New Mexico State Government Braces For Financial Pain – Morgan Lee, Associated Press
In an unusual pronouncement, four government economists said they could not pinpoint how much income the state is likely to receive during the current and coming fiscal years to help sustain public education, health care, public safety and other crucial services.
They instead said general fund income may range from $6.8 billion to $7.6 billion during the coming fiscal year — with current annual spending obligations of $7.2 billion.
The twice-annual revenue forecast ordinarily provides a specific benchmark for state lawmakers as they outline a budget before meeting in January. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has asked most agencies to trim spending proposals by 5% for the coming fiscal year.
Court Weighs Tribes' Aboriginal Water Claims For Jemez River – Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
A decades-long battle over a northern New Mexico river has taken another turn, as a panel of federal appellate judges has reversed a lower court ruling by determining that the aboriginal rights of Indigenous communities were not extinguished by Spain when it took control centuries ago of what is now the American Southwest.
A three-judge panel on Tuesday overturned a lower court decision, ruling that Spain would have had to take formal action to extinguish the rights water rights of the Jemez, Zia and Santa Ana pueblos, such as reducing or altering water use.
Parties in the case say settling that point could affect the outcome.
Judge Timothy M. Tymkovich warned that while the majority determined the pueblo's rights were not extinguished, it does not mean the pueblos now have limitlessly expanding water rights. It will be up to the district court to handle further proceedings.
Former New Mexico Pub Owners Forced To Pay $1.4M Settlement – Associated Press
Former owners Dennis Bonfantine and Janice Bonfantine will pay servers who worked at the Kellys Brew Pub between 2013 and 2016 for legal costs and compensation, according to the settlement agreement.
The lawsuit was brought by 16 servers who claimed that between 2013 and 2016, they were forced to illegally pay the owners $3 per hour from their tips to cover a 2012 Albuquerque ordinance that raised the minimum wage for tipped employees from $2.13 to $5.25.
Dennis and Janice Bonfantine have not admitted wrongdoing in the case despite agreeing to the settlement, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
Some former servers at the Albuquerque restaurant claimed in the suit that occasionally they would owe more than they earned due to the Bonfantines' policy.
More than 110 workers will receive payments worth $902,000 as part of the settlement, with the amount paid dependent on the total hours they worked, said Stephanie Welch, supervising attorney and director for workers’ rights for the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty. The rest of the settlement will cover legal fees.
James Meredith Film Weighs 'Complicated' Civil Rights Figure – Russell Contreras, Associated Press
“Walk Against Fear: James Meredith,” scheduled to air Thursday on the Smithsonian Channel, examines the life of a U.S. Air Force veteran and human rights agitator whose admission to the University of Mississippi forced President John F. Kennedy to send federal troops into the state to quell a white supremacy uprising.
It was one of the most violent moments of the Civil Rights Movement and Meredith's determination to enroll in Ole Miss forever transformed life in the Deep South.
Known as a bold, stubborn character from the movement, Meredith was later shot during a peaceful demonstration in Mississippi, and years later drew anger from civil rights leaders for endorsing former Klansman David Duke for Louisiana governor.
COVID-19 Cases, Rate Of Spread Trending Up In New Mexico - By Susan Montoya Bryan Associated Press
New Mexico's top health officials say the number of COVID-19 cases and the rate of transmission are on the rise, leaving the state trailing when it comes to two of its most important metrics.
Human Services Secretary David Scrase acknowledged during a briefing Tuesday that if things don't change, the state will see the curve continue to rise.
He said he would rather see New Mexicans following the health order already in place rather than the state imposing more mandates to limit spread.
The public health order mandates face masks and social distancing, limits indoor dining and the size of gatherings and calls for people to stay home whenever possible.
An additional 178 cases were reported Tuesday, pushing the total to more than 29,150 since the pandemic began. Another two deaths were reported, putting that overall count at 875 statewide.
Scrase pointed to a nationwide effort that tracks the progress of states meeting various benchmarks, saying New Mexico has now slipped behind neighboring Arizona and is considered to be trending poorly.
The map shows Arizona's COVID-19 rate is decreasing after having skyrocketed earlier this summer.
Texas is still considered to have uncontrolled spread, and New Mexico health officials said counties bordering that state continue to have some of the highest rates in New Mexico because of interstate commerce and employment in those areas.
New Mexico Judge Retires Amid Allegations Of Misconduct - Gallup Independent, Associated Press
New Mexico officials have allowed a judge to retire while facing 10 allegations of misconduct in office.
The Gallup Independent reported McKinley County Magistrate Judge April J. Silversmith retired Aug. 31. Silversmith faced accusations of excessive absences from work, failing to attend court for the required 40 hours per week, failing to recuse or inappropriately involving herself in cases concerning family members and yelling at court staff members.
Silversmith and her attorney requested the case remain sealed, but the allegations became public Sept. 4 when the New Mexico Supreme Court ordered the court filings to be opened.
The state Supreme Court agreed with the New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission, which filed a petition requesting the court accept Silversmith's request for permanent retirement in lieu of further disciplinary proceedings against her.
The agreement meets Silversmith's request, serves the interests of justice and "ensures the public's continued confidence and trust in the judiciary," the commission said in the Aug. 28 petition.
Silversmith was ordered not to seek or accept future appointments to New Mexico judicial office. She is also prohibited from officiating at weddings.
Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's office is reviewing applications to fill the vacancy, spokesperson Nora Meyers Sackett said.
Tax Relief Aimed At New Mexico's Drought-Stricken Ranchers - Associated Press
Farmers and ranchers in New Mexico are eligible for an additional year to defer tax on any gains from the forced sale of livestock due to continued drought.
The Internal Revenue Service says drought-stricken farmers and ranchers in certain regions spanning 46 states are eligible for the relief.
Under the program, they'll also have four years instead of two to replace their animals. The federal agency says it's possible the replacement period could be further extended if the dry conditions continue.
The U.S. Agriculture Department's statistics service reported Monday that some ranchers have been hauling water to livestock and some are weaning and selling livestock in preparation for a winter with limited feed.
The latest federal map shows moderate to extreme drought covering nearly all of New Mexico.
Large Fire In Yard Of Albuquerque Recycling Plant Contained - Associated Press
Authorities say a large fire in the yard of an Albuquerque recycling plant has been contained and there are no reported injuries.
Bernalillo County Fire Department officials say they used thousands of gallons of foam to contain the Tuesday afternoon fire that was fueled mostly by cardboard and paper.
Investigators have not determined what caused the fire that might have also burned plastics and other substances that emit hazardous air pollutants.
Black smoke from the blaze prompted the city's Environmental Health Department to release an air quality health alert from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m Tuesday.
Managers Warn That Rio Grande Could Go Dry In Albuquerque – Susan Montoya Brown, Associated Press
Federal managers are warning that if hot and dry conditions persist, it's possible Albuquerque could see its stretch of the Rio Grande go dry this fall.
The Bureau of Reclamation has teamed up with the Interstate Stream Commission and irrigators to lease the last block of water available to keep the river as stable as possible before winter.
The entities will pay Albuquerque's water utility $700,000 for the extra water.
Other emergency releases happened earlier this year as spring runoff was poor and the monsoon season was spotty. Officials say New Mexico will wrap up the irrigation season with very little water left in storage.
The utility earlier this year also stopped diverting water from the river in an effort to keep it flowing, relying instead on Albuquerque's aquifer to meet demands. The utility reported in early September that use was up by more than 1 billion gallons compared to last year.
Grant To Help Pay For Work Along Southwest Chief Rail Route - Associated Press
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Amtrak a $5.6 million grant for track improvements and other work in New Mexico and Colorado along the Southwest Chief passenger train route between Chicago and Los Angeles.
The grant will help pay for upgrading 12.4 miles of rail near Lamy, New Mexico, replacing thousands of ties south of Raton Pass and along another section of track and removing loose rock in Raton Pass and other locations.
Other planned work includes rebuilding railroad bridges and grade crossings.
The Transportation department said the work will result in higher speed limits for trains and reduced maintenance costs.
The Albuquerque Journal reports other funding for the project will include nearly $5 million set aside by Amtrak and $1 million from the New Mexico Department of Transportation.
The work is scheduled to begin in 2021 and be completed in 2022.
The BNSF Railway and the Rio Metro Transportation District will perform much of the work in New Mexico.
New Mexico City Explores Options For Commercial Air Service - Associated Press
The Las Cruces City Council has given the green light to continue exploring what it would take to reestablish commercial air service for the southern New Mexico community.
Consultants told councilors during a work session Monday that research indicates the airport could sustain two to four daily flights to Dallas, Phoenix or maybe both cities.
The consultants also identified American Airlines as a potential provider.
The city's economic development department has been working with the consultants to determine the feasibility of restoring passenger service. The goal would be daily, regional commercial flights out of the Las Cruces airport.
There have been no scheduled passenger flights at the Las Cruces airport since Westward Airways ceased operations in 2005.
Historically, 11 airlines provided commercial service at the airport from the late 1940s to 2005.
Trujillo Resigns From New Mexico House, Leaving Office Early – Associated Press
A New Mexico legislator not running for re-election this year has resigned and is leaving office several months before the end of his term.
Democratic Rep. Jim Trujillo of Santa Fe announced his resignation Monday. He previously cited health concerns and a desire to spend more time with family members and other loved ones when he announced last October he wouldn't run for re-election.
Trujillo represented House District 45 and served as co-chairman of the House Taxation and Revenue Committee.
The 81-year-old Trujillo served 17 years since being appointed to the House by then-Gov. Bill Richardson in 2003.
The Santa Fe County Commission will select a person to serve the remainder of Trujillo’s term, and voters in November will elect a successor who will take office in November.
Democrat Linda Serrato and Libertarian Helen Milenski are on the ballot. No Republican is on the ballot.
Navajo Nation Has No COVID-19 Deaths For 2nd Consecutive Day - Associated Press
Navajo Nation health officials reported 20 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus Tuesday, but no additional deaths for the second consecutive day.
The latest figures bring the total number of cases to 10,333 with the known death toll remaining at 555.
Tribal officials say 106,194 people have been tested on the vast reservation that covers parts of New Mexico Arizona and Utah and 7,255 have recovered from COVID-19.
The Navajo Nation has implemented a stricter weekend lockdown as it looks into new clusters of coronavirus cases from family gatherings and off-reservation travel.
Residents now are being required to stay home from Friday evening until early Monday morning. More recent weekend lockdowns were a day shorter.
Location Of New Four Corners Weather Radar System Announced – Durango Herald, Associated Press
The location of a new permanent weather station for the Four Corners region has been announced.
La Plata County and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe said Monday they plan to build the station on tribal lands about 15 miles south of Durango.
The Durango Herald reported the radar system is expected to fill a notorious blind spot for weather and radar modeling. The area's major hubs currently process data at elevations too high to accurately model the region.
In Grand Junction, Colo., the current radar system cannot locate storms coming into the Four Corners below 28,000 feet altitude. That means weather forecasters miss many incoming storms.
The proposed site is currently the location of an air monitoring station that tracks air quality. The new radar system is scheduled to begin operations by the end of 2021.
The need for a functioning radar system in the area was made evident after the so-called 416 Fire in 2018 in southwest Colorado created flood danger when storms hit the fire's burn scar, the Herald reported.
New Mexico Man Facing Life In Prison In Hostage Taking Case - Associated Press
Authorities say a Hatch man has pleaded guilty to a charge of hostage taking in New Mexico and could be facing a life prison sentence.
Federal prosecutors say 23-year-old Mario Balcazar remains in custody pending his sentencing hearing. They say Balcazar faces up to life in federal prison.
According to a plea agreement, Balcazar picked up a woman at the Mexico border on May 9 and drove her to his residence in Doña Ana County. Authorities say Balcazar detained the woman until her family paid him $1,500.
Albuquerque Police: 2 Dead After Shooting; 1 Person Detained – Associated Press
Albuquerque Police say one person was detained and nobody else was being sought in a double fatal shooting prompted by an altercation during a party.
Officers early Tuesday found the two people fatally shot at an apartment complex.
No identities were released and police didn't immediately say whether the person detained was a suspect in the shooting.