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Headlines: Petroglyph Vandalism, Enhancing Sunshine Portal...

National Park Service

Vandalism Found In Petroglyph National MonumentThe Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal

Graffiti and other vandalism have been found in a section of the Petroglyph National Monument in west Albuquerque.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that monument Superintendent Dennis Vásquez was exploring a section of the monument last week when he found debris, evidence of campfires, motorcycle tracks and graffiti.

The monument has thousands of samples of ancient Pueblo Indian rock art and it's managed jointly by the National Park Service and the city.

The vandalized section is owned and managed by the city.

City crews have started removing litter and debris and restoring sections of downed fence.  The Park Service and the city will work together to remove the graffiti as quickly as possible.

New Mexico AG Vows To Fight Texas Over Rio Grande Claims - The Associated Press

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas is warning state lawmakers that without putting up a strong legal defense, the state stands to lose control of its water.

Balderas on Wednesday briefed the Senate Finance Committee about the legal battle with Texas over management of the Rio Grande. His office and the Interstate Stream Commission need about $4 million to continue preparing for the case, which is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Texas sued New Mexico in 2013, claiming the state failed to deliver water as required under the Rio Grande Compact.

The federal government intervened and said groundwater pumping in New Mexico is tapping the shallow aquifer that should drain back into the river and flow to Texas.

Balderas says the case is about fighting federal overreach and the theft of New Mexico's water by Texas.

Man Gets 4-Year Prison Term For Shooting At Police Officers - The Associated Press and KOB-TV

An Albuquerque man who fired a rifle at police offices in 2013 faces four years in prison after being sentenced under a plea agreement.

Jason Halverson was originally charged with numerous criminal charges, including nine felony counts of aggravated assault upon a peace officer.

He pleaded guilty yesterday to two counts of that crime, and KOB-TV reports that left some police officers unhappy.

Halverson said during the sentencing hearing that he was extremely remorseful for what he'd done and thankful that no officers got hurt.

DA Kari Brandenburg says prosecutors determined they couldn't prove that Halverson intended to harm each officer because he was drunk and suicidal at the time.

New Mexico House Panel Eyes State Cuban Trade Office - The Associated Press

A New Mexico House panel is set to discuss a proposal that would create a state Cuban Trade Office.

The House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee was scheduled today to debate the bill sponsored by Rep. Miguel Garcia.

Under the proposal, the office would identify potential buyers in Cuba for New Mexico goods and services. The office also would assist New Mexico businesses with marketing in Cuba.

President Obama recently loosened the Cold War-era trade embargo with a range of measures designed to increase economic ties with Cuba.

New Mexico House To Consider Social Promotion Bill - The Associated Press

The full New Mexico House of Representatives is set to consider legislation that would end the social promotion of third-graders who are not proficient readers.

The bill advanced last week following a 7-6 party-line vote in the House Education Committee. It's expected to be debated on the House floor Wednesday.

The bill by Rep. Monica Youngblood of Albuquerque calls for retaining third-graders who are not reading proficiently and giving them intensive remediation.

The legislation is backed by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. Her plan to end social promotion faces opposition from Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, who says student retention should be based on teachers' assessments, not test scores.

Opponents also say retaining students damages them psychologically and intervention can be done without retention.

New Mexico House Panel Votes To Allow Adjuncts In Classrooms - The Associated Press

A New Mexico House of Representatives committee has approved legislation that would allow industry professionals to teach part-time in classrooms without having to go back to college to receive a teaching degree.

The bill by Republican Conrad James of Albuquerque cleared the House Education Committee Tuesday on a 6-5 vote. It now heads to the full House.

James says his bill will help recruit more teachers and allow industry experts to share their knowledge with students.

Among other requirements, the professionals would need a bachelor's degree and three years of documented work experience in the subject field to qualify to teach.

Adjuncts would also be subject to an evaluation process and if rated ineffective, would lose their certificate.

5 NM Corrections Workers On Leave In Harassment Probe - The Associated Press

Five New Mexico Corrections Department employees have been placed on administrative leave in connection with allegations of sexual harassment.

Corrections spokeswoman Alex Tomlin said Wednesday that the five employees, including Central New Mexico Correctional Facility Warden Robert Stewart, were placed on leave after authorities were notified of the allegations.

Tomlin says an internal investigation also has been launched to see if any complaints of sexual harassment were ignored at the prison in Los Lunas.

Corrections officials say they are expecting a lawsuit filed by former and current employees but they do not have the details.

New Mexico Bill Calls For Study Of Federal Land Transfer  - The Associated Press

A New Mexico House panel has voted in favor of legislation that would establish a commission dedicated to studying options for transferring federal lands to state control.

The bill cleared the House Agriculture, Water and Wildlife Committee on a 9-1 vote Wednesday after two hours of debate. It still must clear a number of other committees before reaching the House floor.

Similar efforts have died in the past over the concerns of environmental groups, American Indian tribes and some sportsmen.

Questions about how New Mexico's tribes would be affected came up again Wednesday, but supporters that included ranchers, local government groups and some state land managers suggested New Mexico should at least study the matter.

The commission would consist of four lawmakers, several state agency officials and three public members.

Lawmakers Look To Add Info To New Mexico's Sunshine Portal - The Associated Press

Legislation introduced by two lawmakers would enhance New Mexico's Sunshine Portal by requiring additional information on state contracts to be posted online.

The bill is sponsored by Republican Sen. Sander Rue of Albuquerque and Democrat Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard of Los Alamos.

Currently, state law requires only the recipient of a state contract, the purpose of the contract and the amounts expended to be posted.

If the legislation were to pass, the portal would also include a copy or link to the actual contract and any amendments.

New Mexico House Panel Eyes State Cuban Trade Office - The Associated Press

A New Mexico House panel is set to discuss a proposal that would create a state Cuban Trade Office.

The House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee is scheduled today to debate the bill sponsored by Rep. Miguel Garcia.

Under the proposal, the office would identify potential buyers in Cuba for New Mexico goods and services. The office also would assist New Mexico businesses with marketing in Cuba.

Albuquerque Public Schools Pushing Measles Vaccinations - The Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal

Albuquerque Public Schools says students without a measles vaccination have 10 days to get immunized or they won't be allowed to return to the classroom.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that APS is sending letters home to parents with students whose immunization records are not up-to-date.

The letters say parents have until Feb. 20 to provide proof of immunization or a state-approved exemption form.

Students won't be allowed to return to the classroom otherwise.

Both state law and APS policy require students be immunized.

Albuquerque Man Must Pay Nearly $180,000 Restitution At VA - The Associated Press

An Albuquerque man has been ordered to pay nearly $180,000 in restitution for the theft of government funds.

Prosecutors say 57-year-old Scott Till was sentenced Tuesday to two years of probation in the case.

Till pleaded guilty last October to taking money in November 2011 from the Department of Veterans Affairs that he wasn't entitled to receive.

Prosecutors say Till isn't a veteran. They say he kept open a bank account into which the Department of Veterans Affairs was depositing money and he maintained sole access to the funds.

Till was ordered to pay $179,491 in restitution to the VA.