Albuquerque Mayor Vetoes Decriminalize Pot Bill - The Associated Press
Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry has vetoed a measure that would have allowed voters to decide if small amounts of marijuana would be decriminalized in New Mexico's largest city.
Berry said in a video message Friday that the proposal would contradict state and federal laws, and he couldn't "in good conscience" support the bill.
A divided Albuquerque City Council voted to put the measure on the November ballot after activists failed to collect enough signatures.
The veto comes two days after the Santa Fe City Council bypassed voters and adopted outright a similar measure that makes possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a civil infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $25.
Berry's move also vetoes a tax increase and other proposals attached to the same bill.
Recovery Center To Open In Bernalillo County - The Associated Press
Bernalillo County is working with a nonprofit group to open a center where adolescents can recover from drug addiction.
As a first step, the county has purchased 8 acres in Albuquerque's South Valley. The property includes several buildings were young people and recovery professionals will be able to live and work.
The $732,000 purchase was funded by state capital outlay grants.
The county also has entered into a partnership in which Healing Addiction in Our Community will provide services to the adolescents.
Those who seek help at the transitional living facility would have to complete a 28-day drug detox and treatment program before being admitted. They would be able to live at the recovery center for up to six months.
Organizers hope to open the facility early next year.
2 Arrested In Fatal Shooting In SW Albuquerque - The Associated Press
Authorities have arrested a man and a woman in connection with a fatal shooting at a southwest Albuquerque gasoline station earlier this week.
Bernalillo County sheriff's officials say 21-year-old Samir Rodriguez and 21-year-old Frankie Esquibel were taken into custody Friday.
Both are being held on suspicion of an open count of murder
Two other suspects in the case are being questioned by police, but haven't been charged yet.
Authorities say the body of 20-year-old Kenneth Perez was found early Tuesday at the gas station.
Sheriff's officials say Perez was shot and killed during a fight.
Democrat Lags In Poll, Money In NM Governor's Race - The Associated Press
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gary King remains optimistic he can close the gap in an uphill challenge against Republican incumbent Susana Martinez.
King trailed Martinez in a recent poll and lags in fundraising.
But King says he considers himself within striking distance of the incumbent after weathering a barrage of negative TV ads by Martinez and a national GOP group.
Martinez leads the race with 50 percent of likely voters backing her, according to an Albuquerque Journal poll. King was favored by 41 percent and 9 percent were undecided in the mid-August survey.
Albuquerque pollster Brian Sanderoff said King faces a difficult task because he must pick up undecided voters and chip away at Martinez' support.
Absentee voting starts on Oct. 7, about a month before the November general election.