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THURS: Exxon To Cut Production In Permian Basin + More

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Exxon To Cut Activity In Permian Basin As Oil Prices Plummet - By Cathy Bussewitz, AP Business Writer

Exxon Mobil says it plans to reduce the number of oil rigs operating in an oil-rich region in the Southwest and may cut planned capital expenditures as the spreading coronavirus saps energy demand.

The price of a barrel of oil has fallen more than 25% since the start of the year, and 8% in the last month, with energy demand expected to shrink as the outbreak drags on the global economy.

Oil prices were already under pressure due to signs of a slowing economy in the U.S. and abroad. Energy demand dropped dramatically as flights to and from China halted and factories slowed production.  

Exxon will reduce the number of rigs in the Permian basin, a region that stretches across the border of New Mexico and Texas.

New Mexico Shifts Focus To Elderly In Preventing COVID-19Associated Press

New Mexico state health officials say they are placing a new focus on safeguarding the state's elderly population from potential transmission of the new coronavirus.

The state has no known infections since starting testing this week for people with an elevated risk of infection because of travel and other factors.

Health Department spokesman David Morgan says the first two tests were negative.

Symptoms can include fever, cough and breathing trouble. Most develop only mild symptoms. But some people, usually those with other medical complications, develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia, which can be fatal.

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department has awarded an initial $500,000 to the state for enhancing testing and surveillance. State officials are awaiting guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how best to allocate those funds.

The Health Department is offering educational meetings Friday in Roswell and Clovis.

New Mexico Won't Release Prison Records On Use Of ForceSanta Fe New Mexican, Associated Press

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico has accused the state Corrections Department of violating public records law by denying a request for documents related to use of force against inmates in a Las Cruces prison.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that the department cited internal policies intended to keep inmates safe that call for keeping inmate grievances and use of force within prisons confidential.

The complaint filed Monday in the state district court in Santa Fe asks the judge to determine if the policy is unlawful. Department spokesman Eric Harrison said he could not comment on pending litigation.

Minnesota Man Convicted Of Impersonating A Border AgentAssociated Press

A federal jury in New Mexico has convicted a Minnesota man accused of impersonating a U.S. Border Patrol agent last year.

Prosecutors say 45-year-old James Christopher Benvie of Albany was found guilty of two counts and faces up to three years in prison on each count. His sentencing date hasn't been set yet.

According to public court records and evidence at trial, Benvie was a leader and spokesperson for a group of vigilantes who established a "camp" at the Southwest border in New Mexico's Doña Ana County. Many members of the group wore badges, camouflage and other military-style clothing, often covered their faces with masks and carried pistols and assault rifles.  

Prosecutors say Benvie and other group members stopped six women and children from El Salvador last Apr. 15 and four adults and three children two days later without any legitimate law enforcement authority.

They say Benvie interrogated the immigrants both times before turning them over to actual Border Patrol agents.

Special Prosecutors In New Mexico To Focus On Rape Cases - Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press

Now that authorities are close to completing testing on a backlog of rape evidence kits, officials in New Mexico's busiest judicial district announced a plan Wednesday for the next step in bringing justice to victims.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that about 40 private attorneys have volunteered to act as special prosecutors and help the district attorney's office try defendants identified through the testing.

District Attorney Raul Torrez says 23 cases have already been assigned and three men have been indicted and are awaiting trial. There also are four prosecutors in the office who are funded with grant money to work on the cases.

New Mexico Bolsters Supplies For Coronavirus Testing - Morgan Lee, Associated Press

New Mexico health authorities said supplies have arrived to allow rapid testing for the new coronavirus as the Governor expressed confidence in the state's preparedness and public education efforts designed to minimize transmission of the virus.

The state Department of Health said it is equipped to test several hundred patients for coronavirus without having to send samples out of state for analysis.

The Governor said daily emergency contingency planning is underway without providing specifics about items such as available hospital beds.

The state has launched a website on COVID-19 with tips on how to best avoid transmission and what to do if infection is suspected.

Federal Grant To Fund NMSU Research Of Jupiter's Atmosphere - Associated Press

Researchers at New Mexico State University have been awarded a three-year grant worth nearly $284,000 to study Jupiter's atmosphere.

The grant comes from NASA's New Frontiers Data Analysis Program. The NMSU team will be using data from the Juno mission, which is currently in orbit around Jupiter.

They will be analyzing infrared images and spectra of the atmosphere as well as wind measurements to understand the planet's circulation patterns.

Like the Sun, Jupiter's atmosphere is made up of mostly hydrogen and helium gas. Results of the research will be published in peer reviewed journals.

New Mexico History Museum Gets Permanent Executive Director - Associated Press

The man who had been temporarily overseeing the New Mexico History Museum since last May has been named as the permanent executive director. 

The state Cultural Affairs Department announced Billy Garrett's appointment Wednesday. His duties include the development of exhibitions and public programs at a number of venues that fall under the History Museum's umbrella.

Those include the Palace of the Governors and the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library. Garrett says he's also excited about a new fundraising campaign aimed at new exhibitions, work on the Palace of the Governors and expansion of public programs.

Ice Fishing Season Comes To An End In New Mexico - Associated Press

Ice fishing season is coming to a close in northern New Mexico. Officials with New Mexico State Parks have deemed some lakes unsafe due to deteriorating ice conditions.

They decided Wednesday to immediately close Sugarite Canyon, Fenton Lake and Heron Lake state parks to ice fishing.

While February was cooler than normal in eastern New Mexico, forecasters with the National Weather Service say temperatures around the state are expected to start increasing through Saturday as part of a warming trend.  

New Mexico Enacts Health Reforms, Licenses Tobacco Retailers - Associated Press

New Mexico's governor has signed a bevy of health-related bills that include consumer financial protections to ensure access to insulin for diabetics and new possibilities for state-marketed insurance plans that limit out-of-pocket costs.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation Wednesday that caps patient copays for insulin prescriptions at $25 for a one-month supply. Bill sponsor and Democratic Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto of Albuquerque says the state subsidy is cost-effective because it avoids crippling and life-threatening consequences for diabetics who forgo insulin.

Another signed bill opens the way for New Mexico to pursue imports of prescription drugs from Canada on a wholesale basis in search of cost savings.

New Mexico County Awarded $4.6M Grant For Rail Safety Associated Press

Bernalillo County has been awarded a $4.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration for rail infrastructure and safety improvements.

The funding was announced Wednesday by the state's congressional delegation. They say it's part of a larger effort to grow trade and create new jobs.

The improvements are aimed at boosting connectivity to businesses that are near the Albuquerque airport. U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland acknowledged that existing connections from the airport are limited and said the work is expected to provide more convenient and safe access to trade and growth opportunities.

University Of New Mexico Proposes 2.6% Tuition Increase Associated Press

The University of New Mexico has announced plans to raise tuition 2.6% for current students while giving employees a 4% pay raise.

The proposed increase comes a week after the university announced it will offer free tuition for first-time students whose families make $50,000 or less.

University leaders say the tuition increase also comes amid an anticipated 6% drop in enrollment.

The tuition increase and subsequent employee pay raise received preliminary approval from Board of Regent committees on Monday. Budget recommendations will next go before the full board, which is scheduled to approve the entire university budget in May.

New Mexico Officials Sign Deal To Expand Hunting AccessAssociated Press

New Mexico wildlife officials and Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard have signed an easement agreement that will allow hunters with valid licenses to access state trust lands.

Under this year's agreement, the Game and Fish Department will pay the State Land Office $800,000 for the easement.

Wildlife officials also agreed to partner with the land agency on $200,000 worth of projects aimed at enhancing access and improving wildlife habitats.

The agreement also creates pilot programs for dispersed and roadside camping as well as backpacking. The number of days hunters are allowed to scout on trust land also is being extended to two weeks.