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Tuesday News Roundup: Deadline Past For Oct. 8 Vote On Abortion Measure

Deadline Past For Oct. 8 Vote On Abortion Measure - Associated Press

The passing of a deadline means a proposal to implement new abortion restrictions in Albuquerque won't be placed on the city's Oct. 8 election ballot.

State law requires that election measures be published at least 50 days before an election and the deadline for the measure to get on the Oct. 8 election passed Monday.

City workers are still checking petitions to determine whether supporters of the proposal submitted enough voter signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot.

The city's next election date would be Nov. 19 -- the tentative date for a runoff election -- or the city could hold a special election.

The city clerk has certified nearly 10,000 of the requirement for just over 12,000 valid signatures.

The proposal includes generally prohibiting abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy

NM Communities Gets Millions For Head Start - Associated Press

Head Start programs in central and western New Mexico are getting millions of dollar to provide education and health services to poor children.

Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., says the Mid-West New Mexico Community Action Program will get $5.5 million a year in federal funds for the next five years to continue its Head Start projects serving children in Valencia, Socorro, Cibola and McKinley counties.

The Head Start program provides child development services to help preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school. Head Start programs also provide health, nutritional, social and other services.

In 2012, Mid-West NMCAP helped nearly 1,000 children, with almost 75 percent living in households with income below the federal poverty line.

Flags To Be Flown At Half-Staff For NM Lawmaker - Associated Press

Gov. Susana Martinez has ordered that flags on all state buildings be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Tuesday to honor and mourn a deceased New Mexico legislator.

State Rep. Stephen Easley died Wednesday after a prolonged illness.

The 60-year-old Democrat from Santa Fe was in his first term in the New Mexico Legislature. Easley was elected in 2012 to a district covering parts of Santa Fe, Torrance and Valencia counties.

Martinez issued her executive order to honor Easley on Monday.

She says Easley "was passionate about public service" and was an advocate for advancements in telemedicine and access to behavioral health services.

August Monsoon Dribbles Off In Albuquerque Area - Associated Press and the Albuquerque Journal

New Mexico's monsoon got off to a strong start with nearly 3 inches of rain in Albuquerque but things have been sluggish so far in August and that's starting to affect farmers in the region.

The National Weather Service reports just above a quarter-inch of rain for the first days of August.

The Albuquerque Journal reportsthat about a half-inch below average.

The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District depends on rainfall for water for irrigation and has already started curtailing deliveries to farmers with low priorities for water.

The curtailment is expanding to deliveries to additional non-Indian farmers.

Pueblo irrigators have higher priorities for river water because their rights are older.

New Mexico's Jobless Rate Edges Up Slightly - Associated Press

State officials report that New Mexico's unemployment increased slightly last month and that job growth remains slow.

The Department of Workforce Solutions said Monday that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.9 percent in July. It was 6.8 percent in June and 7.0 percent in July 2012.

State officials say New Mexico has gained 8,800 jobs since July 2012, with a job growth rate of 1.1 percent.

Nine industries added employment over the past 12 months while four industries shed jobs.

The leisure and hospitality industry accounted for the largest increase, picking up 4,500 jobs since last year.

Officials say the construction industry continued to report the best over-the-year numbers since 2006, gaining 1,800 jobs.

Manufacturing employment lost 1,000 jobs while government employment is down 3,700 jobs since last year.

Navajos Round Up Horses On Drought-Stricken Land - Associated Press and Gallup Independent

Navajo Nation rangers have rounded up numerous horses in northwestern New Mexico under an operation conducted as part of the tribe's response to the continuing drought.

A natural resources law enforcement official says least 248 horses were seized through Thursday and that additional horses were seized in operations late last week.

According to the Gallup Independent, the horses are said to be either feral or belong to residents who lack grazing permits or have more horses than their permits allow.

Grazing official Wilbur Murphy says horses unclaimed by residents will be sold to a buyer either for resale off the reservation or for transport to Mexico for slaughter for meat.

The Navajo Nation has voiced support for a Roswell company's plan to begin slaughtering horses for meat.