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Headlines: House Repeals Immigrant Driver's Licenses, Medical Marijuana Rules...

New Mexico Dept of Taxation and Revenue

New Mexico House Votes To Repeal Immigrant Driver's LicensesThe Associated Press

The New Mexico House of Representatives has passed a bill that ends the state's practice of issuing driver's licenses to people suspected of being in the country illegally.

The bill passed after three hours of debate by a vote of 39-29, with two Democrats siding with the Republicans in the majority.

The bill now moves to the Democrat-controlled Senate for a vote.  Democrats have vowed to fight the legislation.

Man Indicted On Murder Charges In 2 Santa Fe-Area Killings - The Associated Press

A man arrested in the killings of two teenagers in the Santa Fe area has been indicted on murder charges.

The indictment issued Wednesday charges 20-year-old Ricardo Martinez with two counts each of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the killings of 13-year-old Anamarie Ojeda and her 18-year-old boyfriend, Venancio Cisneros.

The victims' bodies were found Oct. 25 in a car parking on a residential road off State Route 14. The girl had been shot once and Cisneros had been shot three times in the head.

The indictment accuses Martinez of trying to "destroy, hide, change place of, fabricate physical evidence," including a set of car keys and a handgun.

Martinez remains jailed after being extradited from Colorado where he was taken into custody in Colorado Springs in November.

Rio Rancho Police: Deaths Were Likely Homicide-Suicide - The Associated Press

Rio Rancho police say the deaths of a 56-year-old man and his 7-year-old daughter were likely a homicide-suicide.

The bodies were found in the man's home Wednesday evening after his ex-wife -- the girl's mother -- went to the home to get her daughter.

Police said Thursday they're waiting for findings from the state Office of the Medical Investigator but that it appears the father shot his daughter before turning the gun on himself.

Names weren't released.

New Mexico Officials To Review Recommendations On Pot Rules - The Associated Press and Santa Fe New Mexican

State officials have received and plan to review a hearing officer's recommendations on possible changes in rules for New Mexico's medical marijuana program.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the hearing officer's recommendations submitted Thursday include dropping a proposed a requirement that patients submit fingerprints or other biometric information.

Another recommendation would increase the allowable concentration of the active ingredient in marijuana produced for patients.

Attorney Susan Hapka wrote those recommendations and others after reviewing numerous written comments and holding two hearings on possible changes to the Health Department's proposed rules.

Department spokesman Kenny Vigil said the department will review Hapka's report before making any final decisions. He said there's no time frame for doing that.

New Mexico Senate Panel OKs Hemp Production Bill - The Associated Press

A bill to allow New Mexico farmers to grow an industrial version of marijuana's non-intoxicating cousin has passed a Senate panel.

The Senate Conservation Committee voted unanimously this week to send the Industrial Hemp Farming Act to the Senate Judicial Committee without a recommendation.

Sen. Cisco McSorley, an Albuquerque Democrat, recently filed the legislation aimed at legalizing the selling of hemp and licensing of farmers to grow the crop.

The proposal would establish fees and set up state regulations for the processing of hemp to be distributed.

Gov. Susana Martinez has said she did not support efforts to legalize marijuana in New Mexico but has not said if she supports allowing the cultivation of hemp in the state.

Senate Confirms Reappointment Of NM Environment SecretaryThe Associated Press

New Mexico Environment Secretary Ryan Flynn cruised to an easy confirmation as state lawmakers praised him for attempting to hold federal officials accountable for a radiation mishap at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.

The Senate confirmed Flynn's reappointment with a unanimous vote Friday.

Earlier this week, Flynn threated the U.S. Energy Department with another round of fines that could top $100 million. The department and its contractors already face more than $54 million over the radiation incident.

Democratic Sen. Peter Wirth of Santa Fe called the situation "an absolute mess." Wirth and others said Flynn has shown leadership while guiding the state through the situation.

Lawmakers also pointed to his efforts to pressure the U.S. Air Force to clean up a decades-old jet fuel spill at Kirtland Air Force Base.

Strange Looking Billboards Puzzling New Mexico Motorists - The Associated Press and Las Cruces Sun-News

Motorists in southern New Mexico are stumbling upon a series of puzzling billboards along highways and fear they be warnings in hieroglyphics.

No, it's just public art.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports the strange billboards with symbols are part of a moving gallery of contemporary pieces.

Samantha Frank, territorial director of the nonprofit organization Los Angeles Nomadic Division that promotes public art exhibitions, says the pieces are part of the Manifest Destiny Billboard Project.

He says it's a series of artist-produced billboards and activations that will be shown along Interstate 10 from Jacksonville, Fla. to Los Angeles.

Motorist Craig Melton, who delivers business supplies, says he thought the billboards may be from the Islamic State group or "other subversives (who) might be trying to get at us."

Bill Calls For Putting New Mexico Spaceport Up For SaleThe Associated Press

One New Mexico lawmaker is tired of spending money on Spaceport America.

Democratic Sen. George Munoz of Gallup has proposed legislation that calls for selling the futuristic hangar, the nearly two-mile-long runway and the 18,000 acres that come with it.

Under the legislation, the New Mexico Spaceport Authority and other agencies would have to come up with a marketing plan by October. The money from the sale would then be used to pay off development bonds.

Munoz's bill adds fuel to criticisms that the $218 million project is a boondoggle.

His bill is set for its first committee debate Friday afternoon.

Supporters argue that developing a spaceport from scratch doesn't happen overnight and that the state has a chance to be at the front of the commercial space tourism industry.

Mexican Gray Wolf Population Peaks In American SouthwestThe Associated Press

There are now more Mexican gray wolves roaming the American Southwest than at any time since the federal government began reintroducing the endangered predators.

An annual survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows at least 109 wolves are spread among forested lands in southwestern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona.

The population is more than double what it was in 2010. Last year, the survey turned up at least 83 wolves.

Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director Benjamin Tuggle described the increase as a monumental milestone that resulted from management changes over recent years and more social tolerance for the animals.

He says the population is made up entirely of wolves born in the wild.

A subspecies of the gray wolf, the Mexican wolf was added to the federal endangered species list in 1976.