Saudi Student In Alleged 'Kill List' Plot Ordered Held - By Russell Contreras, Associated Press
A Saudi Arabian student who prosecutors say illegally obtained a gun in the U.S. and told someone he wanted to kill a professor and others has been ordered held until his trial.
A U.S. magistrate judge ruled today in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that Hassan Alqahtani posed a danger after hearing allegations of domestic violence and threats made to others.
Witnesses told investigators that the 27-year-old Alqahtani had physically attacked his wife and threatened a girlfriend. He is facing a federal firearms charge. His defense attorney says the case is based on hearsay.
Saudi Student In Alleged 'Kill List' Plot Seeks Release - By Russell Contreras Associated Press
A Saudi Arabian student arrested on a federal firearms charge the day before he was set to graduate from the University of New Mexico is asking to be released pending trial.
The student is scheduled to appear Tuesday afternoon before a U.S. magistrate judge in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Prosecutors say the student purchased a gun illegally because he has a student visa.
A tipster told the FBI that the student had what was described as a "kill list" that included a university professor, a former roommate and a person he previously fought. His attorneys dispute the allegations.
New Mexico Film Office Restructures Office, Adds 2 Employees – Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
A film office in New Mexico has expanded its staff to better meet the demand of film productions and public inquiries.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the New Mexico Film Office has added two full-time employees to its previously three-person staff in the past month. Officials say they are seeking another two positions to further restructure the Santa Fe office.
Film Office officials say the office expects to have overseen about 80 completed productions in the state by the end of the year. Officials say 29 projects were in production as of early December including eight television shows and nine films.
New Mexico Governor To Host Town Hall On Education - Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and top members of her cabinet will be hosting a community town hall on education ahead of the upcoming legislative session.
The first-year governor will be joined at Wednesday's event in Albuquerque by Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky, Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart and Higher Education Secretary Kate O'Neill.
Lawmakers have increased spending on teacher salaries and longer academic calendars at many schools. But parents and some school districts say more needs to be done to help disadvantaged children.
New Mexico State Senator Found Guilty Of Drunken Driving – Morgan Lee, Associated Press
New Mexico state Sen. Richard Martinez has been found guilty of aggravated drunken driving and reckless driving in connection with a June car crash.
Judge Francis Mathew delivered the verdicts on misdemeanor charges against the former magistrate judge and prominent Democratic state senator in connection with a June 28 wreck in the community of Española.
Martinez's car hit another vehicle that was stopped at a red traffic light, injuring Martinez and two people in the stationary vehicle. Police say Martinez refused a blood-alcohol test after the crash. Police body-camera video showed Martinez fumbling over a field sobriety test.
New Mexico Senator Awaits Verdict In Drunken Driving Trial - By Morgan Lee, Associated Press
Attorneys have given final arguments in the trial of a prominent Democratic state senator accused of drunken driving in a June car wreck.
State prosecutors urged a state district court judge to convict state Sen. Richard Martinez of reckless driving and aggravated drunken driving after he rear-ended a stopped car at a red light.
Martinez has pleaded not guilty, and his attorney says that a broken windshield suggests the defendant struck his head and became dazed during interactions with the police.
Courtroom testimony and police body-camera video showed that state Martinez acknowledged drinking before the crash and struggled with a field sobriety test.
New Mexico Senator Fights Drunken Driving Charges At Trial - By Morgan Lee Associated Press
An influential Democratic New Mexico state senator is on trial on drunken driving charges in connection with a June car crash.
Police say Sen. Richard Martinez of Ojo Caliente refused a breath test to determine his blood-alcohol level after slamming into the back of another vehicle at a stoplight in the community of Española. Police body cam video showed Martinez responding to officers with slurred speech.
Martinez has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated drunken driving and reckless driving.
In opening statements, his defense attorney argued that Martinez may have become dazed as he struck his head on his car windshield and said that evidence does not show that he was intoxicated.
Symposium Centers On Creation Of Law School At Diné College - Associated Press
The first college established decades ago by an American Indian tribe in the United States is now working to create a law school.
Formal efforts picked up speed with a recent two-day symposium held at Diné College on the Navajo Nation. Officials talked about everything from the college's original mission and accreditation to student courses, judicial advocates and what community such an institution would serve.
The director of the college's Navajo Sovereignty Institute says ideally, the proposed law school would specialize in emerging areas of Indian law that are significant to the Navajo Nation economy.
Saudi Student Remains In Custody On Gun Charge - By Susan Montoya Bryan Associated Press
A Saudi Arabian student who is facing a federal firearms charge remained in custody Monday while his attorneys sought more documents from prosecutors.
They hope to discredit allegations that their client was in possession of a gun and had created a list of people he wanted to kill. The 27-year-old engineering student was arrested Friday, the day before he was scheduled to graduate from the University of New Mexico.
Hearings in his case will resume Tuesday afternoon. It will be up to a U.S. magistrate judge to determine whether he should be released pending trial.
Xcel To Begin Construction On $900M Wind Farm In New Mexico – Associated Press
Xcel Energy is set to begin construction on a $900 million wind farm in eastern New Mexico.
The utility said officials, landowners and other stakeholders gathered Monday morning for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site located near Portales.
The 522-megawatt Sagamore Wind Project will be the largest single wind facility in New Mexico by the time it's completed late next year.
Nuclear Tech Company To Locate Research Center In New Mexico – Associated Press
A California-based nuclear energy technology company has chosen New Mexico's largest city as its home for a new engineering center to support the development of its reactor technology.
Kairos Power LLC plans to take up residence at a master planned community on the southern edge of Albuquerque. State economic development officials say the company will invest up to $125 million on the campus and create more than 65 high-paying jobs over the next few years.
The state and city of Albuquerque also have proposed pitching in millions of dollars in economic development funding for the project.
Grant To Help Build Botanic Garden At New Mexico University - Associated Press
New Mexico State University has been awarded a grant that will go toward building the only botanic garden within 100 miles of the southern New Mexico campus.
The garden will be used to grow and study plants native to New Mexico and the Chihuahuan Desert that might attract bees and other pollinators.
In addition to the research side, officials are aiming to create a garden that will be welcoming for visitors. The plan incorporates paths throughout the garden and a large gazebo for shade and outdoor events.
It will likely take several years for the garden to be completed.