Spending For New Mexico Film Industry Hits New High – The Associated Press
Gov. Susana Martinez says it's been a record-breaking year for New Mexico's film industry.
Martinez announced Friday that the motion picture industry brought nearly $290 million into the economy last year, the largest amount in history.
The governor says the strong film incentive program has been a factor in bringing projects to the Land of Enchantment.
Martinez signed a pair of bills boosting the already booming industry into law in April.
One measure expands the incentive program to allow qualifying television pilot episodes to receive additional rebates.
Another permits film companies to assign their tax rebates to banks on a one-time basis in order to get upfront loans.
Movies currently in production in New Mexico include "The Magnificent Seven" with Denzel Washington and TV's "Better Call Saul."
Governor: No Special Session On REAL ID In New Mexico – Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez's office says she won't call a special legislative session to fix the state's noncompliance with the federal REAL ID Act.
Martinez spokesman Michael Lonergan says the governor has already tried five times to repeal a New Mexico law that gives driver's licenses to immigrants regardless of legal status. However, Lonergan says Senate Democrats have blocked those bipartisan attempts.
The governor is expected to put the issue on the agenda — again — for next session.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently denied New Mexico an extension from tougher federal requirements on state driver's licenses.
The decision means New Mexico driver's licenses and IDs won't be valid for federal purposes, including, eventually, boarding commercial aircraft next year.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Raises Civil Rights Issues -
Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are raising questions about the U.S. Department of Agriculture's treatment of Latino farmers and ranchers.
Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Linda Sanchez of California and fellow Democrats Michelle Lujan-Grisham and Ben Ray Lujan, both of New Mexico, sent a letter to the agency last week and requested a meeting with Secretary Tom Vilsack.
They say many caucus members have received reports from constituents indicating significant civil rights violations and discrimination by the agency.
Their letter pointed to a 2013 review that found noncompliance with civil rights requirements and regulations by U.S. Forest Service offices in New Mexico and Colorado.
Caucus members say they believe the issues are widespread and affect Hispanic communities across the country.
The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Authorities To Give Briefing On Las Cruces Church Explosions – The Associated Press
Federal and local authorities will give an update on an investigation into the bombings that occurred outside two Las Cruces churches last summer.
The FBI and Las Cruces police are scheduled to hold a briefing later this morning at New Mexico State University's police department on the Aug. 2 explosions.
Authorities say two small bombs detonated outside Calvary Baptist Church and Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church about 20 minutes apart.
The churches, which are roughly 3 miles apart, suffered minor property damage.
There were no injuries.
The incidents spurred heightened security at churches throughout the city.
No suspects have been apprehended.
The incidents remain under investigation by multiple agencies.
Judge Sentences Albuquerque Businessman To Prison For Fraud – Associated Press
A state District Court judge in Alamogordo has imposed a three-year prison term on an Albuquerque businessman who pleaded guilty in an investment fraud case involving an 88-year-old victim.
Judge James W. Counts on Oct. 26 sentenced Jeffrey B. Bland to 18 years in prison but suspended 15 years of the sentence on the condition that Bland pay restitution of $75,000.
The state Regulation and Licensing Department said the victim was defrauded of $229,000, and department Superintendent Mike Unthank said Bland intentionally targeted vulnerable elder victims.
Bland was licensed to sell insurance products in New Mexico.
Appeals Court Rules Arrest Of Albuquerque Family Was Illegal – Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver has ruled that the arrest of an Albuquerque family in 2013 was illegal.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that school principal Stephen Maresca and his family was arrested after a hike in 2013 when a rookie Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office deputy typed in a wrong license plate number. The court ruled the arrest was illegal, reversing an earlier decision.
The case has been sent back to federal district court for a jury to determine whether the officers used excessive force in the arrest. The Journal reports officers aimed firearms at the parents and children.
The Appeals Court decision says it was not just the typo that puts Bernalillo County on the hook, but the fact that the deputy couldn't notice the difference between Maresca's truck and the different make and model that was reported stolen.
New Mexico Lawmaker Seeks To Pump More Into Balloon Fiesta – The Associated Press
A New Mexico state senator wants to see the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta soar even higher economically.
Sen. Lisa Torraco told the Albuquerque Journal on Sunday that she is proposing several ideas to create more jobs and generate more spending during the nine-day festival.
The Albuquerque Republican says the balloon fiesta should keep visitors on the field beyond the morning ascensions.
Torraco says she envisions adding all-day events involving mariachi bands, Native American dancing, local beer tastings and other events that showcase the city.
She also suggests lowering vendor fees to bring in more participation.
Fiesta executive director Paul Smith says Torrcao's suggestions are intriguing and definitely merit further discussion.
The event draws tens of thousands of spectators from around the world every October.
APS Apologetic Over Film Crew's Presence At School
An Albuquerque high school should be back to normal Monday after a Hollywood film crew elicited complaints from parents who say their children were denied entry.
KOAT-TV in Albuquerque reports that Albuquerque Public Schools administrators say they should have done a better job of notifying parents of Highland High students that a film crew would be occupying space last week.
APS spokesman Rigo Chavez says the school alerted students and staff about the presence of a film crew for "The Space Between Us," a sci-fi movie starring Gary Oldman.
Chavez says some students somehow did not know.
Parents say their children couldn't get dropped off or enter certain classrooms for two days last week.
Parent Timothy Reynolds says the money APS gets for renting the space should benefit Highland.