- CHILD DEAD-BORDER PATROL
Autopsy: Migrant boy who died in US had flu infection
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An autopsy report has confirmed that an 8-year-old Guatemalan boy who died while in custody of the U.S. Border Patrol on Christmas Eve succumbed to a flu infection — one of two deaths of Central American children in December that raised concerns about the government's ability to care for minors at the southern border.
The New Mexico Office of the Medical Examiner released its autopsy findings Wednesday for Felipe Gomez Alonzo two days after Guatemalan authorities said they had received a copy of the report disclosing the boy had a rapid, progressive infection that led to organ failure.
An autopsy released last week for 7-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin, the other Guatemalan child who died, showed she also had a bacterial infection that quickly led to sepsis and organ failure.
- PUBLIC EDUCATION-NEW MEXICO
Teacher salaries, school funding get boosts in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Legislation that responds to a lawsuit by raising public school salaries and increasing annual spending on public education by nearly a half-billion dollars has been signed New Mexico's Democratic governor.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed bills Wednesday to provide greater resources to low-income students and extend learning time. Other provisions would raising minimum salaries for teachers at three stages in their carriers and allow many elementary schools to add five weeks to the calendar year.
The initiatives from the Democrat-led Legislature will weigh in a judge's pending decision on whether to intervene in decisions about state funding for education. New Mexico is one of several states where parents have turned to the courts to address frustrations over state budget priorities and the quality of education.
- ELECTION 2020-SENATE-NEW MEXICO
US Rep. Torres Small of New Mexico rules out Senate bid
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small of New Mexico says she will not seek the Democratic nomination for an open U.S. Senate seat.
Torres Small announced Wednesday she will not run to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Tom Udall and instead will focus on the state's 2nd Congressional District.
U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan — the No. 4 ranked Democrat in Congress — said Monday he will run for the state's open U.S. Senate seat in 2020. Lujan is the first politician to declare his candidacy for the Senate seat.
Democrats hope to keep their hold on the seat held by Udall, who announced last week that he won't seek a third term.
Torres Small, a freshman, won the traditionally Republican district in November.
- LEGISLATION-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico reduces penalties for marijuana possession
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A bill that reduces penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana and drug paraphernalia has been signed by the governor of New Mexico.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation Wednesday that makes the possession of up to a half-ounce (12 grams) of marijuana a petty misdemeanor.
That would translate into a $50 fine on first offense. The same penalties will apply to possession of drug paraphernalia.
The provisions go into effect July 1.
Possession of large quantities of marijuana can still result in felony charges.
A proposal to legalized recreational marijuana sales and use across New Mexico received House approval but stalled in the state Senate without a floor vote.
Lawmakers also balked at decriminalizing possession of small quantities of other illicit drugs that can result in jail sentences.
- NEW MEXICO RACINO LICENSE
Companies vying for New Mexico racino license due in court
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — It will be up to a state district judge whether to accept a proposed settlement that will clear the way for regulators to make a decision on New Mexico's sixth and final license for a horse racetrack and casino.
A hearing is scheduled Thursday in Albuquerque.
The state attorney general's office confirmed late Wednesday that an agreement had been brokered between the state racing commission and Hidalgo Downs LLC, which proposes building a racino in southwestern New Mexico.
The company was concerned about recommendations outlined in an independent feasibility study done for the commission last fall. The company argued that not enough was done to study the issue.
Under the proposed resolution, the commission would agree to "fully and fairly" assess all candidates — without considering the previous recommendations — before awarding the lucrative license.
- VEHICULAR HOMICIDE-TEEN KILLED
Teenage boy fatally run over in front of his home in Berino
BERINO, N.M. (AP) — Dona Ana County Sheriff's detectives are investigating the death of a 16-year-old boy who was fatally struck by a car in front of his home in Berino.
They say the incident occurred Wednesday morning.
According to sheriff's deputies, the boy was getting in his car on his way to school when a vehicle driven by a 21-year-old man ran over the teen.
First responders transported the boy by ambulance to hospital in El Paso, Texas.
Authorities say the boy died from his injuries and sheriff's detectives are investigating the incident as a vehicular homicide.
The name of the teen who was killed and the driver involved in the fatal accident haven't been released yet.
- NEW MEXICO COMPOUND
Feds won't pursue death penalty against compound suspects
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Federal prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against four adults who had lived at a New Mexico compound where authorities found the remains of a boy reported missing in Georgia.
The two men and two women are charged with kidnapping the boy who authorities say suffered from seizures that went untreated.
They had faced the potential of the death penalty if convicted in the boy's kidnapping since authorities say it resulted in his death. But prosecutors said in a filing ahead of a scheduled hearing Wednesday that they would not seek capital punishment.
The boy's father, who also was arrested at the compound, was not charged in his son's abduction. Statutes generally do not allow federal authorities to charge parents with kidnapping their own children.
All five suspects also are facing terrorism-related charges.
They have pleaded not guilty.
- GUN CONTROL-NEW MEXICO
Critics of New Mexico gun law renew call for referendum
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Critics are reviving their challenge of a new gun control measure by filing a revamped petition with New Mexico's top election regulator that seeks a statewide referendum.
The secretary of state's office had rejected a previous attempt, saying the law to expand background checks to nearly all private gun sales was designed to improve public safety and therefore is exempt from petition referendums.
House Republican leader James Townsend of Artesia disputes that, saying only the courts have the authority to make such a determination.
He submitted an amended proposed petition Tuesday. The agency has 10 days to respond.
Townsend and others contend the law signed last month by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham infringes on the 2nd Amendment.
The petition process has lengthy requirements that include the collection of about 70,000 signatures from 25 counties.