New Mexico House Panel Eyes State Cuban Trade Office – The Associated Press
A New Mexico House panel is set to discuss a proposal that would create a state Cuban Trade Office.
The House Business and Employment Committee is scheduled Saturday to debate the bill sponsored by Rep. Miguel Garcia.
Under the proposal, the office would identify potential buyers in Cuba for New Mexico goods and services. The office also would assist New Mexico businesses with marketing in Cuba.
President Barack Obama recently loosened the Cold War-era trade embargo with a range of measures designed to increase economic ties with Cuba and increase the number of Cubans who don't depend on the communist state for their livelihoods.
Agricultural products are exempt from the embargo, but payment restrictions have limited U.S. imports in the island nation off Florida's coast.
New Mexico House Votes To Ban Late-Term Abortion – The Associated Press
The New Mexico House of Representatives has passed a second abortion bill, this one requiring parental notification within 48 hours when a minor is seeking to end a pregnancy.
The 39-28 vote came after nearly three hours of debate. Earlier in the evening, the House voted 42-26 to approve a ban on late-term abortions following another four hours of commentary. Both bills now head to the Senate.
Supporters say the late-term abortion ban is designed to bring New Mexico in line with 42 other states that prohibit some abortions after a certain point in pregnancy.
Abortion-rights advocates say women need safe access to abortions, not government interference.
Both bills include exceptions in cases of rape, incest, sexual abuse and when the woman's life is in danger.
Under both proposals, a physician would face a civil penalty of at least $5,000 and his or her license would be taken away for at least a year.
City, County Of Santa Fe At Odds Over $700,000 Water Bill – The Associated Press
Santa Fe city and county officials are at an impasse over $700,000 in water bills.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the city claims it is owed money for every time the county has relied on municipal wells and reservoirs.
The two local governments have been part of a water system known as the Buckman Direct Diversion since 2010.
The project channels surface water from the Rio Grande into a treatment plant, which pumps water into Santa Fe.
But the diversion ceases when there is sediment or upstream runoff that may contain contaminants.
Those down times are when the county leans on city resources.
The county says it is disputing the bill.
City spokesman Matt Ross says the two sides are in discussions to find a resolution.
Arizona Woman On Trial In Death Of Husband; Body Was Dumped – The Associated Press
A murder trial is underway in Prescott, Arizona, for a woman accused in the fatal stabbing of her husband, whose body was dumped at a New Mexico airport by her lover from North Carolina.
The Daily Courier newspaper in Prescott reported that the jury began hearing testimony Thursday in the trial of 48-year-old Laura Jeane Stelmasek in the 2011 killing of Craig Stelmasek at the couple's home.
Marzet Farris III left the victim's body in a van at the Albuquerque airport and then caught a flight to North Carolina where Laura Stelmasek joined him at his home near Raleigh.
She faces charges of first-degree murder and multiple other crimes.
Farris was convicted February 12 of murder, conspiracy, tampering with evidence and concealing a dead body.