Winter Weather Hits Parts Of New Mexico – The Associated Press
Difficult driving conditions are reported on some eastern New Mexico highways due to packed snow and icy spots as a strong storm system moves into the state.
Difficult conditions are reported early Thursday on sections of Interstate 25 straddling Las Vegas and parts of Interstate 40 near Santa Rosa.
The National Weather Service says central and eastern New Mexico are enduring frigid cold temperatures.
Forecasters say there will be some warming midday Thursday but that much of the east-central and northeastern plains will remain below freezing.
There will be very light snow through Thursday morning across the central and northeastern highlands, followed by significant accumulation in higher terrain late Friday and early Saturday.
And forecasters say a more potent storm system will hit the area Saturday night.
San Miguel County Approves Drilling Ordinance - The Associated Press
San Miguel County commissioners have voted in favor of an ordinance that imposes some of the strictest requirements on oil and natural gas exploration in the country.
The unanimous vote came yesterday during their regular meeting in Las Vegas. Several dozen people were in attendance.
The measure replaces a moratorium on oil and gas development that had been in place since 2010.
Under the ordinance, exploration and drilling is restricted to a sparsely populated stretch on the eastern side of the county. Drilling companies will have to pay steep application fees, pay for pre-drilling assessments and post bonds.
County officials say the requirements are aimed at protecting the health, safety and environmental welfare of residents.
Federal Appeals Court To Decide Tribal Land Claim - The Associated Press
Jemez Pueblo leaders are not giving up on efforts to reclaim as their own the Valles Caldera National Preserve.
The tribe considers the nearly 140-square-mile swath of federally-managed public land as a "spiritual sanctuary" and part of its traditional homeland.
Today the tribe goes before a panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in hopes of keeping its lawsuit against the federal government alive.
New Mexico House Clerk To Step Down Due To GOP Win - The Associated Press and Santa Fe New Mexican
The chief clerk of the New Mexico House of Representatives will be stepping down after 31 years in the senior staff position.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that Stephen Arias' departure is a result of the general election that saw Republicans gain a majority of the House for the first time in over a half-century.
Then-majority Democrats made Arias the chief clerk in 1983.
The chief clerk supervises about a dozen employees. The clerk's office has a budget of $1.1 million.
Junk Food Tax On Navajo Nation Lawmakers' Agenda - The Associated Press
Navajo Nation lawmakers have a packed agenda when they convene Thursday for a special session in Window Rock.
Among the 20 items on the agenda are bills to stiffen penalties for crimes on the reservation, address term limits for the tribal president and lawmakers, and impose a junk food tax.
Previous proposals for a 2 percent tax on food with little to no nutritional value have had mixed receptions in being both rejected and approved by tribal lawmakers. President Shelly vetoed one proposal, and an attempt to override it failed.
Another veto from Shelly on a bill to let Navajos decide whether political candidates are fluent in the tribe's language is on this week's special session agenda.
The session ends Friday.
Navajo Court To Hear Challenge In President's Race - The Associated Press
A case challenging a Navajo Nation presidential candidate's qualifications is headed to court Thursday.
Onetime presidential hopeful Myron McLaughlin filed a grievance against Russell Begaye earlier this month with the tribe's Office of Hearings and Appeals. Arguments are scheduled to start Thursday morning in Window Rock.
Begaye resumed his campaign after Chris Deschene was disqualified from the president's race for failing to show he could speak fluent Navajo.
Begaye placed third in the tribe's primary election and now faces Joe Shirley Jr. in the presidential contest tentatively scheduled for Dec. 23.
The grievance alleges financial improprieties and questions Begaye's loyalty to the tribe. Begaye's attorney, David Jordan, says none of the allegations would disqualify Begaye from the race for the tribe's top elected post.
Lost High School Class Found After 44 Years - The Associated Press and Los Alamos Monitor
A New Mexico high school class ring, lost for more than 40 years, has been found.
The Los Alamos Monitor reports that Matt Antos got his class ring back after a Los Alamos family stumbled upon it in their yard.
Seth Stradling says he spotted the Class of 1970 ring while during chores. His wife, Jennifer, then put pictures of the ring up on a Las Alamos Facebook page.
That's where Loretta Finley, the ex-wife of Antos, saw the ring. Finley says she lost it when they were dating in high school and had always felt bad about it.
Finley contacted her ex-husband who was surprised that the ring was finally located.