Update

King Disagrees With Governor On Same-sex Marriage - The Associated Press

Democratic Attorney General Gary King is taking issue with Republican Gov. Susana Martinez's suggestion that voters should decide whether to legalize same-sex marriage in New Mexico.

King, who's running for governor against Martinez next year, said Friday the best approach is for the state Supreme Court to resolve whether gay marriage is legal in the state. He said it's a civil right issue.

Parts Of NM Brace For More Rain, Clean Up Begins - The Associated Press

Flood waters broke through dams, inundated neighborhoods and killed at least one person, leaving New Mexico residents with a major cleanup effort.

The massive flooding prompted Gov. Susana Martinez to issue a state of emergency, opening up recovery funding after rivers overflowed because of heavy rains and caused millions of dollars in damage.

Intel To Trim Workforce At Plant In Rio Rancho - The Albuquerque Journal 

Intel Corporation says it is reducing the workforce at its chip-making plant in Rio Rancho, a suburb of Albuquerque.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that Intel plans to "redeploy" 400 of the Rio Rancho plant's 3,300 workers due to a changing market.

Board Adopts Changes For NM Police Academy - Associated Press

The board that oversees the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy has adopted a new curriculum that will mean trimming the academy to 16 weeks for basic police officer training.

It was a unanimous decision by the boarding during a meeting Wednesday in Santa Fe to approve the new curriculum and trim six weeks from the current program.

NM Regulators Approve Water Protection Rules - Associated Press

New Mexico regulators have approved a proposed set of rules aimed at protecting groundwater at copper mines despite claims by the attorney general's office that the proposal contradicts existing state law.

Tuesday's hearing before the state Water Quality Control Commission marked the culmination of months of wrangling over how best to deal with potential contamination at mining sites.

PRC Considers Renewable Energy Proposal - Associated Press

New Mexico regulators are considering changes to a rule that governs how much utilities must invest in renewable energy.

The Public Regulation Commission is holding a public hearing Tuesday to gather comment on the proposal backed by the commission's staff and the attorney general's office.

Duncan To Tout New Preschool Plan During NM Visit - Associated Press

Education Secretary Arne Duncan is expected to tout the Obama administration's new preschool plan during his visit to New Mexico.

On Monday, Duncan is traveling to Santa Fe as part of his back-to-school bus tour. One of his topics will be the president's proposal to spend $75 billion over 10 years to provide preschool for all 4-year-olds in the U.S.

Fed Judge To Sentence Zetas Members In Horse Deals - Associated Press

A federal judge is set to sentence five members of the Zetas cartel for laundering drug money through horse racing.

Among the five men appearing in court on Thursday is Jose Trevino Morales, a brother to two of the Mexican gang's top leaders.

A jury found the men guilty of intent or conspiracy to commit money laundering. They face 20 years in prison.

NM Hospital Implements Water Protection Plan - Associated Press

The Veterans Administration Medical Center in Albuquerque has implemented a water protection plan in response to a jet fuel spill at Kirtland Air Force Base.

State environment officials say the hospital's well is less than 1,000 feet from a plume of contaminated groundwater.

The plan announced Tuesday includes contingencies for supplying the hospital with safe water.

Grant County To Allow Gay Marriage Next Week-Assocaited Press

A southwestern New Mexico county plans next week to start issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples.

Grant County Clerk Robert Zamarripa said his office will begin next Monday to provide marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

He said his office will comply with a district judge's ruling on Tuesday in a lawsuit brought by a lesbian couple.

Lawsuit: NM Attorney Fired After Audit Complaint - Associated Press and the Santa Fe New Mexican

A lawyer fired by the state Human Services Department says she was let go because of her criticism of an audit of government-funded mental health care.

Court Upholds PRC's Energy Efficiency Decision - Associated Press

The New Mexico Supreme Court is upholding a decision by state regulators to allow Public Service Company of New Mexico to earn a profit on operating expenses related to the utility's energy conservation programs.

The court issued its ruling Thursday, saying the decision by the Public Regulation Commission was consistent with state law.

King: 2004 Same-Sex Marriage Licenses Remain Legal - Associated Press

Attorney General Gary King says marriage licenses issued to same-sex couples in 2004 in Sandoval County remain valid.

King said Wednesday that licenses issued by a county clerk are "presumptively valid" unless voided by a court.

King delivered the non-binding advice in a letter to the current Sandoval County clerk, who found that some of the 2004 licenses recorded in the clerk's office were labeled as void or invalid.

3 More NM Counties To Issue Same-Sex Licenses  - Associated Press

Three more New Mexico counties say they plan to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The clerks in San Miguel, Valencia and Taos counties said Tuesday they would begin issuing the licenses, joining Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Dona Ana counties.

NM County Prepares For Same-sex Marriages Hearing - The Associated Press

The clerk for New Mexico's most populous county has a supply of new forms ready in case a court orders her to issue licenses for same-sex marriages.

A judge in Albuquerque has scheduled a hearing Monday afternoon on a request by a couple from Pojoaque  to have their marriage recognized. Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver says she's had 1,000 licenses printed.

AG Won't Challenge Same-sex Marriage Licenses - The Associated Press

New Mexico Attorney General Gary King says he will not challenge a move by the Dona Ana County clerk to issue same-sex marriage licenses.

King told reporters Wednesday that he didn't believe state laws prohibiting same-sex marriage were constitutional.

He also said he would not challenge any other county clerk who issued licenses.

NM Court Asked To Expedite Gay Marriage Ruling - Associated Press

A same-sex couple from Santa Fe wants the New Mexico Supreme Court to streamline the handling of lawsuits seeking to legalize gay marriage in the state.

The couple's lawyer, Rep. Brian Egolf, said Tuesday the justices are being asked to consolidate all cases involving the gay marriage issue and assign them to a district court judge in Santa Fe.

The goal is to get a quick lower court decision and clear the way for an expedited ruling by the state's highest court.

Deadline Past For Oct. 8 Vote On Abortion Measure - Associated Press

The passing of a deadline means a proposal to implement new abortion restrictions in Albuquerque won't be placed on the city's Oct. 8 election ballot.

State law requires that election measures be published at least 50 days before an election and the deadline for the measure to get on the Oct. 8 election passed Monday.