Anxiety Grows In New Mexico Over 2020 Census - Associated Press
New Mexico state officials want to spend an additional $8 million to ensure residents are not left out of the 2020 Census.
Population-studies expert Robert Rhatigan of the University of New Mexico told a panel of lawmakers Tuesday that state finance and workforce officials still fear an undercount that could reduce federal spending in New Mexico by hundreds of millions of dollars.
Lawmakers this year set aside $3.4 million to help counties, public schools and Native American communities encourage participation in the federal population survey. An additional $8 million is now being sought for the effort by the administration of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Remote desert communities and gaps in communications infrastructure make New Mexico one of the hardest states to accurately survey for population changes.
New Mexico Issues Warning As Vaping Illnesses Increase – Associated Press
State health officials say three more cases of severe lung injury related to the use of e-cigarettes for vaping have been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases in New Mexico to 20.
The state Health Department announced the additional cases Wednesday.
In all, more than 2,000 Americans who vape have gotten sick since March, many of them teenagers and young adults, and at least 40 people have died.
Thirteen of New Mexico’s patients have required hospitalization in intensive care units.
Of the patients interviewed by the state health department, more than three-quarters reported the use of THC, the high-inducing part of marijuana. Three patients reported only nicotine use.
New Mexico officials are discouraging the vaping of THC products and the vaping of any products containing Vitamin E acetate.
New Mexico City Calculates Costs Of Trump Campaign Rally – Associated Press
President Donald Trump's New Mexico rally cost the city of Rio Rancho nearly $240,000.
City officials said Tuesday they've finished calculating ancillary expenses related to the September event. Those included personnel costs, the closure of city offices and additional public safety resources in the area on the day of the event.
They aren't seeking reimbursement from the Trump campaign, saying the costs were necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of residents.
Rio Rancho City Manager David Campbell says the goal was to prevent damage to property and personal injuries, all while respecting the rights of rally participants and protesters.
The privately-managed Santa Ana Star Center, where the rally was held, billed the campaign more than $146,000 for hosting the event. The city says the campaign paid those expenses.
New Mexico Picks New Testing System For Young Students – Associated Press
New Mexico has selected a new annual testing system to assess academic progress from grades three through eight at public schools across the state.
Public Education Department Secretary Ryan Stewart announced Tuesday that the state has contracted with international nonprofit Cognia to provide basic math and language skills assessments, starting in spring 2020.
The prior testing system known as Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers provoked a backlash among many parents and educators. First-year Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called it high-pressure and counterproductive as she scrapped it.
The new student assessments involve up to six hours of test-taking by students. That's about three hours less than the prior system.
Stewart says the new assessments should be more meaningful and less burdensome on class instructional time.
Barr Touts Crime-Fighting Effort In New Mexico – Associated Press
U.S. Attorney General William Barr and other federal officials say nearly 330 fugitives suspected of violent crimes have been arrested as part of a crime-fighting initiative in New Mexico.
Barr was in Albuquerque on Tuesday to highlight the results of Operation Triple Beam, a program that has been conducted in numerous U.S. cities and has led to hundreds of arrests.
The arrests in the Albuquerque area included several dozen state probation and parole absconders as well as fugitives wanted for homicide, assault, sex crimes and drug charges. More than 90 arrests were made in Santa Fe and Farmington.
Federal authorities also recovered 31 stolen vehicles and seized illegal firearms, drugs and $50,000 in cash.
Barr said the operation has been targeted at violent, gang-related crime in some of America's most dangerous cities.
New Mexico Sizes Up Potential Of Recreational Pot Market - Associated Press
Legislators in New Mexico are sizing up the potential taxable market for recreational marijuana if the state moves forward with legalization proposals next year.
A panel of state lawmakers is scheduled Wednesday to hear testimony on the potential economic benefits of bringing recreational cannabis sales under state regulation and oversight.
Troy Lapsys of medical cannabis manufacturer PhytoRemedies in Albuquerque estimates statewide illicit marijuana sales at about $450 million annually.
That is more than four times the size of New Mexico's current market for medical cannabis.
New Mexico's medical cannabis program was started in 2007 and serves more than 70,000 registered patients.
Medical cannabis supplier Ultra Health contends that the approval of high taxes and stiff restrictions on recreational marijuana suppliers could prolong the black market.
Broadband Workshops Planned For New Mexico - Associated Press
Broadband workshops are planned in New Mexico as the rural state looks to boost high-speed online access.
The U.S. Agriculture Department's rural development division is working with the state and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to host meetings this week in Truth or Consequences and Albuquerque.
Census figures show almost 30% of New Mexico residents have no internet subscription of any type while 55% of residents have a subscription such as fiber, cable or DSL at home.
Officials say that means nearly half the homes in New Mexico don't currently benefit from a high-speed broadband connection.
A recent report by legislative analysts found that state and federal investments totaling over $300 million have succeeded in connecting schools, hospitals and other institutions, but many rural areas remain unserved.
New Mexico Highway Project Wins Federal Grant Funding - Associated Press
A multimillion-dollar transportation project in southeastern New Mexico will get a boost through a federal grant program aimed at repairing, rebuilding and revitalizing significant infrastructure projects across the country.
The U.S. Transportation Department announced the grant winners Tuesday. They include the U.S. 285 safety and resiliency project in the Permian Basin, where an oil boom has resulted in increased traffic.
Officials say the estimated cost of the project is $115 million. The grant is worth $12.5 million.
The criteria that federal officials looked at in awarding the competitive grants included safety, economic competitiveness, quality of life, environmental sustainability, innovation and the range of partners involved.
In all, the Trump administration is investing $900 million in infrastructure through the grant program. The funding was awarded to 55 projects in 35 states.
Las Cruces School District Wants To Boost Bilingual Programs - Associated Press
A southern New Mexico school district is calling on state lawmakers to adopt sound policies and provide adequate funding to help it maintain bilingual and multicultural education programs.
The Las Cruces district made the request Tuesday, while touting the success of its programs.
The district says 85% of its schools have dual language and maintenance programs where students receive instruction in English and Spanish.
District officials say they have been successful with implementing the programs due to support from school leadership, the school board and teachers. They also pointed to their relationship with New Mexico State University, which provides access to a network of expertise.
During the last school year, 99 students graduated high school with a state seal of bilingualism. The district wants to increase that number.
Navajo Leader Says Tribe Won't Financially Back Energy Company - By Felicia Fonseca And Matthew Brown Undefined
The Navajo Nation president says the tribe will not financially back the bonds a tribal energy company needs for a trio of newly acquired coal mines off the reservation.
The Navajo Transitional Energy Co. recently bought Montana's largest coal mine and two others in Wyoming at auction after Cloud Peak Energy declared bankruptcy.
The three mines employ hundreds of people. State officials say the mines can keep operating for now because reclamation bonds posted by Cloud Peak remain in place. The bonds are estimated at more than $370 million.
Navajo President Jonathan Nez said Tuesday that he's canceled agreements the tribal company might rely on to seek the Navajo Nation's financial backing for the bonds.
Navajo Nation lawmakers had been considering legislation to do the same.
Woman Who Spoke At Epstein's Bail Hearing Sues His Estate – Associated Press
A woman who spoke out against Jeffrey Epstein at a July bail hearing is among three women who are suing his estate.
Annie Farmer filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Manhattan federal court. The lawsuit said Epstein touched her inappropriately after climbing into bed with her when she was 16. It said the attack occurred after Epstein flew her to his ranch in New Mexico in 1996.
Her sister, Maria Farmer, and an Ohio woman, Teresa Helm, also sued the estate Tuesday. All three lawsuits sought unspecified damages.
A message seeking comment was left with a lawyer for Epstein's estate.
Epstein killed himself in August in his cell at a federal lockup as he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Annie Farmer was one of two women to speak out against him in court.