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Headlines: Judge Says State Violated Due Process, Compromise On Drivers Licenses...

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Injunction Issued On Services For People With Disabilities - The Associated Press

A federal judge is ordering New Mexico state agencies to reinstate services for people with disabilities pending reassessments.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that U.S. District Judge Judith Herrera this week issued an injunction, ruling that there'd been violations of peoples' rights to due process.

Groups which requested the injunction contended that people receiving benefits and services through a Medicaid program were being harmed, and Herrera agreed.

The state had argued that any harm was only speculative.

When the lawsuit was filed in 2014 after the state implemented a new assessment system, state officials said the system replaced an obsolete process and trimmed a lengthy waiting list for services.

Stolen Prints Found In Drug Den Returned To Artist's FamilyThe Associated Press

Stolen artwork found inside a former drug den is back in the hands of the artist's family.

The officer who found the prints created by the late-American Indian artist Al Momaday signed over custody of the artwork to Momaday's granddaughter during a news conference Friday at the Albuquerque Museum.

Jill Momaday was elated to see the prints again. She said they were just as she remembered them.

Officer Martin Smith found the prints in January during a sweep of the condemned property. It had been deemed uninhabitable for two years following the discovery of a methamphetamine lab.

Smith says he spotted an art portfolio case on the floor as city officials prepared to board up the building. Inside were dozens of signed and numbered prints.

An Albuquerque Museum curator valued the artwork at $33,000.

NM Senate Panel Votes Against Regent's Confirmation - The Associated Press

A New Mexico Senate panel has voted against confirming one of Republican Gov. Susana Martinez's nominees for the University of New Mexico Board of Regents, and another regent has resigned in protest.

The Senate Rules Committee voted 6-4 Friday against confirming former prosecutor Matt Chandler following a combative hearing.

Jamie Koch, whose reappointment as a regent was confirmed by the Senate earlier this week, fired off a resignation letter to Martinez.

He disagreed with the committee's rationale for refusing to confirm Chandler because of his "political activity." The former state Democratic Party chairman asked the governor to accept his resignation.

In a statement, House Majority Leader Rep. Nate Gentry condemned what he called "petty political games" in the Senate.

The full Senate was expected to discuss Chandler on Friday afternoon.

New Mexico Senate Panel Approves Two-Tier Driver's Licenses - The Associated Press

A New Mexico Senate panel has approved a driver's license bill that proposes a system to issue two distinct licenses, allowing those suspected of being in the country illegally to still have driving privileges.

The bill approved Thursday night by Republican Sen. Stuart Ingle of Portales and Democratic Sen. John Arthur Smith of Deming calls for one driver's license that complies with federal requirements and another that does not.

The House last month rejected an amendment akin to the long-serving senators' joint proposal and approved a bill 39-29 to end the state's practice of giving driver's licenses to people even if they can't prove they are in the country legally.

The Senate Public Affairs Committee voted 5-3 to approve the bill after taking brief testimony and a short debate, sending the bill to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Colfax County Sheriff's Deputy Arrested On Drug ChargeThe Associated Press

A sheriff's deputy in northeastern New Mexico has been charged in federal court with attempting to possess cocaine with intent to distribute.

Authorities say 45-year-old Deputy Vidal Sandoval of the Colfax County Sheriff's Office was arrested Friday.

He was indicted on the charge Tuesday, and his case was unsealed Friday.

Sandoval is a resident of Cimarron.

It's unclear whether Sandoval has a lawyer. Federal court records don't show that he has yet been given an attorney.

Farmington Nonprofit To Provide Alcohol Addiction ServicesThe Associated Press

A Farmington nonprofit has obtained tribal and federal contracts to provide a new residential treatment service for alcohol addiction.

The Daily Times reports that Four Winds Recovery Center secured the contracts with the U.S. Probation Office in New Mexico and the Jicarilla Apache Nation for a 90-day treatment program as it prepares to close its detox center.

Executive Director Jolene Schneider said the cost of the residential program is much less than the protective-custody detox service, which is scheduled to close in June.

It is currently the only detox center in San Juan County. However, a multi-agency plan involving Farmington and San Juan County will provide a similar service, but without protective custody.

NM House Approves Rules For Popular Ride-Booking Companies - The Associated Press

The New Mexico House of Representatives has passed legislation aimed at regulating ride-booking companies such as Uber and Lyft.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says the skyrocketing use of the services has captured the attention of lawmakers since it appears the popular companies are here to stay.

New Mexico lawmakers waded into the regulatory space Thursday, voting 56-8 in favor of a bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Monica Youngblood of Albuquerque and Democrat Sen. Phil Griego of San Jose.

The legislation comes as the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission wrestles with how to respond to the smartphone-based services that connect people seeking rides with people who have cars.

In February, commissioners decided to table a decision to allow Lyft to operate in the state.

Senate Backs Bill To Add Info To New Mexico Sunshine Portal - The Associated Press

Legislation that would enhance New Mexico's Sunshine Portal by requiring additional information on state contracts to be posted online has cleared the Senate.

The chamber's vote Wednesday was unanimous. The bill now goes to the House for consideration as lawmakers enter the final stretch of the 60-day session.

The New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry has voiced support for the bill, which is sponsored by Republican Sen. Sander Rue of Albuquerque.

Democrat Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard of Los Alamos is co-sponsoring the bill in the House.

Currently, state law requires only the recipient of a state contract, the purpose of the contract and the amounts expended to be posted.

Under the legislation, the portal would include a copy or link to the actual contract and provide details about whether it was awarded to an out-of-state business.

'Border Book Festival' In New Mexico To End After 2 Decades - The Associated Press and El Paso Times

The Border Book Festival in southern New Mexico is ending its 20-year run.

The El Paso Times reports that novelist Denise Chavez announced in an email this week that the spring festival won't be scheduled this year. Chavez, the festival's co-founder and longtime director, said she and her husband, Daniel Zolinsky, will instead focus on selling books on Abebooks, the international book search engine.

The Border Book Festival moved to Las Cruces nearly three years ago after the rent increased at the nonprofit organization's former headquarters in Mesilla.

El Paso poet Bobby Byrd, co-owner of independent publisher Cinco Puntos Press, applauded Chavez and her husband for continuing to support books and authors.

NM House Oks Bill With Option To End Rapist's Parental Right - The Associated Press

The New Mexico House of Representatives has unanimously passed legislation giving women the option to terminate the parental rights of a biological father when the pregnancy results from a rape.

The bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Conrad James and Democratic Rep. Georgene Louis proposes to do away with child custody and visitation rights of the father in such circumstances.

The legislation gives the mother the ability to terminate or permanently suspend the rights of the biological father, ensuring that a convicted rapist will not have access to her child, nor petition for visitation or custody.

James says "Passing this bill is the right thing to do for New Mexico's children and mothers."

The legislation approved Wednesday now moves to the Senate for consideration.

NM Supreme Court Rules In Public Records Case - The Associated Press

The New Mexico Supreme Court has clarified what penalties apply when a government agency or official wrongfully withholds public records.

The ruling came Thursday in the case of an Albuquerque attorney who sued then-Attorney General Gary King on behalf of three female staff lawyers over allegations of pay discrimination.

The attorney, David Faber, sought employment records from King's office for his case. King's office denied the request.

The question before the Supreme Court was not whether King wrongfully denied the request, but rather what type of damages were authorized under the law.

The law spells out a $100-a-day penalty when a government agency fails to comply with deadlines for responding to a records request.

King's office responded so the court said Faber would be able to seek only actual damages, costs and attorneys' fees since the records were wrongfully withheld.

Xcel To Add Solar Power To Its New Mexico-Texas Portfolio - The Associated Press

Two planned solar generating stations are expected to boost Xcel Energy's renewable energy portfolio for electric customers in New Mexico and Texas.

The utility announced Thursday it has signed power purchase agreements with affiliates of NextEra Energy Resources, which plans to build solar farms near Roswell.

The agreements require the approval of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.

Xcel spokesman Wes Reeves says the cost of solar has come down and tax incentives have helped to make it more competitive with gas-fueled generation.

Most of the utility's renewable energy comes from wind generation, but Xcel is looking to add more solar before investment tax credits expire.

Through the subsidiary Southwestern Public Service Co., Xcel serves nearly 385,000 customers in New Mexico and the Panhandle and South Plains regions of Texas.

Navajo Lawmakers Take Up Bill To Fund Presidential ContestThe Associated Press

Navajo Nation lawmakers are meeting in a special session Friday to consider a bill to fund a belated presidential election.

The measure sponsored by Delegate Dwight Witherspoon would give nearly $318,000 to the Navajo Election Administration to hold a presidential contest.

The general election originally scheduled last November had been delayed repeatedly by court challenges over language fluency requirements, other qualifications for candidates and lawmakers' attempts to switch up election law.

The tribe's high court most recently struck down a bill to hold a new primary election.

Navajos are set to go to the polls April 21 to decide whether Russell Begaye or Joe Shirley Jr. will be their next president.

Ben Shelly will continue serving as the tribe's top leader until a new president is sworn in May 12.

Judge Upholds Refusal To Allow Testimony On 'Warrior Gene'  – The Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal

A judge has upheld a ruling that testimony that a Santa Fe murder defendant was more prone to violent behavior because of a "warrior gene" will not be heard.

The Albuquerque Journal reported Thursday that a state District Court judge reaffirmed her earlier ruling in the trial of 27-year-old Anthony Yepez.

Yepez is charged in the 2012 choking and beating death of 75-year-old George Ortiz.

Yepez's attorney filed a motion after Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer's first denial at a January hearing.

The "warrior gene" argument could set the stage for a conviction for a lesser murder charge.

Sommer says there is no scientific evidence that the gene and a history of child abuse resulted in an inclination toward aggressive behavior.

Yepez's trial is set to begin April 20.

Santa Fe New Mexican Editor Arrested On DWI Charge - The Associated Press

The Santa Fe New Mexican editor has been arrested on a drunken driving charge.

Ray Rivera was booked early Thursday on charges of aggravated DWI, lacking proof of registration and insurance and driving without a license in his possession.

A police report said an officer spotted Rivera sitting in his car with the engine running and a damaged front tire. Rivera was calling his wife on his cellphone and said he was "too drunk to drive" after leaving a restaurant.

The officer said Rivera had blood-shot, watery eyes and slurred speech. He refused to take a field sobriety test or submit to a breath and blood test.

A former investigative reporter for The New York Times, Rivera was named the New Mexican's editor in 2013.

Rivera entered a not guilty plea. His lawyer, John Day, told the newspaper he advised Rivera not to make any statements.