- PENSION DISPUTE-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico pension fund seeks compensation, solvency changes
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The board overseeing a $15 billion public pension fund for state and local government workers is weighing a new round of staff pay increases amid accusations that past salary hikes were adopted improperly without full board approval.
The New Mexico Public Employees Retirement Association board was scheduled to meet Tuesday to decide on $37 million annual operating budget for the year starting July 1.
Board member and State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg has accused the executive director of the pension fund orchestrating pay increases for himself and others without full board approval in violation of state law.
Retirement Association Executive Director Wayne Probst said all recent compensation increases were in compliance with state law.
Solvency concerns are mounting as the pension's unfunded liabilities exceeded $6 billion in June 2018.
- ELECTION 2020-HOUSE-NEW MEXICO
Republican vows different campaign in new bid for Congress
(Information from: Hobbs News-Sun, http://www.hobbsnews.com)
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — Republican Yvette Herrell promises a different campaign against Democratic Congresswoman Xochitl (ZOH'-cheel) Torres Small in 2020 after facing criticism for avoiding debates.
Herrell, who lost to Torres Small in 2018, told the Hobbs News-Sun she has hired New Mexico consultants and plans to debate the Democrat.
Herrell is seeking the GOP nomination for a rematch with Torres Small. But she will have to first defeat fellow Republican Chris Mathys, a Las Cruces businessman.
The former state lawmaker faced criticism during the 2018 race for refusing to participate in any televised debates against Torres Small in what was a closely watched contest in southern New Mexico.
Herrell says scheduling conflicts prevented her from participating in debates but television stations said Herrell never gave alternative dates.
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- AIR FORCE BASE-CONSERVATION
New Mexico air base part of conservation partnership
CLOVIS, N.M. (AP) — Cannon Air Force Base has partnered with The Conservation Fund for the protection of nearly 48 square miles (124 square kilometers) of land adjacent to the Melrose Air Force Range.
The conservation easement was announced Monday. It's funded through the U.S. Defense Department's Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program and New Mexico's economic development agency.
Officials say the agreement represents the largest single transaction in the history of the Defense Department's environmental protection program.
In recent years, Air Force officials have become concerned about the potential for encroaching development around the eastern New Mexico range.
The conservation easement was three years in the making. It will limit development, encroachment and changes to the landscape that could negatively affect flight paths, training operations or habitat for the lesser prairie-chicken.
- FEDERAL COURT-VACANCY
New Mexico's US senators seek names for judicial vacancy
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — There will be an open seat on the federal bench in New Mexico, and it will be up to the state's two U.S. senators to recommend to President Donald Trump a short list of qualified candidates for the position.
Democratic Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich are asking individuals interested in the position to apply no later than June 28.
U.S. District Judge Judith C. Herrera will be retiring July 1 after 15 years on the federal bench.
Herrera has heard cases that have involved everything from the sale of counterfeit Native American jewelry to questions about fines owed by the federal government over missed cleanup deadlines at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
A graduate of the University of New Mexico, Herrera earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
- BUSINESSMAN-TAX EVASION
Albuquerque jewelry store owner pleads guilty to tax evasion
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The owner of an Albuquerque jewelry store is facing up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion.
Prosecutors say 76-year-old David Castle was indicted in February 2018.
Castle owns and operates the Gold and Silver Exchange that buys, sells and repairs jewelry.
In his plea agreement last Friday, Castle admitted that he filed no returns for his business for tax years 2010 through 2013.
He also says his business provided no tax withholdings to the Internal Revenue Service and he paid no taxes either for his business or his household.
Prosecutors say Castle's criminal conduct resulted in a tax loss of nearly $212,000 during those tax years.
They say Castle also could be ordered to pay restitution at his sentencing date, which hasn't been set yet.
- MIGRANTS ASSISTANCE
Albuquerque City Council approves $250K to assist migrants
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Albuquerque City Council has approved a proposal to provide $250,000 to assist asylum-seeking migrants passing through the city.
The 6-3 vote came Monday evening after nearly two hours of public testimony and board discussion.
The $250,000 from the general fund will be used for a full-time Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs position for an asylum services coordinator.
It will also provide money for contracts with nonprofits, faith-based organizations and other groups to provide things like food, shelter, and medical care for migrants.
The faith-based groups and other community organizations already have assisted the more than 2,200 asylum seekers bused into Albuquerque by federal immigration authorities.
- RUSSIAN-PLANE FIRE-NEW MEXICO
New Mexican among those killed in Russian plane fire
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A recent college graduate from New Mexico who had just landed a dream job was among those killed when a Russian plane burst into flames during an emergency landing in Moscow.
Jeremy Brooks of Santa Fe was remembered as a fly-fishing expert by his former boss, Ivan Valdez, owner of The Reel Life fishing shop.
Valdez told reporters Monday that the 22-year-old Brooks had recently graduated from Colorado College in Colorado Springs and was on his way to serve as a fishing guide in northwest Russia.
The Russian airliner that took off Sunday from Moscow was airborne for 28 minutes before returning for an emergency landing while still heavy with unburned fuel, which then ignited after a rough touchdown. Flames quickly engulfed the aircraft, killing 41 of 78 people aboard.
- NEW MEXICO PLAYER KILLED-FUNERAL
Funeral set in Texas for UNM baseball player fatally shot
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The funeral for a University of New Mexico baseball player who was fatally shot outside an Albuquerque club will be held next week in his native Texas.
Jackson Weller was a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher from Keller, Texas who transferred to UNM from Gateway Community College in Phoenix.
School officials say Weller wasn't currently on the Lobos' official roster because of injury, but was still part of the program and hoped to play again in the fall.
Albuquerque police say no suspects have been identified in the shooting early Saturday and their investigation continues.
Weller's funeral is set for 1 p.m. Monday at the Good Shepard Catholic Church in Colleyville, Texas.
His family has requested any donations made in Weller's honor be done through the Children's Cancer Fund of New Mexico.