Albuquerque Activists Hold Ferguson Protest – The Associated Press
Around 200 Albuquerque protesters joined demonstrators nationwide after a grand jury's decision not to indict a white police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black teenager in Missouri.
The demonstration last night forced Albuquerque police to momentarily close traffic in the city's International District but the protest remained peaceful.
Albuquerque has seen its own string of demonstrations following the March police shooting of a homeless camper and more than 40 police shootings since 2010.
City officials recently signed an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department to reform APD after a scathing report finding excessive use force and an absence of accountability.
New Mexico City Enters National Voter ID Law Fight - The Associated Press
Voters in Hobbs are set to decide on an ordinance that would require a photo ID in local elections.
A special election has been scheduled for December 9th on a proposed voter ID law.
The election comes after a number of cities and states across the country have enacted similar measures.
Civil rights groups say such laws disproportionately affect blacks, Latinos, senior citizens and the poor.
But supporters say the measures would help eliminate potential voter fraud.
Major Transmission Line Inches Closer To Service - The Associated Press
The federal government is one step closer to giving the green light to a proposed $2 billion transmission line between Arizona and New Mexico that has become a priority for the Obama administration.
The Bureau of Land Management has released its environmental assessment of a compromise reached with the U.S. Defense Department over siting of the 515-mile-long line.
The review found there would be no significant effects from burying a portion of the line to avoid interfering with operations at White Sands Missile Range. Officials were initially concerned the line could reduce testing operations and ultimately threaten national security.
Disagreement over the location put the line in limbo last year.
SunZia is one of seven pilot projects put on a fast track by the administration in hopes of boosting renewable energy development mainly across the West.
Canvassing Board Orders Recount In Statewide Race - The Associated Press
The certification of New Mexico's general election results is on hold pending a recount in the statewide race for land commissioner.
The State Canvassing Board met yesterday in Santa Fe and ordered a recount in the contest between incumbent Democrat Ray Powell and Republican challenger Aubrey Dunn. The latest totals provided by the secretary of state's office show Dunn with a 704-vote lead.
This will be the first recount in a contest for a statewide office since New Mexico enacted a law in 2008 for automatic recounts when the margin between the top two candidates is less than one-half of 1 percent.
State election officials also updated the voter turnout numbers. Nearly 521,800 voters cast ballots. That's just shy of 41 percent of the state's registered voters.
New Mexico To Get Preferential Treatment On Waiver - The Associated Press
The U.S. Department of Education says it'll give New Mexico preferential treatment when the state applies for an extended waiver from federal No Child Left Behind requirements.
Officials say New Mexico will be allowed to apply early for an extension, be eligible to receive approval faster and get a longer waiver — four years instead of three years.
The waiver frees the state from the No Child Left Behind requirement that 100 percent of students score proficient on state standardized tests.
New Mexico's waiver extension request is due by the end of January in order to receive approval in the spring of 2015.
Murder Case Dismissed Over Lack Of Speedy Trial - The Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal
A judge in Albuquerque has dismissed murder charges against a man whom the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled was denied his constitutional right to a speedy trial.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that District Judge Monica Zamora granted a defense request to dismiss charges against Walter Brown in the 2011 stabbing of James Moore.
Zamora previously refused to dismiss the case but she granted the new request Tuesday in the wake of a Nov. 6 state Supreme Court decision.
Brown spent nearly three years in jail while awaiting trial.
The Supreme Court ruled that Brown's rights were denied when a judge set a $250,000 bond solely based on Brown's alleged crimes and not whether he was a flight or safety risk.
The New Mexico Constitution presumes that defendants are bailable.
Navajo Lawmaker Responds To Criminal Charges - The Associated Press
A Navajo Nation lawmaker says he expects to be cleared on charges of misusing tribal funds.
Prosecutors have filed nine criminal charges against Mel Begay in relation to a now-defunct discretionary fund. He's accused in criminal complaints of illegally authorizing nearly $34,000 in payments to his six children.
Begay is scheduled to appear in Window Rock District Court later this month.
He said in a recent statement released through his attorney that the charges are unwarranted and that he will defend himself vigorously.
Lapel Cameras Coming To Roswell Police - The Associated Press and KOB-TV
Roswell police are set to become the latest law enforcement agency to require all officers to wear lapel cameras.
KOB-TV reports that the department this week is putting in the final bid on 60 cameras.
Officials say the cameras will be required to record every traffic stop and every call. The agency could start using them next month.
Officers can either wear the camera on sunglasses or collars.
The cameras are part of a $235,000 capital outlay project.
Albuquerque Police Identify 1 Of Shooting Victims - The Associated Press
Albuquerque police have released the identity of a man who was one of two people shot Monday evening.
Police say 37-year-old Ervin Gallas was the person killed but that they're not releasing the name of a 19-year-old wounded man for his safety.
The younger man is hospitalized in critical condition.
Police say no arrest has been made but that the shooting resulted from a dispute between people who knew each other.