Federal Grand Jury Sought Records Related To Susana Martinez – The Associated Press
The 3rd Judicial District Attorney's Office was asked to turn over documents including a variety of payroll, expense and law enforcement records connected to the governor's former job as Doña Ana County's top prosecutor.
The Santa Fe New Mexican obtained the Sept. 22 federal grand jury subpoena through a public records request.
A spokesman said in an email to the New Mexican that Gov. Susana Martinez is not the subject of an investigation.
Georgetown University Law Center professor Paul Rothstein said in an email that while it's uncertain what the subpoena means, it looks like federal prosecutors may have been looking to add to possible evidence regarding misused government resources.
The U.S. Justice Department, which includes the New Mexico U.S. attorney and the FBI's Albuquerque office, declined to comment.
UNM Health Center To Stop Training At Abortion Clinic – The Associated Press
The University of New Mexico is ending its relationship with an Albuquerque clinic that offers services that include late-term abortions.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the UNM Health Sciences Center announced last week that it will stop sending medical fellows and residents to Southwestern Women's Options for training.
Dr. Curtis Boyd, the clinic's director, is a volunteer faculty member at the center but the need for his position is under review.
Officials with the university's School of Medicine say they are looking for a more academic approach for training at an out-of-state institution.
They say the decision has nothing to do with controversy surrounding the clinic.
Some state lawmakers say the center essentially boosts the clinic's staffing for abortions.
Center officials say educating residents adds work for the clinic.
Contract To Manage Federal Nuke Lab Up For Grabs After 2017 – The Associated Press
The $2 billion contract to manage one of the federal government's premier nuclear weapons laboratories will be up for grabs after 2017.
The National Nuclear Security Administration has decided not to grant an extension of Los Alamos National Security's contract to run the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Members of New Mexico's congressional delegation say the reasons cited by the agency include a serious safety incident involving a worker, and the handling of enriched uranium at a Nevada facility in 2014.
The lab also has shared blame for errors that led to the indefinite closure of the federal government's only underground nuclear waste repository in 2014.
The current contract expires in September 2017.
Lab Director Charlie McMillan told employees the lab's latest review was better than the previous two but not good enough to ensure an automatic contract extension.
Navajo Nation On Track For First Utility-Scale Solar Plant – The Associated Press
The Navajo Nation's first utility-scale solar plant is on track to be built by the end of 2016.
The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority says the $64 million plant in Kayenta will be capable of powering an average 7,700 homes on the reservation.
The utility's general manager, Walter Haase, says the tribe will use federal loans and tax credits to finance the project.
Navajo customers won't immediately see an increase in their bills. That's because the Salt River Project has a two-year agreement to buy power from a natural gas plant the tribe invests in and will get credits to strengthen its renewable energy portfolio.
Officials say the financial terms are confidential.
The solar plant will create 100 jobs during construction and a handful of long-term jobs.
New Mexico Struggles With Campaign Finance Enforcement – The Associated Press
Former New Mexico Secretary of State Dianna Duran was able to funnel thousands of dollars in campaign donations to her private bank accounts during a gambling binge without any regulatory agency noticing that she was breaking the law.
Duran's own agency was in charge of regulating campaign finance, but it was a confidential tip about numerous cash deposits that led to her getting caught.
In the wake of the violations by Duran, more lawmakers were accused of sidestepping campaign finance laws by spending political donations on satellite TV service, clothing from outlet stores and other personal expenses.
Investigations are ongoing and no other charges have been filed in what has become a recurring problem in New Mexico political circles.
Voters and open government advocates are wondering how many more violations will surface now that glaring weaknesses are being highlighted in New Mexico's campaign finance reporting system.
FEMA Awards More Than $63.6M To New Mexico For Road Repairs – The Associated Press
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded more than $63 million to New Mexico for road repairs and hazard mitigation in Eddy County.
Damage came from severe storms and flooding in September 2014.
A federal disaster declaration designated eight counties eligible for federal public assistance grants.
The award provides $63.6 million in federal funding to Eddy County for permanent repairs and hazard mitigation to 24 aggregate, asphalt and chip-and-seal roadways.
A total of 111 miles of county roads sustained base and surface erosion due to flooding.
The FEMA grant includes more than $35.3 million for permanent road repairs.
Another $28.3 million in funding is for hazard mitigation. That's measures taken to avoid future damage from flooding.
Roadways will be elevated to prevent the road from becoming a water drainage channel.
Republicans Allege Potential Interference In EPA Spill Probe – The Associated Press
House Republicans are asking the Inspector General of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to look into potential agency interference with an investigation into a 3-million-gallon wastewater spill from a Colorado mine.
The Republicans said agency interviews with personnel involved in the spill may have tainted the Inspector General's pending probe of the Aug. 5 accident.
The lawmakers' concerns were detailed in a Friday letter signed by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop of Utah and Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas.
The accident was triggered by EPA cleanup workers who failed to test the water pressure inside the inactive Gold King Mine before conducting excavation work at the site. It sent a torrent of toxic heavy metals into rivers in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
Santa Fe Children's Museum To Close For At Least 1 Month – The Associated Press
The Santa Fe Children's Museum is temporarily closing as part of an effort to combat a financial decline.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the longtime museum will close for at least one month starting Jan. 4.
Executive Director Michael Hare says the closure will allow time for the museum to craft an overhaul of its operations.
Changes will be made to exhibits, staff, financial management and even the board of directors.
Museum officials made the decision Thursday during a closed board meeting.
No date for reopening has been determined.
The 30-year-old Children's Museum draws 70,000 visitors annually.
The facility has expanded over the years despite budgetary pressures.
Tax forms from recent years show the museum's expenses consistently outpace revenue by at least $30,000 each year.