Labor Officials: New Mexico, West Texas Workers Underpaid – The Associated Press
Federal labor officials say oil and natural gas workers in New Mexico and West Texas have been underpaid by more than $1.3 million.
The U.S. Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division made the announcement Monday. The findings stem from an enforcement initiative launched by the division last year.
Officials say overtime violations led to the underpayment of some 1,300 workers.
Among the problems found, employers were failing to include bonus payments when calculating overtime rates. They weren't paying for time spent working off-the-clock and they paid flat rates despite the hours worked by employees.
There were also instances of workers being misclassified as independent contractors.
A regional labor official, Cynthia Watson, says there's a misconception that because oil and gas workers typically earn more than minimum wage that employers are following the law.
Albuquerque Police: At Least 4 People Fired At Skate Park – The Associated Press
Albuquerque police say investigators have determined that at least four people fired gunshots at a skate park where one person was killed and six others wounded on March 22.
However, police say they have not confirmed the identities of those people who fired shots at Los Altos Park during the incident or who fired first.
Police say they've learned that several people were taking video at the park and they're asking for information and cellphone video about the incident.
Police have said the shooting appeared to be related to gangs.
Watering Restrictions Announced For Albuquerque Residents - The Associated Press
Albuquerque residents have already beat conservation goals for the first three months of the year, and officials are urging them to stay on track.
The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority announced Tuesday that customers used about 250 million gallons less since January than the same period last year.
The chair of the water authority's board, Trudy Jones, says customers stand to have another great year in terms of conservation. She says the goal is the same as last year — per capita use of 135 gallons per day.
The water authority also announced restrictions to limit outdoor watering during certain hours and days. Those restrictions take effect Wednesday and will last through Nov. 1.
Officials say violations can result in fines starting at $20 for a first offense.
New Mexico Wins Federal Education Waiver – The Associated Press
Gov. Susana Martinez says the federal government's decision to extend New Mexico's waiver from No Child Left Behind requirements validates the education reforms implemented by her administration.
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced Tuesday that New Mexico and four other states have received four-year renewals of their waivers.
Federal officials say states needed a new round of waivers given that Congress has yet to overhaul the law. The waivers provide more flexibility as the states continue with changes aimed at giving students high-quality educations.
Martinez tells The Associated Press that New Mexico's graduation rates have improved in recent years and more young students are reading at their respective grade levels.
New Mexico previously received an "on track" designation from federal officials for changes that included using student test scores to help evaluate teachers.
NM Gov Signs Bills Protecting Children And Families – The Associated Press
Gov. Susana Martinez has signed three public safety bills, including one that cracks down on child prostitution.
Martinez said "it has been my calling first as a district attorney and now as a governor to stand up for those who do not have a voice of their own."
She signed the bills Tuesday at an Albuquerque child and family focused resource center.
Martinez was a prosecutor for 25 years before being elected governor in 2010.
One of the other pieces of legislation she signed into law requires all cell phone and pager companies to issue Amber Alerts via text to customers for children believed to have been abducted by family members if officials believe the child is in danger. The third bill provides additional compensation for victims of violent crimes.
Attorney General Unveils Changes On Hiring Private Lawyers - The Associated Press, Russell Contreras
New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas has announced new reforms on hiring private lawyers to file lawsuits on behalf of the attorney general's office.
Balderas on Monday unveiled new policy changes on the practice and promises to make all documents from a bidding process available to the public.
The move comes after a New York Times story in December that showed how more attorneys general were hiring private law firms to file lawsuits. The story, which featured former New Mexico Attorney General Gary King, reported that private lawyers search public records for potential cases and then approach attorneys general.
State officials hire the firms to do the necessary legwork, and in return, the firms get a percentage of any money won in court cases.
Funeral Set For Thursday For Albuquerque Police Officer – KOAT-TV, The Associated Press
Funeral services are scheduled Thursday for an Albuquerque police officer who died from a medical issue during a training exercise last week.
KOAT-TV reports that John Kelly's funeral will be held at the Albuquerque Convention Center with burial at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Kelly was a detective and a field training officer.
He was stricken last Thursday morning as he and others gathered at a location in northeast Albuquerque for role-playing training on how to interact with people in crisis.
Police say Kelly's death was not related to the training, but the cause hasn't been released yet.
They say Kelly was in his mid-30s and leaves behind three children and three stepchildren.
He was in the U.S. Army and served in Afghanistan before joining the Albuquerque Police Department in 2006.
NM Governor Criticizes Senate Dems For 'Killing' Key Bills – The Associated Press
Republican Gov. Susana Martinez says she was disappointed with the leadership of the Senate during this year's legislative session.
Martinez told attendees at a real estate luncheon Monday in Albuquerque that her call before the session for lawmakers to embrace reform and to put partisan differences aside went unheeded in the upper chamber.
She says a multi-million-dollar measure that would have funded public works projects around the state was approved in the Senate without input from the House. She called that unprecedented.
The capital outlay bill failed in the waning minutes of the 60-day session.
A number of Republican-sponsored bills also ran aground in the Senate, including a right-to-work initiative, a ban on late-term abortions and repealing the law allowing driver's licenses for people in the county illegally.
New Mexico Supreme Court Rejects Fort Sill Petition – The Associated Press
New Mexico's highest court has turned down a request by an Oklahoma-based American Indian tribe that sought to force Gov. Susana Martinez to sign a gambling compact with them.
The state Supreme Court issued its denial of the Fort Sill Apache's petition on Monday. The justices offered no explanation for their decision.
The tribe filed its request earlier this year, saying Martinez ignored requests by its chairman to sign on to existing compacts.
The tribe wants to operate a casino on land near Deming in southern New Mexico that was put into trust in 2002. It says it doesn't matter that the tribe's land has not been federally approved yet for gambling.
Martinez argued that the tribe has to have eligible land first before her office can negotiate a compact.
Girl Allegedly Abducted In Missouri Found Safe In New Mexico – The Associated Press
Authorities say a 13-year-old Missouri girl who was allegedly abducted has been found safe in New Mexico and a man is in custody.
New Mexico State Police say 55-year-old Raymond Vallia was arrested Monday afternoon after a traffic stop east of Moriarty.
Missouri law enforcement agencies issued an amber alert for the girl after Sunday's alleged abduction and said they believed Vallia would be with the teen.
Authorities say the two apparently met over social media and Vallia reportedly lives in Amarillo, Texas.
State Police say the girl appeared to be unharmed and has been placed in protective custody.
They say Vallia was being booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque on suspicion of felony kidnapping. The FBI now is handling the investigation.
New Mexico Road Crews Prepare For Chimayo Pilgrimage – The Associated Press
New Mexico transportation officials say crews have been busy preparing routes for the annual Good Friday pilgrimage to El Santuario de Chimayo.
Crews have repaired the shoulders along some of the popular routes to control erosion, while debris and litter have been removed to create safe walking paths.
Starting Thursday, crews will work around the clock to put up signs and orange barrels to warn motorists of the increased foot traffic. Pilgrims are encouraged to wear bright clothing.
Some pilgrims will make the 90-mile, three-day walk from Albuquerque to the shrine that houses a small pit of soil that some believe possesses curing powers.
Chimayo is a National Historic Landmark, and some 200,000 people are estimated to visit each year, with the bulk occurring during Holy Week.
Work On Catwalk Recreation Area To Pick Up Again – The Associated Press
Reconstruction of the Catwalk National Recreation Trail and its parking area is expected to get a boost now that federal funding has been approved.
Officials with the Gila National Forest say a change in the process to approve and disburse emergency funds from the Federal Highway Administration to another division initially resulted in a delay.
District Ranger Debbie Cress says designs are now being finalized so contractors can bid on the project. The next step would be reviewing the proposals and picking a contractor.
The contract is expected to be awarded in late June, with preliminary work starting in late summer or early fall.
Cress says the goal is to have the Catwalk reconstructed and reopened before summer 2016.
The Catwalk remains closed due to flood damage.
