Albuquerque Votes On Late-Term Abortion Ban - Associated Press
Voters in New Mexico's largest city will decide Tuesday whether to ban late-term abortions.
The municipal referendum is believed to be the first of its kind in the country and is being watched as a possible new front for activism in the abortion wars that have typically been waged at the federal and state levels.
The outcome is anyone's guess following an emotional and graphic campaign that brought in national groups and hundreds of thousands of dollars on advertising.
More early voters turned out than in last month's mayoral election, but there has been no polling and the city clerk has not released voters' party affiliation.
If the referendum passes, a legal challenge is expected. Attorney General Gary King, a Democrat, has said he believes the law is unconstitutional.
Secretary Of State To Serve As NM Acting Governor - Associated Press
Republican Secretary of State Dianna Duran will serve as New Mexico's acting governor for part of the week when Gov. Susana Martinez and Lt. Gov. John Sanchez are out of state.
Sanchez was in Washington, D.C. on Monday for a policy summit of the Republican Lieutenant Governors Association. He travels to Little Rock, Ark., on Tuesday for a meeting of the executive committee of the National Lieutenant Governors Association, which runs Wednesday to Friday.
Martinez heads to Arizona on Tuesday for a meeting of the Republican Governors Association.
Sanchez's Arkansas meeting will include sessions on economic development, trade and emergency management. His office will pay for expenses to attend the national association meeting. The GOP group is covering travel expenses for the trip to the nation's capital.
Navajo Submits Building Plans For Land Near Casino - Associated Press and The Arizona Daily Sun
The Navajo Nation has big plans for the land surrounding its newest casino east of Flagstaff.
The tribe wants to build a gas station, outlet mall, RV park, restaurants, an entertainment complex and housing on 70 acres.
The Arizona Daily Sun reports that the plans would require approval from Coconino County because the land is not tribal trust land. If given the OK, the project could take up to 10 years to build.
Navajo officials say they hope the development will draw in more tourists, travelers from Interstate 40 and local residents.
The tribe opened the Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort in May.
Voters On Hopi Reservation To Elect Chairman - Associated Press
Voters on the Hopi reservation will be electing a new chairman this week.
Herman Honanie and Todd Honyaoma Sr. were the top two vote-getters in the primary election earlier this month. Hopis will choose one of them Wednesday to step into the leadership post. The winner will be sworn in next month.
Both men have served as vice chairman of the tribe. Looking to fill that spot are Bacavi Gov. Alfred Lomahquahu Jr. and Hopi Chief Ranger Ronald Honyumptewa.
The positions are elected independently of each other.
More than 1,600 Hopis cast ballots in the 2009 general election.
Voters are looking to the candidates to secure new sources of revenue for the tribe, ensure that villages remain autonomous, and promote and practice transparency.