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.
San Diego-Chicago Flight Diverts After Apparent Engine Fire – Associated Press
A plane heading from San Diego to Chicago has made an emergency landing in Albuquerque after an engine appeared to shoot out sparks and flames.
United Airlines says Flight 366 touched down safely at Albuquerque International Sunport just after 1:30 a.m. Monday. The Chicago-based airline said there was a "mechanical issue" with one of the engines.
A man who says he was on the plane posted video on social media of flames coming out of the right engine.
No one was hurt on the flight carrying 152 passengers and six crew members. A maintenance crew in New Mexico's largest city will inspect the plane.
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.
Documents Sought In Case Of Saudi Student Facing Gun Charge - By Susan Montoya Bryan Associated Press
Attorneys for a Saudi Arabian student at the University of New Mexico who is facing a federal firearms charge are seeking more documents from prosecutors in their effort to get him released.
They asked for the search warrant during a preliminary hearing Monday. That prompted a U.S. magistrate judge to delay the proceeding for a day. It will be up to the judge to decide if the 27-year-old student can be released until his trial.
The FBI says it received a tip that the student had a firearm and a list of people he wanted to kill. The defense disputes those claims.
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.
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 were scheduled to gather 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.
Congresswoman Comes Out In Favor Of Impeaching Trump - Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
The Albuquerque Journal reports that Democratic U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small of New Mexico said Sunday afternoon that she plans to vote to impeach President Donald Trump.
In a statement, Torres Small, who represents a district in the southern part of the state, said she believes "impeachment is the necessary response."
Democrats expect support for impeachment from all but a few of their members. No Republicans are expected to join them. The vote is expected to take place on Wednesday.
New Mexico Awarded $3.5M To Help Fight Opioid Crisis - Associated Press
Efforts to combat drugs and crime in New Mexico will get a boost from the federal government.
The U.S. Justice Department announced late last week that more than $3.8 million is being awarded to state courts as well as county and tribal programs. Officials with the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Mexico say the grants will support prevention, treatment and recovery programs as well as strengthen adult drug court and veterans treatment court programs.
With more than 130 people dying from opioid-related overdoses every day, the Justice Department says fighting addiction has become a national priority.
4 Potential Locations For A New Albuquerque Homeless Shelter - Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
Albuquerque officials have unveiled four new potential locations for a centralized emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the city announced the sites being considered at a Saturday public input session attended by nearly 200 people. Possible locations include the old Lovelace hospital, the Gateway Center including some University of New Mexico property near Interstate 25, Montessa Park south of the Sunport, and an area near Interstate 40. Another option broached Saturday is keeping the shelter at its current westside location.
City officials say the potential locations were chosen based on cost, proximity to services, transportation and potential impact on neighborhoods.
Study: Albuquerque Needs About 500 New Homeless Shelter Beds - Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
A new report has shown the city of Albuquerque needs about 500 new beds to accommodate all of the adults who are sleeping on the streets, in parks and other unsheltered locations.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Friday that the $45,000 analysis was intended to help the city determine how to safely accommodate people without any place to stay over the night. Officials say the report does not include any additional capacity needed to serve families.
Officials say 545 out of more than 1,500 people were considered unsheltered. Officials say the city needs 463 to 518 new shelter beds to meet the demand, doubling what is currently available.
Mexican Gray Wolf Turns Up Dead In New Mexico - Associated Press
Wildlife managers are investigating the death of an endangered Mexican gray wolf found last month in New Mexico.
Officials with the wolf recovery team say they are waiting for the results of genetics testing to determine the pack from which the animal came. They didn't provide any details about how the uncollared animal might have died or where it was found.
There have been a total of 11 documented wolf deaths from January through November.
A subspecies of the Western gray wolf, Mexican wolves have faced a difficult road to recovery that has been complicated by politics and conflicts with livestock.
Exhibit To Highlight Albuquerque Street Photo Project - KRQE-TV, Associated Press
A street photo project more than a half century in the making is set to go on display in Albuquerque.
KRQE-TV reports the exhibit called "Let the Sunshine In" is scheduled to begin Dec. 21 at the Albuquerque Museum and will feature 100 images from the project.
In 1967, the museum hired street photographers to capture the city's ongoing urban renewal, a mass exodus from downtown to the suburbs and a time of social change.
Organizers want residents to visit and help identify family members.