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More Snow On Its Way, LANL Contract Could Affect Tax Revenues

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Governor Issues Order To Keep Propane Available – The Associated Press

Gov. Susana Martinez has issued an executive order to keep a steady supply of propane throughout New Mexico as winter weather continues in the state. The order suspends regulations that limit the number of hours propane suppliers are allowed to drive.

The governor put the state National Guard on standby Saturday and ordered several state agencies to work closely together to monitor and prepare for the most recent storm.

Up For Bid, Nuke Lab Contract Could Affect Tax Revenues - Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press (Updated 11:40a)

Operations and construction at one of the nation's premier nuclear weapons research laboratories account for millions of dollars in tax revenue for New Mexico and some local governments.

But those revenues could take a hit depending on who's tapped to manage Los Alamos National Laboratory after 2017.

Federal officials recently confirmed that the $2 billion contract to manage the lab will be put out for bid due to failures over the past four years to meet certain performance goals.

Since 2006, the lab has been managed by a consortium that includes the University of California and other for-profit companies.

The consortium's status requires it to pay more than $100 million in taxes in most years. The community of Los Alamos also gets the majority of its revenues from lab operations.

Another Storm System To Move Across New Mexico – The Associated Press

A second storm system is set to hit New Mexico after the state saw a storm that brought more than a foot of snow in some areas.

The National Weather Service said the new system will strike New Mexico today, but should only bring around 1 to 2 inches of snow. However, temperatures will remain below freezing and that will keep roads icy and hazardous for traveling.

Cities, especially in southeastern New Mexico, struggled to clear roads and highways on Monday following a weekend storm that caused a number of traffic accidents and stranded motorists.

Snowstorm Traps Clovis Couple In Car For 20 Hours - The Clovis News Journal, The Associated Press

CLOVIS, N.M. (AP) — A Clovis couple spent nearly 20 hours trapped in their car underneath a snowdrift after winter storms tore through New Mexico this weekend.

The Clovis News Journal reports that rescue workers pulled Jimmy and Betty Anderson from the snow Sunday afternoon. The pair had become trapped while trying to deliver newspapers along their route Saturday night.

Betty Anderson was hospitalized with chest pains after their rescue and Jimmy Anderson was not injured.

The pair spent the night huddled under a blanket in their Ford Fusion, hoping their cellphone would stay charged so they could tell emergency responders they were trapped under the 12-foot drift.

Clovis Assistant Public Works Director Bill Kshir and Ray Lee Equipment employee Ty Gonser heard the Andersons yelling and honking their horn and were able to drag them to safety.

Police In Texas Help Stranded Woman About To Give Birth - The Clovis News Journal, The Associated Press

After responding to a number of weather-related problems, a police chief in a small Texas town got a different kind of call: A stranded woman was about to give birth.

The Clovis News Journal reports that Farwell police chief Larry Kelsay spent the weekend pulling cars from snowdrifts, helping people find shelter and dealing with damaged cause by the blizzard.

Then, at about 1 a.m. Monday, a Farwell woman called police and said she was about to give birth. The town doesn't have a hospital and the roads were closed.

Kelsay called paramedic Weldon Kube and drove him to the women's home. A second paramedic, Craig Giesbrecht, joined them there.

Kelsay says it was an easy birth. The baby was born at about 3:30 a.m.

Judge Says Navajo Case Against Urban Outfitters Can Continue -The Associated Press

A federal judge has ruled that the Navajo Nation's lawsuit against Urban Outfitters can continue under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.

The tribe sued the clothing retailer and its subsidiaries in 2012 to keep them from using the "Navajo" name or variations of it on their products.

The Daily Times of Farmington reports that U.S. District Judge Bruce D. Black ruled Dec. 21 that the tribe has injury in fact and can continue its claim under the Arts and Crafts Act, which was enacted in 1935 to protect the cultural property of Native Americans.

According to court documents, Urban Outfitters argued the tribe lacks standing to the claims because it cannot show injury in fact.

Lang, Longtime Publisher Of New Mexico's Largest Paper, Dies - The Albuquerque Journal, The Associated Press

Thompson H. Lang, who published New Mexico's largest newspaper for more than four decades, has died. He was 69.

The Albuquerque Journal announced Lang's death over the holiday weekend, reporting that the former publisher died early Saturday after a long illness.

Lang was remembered as a supporter of open government and a vigilant opponent of public corruption. His support helped to establish the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government.

He also was a successful developer, philanthropist, musician and pilot.

Lang became publisher of the Journal in 1971 at age 24 after the death of his father, C.T. Lang. He served as president of the Journal Publishing Co. and the Albuquerque Publishing Co., which prints and distributes the newspaper.

Lang's brother, Bill Lang, succeeded him as publisher in 2012.