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Headlines: Latest Snow Forecast, Legislative Update...

Snow Forecast For New MexicoNational Weather Service

A parade of disturbances will continue to impact New Mexico with areas of accumulating snow through the first half of the coming week.  

Snow will diminish by the middle of today across southern and eastern areas but it should continue and actually re-intensify across central and northwest area this afternoon and tonight.

Additional heavy and wet snow accumulation through Sunday will be measured in feet across the northern mountains where damage to some structures will be possible.

Meanwhile, lower elevations of northwest New Mexico can expect a good soaking of rain this weekend with 1 to 2 inches possible.

Native American Tribes Converge To Discuss Pot LegalizationThe Associated Press

Tribal representatives from around the country are converging in Washington state to discuss the risks and rewards of marijuana legalization.

Tribes have been wrestling with the issue since the U.S. Justice Department announced in December that it wouldn't stand in their way if they want to approve pot for medical or recreational use. The agency said tribes must follow the same law enforcement priorities laid out for states that legalize the drug.

Representatives of dozens of tribes are attending a conference Friday at the Tulalip Indian Tribe's resort and casino north of Seattle.

Topics under discussion include the big business potential for pot, as well as concerns about substance abuse on reservations and the potential creation of a tribal cannabis association.

Bernalillo County Commission Approves Receipts Tax IncreaseThe Associated Press & The Albuquerque Journal

People shopping in the Albuquerque area will be paying more sales tax on many purchases.

The Bernalillo County Commission on Thursday voted 3-2 vote to increase the gross receipts tax by three-sixteenths of 1 percent effective July 1.

That increase amounts to an additional 19 cents on a $100 purchase.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that the increase is projected to raise $30 million annually.

Two-thirds of that amount is supposed to pay for mental- and behavioral-health programs.

The rest is to go toward the county government's general operations and offset a decrease in state funding.

The commission's three Democrats voted for the increase. The Republicans voted against it.

Purchases that aren't subject to the gross receipts tax include medicine and some food.

NM House Panel Tables Bill To Ban Coyote-Killing Contests - The Associated Press

A Senate-approved measure that would ban coyote-killing contests in New Mexico has stalled in the House.

The House Agriculture, Water and Wildlife Committee voted 8-2 Friday to table the measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Mark Moores of Albuquerque and Democrat Rep. Jeff Steinborn.

It marked the measure's first committee hearing in the House. The Senate approved the bill earlier this month.

Critics say the measure would encroach on property rights and the ability of rural landowners and ranchers to control coyote populations.

Animal rights advocates vowed Friday to continue the push for a ban.

In October, a southeastern New Mexico gun shop drew criticism for hosting a coyote-hunting competition. It was one of many gun shops that have hosted similar events in which winners receive prizes such as firearms.

Angst Over New Standardized Test Roiling New MexicoThe Associated Press

Several dozen students protested at the State Capitol on Friday and more plan to walk out of schools around New Mexico next week as frustration over a new standardized test grows.

Some lawmakers say there's confusion over the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers or PARCC tests that start Monday, especially over whether students have the right to opt out if they so choose.

One lawmaker referred to the test as a "demon" at a committee hearing Friday during which Democratic Sen. Linda Lopez of Albuquerque spoke about her bill to put on hold the state's implementation of Common Core standards.

Republican Sen. Pat Woods of Broadview says he doesn't support doing away with the standards but a discussion is important.

Education officials say millions of dollars have already been invested in the effort.

CEO: Nonprofit Hopes To Continue New Mexico OperationsThe Associated Press & The Santa Fe New Mexican

An Arizona nonprofit says it will submit a 90-day notice to cease providing mental health services in southern New Mexico but is willing to continue those operations under certain conditions.

Dan Ranieri of Tucson-based La Frontera told The Associated Press Friday its New Mexico division is losing money on its Medicaid contracts but hopes to maintain its New Mexico operations if changes can be worked out.

Ranieri said those changes would be in billings and reimbursements but he said La Frontera is not necessarily asking for more money.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that La Frontera would be the second Arizona-based provider to give up on New Mexico after being brought in to replace other Medicaid providers terminated under a 2013 shake-up by Gov. Susana Martinez's administration.

Farmington Mayor : City Water Safe Despite Waste In RiverThe Associated Press & The Daily Times

Farmington Mayor Tommy Roberts is reassuring residents that they don't have to worry about their drinking water though a study of San Juan County rivers found that significant levels of bacteria indicate the presence of human waste.

The Daily Times reports that Roberts commented Thursday after a New Mexico State University professor made a presentation of the results of the study by two Farmington-area organizations.

Roberts said Farmington residents don't have to worry because the city's drinking water meets all regulation standards and is completely safe to drink.

NMSU Professor Geoffrey Smith worked on the study. He said its finding of significant levels of human waste in river waste is strikingly different from other New Mexico river pollution studies that identified bird and livestock waste as contaminants.

NM Senate Panel Oks Bill To Allow Hemp Farming For ResearchThe Associated Press

A bill to allow New Mexico farmers to grow an industrial version of hemp for research only has passed a third Senate panel.

The Senate Finance Committee Thursday approved Albuquerque Democrat Sen. Cisco McSorley's legislation. The Industrial Hemp Farming Act now moves to a vote of the full Senate.

The proposal would establish fees and set up state regulations for the processing of hemp for research and development, not for sale. Hemp has a negligible content of THC, the psychoactive compound that gives marijuana users a high. Many products made from hemp, such as oils and clothing, are legal.

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.

Feds: Around 370 Wild Horses On Joint Lands In Four Corners - The Associated Press and Daily Times

Federal authorities estimate that around 370 wild horses are roaming on lands jointly managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service in the Four Corners.

The Daily Times reports that the herds of wild horses roam the Jicarilla Joint Management Area, a 208,000-acre portion of land east of Navajo Lake.

A new population survey is scheduled to be conducted in March.

The BLM Resource Advisory Council is looking at possible solutions to control the population.

BLM District Manager Victoria Barr says the agency spends 40 to 50 percent of its wild horse and burro budget nationally on 47,000 wild horses that are in long-term holding pens.

Lawmakers Consider New Gambling Compacts For Tribal Casinos - The Associated Press

New Mexico lawmakers are facing a hard deadline as agreements that allow a handful of American Indian tribes to operate casinos approach their expiration date.

Gov. Susana Martinez's office has spent the last three years working with tribes to craft a new gambling compact that supporters say would bring stability to New Mexico's gaming industry, protect jobs and increase revenues to the state.

However, some lawmakers say New Mexico is veering off course.

Senate Finance Chairman John Arthur Smith suggests the state has deviated from its initial plan nearly two decades ago of trying to strike a balance among horse racing tracks, American Indian communities seeking economic development and the state lottery.

Tribes and the public will have a chance Saturday to testify on the proposed compact before the Legislature's compact committee.

Heated Exchange Stalls New Mexico Solitary Confinement Bill - The Associated Press

A New Mexico House panel did not vote on a solitary confinement reform proposal after a Democratic member questioned why anyone would oppose it, which led to a heated exchange.

The House Safety and Civil Affairs Committee ended abruptly Thursday after Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero refused to stop talking over the objections of Chairman William Rehm, who then adjourned the meeting.

Witnesses who had testified in support of the bill sat stunned as the meeting suddenly ended.

The measure would have banned the use of solitary confinement on juveniles and inmates suffering from mental illness.

Caballero, a Democrat, faced criticism last month when she compared the federal Real ID Act and repeal of the state's immigrant driver's license law to the Holocaust. She later apologized.

New Mexico House Panel Oks Uber, Lyft Regulation Bill - The Associated Press

A measure aimed at regulating ride-booking companies like Uber and Lyft has cleared its first hurdle.

The House Transportation and Public Works Committee voted 8-3 on Thursday to approve a proposal that would require such services to provide insurance and conduct rigorous background checks on drivers

Rep. Monica Youngblood of Albuquerque and Sen. Phil Griego of San Jose are sponsoring the bipartisan legislation as state officials wrestle with how to respond to the expansion of Uber and Lyft in the state.

The approve came a day after New Mexico regulators tabled a decision to allow Lyft to operate in the state while lawmakers debate the future of such companies.

Last year, the Public Regulation Commission ordered the San Francisco-based Lyft to cease operations in Albuquerque.

New Mexico Senate Panel Punts On Stream Commission Bill - The Associated Press

A Senate panel has delayed a vote on a measure that would have limited the authority of a powerful water commission and required more transparency surrounding its actions.

After an hour-long debate Thursday, bill sponsor Republican Sen. Sander Rue agreed to make changes and return to the Senate Conservation Committee next week.

The Interstate Stream Commission has been criticized over its decision to move ahead with a Gila River diversion project. Supporters say drought-stricken New Mexico has a rare chance to tap a new source of water, but critics argue the effort could end up costing $1 billion.

Supporters of the legislation say the commission has failed to detail how much water would result from the project and the costs.

The legislation, they say, would require such details before the commission moves forward with major water projects.

Substitute Teacher Accused Of Sexual Contact With Students - The Associated Press

Hobbs police say a Lovington man who worked as a substitute teacher at a middle school is accused of inappropriate touching of students.

Police said 23-year-old Roy Tabor was arrested Sunday on a warrant charging him with four counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor.

Authorities say they don't know whether Tabor has an attorney to comment on the charges, and an online court docket does not list an attorney for him.

Albuquerque Police: Homeowner Fatally Shoots Intruder - The Associated Press

Albuquerque police say a homeowner has fatally shot an intruder during a home invasion.

Police say the shooting occurred Thursday morning at a home on the 1100 block of Stutz Northeast.

They say homeowner was awoken by a noise in his house.

Believing there may be someone inside, the homeowner armed himself and went to check.

The homeowner found a man crouched down in his kitchen, holding what appeared to be a knife.

Police say the man came at the homeowner, saying he was going to kill him.

The homeowner fired his gun at the intruder who later died at a hospital.

He's been identified as 28-year-old Robert Bartley.

Police say no charges are expected to be filed against the homeowner, whose identity isn't being released.

Bill To Keep New Mexico On Daylight Saving Time Advances - The Associated Press

A Senate committee has passed a bill that would keep New Mexicans from springing forward and falling back every year when it's time to adjust clocks.

The Senate Public Affairs Committee voted 5-1 Thursday to advance Sen. Cliff Pirtle's bill that would keep the state on daylight saving time year-round.

The Republican farmer from Roswell says changing the clock twice a year is an unnecessary inconvenience. He says farmers and ranchers work from sunrise to sundown no matter what the clock says.

Pirtle's bill now moves to the Senate Judiciary Committee. If it becomes law, The time in New Mexico would remain unchanged after it springs forward March 8.

The federal government allows states to exempt themselves from time changes. Arizona and Hawaii do not observe daylight saving time.