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Trump To Talk Immigration And Oil Boom During NM Visit, Institute Received $275K Through Epstein

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President Donald Trump at 2016 campaign rally in Arizona

Trump Visit Spotlights Border Economy, MigrationAssociated Press

The Trump administration is highlighting a crisis in illegal immigration and a thriving local oil industry in New Mexico as the president prepares to visit the border state for the first time since taking office.

Senior administration officials on Monday said communities at the border have seen major influxes of illegal immigrants.

Several groups of more than 100 migrants largely composed of Central American families have been detained this year after crossing into New Mexico.

New Mexico communities also have struggled to provide temporary shelter to thousands of asylum-seeking migrants released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection without economic assistance as the migrants seek out final destinations.

Administration officials note that New Mexico's unemployment rate has fallen to 4.9% amid a surge in local oil production.

New Mexico Governor Criticizes Trump Ahead Of VisitAssociated Press

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is taking aim at President Donald Trump ahead of his visit to the state for a campaign rally.

The first-year Democratic governor described the president as being demeaning to Hispanics and immigrants since being elected. She also said Trump's policies have resulted in increased taxes for some New Mexicans.

A vocal critic of the president, Lujan Grisham touted her own administration for its efforts to raise the minimum wage in New Mexico and to shift more investments to renewable energy, suggesting Trump hasn't helped the state.

However, Republican supporters argue that Democratic lawmakers pushed for tax increases during the last legislative session and that the president's economic policies and the oil boom in southeastern New Mexico have helped generate revenues for the state.

Democrats Focus On Voter Turnout Ahead Of Trump RallyAssociated Press

Democratic student activists and congressional representatives are holding a voter registration drive as President Trump travels to New Mexico for a political rally.

U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Luján of Nambé and Debra Haaland of Albuquerque joined student Democrats on campus at the University of New Mexico on Monday in urging eligible voters to register.

Luján announced the registration drive in an email hours before Trump's scheduled political rally at an arena in Rio Rancho. Hillary Clinton beat Trump by 8 percentage points in 2016.

Democratic elected officials have seized on Trump's visit to organize their own rally near Albuquerque's historic plaza.

New Mexico Arena Packed With Trump SupportersAssociated Press

Thousands of people poured into a New Mexico arena Monday evening after waiting outside for hours for a political rally that will be headlined by President Donald Trump.

The crowd included many wearing the red caps that have become a symbol of the president's agenda. Outside, vendors sold political T-shirts and other merchandise.

Trump's campaign has suggested the historically Democratic state could be flipped in the next election and many of those in attendance agreed.

Skeeter Trent was among those who believe Trump can win more voters in New Mexico in 2020. The 55-year-old Rio Rancho resident says the president's visit will spark excitement and will help other Republican candidates.

A few dozen protesters gathered across the street from the arena. It was a much smaller number of demonstrators than Trump's two previous visits to the Albuquerque metro area during the 2016 campaign.

Supporters Gather Early For Trump Rally In Rio RanchoAssociated Press

A crowd is gathering for President Donald Trump's rally in New Mexico.

Hundreds of people showed up early Monday to ensure their place in line ahead of the evening event in Rio Rancho, a city northwest of Albuquerque.

Schools and some local government offices were closed in preparation for the president's visit to New Mexico's largest metro area. Law enforcement agencies also warned residents about roads that would be closed as the president's motorcade travels to the rally.

Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull said his city was prepared to keep things as peaceful as possible as protesters vowed to step up acts of civil disobedience and demonstrations.

Thousands of people were expected to attend, and Democrats were planning their own gathering near downtown Albuquerque. Some groups and political candidates purchased billboard space to display their opposition to Trump.

Trump Seeks To Spring Upset In New Mexico Next YearAssociated Press

President Donald Trump is headed to New Mexico for a campaign rally that demonstrates his efforts to capture a few more Democratic-leaning states in next year's presidential election.

Trump will speak at a rally near Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Monday. It's the first stop on a three-day swing that will also take him to California for a quartet of fundraisers expected to raise more than $15 million.

Trump is looking to find the next Wisconsin or Michigan — states that Democrats generally win in presidential elections but that can surprise under certain conditions, as they did in 2016.

New Mexico has not voted for a Republican in the presidential election since 2004.

Trump's Rally In New Mexico A Bid For An Upset Next YearAssociate Press

The state of New Mexico doesn't feel like Trump Country.

The president's first campaign lost the state by 8 percentage points back in 2016. Last year, Republicans lost a House seat and the governorship.

But the Trump campaign puts New Mexico on the short list of states Trump hopes to flip in 2020.

Political observers say Trump's strength in rural America may not compensate for his failure, so far, to win over Hispanic voters.

A political science professor at the University of New Mexico, Lonna Atkeson, doesn't see Trump going far politically in a state with the highest concentration of Latinos in the U.S.

Trump will arrive in the midst of an oil-production boom that has boosted employment and spurred a state government spending spree.

Santa Fe Institute Received $275,000 Through Jeffrey EpsteinAlbuquerque Journal, Associated Press

A New Mexico scientific research center that received $275,000 in funding over the years from financier Jeffrey Epstein is hoping to donate some of the money.

The Albuquerque Journal reported Sunday that Santa Fe Institute officials want to donate $25,000, the equivalent of a contribution Epstein made in 2010.

The institute accepted it at the time despite Epstein pleading guilty two years earlier to soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Spokeswoman Jenna Marshall said last week those funds are spent so the center wants to give the same amount to an appropriate recipient.

The Santa Fe Institute confirmed in July that various foundations tied to Epstein have contributed $250,000 in total.

Epstein killed himself in a New York jail cell last month while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

New Mexico Utility Recalculates Costs Of Energy PlanAssociated Press

The state's largest electric utility is recalculating costs and benefits associated with the planned closure of a coal-fired power plant in northwest New Mexico.

Public Service Company of New Mexico is filing corrected paperwork with state regulators this week after finding a modeling error in the different scenarios for replacing capacity that will be lost with the closure of the San Juan Generating Station in 2022.

The utility has proposed four options. They include various mixes of natural gas, nuclear, renewable resources and battery storage.

New modeling show monthly savings for the average customer would be less — $6.87 instead of $7.11 — if regulators go with the utility's preferred option.

The cost of that plan is about $4.6 billion. It would include natural gas, solar, wind and battery storage.

New Mexico Governor To Award City, County For Migrant HelpAssociated Press

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will recognize the city of Deming and Luna County for efforts to help asylum seekers over the past several months.

Lujan Grisham is scheduled to present the 2019 Governor's Humanitarian Award during a ceremony Monday in Santa Fe.

The first-year Democratic governor has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump's immigration and border security policies. She sued the federal government earlier this year to recoup spending by local governments to shelter and feed migrants.

Thousands of asylum seekers were released in New Mexico after shelters in Texas filled up.

Deming established a temporary shelter and created an intake system to register migrants. The City Council also allocated $1 million to pay for the efforts and hopes to be reimbursed with federal money.

Albuquerque Police ID 5 Killed In Spate Of ShootingsAssociated Press

Authorities have identified five people, including three teenagers, who were killed in separate shootings on the same night in Albuquerque.

The Albuquerque Police Department on Sunday confirmed 16-year-old Victoria Cereceres, 17-year-old Daniel Alexis Baca, 36-year-old Christine Baca and 77-year-old Manuelita Sotelo were fatally shot at a mobile home park.

It has not been confirmed how the four victims are related.

Meanwhile, officers responded 15 minutes earlier to an apartment complex where 17-year-old Noah Tafoya was found dead and three others wounded.

Both incidents occurred Thursday in different parts of the city. No suspects have been identified in either shooting.

Police say they do not appear related. However, the short time span between them has prompted Mayor Tim Keller to say residents are "fed up with the gun violence."

University Post Draws Interest From Top Political AidesAlbuquerque Journal, Associated Press

Top political aides and a couple local government officials are among those interested in a new high-paying job at the University of New Mexico.

The Albuquerque Journal reports the state's flagship school is in the process of hiring its first chief government relations officer. It's a new post created by UNM President Garnett Stokes as part of her effort to reorganize top officials at the school.

The more than two dozen applicants include Santiago Chavez, the Albuquerque mayor's chief of staff, and Keith Gardner, who served as the chief of staff for former Gov. Susana Martinez.

Also on the list are Bernalillo County Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins and Alan Armijo, the director of constituent services at Albuquerque City Hall.

The university has yet to select a finalist for the job.

Dead Body Of A Man Found In Santa Fe Park May Be A Homicide – Associated Press

Police in Santa Fe are investigating a possible homicide after a dead body was found in a park.

They say officers responded to De Vargas Park shortly before noon Sunday.

Police say the dead body of a man was discovered under a bridge spanning the Santa Fe River near the downtown skate plaza at De Vargas Park.

They say the body showed signs of blunt force trauma.

The name of the man isn't immediately known. But police say the victim is believed to be between 20 and 30 years old.

It's unclear if police have any suspects in the case.

Police: Woman Dies After Car Crashes Into Ruidoso Restaurant – Associated Press

New Mexico State Police have identified a woman who was killed after a car crashed into a restaurant in Ruidoso.

They say a 70-year-old driver was trying to back out of a parking lot when she drove through the restaurant around 7 p.m. Friday.

Police have identified the victim as 58-year-old Tammy Lynn Ford of Clovis.

They say a 58-year-old man was airlifted to a hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries while a 75-year-old woman suffered injuries that are considered non-life-threatening.

Police say the driver wasn't hurt, and her name won't be released at this time because no charges have been filed.

They say the crash remains under investigation, but alcohol wasn't a factor.

Virtual Reality Used To Highlight Uranium Contamination – Associated Press

Activists are using virtual reality technology to focus on areas of the Navajo Nation affected by uranium contamination.

The Gallup Independent reports the arts collective Bombshelltoe has collected 360-degree footage of Churchrock, New Mexico, to show how people and the land have changed since a 1979 uranium mill spill.

The project started four years ago after Washington, D.C.-based nuclear policy program manager Lovely Umayam met Navajo activist Sunny Dooley at an event in Santa Fe.

Umayam says the group wanted to use the new technology of virtual reality with the stories to show the impact of uranium mining.

In 1979, a dam on the Navajo Nation near Church Rock broke at an evaporation pond, releasing 94 million gallons of radioactive waste to the Puerco River.

New Mexico Had 535 Suicides Last Year, Up 6.7 % From 2017 – Associated Press

State health officials say New Mexico had more suicides in 2018 than any other year in at least two decades.

According to data provided by the state's Department of Health, 535 people died by suicide last year.

That’s a rate of 24.8 per 100,000 residents and represents a 6.7% increase over the state's 2017 suicide rate.

Mental health experts told the Albuquerque Journal that the 2018 numbers represent the highest suicide rate on record in New Mexico since the state began consistently keeping track in 1999.

According to an analysis released by the Violence Policy Center, New Mexico had the fourth highest suicide rate in the nation in 2017 at 23.51 per 100,000 people.

Authorities say there's an association with firearm ownership and firearms use and deaths connected to suicide.

State Police: Taos Homicide Victim, Suspect Had Disputes – Associated Press

Authorities say a Taos man gunned down when he went to feed his livestock and the man arrested in the early morning killing previously had disputes.

The New Mexico State Police said Gregg Steele was arrested Friday on suspicion of second-degree murder, armed robbery and tampering with evidence in the Aug. 27 killing of 63-year-old Patrick Larkin .

The State Police said Steele was identified as a person of interest and then arrested after investigators found evidence of Larkin's blood in Steele's vehicle and determined that the men had "previous disputes with each other."

According to the State Police, Steele used a handgun to shoot Larkin but then stole another belonging to Larkin before discarding both weapons.

Court records don't list an attorney for Steele who could comment on the allegations.