89.9 FM Live From The University Of New Mexico
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Election Has Potential To Change New Mexico Appeals Court, Democrats Dominate Early Voting

Incolors.club via Creative Commons
/
CREATIVE COMMONS
Industrial Hemp Cultivation

Democrats Are Dominating Early Voting In New MexicoThe Associated Press

Democrats are dominating early voting across New Mexico, including the state's two largest metropolitan areas.

Voting statistics from the Secretary of State's Office on Sunday showed that Democrats account for 56 percent of early ballots, though they make up 46 percent of registered voters.

Absentee and walk-in voting at county clerks' offices started Tuesday last week to elect the state's next governor, a senator, three members of Congress, and a long list of statewide and judicial office holders. Election Day is Nov. 6.

In Bernalillo County including Albuquerque, Democrats were 71 percent of the early vote while Republicans cast 16 percent of early ballots.

In Doña Ana County including Las Cruces, Democrats cast 57 percent of ballots, while Republicans cast 30 percent.

Election Has Potential To Change New Mexico Appeals CourtThe Associated Press

With five open seats on the New Mexico Court of Appeals, the upcoming election has the potential to change the makeup of the judicial panel.

The court currently is made up of six men and four women and is equally split between Democrats and Republicans.

Judge J. Miles Hanisee must stand for retention and Judge Michael Vigil is seeking a position on the state Supreme Court.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that if all the challengers win, Hanisee is not retained and Vigil leaves for the Supreme Court, the 10-member panel would have an unprecedented eight spots filled by women and two vacant positions to which the state's next governor could appoint new judges.

All the candidates are using public financing to fund their campaigns.

New Mexico Provisions Included In Federal Water Bill – Associated Press

Water projects in New Mexico would get a boost as part of a massive bill passed by Congress that seeks to improve the nation's dams and protect against floods and drought.

The bill, if signed by President Donald Trump, would authorize more than $6 billion in spending over 10 years for projects nationwide. It also sets up a framework to increase local input and improve transparency for large projects run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich say the Army Corps of Engineers also would be granted more flexibility to manage the Rio Grande to address drought.

Another provision directs the National Academies of Science to conduct a comprehensive study of the Rio Grande Basin to identify opportunities for conservation, water storage and ecosystem benefits.

Hearings Cover Rules For Hemp Cultivation In New Mexico – Associated Press

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is hosting a series of public hearings around the state on a proposed rule regarding the cultivation of hemp.

The first meeting was held Friday in Las Cruces. The meetings will continue Monday in Espanola and Albuquerque before moving on to Carlsbad and Portales later this week.

The rule would establish licensure requirements, fee caps, inspection and sampling rules and testing processes to ensure compliance for hemp production in New Mexico.

Legislation approved in 2017 granted the agriculture department the authority to develop an industrial hemp program and promulgate state rules that would complement federal law.

State statute also grants people and institutions of higher education the ability to apply for an industrial hemp production license through the department.

Republican In Key US House Race Accused Of Avoiding Debates – Associated Press

The Democrat in a closely watched U.S. House race in southern New Mexico says her GOP opponent has yet to agree to any debates despite offers from three media outlets.

Xochitl Torres Small told The Associated Press that she committed to participate in all the debates, but Republican nominee Yvette Herrell hasn't responded to debate sponsors.

Torres Small campaign manager Brian Sowyrda says it appears Herrell is avoiding any debate.

A spokesman for Herrell didn't immediately respond to phone calls or text messages.

Water attorney Torres Small is seeking to capture the open southern New Mexico congressional seat for the Democrats currently held by GOP U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, who is running for New Mexico governor.

Herrell, a state lawmaker, is running as a strong ally of President Donald Trump.

US Lacks Latino Historical Sites And Landmarks, Scholars Say - By Russell Contreras, Associated Press

A makeshift memorial to Hispanic Civil War Union soldiers in an isolated part northern New Mexico is a typical representation of sites linked to U.S. Latino history: It's shabby, largely unknown and at risk of disappearing.

Across the U.S, many sites historically connected to key moments in Latino civil rights lie forgotten, decaying or endanger of quietly dissolving into the past without acknowledgment. Scholars and advocates say a lack of preservation, resistance to recognition and even natural disasters make it hard for sites to gain traction among the general public, which affects how Americans see Latinos in U.S. history.

The birthplace of farmworker union leader Cesar Chavez sits abandoned in Yuma, Arizona. The Corpus Christi, Texas, office of Dr. Hector P. Garcia, where the Mexican-American civil rights movement was sparked, is gone. And no markers exist where pioneering educator George I. Sanchez captured images of New Mexico poverty for his 1940 groundbreaking book "Forgotten People."

"People need to see history, they need to touch it, they need to feel it, they need to experience it," said Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, a journalism professor at the University of Texas who has worked to preserve Latino historical sites. "When something is preserved, it's a daily reminder of our history."

Netflix Deal Could Boost All Parts Of New Mexico – Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press

While Albuquerque has been named as Netflix's newest production hub, those in the industry say the benefits are likely to reach all parts of New Mexico.

In fact, the Santa Fe New Mexican reports Netflix executives have already visited Santa Fe to scout for space for a project next year.

Eric Witt, who leads the Santa Fe Film Office, says he had two phone calls earlier this week from producers within an hour of Netflix announced plans to purchase Albuquerque Studios and establish a production hub in the city.

The venture is projected to deliver $1 billion in production spending in New Mexico over the next decade and thousands of jobs.

Wind, Rain Nixes Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Farewell Launch – Associated Press

Bad weather cancelled the farewell launch on the final day of this year's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta yesterday.

The event was called off Sunday morning after officials determined the wet and windy weather conditions on the field wouldn't allow balloons to inflate or lift off.

Last Sunday, strong winds led to the cancellation of the evening balloon glow and the morning mass ascension.

The 47th annual event features hundreds of brightly-colored hot-air balloons.

It is held at Balloon Fiesta Park and draws about 1 million visitors every year to central New Mexico.

Authorities Investigate Police Shooting In AlamogordoThe Associated Press

New Mexico authorities say an Alamogordo man is dead after being shot by a state police officer.

State police say officers arrived Sunday at Gregory Allen Tilly's home after getting a call about gunfire. They learned the 55-year-old man had shot out of the rear window of his mobile home.

Alamogordo Department of Public Safety officers, state police officers and Otero County deputies tried to get Tilly to exit the home but he refused.

While negotiating with the officers, Tilly came outside holding a firearm. A state police officer fired one round, hitting Tilly once. He was taken to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Police say the officer has been placed on standard leave as the shooting is investigated. The officer's name has yet to be released.