US To Allow Mexican Trucks In With Screening – The Associated Press
The U.S. Department of Transportation says it will soon allow Mexican trucking firms to apply for authorization to make long-haul cross-border runs, potentially ending a longstanding dispute.
It says it expects the move to permanently end Mexico's on-again, off-again retaliatory tariffs on $2 billion in U.S. imports.
The department said Friday that data from a three-year pilot program that ended in October "showed that companies from Mexico had violation, driver, and vehicle out-of-service rates that met the level of safety as American and Canadian-domiciled motor carriers."
The department did not say when applications would start.
The opening is a long-delayed provision of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement. It has been stalled for years by concerns it could put highway safety and American jobs at risk.
Albuquerque Officer Critically Injured After Shooting – The Associated Press
Albuquerque police say an undercover detective is in critical condition after being shot by another undercover officer while conducting a narcotics operation.
The shooting happened just before noon Friday near a busy intersection on the city's southeast side.
Police Chief Gordon Eden says preliminary information shows both officers were working undercover and were in plain clothes when the shooting happened. He had no other details about the circumstances that led to the shooting and he did not release the names of the officers.
The shooting happened as unmarked police vehicles surrounded a car in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant around midday. Witnesses inside said they heard a series of gunshots and it was not long before dozens of officers had the area surrounded.
The two suspects involved in the drug bust were taken into custody.
This marks the second shooting of an officer in Albuquerque in less than a week.
Improvements Sought For D.H. Lawrence Ranch In New Mexico – The Associated Press
A northern New Mexico ranch where novelist D.H. Lawrence once sought spiritual renewal is working to reshape itself.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that Taos groups like the D.H. Lawrence Ranch Alliance, Friends of D.H. Lawrence and elements within University of New Mexico are helping to raise funds for the ranch.
The ranch was closed to visitors from 2008 until 2014 but reopened last summer. The property has languished due to a lack of funds for upkeep, an unreliable water supply and its isolated location.
According to preservation advocates, Lawrence and his wife, Frieda, made summer visits in 1924 and 1925. Even after Lawrence's 1930 death, the ranch still hosted many famous visitors like author Willa Cather and artist Georgia O'Keeffe.
Frieda Lawrence, who died in 1956, left the property to UNM.
Authorities: Las Cruces Couple Accused Of Child Abuse – The Associated Press
Authorities say a Las Cruces couple has accused of child abuse after their 2-year-old daughter was found living without heat, food or adequate clothing.
Dona Ana County Sheriff's deputies responded to a domestic-violence call Thursday where 32-year-old Rina Hernandez alleged she had been battered during an argument by her 44-year-old live-in boyfriend Michael Sullivan.
During a subsequent search, deputies say the girl was found inside the home.
A deputy noted the house didn't have heat or running water and the power had been shut off. The outside average temperature at the time was 41 degrees.
The toddler was turned over to the custody of Children, Youth and Families.
Hernandez and Sullivan are being held without bond at the County Detention Center. It was unclear Friday if they have lawyers.
Charges Dropped Vs Las Cruces Woman Accused In Knife Attack – The Associated Press
Authorities have dropped all charges against a Las Cruces woman accused of attacking her ex-boyfriend with a knife.
Dona Ana County Sheriff's investigators say the decision was made because of a lack of victim cooperation.
They say 35-year-old Eligio Soto refused to give a statement to investigators in the case against Lisa Holguin.
As a result, the Third Judicial District Attorney's Office has determined there isn't enough evidence to proceed with prosecution.
A warrant had been issued for the 23-year-old Holguin's arrest after she allegedly attacked Soto as he was eating breakfast on Dec. 21.
Holguin reportedly was armed with a set of brass knuckles that were also outfitted with a knife.
Sheriff's officials say Holguin remains in custody on a warrant for failure to appear.