Navajo Seeks To Be Part Owner Of Coal-Fired Power Plant – The Associated Press
The Navajo Nation is pursuing partial ownership of a coal-fired power plant in northwestern New Mexico.
The move comes as many utilities are divesting from the energy source in favor of renewables.
The Navajo Transitional Energy Co. says it's negotiating with the operator of the Four Corners Power Plant for a 7 percent stake in the plant. The tribal enterprise bought the coal mine that feeds the power plant near Farmington in 2013.
Company spokesman Erny Zah says it's an opportunity to build expertise in energy production as it considers renewable energy projects in the near future.
Environmentalists say coal is not economically feasible given the regulatory challenges it faces over emissions controls and have been pushing for a more immediate transition to renewable energy.
New Mexico Lawmakers Will Try Again On Lyft, Uber Bill - Russell Contreras, Associated Press
A Republican House member wants lawmakers to reconsider a bill aimed at regulating ride-booking services like Uber and Lyft in New Mexico.
Rep. Monica Youngblood says she is crafting a proposal that could end confusion over how Lyft and Uber could legally operate in the state.
The legal status of the companies has been in limbo since they began offering services in the state in 2014. The businesses say the state's Motor Carrier Act doesn't apply to them because neither operates as a commercial taxi business. Rather, they offer an online service that allows people with cars to connect with people seeking rides.
But traditional taxi companies say ride-booking services need to be regulated like them.
A similar bill did not make it to the New Mexico Senate last session.
Prosecutors Argue For Ex-Police Officers' Trial To Stay Put – The Associated Press & The ABQ Journal
Prosecutors are pushing for the trial of two former Albuquerque police officers charged in the shooting death of a homeless man to stay in the city.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that Randi McGinn and Kevin Holmes filed their response in court this week to a request from defense attorneys that the trial be relocated.
In court documents, the prosecutors say Albuquerque's large population would offer a bigger jury pool than anywhere else in the state.
They also say Keith Sandy and Dominique Perez should be tried where the alleged killing occurred.
Defense attorneys had argued media attention surrounding the case made a fair trial impossible.
Sandy and Perez were officers when they shot James Boyd after an hours-long standoff.
Boyd had been camping illegally in the Sandia Mountain foothills.
Dianna Duran, Shooting Of Officers Top New Mexico News – The Associated Press
New Mexico Secretary of State Dianna Duran began 2015 tasked with enforcing the state's campaign finance laws. She ended the year sitting in a Santa Fe County jail for violating them.
Duran resigned in disgrace and pleaded guilty in October to charges that she siphoned thousands of dollars from her election account to fuel a gambling addiction.
Her case reignited the debate about weaknesses in New Mexico's campaign finance laws and led to more lawmakers being accused of sidestepping the laws.
Meanwhile, there were loud calls for reforming the state's criminal justice system after Rio Rancho Officer Gregg Benner and Albuquerque Officer Daniel Webster were fatally shot by men who had lengthy criminal records.
The shootings and Duran's conviction were among the stories that dominated headlines in 2015.
New Mexico Dem Delegation: State Can Get REAL ID Extension - Russell Contreras, Associated Press
New Mexico's Democratic congressional delegation says the state may get an extension on federal REAL ID enforcement if Gov. Susana Martinez and lawmakers come to an agreement to revise state law.
Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich with Reps. Ben Ray Lujan and Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has assured them New Mexico would get the extension after the governor's office informs federal authorities.
Udall spokeswoman Jennifer Talhelm said Martinez and state lawmakers have to tell Homeland Security officials they've agreed on a specific proposal and promise to pass it.
State lawmakers are expected in January to begin revising a state law that allows immigrants regardless of status to obtain New Mexico driver licenses.
The GOP-controlled House and the Democratic-led Senate both have "two-tier" proposals.
Police Recordings Haunt New Mexico Governor - Morgan Lee, Associated Press
Audio recordings of an awkward exchange between police and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez at a holiday party could spell trouble for an emerging star of the Republican Party.
Voice recordings released on Tuesday show that Martinez waved police off a complaint of rowdy behavior at the hotel where the governor was hosting a holiday party for staff.
A Santa Fe Police sergeant says Martinez was inebriated and her political opponents say she tried to bully police and 911 dispatchers.
The governor has apologized as the recordings set off a wave of criticism on social media. Martinez has said she had one and a half drinks over the course of several hours at the party.
Vandals Do At Least $80K Damage To Albuquerque Middle School – The Associated Press
Albuquerque Public Schools officials say the damage caused by vandals to Wilson Middle School may exceed $80,000.
The Albuquerque Journal reports a small group of vandals threw paint, broke glass and toppled tables, shelves and computers in eight classrooms at the school Tuesday.
APS's director of maintenance and operations says the $80,000 damage estimate doesn't include the expense of replacing laptop computers, large smart screens, projection cameras and science lab materials smashed in the attack.
Police are investigating how the vandals got into the rooms, noting there were no signs of forced entry through window or doors.
School officials say the rooms should be in usable condition by the time students return on Jan. 5.