Expanded Countywide Early Voting Begins In New Mexico – Associated Press
Dozens more polling sites are opening as New Mexico kicks off expanded early voting ahead of the general election.
Early voting began Oct. 9 with absentee and in-person voting at clerks' offices. The additional locations that are opening Saturday will be in operation through Nov. 3.
Election Day follows on Nov. 6.
Early voting has surged so far. According to the latest numbers from the Secretary of State's Office, more than 41,500 residents had voted via absentee or in person at clerks' offices as of Thursday.
There are more than 1.2 million registered voters in the state.
Democrats make up about 45 percent, followed by Republicans at 30 percent and independents at 22 percent. The remainder includes other minor parties.
Border Towns Key In Close US House Races Amid Wall Talk– Associated Press
Democrats seeking to flip a key Republican U.S. House seat in southern New Mexico are vying to win over fiercely independent voters along border communities.
Many people in towns like Columbus, New Mexico, say they see no problem with U.S. Border Patrol keeping watch over their small village of 1,600 people and dismiss talk by some activists within the Democratic Party who seek to "abolish ICE" — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Many also oppose Republican President Donald Trump's plan to build a massive border wall.
The 2nd District race in New Mexico pits moderate Democrat Xochitl Torres Small against conservative Republican Yvette Herrell for an open U.S. House seat.
It is one of many races along the U.S.-Mexico border that would determine which party controls Congress.
Leader Of New Mexico Religious Sect Set To Plead Guilty – Associated Press, Gallup Independent
Another leader of a paramilitary religious sect rocked by child sexual abuse allegations is set to plead guilty.
The Gallup Independent reports James Green, co-leader of the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps, recently signed a plea and disposition agreement in connection with charges of kidnapping, child abuse and tampering with evidence.
Authorities accused James Green of taking part in a plot to bring over an infant child from Uganda to the United States in 1997 by using forged documents.
His wife and fellow co-leader, Deborah Green, was sentenced last month to seven decades in prison after her conviction in the child sex abuse case.
Thirteen District Attorney Lemuel Martinez says his office would have no comment until the plea agreement is finalized.
Authorities say the pair operated from an isolated compound in western New Mexico.
Former Alamogordo Detective Charged With Battery – Associated Press, Alamogordo Daily News
A former Alamogordo detective fired after video footage showed him attacking family members at a hospital is facing battery charges.
The Alamogordo Daily News reports prosecutors filed two counts of petty misdemeanor battery against Kyle D. Graham this week in connection with a fight at the Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center in September.
According to state records, New Mexico State Police review of video footage shows Graham pushed a woman to the ground and put another woman in a headlock.
Graham was later fired from the Alamogordo Police Department days later. He's appealing his firing.
Graham has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Lawsuit: New Mexico Inmate Left For Dead In Solitary – Associated Press, Albuquerque Journal
The mother of a New Mexico inmate who died in a solitary confinement at a state prison is suing.
The Albuquerque Journal reports Jonella Luevano filed a lawsuit in state District Court this month over the 2016 death of her son, Francisco.
Francisco Luevano, who was in prison for several convictions, including voluntary manslaughter and aggravated battery on a peace officer, was found dead in his cell in October 2016.
The lawsuit says guards at the Penitentiary of New Mexico south of Santa Fe failed to check up on him for almost four hours despite requirements for close monitoring of inmates suffering from mental illness.
Court documents say guards later sprayed Luevano's dead body with pepper spray.
She is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.
Corrections spokesman S.U. Mahesh declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Police Hire Raises Criticism In New Mexico's Largest City – Associated Press
The Albuquerque mayor's hiring of a New Jersey law enforcement veteran accused of racial profiling and excessive force in a more than decade-old lawsuit was met Friday with strong criticism among multiple police reform advocates in New Mexico's largest city.
The announcement this week of Leonard Nerbetski's appointment as a civilian manager of Albuquerque's Real-Time Crime Center comes as the local police department carries out a years-long, court-mandated effort to reform how officers use force.
The reforms were spurred by a 2014 U.S. Justice Department investigation that found a "culture of aggression" among Albuquerque police amid a spate of officer-involved shootings.
In 1999, an Associated Press report named Nerbetski as one of two New Jersey State Police troopers accused of roughing up two law students, both minorities.
The state later settled the case under agreement in which it admitted no wrongdoing.
Slain Albuquerque Girl's Grandparents Can Sue Police, City – Associated Press, KOAT-TV
A wrongful death lawsuit filed against the police and the city by the grandparents of a 10-year-old Albuquerque girl who was raped and murdered in 2016 can proceed.
KOAT-TV reports a judge this week determined there was enough evidence for some parts of the civil case filed by Victoria Martens' maternal grandparents to go forward.
John and Pat Martens say police failed to do anything after receiving a tip that a man dating Victoria's mom tried to kiss her.
Police say an attempted kiss is not a crime and that Victoria's mother had stopped seeing the man by then.
The Martens say the lack of a police investigation contributed to her death. They are asking for money and officer training reform.
Arizona Man's Native Jewelry Worth $100K Taken In New Mexico – Associated Press, KOB-TV
An Arizona artist says his handmade Native American jewelry worth $100,000 was stolen while visiting New Mexico.
Abraham Begay told KOB-TV that he and his wife were eating lunch in Albuquerque on Monday when someone smashed their car window.
The unknown suspect grabbed a suitcase containing jewelry that Begay makes by hand.
Begay says either his name or initials are on each piece of jewelry. He is hopeful at least some of the items will get recognized and returned.
Begay says he doesn't have any money to buy new materials to make more.
The Flagstaff couple were driving back home after attending an art show in Oklahoma.
The couple's daughter has posted pictures of the jewelry on social media with an offer of a reward.