State Will Pay $10M To Mental Health Providers After Suit - By Morgan Lee Associated Press
New Mexico will pay out $10 million to resolve the last remaining lawsuits over a shake-up of its behavioral health system in 2013 under the prior administration of Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.
Martinez's administration froze payments to 15 mental health service providers after an audit identified $36 million in Medicaid overpayments.
The state attorney general later cleared the providers of any criminal wrongdoing, but 10 filed lawsuits, saying some providers were forced to close their doors and discontinue provision of any behavioral health services.
New Mexico Teen Held For Week After Mistaken Identification – Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
Authorities say a teen girl was jailed for a week after a school employee mistakenly identified her as a suspect in a fatal shooting.
The Albuquerque Journal reported the 17-year-old was booked into a juvenile detention center after an Albuquerque Public Schools employee mistakenly identified her to police from a social media photo.
The Albuquerque High School student was charged in November with murder, armed robbery and conspiracy in connection with the July death of 21-year-old Calvin Kelly.
Officials say she was released six days later after a suspect told police they had charged the wrong girl.
CEO Touts Virgin Galactic Marks 'Incredible' Year Of Milestones – Associated Press
The CEO of Virgin Galactic says the space tourism venture is on the verge of making more history in 2020 following an “incredible” year of progress.
George Whitesides told hundreds of business leaders during a luncheon Thursday in Albuquerque that 2019 was marked by many milestones including going public on the New York Stock Exchange.
The move raised $450 million for the company's balance sheet as it prepares for commercial flights once test flights are complete. Virgin Galactic has not announced a specific date for beginning commercial flights, but it's expected that 2020 will finally be the year.
Report Finds Homicide Victim's Body Was Put In Car Before Fire – Gallup Independent, Associated Press
Authorities say a man whose remains were found in the trunk of a burning car in northwestern New Mexico had been killed beforehand.
The Gallup Independent reports the state Office of the Medical Investigator's autopsy report cited evidence that indicated the remains of 51-year-old Nastacio Keith Travis of Zuni had begun decomposing before being burned. The car was found north of Church Rock on July 15. Church Rock is 8 miles east of Gallup.
The report said the fire consumed much of Travis' remains and that it appeared his body was placed in the trunk of the car then set on fire in an attempt to conceal evidence.
Retired Government Workers Decry Pension-Solvency Proposal - Morgan Lee, Associated Press
Retired public employees are assailing a proposal to shore up New Mexico's pension fund in defiance of recommendations from the governor.
An advocacy group for the retirees objected Wednesday to a proposed profit-sharing model that ties future cost-of-living increases for retirees to investment returns.
Credit ratings for New Mexico, the city of Albuquerque, and public schools and universities have been downgraded due to unfunded obligations at two major pension funds.
New Mexico County Ends Federal Immigration Holds At Jail - Hobbs News-Sun, Associated Press
A southeastern New Mexico county is no longer cooperating with federal immigration authorities on inmates held at its jail.
The Hobbs News-Sun reports Lea County Detention Center now is requiring more than a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer, or ICE hold, for inmates suspected of being in the country illegally. The jail now requires active warrants to house inmates, which are much less common than ICE hold requests.
It's a shift from a few years ago when the conservative-leaning county cooperated with Obama administration-era policies on immigration holds in jails.
Lea County manager Mike Gallagher says ICE detainers were previously honored for up to 48 hours to allow ICE to investigate a person over possible immigration violations.
Gallagher said Lea County's shift in policy was a result of a federal court case in Albuquerque.
New Mexico To Invest In Las Cruces Hemp Manufacturing Firm - Associated Press
A hemp manufacturing business in southern New Mexico will get a boost from the state Economic Development Department.
The agency said Wednesday it has pledged to invest $400,000 in 420 Valley LLC as part of a continued effort by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration to grow the burgeoning industry. The first-year Democratic governor says hemp production and other sustainable agriculture ventures will be essential as New Mexico works to diversify its economy.
The company plans to set up shop in a vacant Las Cruces building and hire 55 workers over three years.
Business Group: Fracking Ban Would Have Dire Consequences - Susan Montoya Bryan Associated Press
The head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global Energy Institute says campaign pledges made by Democratic presidential candidates to ban hydraulic fracturing by the oil and gas industry would have dire consequences for New Mexico and the rest of the United States if implemented.
Marty Durbin is visiting New Mexico to highlight the results of a study that shows billions of dollars in lost revenue if a ban were to be imposed.
The study comes as New Mexico enjoys a budget surplus and other economic benefits from an oil boom in the Permian Basin.
Redevelopment Of Albuquerque Rail Yards Gets $1.2m Boost - Associated Press
The U.S. Commerce Department is awarding the city of Albuquerque $1.2 million to help with redevelopment of its historic rail yards.
The federal grant will be matched by local funds. Federal officials say the funding is expected to create more than 300 jobs and generate $9 million in private investment.
Efforts to revitalize the rail yards began more than a decade ago and the site has since become home to a popular weekend market that features local vendors.
Appeals Court Tosses Lawsuit From Artist Over Dog Poop Flap - Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
A New Mexico appeals court has upheld a decision to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a Native American artist who was cleaning up dog poop but mistaken for a burglar.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the state Court of Appeals recently affirmed a District Court decision that the officers' actions were "objectively reasonable" when they detained Mateo Romero at gunpoint.
Romero filed a lawsuit alleging the violation of his constitutional rights in 2014. He says his Shih Tzu defecated in his car and had pulled into a driveway to clean up the mess when a homeowner called police.
Romero told The Associated Press a Santa Fe officer pointed a rifle at him during the bizarre misunderstanding.
In 2017, a judge ruled an officer's belt recorder showed the officer acted properly.
Colorado Man Sues After New Mexico Treasure Hunt Search - Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press
A Colorado treasure hunter claiming he was duped has filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against a New Mexico man who said he hid a chest filled with valuables somewhere in the Rocky Mountains.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported Tuesday that David Hanson of Colorado Springs sued Forrest Fenn after suspecting he was given "fraudulent statements" about the treasure's location.
The lawsuit alleges Fenn gave additional clues that led Hanson away from his search area and, according to the lawsuit, helped another person find the items in question.
There has been no report that the treasure has been found. Fenn says he hid the items and published clues in an effort to get people outdoors.