repayment Pact – The Associated Press
The Environmental Protection Agency has given La Plata County and the Southern Ute tribe more time to work out an agreement with the agency for compensation for their costs from the Gold King Mine spill.
The county and the tribe said last week that EPA headquarters in Washington hadn't responded to multiple requests for an extension, which was granted Monday. It's unclear how much more time the tribe and county will have to hash out an agreement with the EPA.
Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner and Rep. Scott Tipton asked the EPA to make sure local governments and tribes are fully reimbursed.
An EPA-led crew inadvertently released 3 million gallons of wastewater tainted with heavy metals from the mine in August. Colorado, New Mexico and Utah rivers were affected.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Raises Civil Rights Issues - Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are raising questions about the U.S. Department of Agriculture's treatment of Latino farmers and ranchers.
Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Linda Sanchez of California and fellow Democrats Michelle Lujan-Grisham and Ben Ray Lujan, both of New Mexico, sent a letter to the agency last week and requested a meeting with Secretary Tom Vilsack.
They say many caucus members have received reports from constituents indicating significant civil rights violations and discrimination by the agency.
Their letter pointed to a 2013 review that found noncompliance with civil rights requirements and regulations by U.S. Forest Service offices in New Mexico and Colorado.
Caucus members say they believe the issues are widespread and affect Hispanic communities across the country.
The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.