Court: Navajo Presidential Election Cannot Be Held Tuesday – The Associated Press
A Navajo Nation judge says election officials cannot move forward with Tuesday's presidential contest.
Window Rock District Judge Carol Perry says the law is clear that a referendum vote on language requirements for the presidency must be held before Navajos choose their next leader.
Calls to election officials went unanswered late Friday, and their attorney didn't immediately respond to messages. An appeal to the tribe's Supreme Court is likely.
Tribal lawmakers passed a bill earlier this year to fund a referendum that essentially would eliminate a Navajo language fluency requirement for the tribe's top two posts.
The law was challenged in the tribe's Supreme Court, which enforced a previous order to hold the presidential election without further delay. The justices didn't address the referendum scheduled later this spring.
Sandia Labs, Purdue Agree To Tackle Science, Tech Problems – The Associated Press
Sandia National Laboratories and Purdue University have signed a five-year agreement to tackle science and technology problems of national importance.
The memorandum signed Friday aims to solve large national problems and help recruit and retain scientists and engineers. Another goal is to get innovative and new technology into the marketplace quicker.
Officials say such agreements are expected to bolster connections between national research universities and federally funded research and development centers, such as Sandia.
Among other things, the collaboration will provide opportunities for students and faculty to do research at a national lab.
Sandia has similar agreements with other universities.
With main facilities in Albuquerque and Livermore, California, Sandia has research and development responsibilities that cover national security, energy and environmental technologies and economic competitiveness.
Fort Sill Ask New Mexico Court To Reconsider Decision – The Associated Press
An Oklahoma-based American Indian tribe is asking New Mexico's highest court to reconsider its decision not to force Gov. Susana Martinez to sign a gambling compact with the tribe.
The state Supreme Court denied the Fort Sill Apaches' initial petition in March.
The tribe wants to operate a casino on land near Deming in southern New Mexico that was put into trust in 2002. It says it doesn't matter that the tribe's land hasn't been federally approved yet for gambling.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the tribe is now using statements by former Gov. Gary Johnson to rebut Martinez's claim that the tribe had gone back on its word not to try to build a casino.
The governor's office has produced a memo to back up its contention.
State Auditor Working With Santa Fe On Park Bonds – The Associated Press
State Auditor Tim Keller says his office will help Santa Fe correct problems related to the mismanagement of a $30 million bond issue for parks and trails.
The bonds, approved in 2008, were aimed at buying land and improving public parks, trails and open spaces for recreational purposes.
A review by an accounting firm found numerous flaws in the city's administration of the bond funds. The firm reviewed about half of the 52 projects included in the bond issue and found that 21 exceeded the established budget.
The scope of work for 14 projects was never approved by the City Council or the city manager.
Keller says his office will provide additional oversight to ensure corrective actions are taken to address the deficiencies in internal controls that were found.
Los Alamos Lab's Security Force In Contract Dispute – The Associated Press
Talks between the security workers who protect Los Alamos National Laboratory and the contractor that employs them are stalled.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports replacement guards are preparing to deploy to protect employees and high-security areas at the northern New Mexico lab as early as next week if a resolution is not reached.
The contract at issue covers about 230 workers. It's set to expire April 25.
Lab spokesman Kevin Roark says the company hired by the federal government to operate the lab — Los Alamos National Security LLC — isn't involved in the negotiations.
The talks are between the guards' union and the Virginia-based security company SOS LLC.
Roark says the lab is hopeful the situation can be resolved.
Barela Takes Oath, Fills Vacant New Mexico Senate Seat – The Associated Press
Torrance County Republican Ted Barela is the newest member of the New Mexico Senate.
He was sworn in Friday during a ceremony at the Estancia Community Center.
Barela fills the seat left vacant by the abrupt resignation of Democrat Phil Griego during the final week of the recent 60-day legislative session.
Griego held the Senate District 39 seat for more than 18 years. His resignation stemmed from an ethics issue over his role in the sale of a state-owned building in Santa Fe.
Commissioners in the six counties that make up the district named nominees to fill the post. Republican Gov. Susana Martinez picked Barela.
Barela says his focus will be on keeping rural communities vital and finding solutions to the challenges they face as they lose population.