New Mexico GOP Hopes To Win Legislative Majority - The Associated Press
Democrats have controlled the New Mexico House for the past 60 years, but the political landscape is giving Republicans hope for a breakthrough in the general election.
Republicans need a net gain of three seats to take control of the 70-member House. There are at least 10 competitive races, with Democrats and Republicans each holding five of those seats.
Albuquerque pollster Brian Sanderoff says Republicans will receive a boost from the national political mood and having a popular GOP governor — Susana Martinez — on the top of the ticket to draw party loyalists to the polls.
Sanderoff says Republicans have picked up seats in the Legislature historically when there's an unpopular Democratic president during a midterm election. The GOP gained eight seats in 2010.
Navajo High Court Holds Hearing In Language Case - The Associated Press
The Navajo Nation Supreme Court has delayed a decision on a petition to keep a disqualified presidential candidate off the ballot over the issue of fluency in the Navajo language.
Chris Deschene says he is appealing a hearing officer's ruling that disqualified him.
The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday on a petition filed by lawyers for two men challenging his candidacy.
The attorneys say the Navajo Board of Election Supervisors was wrong to disregard the order disqualifying Deschene.
Deschene had refused to show he met a qualification that candidates for tribal president be fluent in Navajo.
The justices are not yet considering the fluency question. They said Monday's hearing was on whether the election board must enforce the disqualification order and move up the third-place finisher from the primary.
Zoo Boosts Security After Tasmanian Devil's Death - The Associated Press, The Albuquerque Journal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The killing of a rare Tasmanian devil on loan from Australia has prompted beefed-up security at a New Mexico zoo and a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo is adding more guards and surveillance cameras following the death of the animal named Jasper at the zoo last week.
An examination concluded that Jasper died from a fractured skull and brain trauma. A piece of asphalt was found nearby.
The animal was one of four Tasmanian devils loaned to the Albuquerque zoo by Healesville Sanctuary in Australia as part of an effort to start a breeding program for the endangered species.
A zoo booster group and a city anti-crime program are offering the $5,000 reward.
Group Takes Over Pajarito Mountain Ski Area - The Associated Press
The management group that operates northern New Mexico's Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort is taking over the ski slopes near Los Alamos.
Resort officials say they are now planning for a full season of skiing and snowboarding at the Parajito Mountain Ski Area starting on Thanksgiving Day.
The Los Alamos Ski Club made the announcement Monday, saying the partnership with the Sipapu Group will allow the club's traditions to continue and it will enhance recreational opportunities for the community.
Last May, the ski club — which had previously owned and operated Pajarito — voted to transfer the ski area to Los Alamos County and the Sipapu Group. The club is now in the process of transferring its assets to the group and the county.
Radio Personality's New Mexico Ranch Up For Sale - The Associated Press, The Santa Fe New Mexican
A northern New Mexico cattle ranch belonging to radio personality Don Imus is on the market for $32 million.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the 2,400-acre ranch near the small community of Ribera and about 45 miles east of Santa Fe has been used to benefit children afflicted by cancer.
The 74-year-old Imus says he is selling the property to support charitable foundations with the sale proceeds.
He says he hopes to sell the ranch to a group interested in continuing the goal of benefiting kids.
Imus and his wife founded the ranch in 1998. It has hosted children for nine-day visits during summer months.