Albuquerque Police: Wounded Detective Improves – The Associated Press
Authorities say an Albuquerque police detective who was shot and critically wounded by a fellow officer during an undercover drug bust is improving.
A police spokeswoman says the detective, identified Monday as Jacob Grant, has had three surgeries in recent days and more are scheduled.
Authorities say Grant and Holly Garcia, another undercover detective, were conducting a narcotics operation on Friday when the shooting occurred.
Police say they were in a vehicle with two suspects in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant. Unmarked police vehicles surrounded the car just before gunfire erupted.
Police say something happened inside the car that forced Grant to reveal he was an officer. That's when Lt. Greg Brachle fired the shots.
Police are still investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting.
Lawmaker Proposes Mandatory Family Services In Abuse Cases – The Associated Press
A New Mexico lawmaker wants to make it mandatory for parents or guardians to receive court-ordered family services when abuse or neglect of a child is suspected.
Rep. Kelly Fajardo says an extra layer of intervention would help protect children and keep families together.
The Belen Republican says the court-ordered services could include drug or alcohol counseling, parenting courses or anger management classes. She says the goal would be to identify any problems and determine the needs of the child and family.
Republican Gov. Susana Martinez implemented a series of executive orders and policy changes last year to improve the way authorities investigate abuse and neglect cases.
Her administration is calling for more money this session to continue with reforms, including more child advocacy centers and other family support programs.
New Mexico Court Rules On Immigration Consequences – The Associated Press
The New Mexico Supreme Court says it's not enough that a defendant hears in court that pleading guilty could result in deportation.
The justices ruled Monday in case from Dona Ana County that a defendant was denied effective legal representation because his lawyer hadn't warned him beforehand about a guilty plea's immigration consequences.
Cesar Favela pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and driving while under the influence.
The plea's consequences were discussed in court before the judge accepted Favela's plea, but Favela later asked to be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea. He said he hadn't understood the consequences.
The Supreme Court said the warnings that Favela heard in court didn't make up for the ineffective legal representation that he received.
Mississippi Murder Suspect Wounded In New Mexico Shootout – The Associated Press
A man wanted in Mississippi for murder is hospitalized after a shootout with New Mexico authorities east of Lordsburg.
New Mexico State Police said Tuesday that 23-year-old D'Juan Holloway remains in stable condition at a Texas hospital.
They say the Gulfport police had issued a warrant for Holloway's arrest for capital murder and carjacking.
State Police officers along with New Mexico Motor Transportation police, Lordsburg police and Hidalgo County Sheriff's deputies were involved in a pursuit Monday afternoon after Holloway was spotted on Interstate 10.
Authorities say Holloway fired at officers and a shootout ensued after Holloway's vehicle stopped on the highway.
Holloway was transported to Gila Regional Medical Center in Silver City, New Mexico before being airlifted to the University Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.
Navajo President Sworn In Despite Losing Re-Election - The Associated Press
The Navajo Nation president has been sworn in to continue as the tribe's top leader, even though he badly lost his re-election bid.
That's because the Navajo presidency is in limbo over a disputed elected. As a result, Ben Shelly remains president until the mess gets sorted out.
Shelly's inauguration was low-key and closed to the public and media. Tribal lawmakers were sworn in during a public ceremony earlier Tuesday.
The tribe's general election for president was thrown into turmoil after a candidate was disqualified in a language fluency dispute.
The tribe's high court mandated a general election by Jan. 31. But Shelly and lawmakers approved a do-over allowing all previous 17 primary election candidates to face off in a special June election that's being challenged in court. Shelly won't run again.
Senator Wants Legislative Committee Given Year-Round Status - The Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal
A New Mexico state senator wants the Legislature's interim joint committee on health and welfare issues to get permanent year-round status.
Democratic Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino of Albuquerque says the change would enable the House-Senate committee to meet more often and dig deeper into health and welfare issues, as other year-round committees do with fiscal and education matters.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, the Albuquerque Democrat says health and welfare issues such as health insurance, child protection and care of the aging deserve more attention from lawmakers.
Republican Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort of Sandia Park says she doesn't see a need for the proposed change. She says the committee has excellent staff and has done good work.
Lawmaker Proposes Mandatory Family Services In Abuse Cases - The Associated Press
A New Mexico lawmaker wants to make it mandatory for parents or guardians to receive court-ordered family services when abuse or neglect of a child is suspected.
Rep. Kelly Fajardo says an extra layer of intervention would help protect children and keep families together.
The Belen Republican says the court-ordered services could include drug or alcohol counseling, parenting courses or anger management classes. She says the goal would be to identify any problems and determine the needs of the child and family.
Republican Gov. Susana Martinez implemented a series of executive orders and policy changes last year to improve the way authorities investigate abuse and neglect cases.
Her administration is calling for more money this session to continue with reforms, including more child advocacy centers and other family support programs.
Navajo President To Be Sworn In Tuesday For Indefinite Term - The Associated Press
The Navajo Nation president will be sworn in Tuesday to continue as the tribe's top leader — even though he badly lost his re-election bid.
That's because the Navajo presidency is in limbo over a disputed election. As a result, Ben Shelly will remain president until the mess gets sorted out.
Shelly's inauguration will be low-key and closed to the public and media. Tribal lawmakers will be sworn in during a public ceremony.
The tribe's general election for president was thrown into turmoil after a candidate was disqualified in a language fluency case.
The tribe's high court mandated a general election by Jan. 31, but Shelly and lawmakers have approved a do-over allowing all previous 17 primary election candidates to face off in a special election next summer.
Bernalillo County Commissioners To Consider Proposal For Tax - The Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal
Bernalillo County officials are recommending a $63 million tax increase to cover a projected budget shortfall for New Mexico's most populous county.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that county commissions were scheduled to consider the proposal Tuesday and that some were cool to the idea.
The proposed gross receipts tax, which is similar to a sales tax, would be three-eighths of a percent, or 38 cents on $100 of purchases.
Officials say the county stands to lose $11 million in annual state funding. But much of the additional money from a tax increase would go toward debt payments.
A signal from the commissioners to move forward with the proposed gross receipts tax would authorize posting of a legal notice. A final decision by the commission would be made in February.
Bad Weather Delays Balloon Crew Aiming To Break Records - The Associated Press
An international team aiming to break two major ballooning records says the launch of its helium-filled balloon has been delayed again by bad weather.
Pilots Troy Bradley of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Leonid Tiukhtyaev of Russia hoped Tuesday to set off from Saga, Japan, but the team announced that they are waiting several days because of unexpected and sudden weather changes.
Unfavorable winds scuttled a launch last week.
The pilots are looking to reach North America, an attempt that will put them on course to break a distance record of 5,208 miles.
They also want to break the flight-duration record set in 1978 when Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman made the first trans-Atlantic balloon flight.
The team's mission control will be located in Albuquerque.
New Mexico Female Inmates Art Show Nears - The Associated Press
An art exhibit featuring work by female inmates is entering its final week for submissions.
Bernalillo County Cultural Services and the Southwest Women's Law Center are seeking art for a show by women artists and women artists detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
The show also will feature work by young women in juvenile detention at the Bernalillo County Youth Services Center.
The exhibit will be offered in March at the African American Performing Arts Center Gallery in conjunction with National Women's History Month.
A spokesperson says the idea was born after the law center approached the county on showcasing work by women preparing to reintegrate into society.
Albuquerque Man Arrested In Killing Of His Brother - The Associated Press
Authorities have arrested a 59-year-old Albuquerque man in the shooting death of his brother.
The U.S. Marshals Service says Albuquerque police detectives and officers to a federal fugitive task force on Monday arrested Alberto Martinez at his home in the death of 48-year-old Anthony Martinez.
According to Albuquerque police, Anthony Martinez was found dead inside an apartment on Thursday. An autopsy found that he died from blunt force trauma.
Police say detectives found that the brothers had argued and fought the night before Anthony Martinez was found dead.
An arrest warrant ordered that Alberto Martinez be held without bond. It's not clear whether he has an attorney.