Man Who Shot Police In NM Had 'Cop Killer' Tattoo - Associated Press
Police say a man who wounded Albuquerque law enforcement officers during a high-speed chase through the city had a tattoo labeled "cop killer."
Albuquerque police on Sunday identified the gunman as 35-year-old Christopher Chase, and Albuquerque television station KOAT reports that he was armed with an AK-47 assault rifle.
Three Albuquerque police officers and a Bernalillo County sheriff's deputy were wounded Saturday.
Chase stole a police car after firing shots at officers. He continued firing during the chase, and died after crashing the car at a gasoline station.
Authorities said it's uncertain whether he died from shots fired by police and the motive for the shooting remains under investigation.
A sheriff's deputy is in the intensive care unit of an Albuquerque hospital, and one police officer remains hospitalized.
NM Medicaid Expansion Draws 13K Applications - Associated Press
State officials say 13,000 New Mexicans have applied for health care services through Medicaid since enrollment opened earlier this month for an expanded program that will cover more low-income adults.
Gov. Susana Martinez's administration and a health care advocate consider it a good start for a state with among the highest uninsured rates in the country.
Benefits won't start until January for New Mexicans who qualify for the Medicaid expansion allowed under terms of a federal health care law. The federal government initially will pick up the cost of those who enroll.
Health Action New Mexico executive director Barbara Webber says her organization is working with other groups to make uninsured residents aware of the Medicaid expansion.
About a fourth of the state's population receives health care through Medicaid.
New Mexico Governor Fundraising In Southeast - Associated Press
New Mexico Republican Gov. Susana Martinez is on a political fundraising trip through four Southeastern states.
Martinez political adviser Jay McCleskey said the governor plans events Sunday in North Carolina and Georgia to raise money for her re-election.
Martinez has fundraisers Monday in Georgia and Mississippi.
Her political trip concludes in Arkansas on Tuesday, and the governor will return to New Mexico that afternoon.
The governor's re-election campaign is paying for her travel expenses.
Martinez flew to North Carolina on Saturday for a fundraiser.
Three Democrats have announced they're running for governor next year: Attorney General Gary King, Sen. Linda Lopez of Albuquerque and Sen. Howie Morales of Silver City.
Martinez had cash-on-hand of nearly $3.3 million in her re-election account as of Oct. 7.
NM Groups Promote Creating Official State Poet - Associated Press
A group in Santa Fe is exploring how New Mexico might establish an official state poet.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that New Mexico is among four states without a poet laureate. The New Mexico State Poetry Society and Santa Fe publisher Red Mountain Press would like to change that.
New Mexico lawmakers would have to approve a measure to create the position.
A poetry reading is scheduled Nov. 3 at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe to promote the proposal for a New Mexico poet laureate.
Past poet laureates from Kansas, Maryland and Missouri have been invited to the event along with the Navajo Nation's poet laureate.