Pumping, Treating Of Kirtland's Jet Fuel Plume Begins – The Associated Press
Gov. Susana Martinez says a pump-and-treat system designed to clean up a massive plume of jet fuel at the edge of Albuquerque is now in use.
She made the announcement Wednesday and praised her administration for putting pressure on the U.S. Air Force to clean up the plume.
First detected in 1999, the fuel leak is believed to have been seeping into the ground for decades. Estimates of the amount of fuel spilled range from 6 million to 24 million gallons.
The greatest concern has been that the spill would contaminate drinking water wells in the Southeast Heights. The treatment system is part of a long-term effort to keep the contamination from reaching those wells.
After treatment, some of the water will be used on the golf course at Kirtland Air Force Base.
Petition To Protect Wild Mustangs Under ESA Rejected - The Associated Press
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has rejected a proposal to list the North American wild horse as a threatened or endangered species.
A petition was filed last summer seeking Endangered Species Act protection for tens of thousands of mustangs on federal lands across 10 Western states including New Mexico.
Conservationists argue the horses constitute a distinct population segment that has evolved as a native species over thousands of years separate from domesticated horses.
But the Fish and Wildlife Service concluded in a new 90-day finding, refusing to study the matter further that, effectively, a horse is a horse.
It said the petitioners failed to prove that the behavior of the wild mustang herds is significantly different from that of domestic horses.
Martinez: Christie Like Many 'Friends' Eyeing GOP Nomination - The Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez says she knew her friend New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie would jump into the race for the GOP presidential nomination.
But she stopped short of endorsing him Wednesday and said many of the Republican candidates were her friends.
Christie declared his candidacy for the 2016 GOP nomination at a rally at his old high school in New Jersey on Tuesday. He then went directly to the early-voting state of New Hampshire.
Christie and Martinez have campaigned for each other during their respected races for governor.
Christie says he and Martinez "try to govern in the same way."
Martinez, a Republican, is the nation's only Latina governor.
World's Largest Folk Art Market To Open In Santa Fe – The Associated Press
A mecca for master artisans from around the world, Santa Fe is in the final stages of preparing for this year's International Folk Art Market.
In its 12th year, the market will feature more than 150 artists from around the world. The three-day event begins July 10 in Santa Fe and some 20,000 people are expected to attend.
Organizers say the recent wave of interest in all things handmade has helped the market to grow exponentially over the last couple of years. Last year alone, sales topped $3 million for the weekend and artists — many of whom are from developing countries — took 90 percent of that home with them.
Market co-founder Judy Espinar says the market has evolved into a tool for artists to better their lives and their communities.
Conservationists Sue To Protect Mexican Gray Wolves – The Associated Press
A group of conservation organizations has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over its policies on Mexican gray wolves.
The Western Environmental Law Center filed the suit in Tucson this week on behalf of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance and Friends of Animals.
The groups claim the federal government isn't doing enough to protect Mexican wolves, an endangered species. They take issue with a final rule issued in January that caps the Mexican gray wolf population at 300 to 325 wolves, prevents wolves from colonizing in certain areas and allows more killing of the wolves by federal agents and private landowners.
A survey released in February showed 109 wolves in Arizona and New Mexico, more than at any time since a re-introduction program began in 1998.
Special Election Fills Vacant Seat On Navajo Nation Council – The Associated Press
A Utah man is the Navajo Nation Council's newest member, winning a seat vacated by the tribe's vice president.
Unofficial results from a special election this week show Herman Daniels Jr., of Monument Pass, winning the post. He defeated several others for the job.
Daniels served on the council in 2010 and 2011, filling in for his father who died while in office. He'll represent four Navajo communities on the 24-member council.
The Navajo Nation's vice president, Jonathan Nez, was re-elected to the post last November. He resigned in May to be sworn in as vice president following a belated election.
Daniels has been the president of the Oljato Chapter since 2013.
A date for him to be sworn in as a Tribal Council delegate hasn't been set.
PNM Files Ownership Plan, Coal Supply Deal With Regulators - The Associated Press
New Mexico's largest electric provider says it's on track to meeting a deadline for submitting to regulators key documents related to the future of the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station.
Public Service Co. of New Mexico says it filed an agreement detailing the future ownership makeup of the plant, a coal supply contract and a purchase and sale agreement for San Juan Mine between BHP Billiton and Westmoreland Coal Co.
Some of the power plant's owners still are reviewing the restructuring agreement, but PNM expects to have those signatures by Aug. 1.
The state Public Regulation Commission wanted to review the agreements before making a final decision on a plan to shut down part of the power plant and fill the void with a mix of other power sources.
Special Election Fills Vacant Seat On Navajo Nation Council - The Associated Press
A Utah man is the newest member of the Navajo Nation Council, winning a seat vacated by the tribe's vice president.
Unofficial results from a special election this week show Herman Daniels Jr., of Monument Pass, winning the post. He beat out several others for the job.
Daniels served briefly on the council in 2010 and 2011, filling in for his father who died while in office. He'll represent four Navajo communities on the 24-member council.
The tribe's vice president, Jonathan Nez, was re-elected to the post last November. He resigned in May to be sworn in as vice president of the Navajo Nation following a belated election.
Daniels has been the president of the Oljato Chapter since 2013.
A date for him to be sworn in as a tribal lawmaker hasn't been set.
New Mexico Tribal Leaders Gather For Annual Summit - The Associated Press
Native American leaders from around New Mexico are gathering at Santa Ana Pueblo for the state's annual tribal summit.
Economic development, health and wellness, and education are among the topics on the agenda. Gov. Susana Martinez also is expected to meet with tribal leaders on Thursday.
Martinez says the summit offers an opportunity to work with tribes in a collaborative way to address issues such as student achievement gaps and health outcomes among Native American populations.
During the regular legislative session earlier this year, lawmakers prioritized additional funding for programs serving minority students, particularly those affecting Native Americans.
Legislators cleared the way for expanding dual credit programs at tribal colleges, enhanced teacher preparation programs focused on English language learners and boosted health initiatives in Indian Country.
New Mexico Governor Denounces Trump's Comments - The Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez is denouncing GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump's recent remarks about Mexican immigrants.
A Republican and the nation's only Latina governor, Martinez said Wednesday following a news conference that Trump's comments were uncalled for and that no politician should make generalizations about any group.
Martinez said she hadn't been keeping up with Trump, but expressed shock after learning about comments he made during his presidential campaign announcement.
The outspoken Trump asserted that some Mexican immigrants bring drugs and crime to the U.S. and are rapists.
The comment struck many Latinos as insensitive, and Univision's decision last week to back out of televising Miss USA and break off its business ties with Trump led to a cascade of others following suit, including the Macy's department store chain.
Civil Forfeiture Reform Among New Laws In New Mexico - The Associated Press
A measure that keeps police from seizing money or assets from people unless convicted of a crime is one of many new signed bills that now are state law.
A number of new laws go into effect Wednesday following a divisive New Mexico Legislative session that saw many proposals died amid partisan bickering. But some did pass the GOP-controlled House and the Democratic-led Senate.
Among the new laws is a bill aimed at providing transparency and accountability of the civil forfeitures by police and providing protections to innocent property owners.
Other new laws are aimed at cracking down on child prostitution, providing additional funding to help victims of violent crimes, and requiring cell phone companies to issue Amber Alerts.
More Tribes Sign Gambling Agreements With New Mexico - The Associated Press
More Native American tribes have signed gambling agreements with the state in recent weeks as one northern New Mexico tribe digs in its heels.
Gov. Susana Martinez's office confirmed Wednesday that Taos, Isleta, Zuni and Ohkay Owingeh pueblos have signed on to a compact that was hammered out over three years of negotiations and approved by the Legislature during its last session.
Five tribes already had signed on, including the Navajo Nation, the Mescalero and Jicarilla Apache nations and Acoma and Jemez pueblos.
Pojoaque Pueblo walked away from talks in 2013, saying the state was not negotiating in good faith.
The pueblo's compact expired at midnight Tuesday, but federal officials have agreed to allow Pojoaque's casinos to remain open pending the outcome of a federal court case.
Santa Fe Cardiologist Pleads Not Guilty To Fraud Charges - The Associated Press
A Santa Fe cardiologist accused of health care fraud and wire fraud has pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors say 51-year-old Roy G. Heilbron was arraigned in federal court in Albuquerque on a 24-count indictment Wednesday.
He's been released on his own recognizance.
The indictment alleges that Heilbron executed a scheme to defraud Medicare and other health care benefit programs by submitting false and fraudulent claims between January 2010 and May 2011.
Heilbron allegedly inserted false symptoms, observations and diagnoses into patients' medical charts to provide written support for the tests he ordered or performed and submitted claims to health plans for procedures that were never performed.
Prosecutors say Heilbron could face up to 10 years on the health care fraud charges and up to 20 years on the wire fraud charges.
Daycare: Same-Sex Marriage, Finances Reasons For Closing - The Associated Press and KFOX-TV
A Las Cruces church daycare says it's closing due to troubled finances and the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage.
First Baptist Church's Senior Pastor David Burrows told KFOX-TV in El Paso on Monday that church officials are refusing to accept government funds because they don't want the government telling them who they can hire.
That move comes after Burrows says a new security system, nine new employees and a lack of government funds created a $300,000 shortfall for the church.
Parents say church officials also told them they didn't want the federal government forcing them to hire gays or atheists.
Burrows didn't deny the parents' claim but said plans to close the daycare also were discussed before last week's ruling.
He later told the Las Cruces Sun-News money was the main factor, not the ruling.
Robber Killed In Shootout With Ex-Anchor's Husband At Motel - The Associated Press and KOAT-TV
A former CNN anchor says her husband fatally shot a would-be robber at motel in Albuquerque.
Lynne Russell told KOAT-TV that a man pointed a gun at her head when she went to get something from her car late Tuesday night.
Russell said the man then pulled her into her hotel room at gunpoint where her husband exchanged gunfire with the man. The robber was killed and husband wounded.
Russell did not immediately respond to inquiries from The Associated Press, but former CNN colleagues Ted Kavanau and Patrick Clawson told the AP she had described the incident to them.
Albuquerque police spokesman Tanner Tixier he did not know the identities of those involved but said it appeared to be random robbery attempt.
Alamogordo Halfway House To Remain Open Despite Lawsuit - The Associated Press
An Alamogordo halfway house previously named in a sexual-assault lawsuit and no longer associated with the New Mexico Department of Corrections is remaining open.
New Life Recovery House owner Vickie Clark said Wednesday that despite the negative publicity around a "frivolous lawsuit" the house will stay in business and continue to help women fighting addiction and healing from abuse.
The New Mexico Department of Corrections said this week it would no longer send female inmates to a halfway house because of safety concerns.
But Clark says the house is no longer a party in the lawsuit and it involves a former New Life Recovery house manager who isn't affiliated with center anymore.
New Life Recovery, which opened in 2006, helps women with abuse, alcoholism and drug addiction.
Thousands Expected To Converge On Roswell For UFO Festival - The Associated Press and Roswell Daily Record
Festival organizers in Roswell are predicting this weekend's UFO celebration will bring thousands of visitors to the New Mexico city.
The Roswell Daily Record reports that last year's UFO Festival attracted a record-breaking number of tourists the so-called Alien City. With Cosmicon and a sci-fi film festival also taking place this weekend, tourism officials hope this year's numbers will be even higher.
International UFO Museum Executive Director Mark Briscoe expects between 7,000 and 10,000 visitors this weekend.
He says people are fascinated by the 1947 incident in which some claim a UFO crashed in Roswell.
Roswell public affairs director DeAnna Phillips says the festival is the city's signature event, calling Roswell the only place in the world that can truly lay claim to such a celebration.