- MIGRANT SURGE-DEMOGRAPHICS
Shelter's registration forms give portrait of asylum seekers
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A detailed snapshot of the recent surge of asylum-seeking families on the Mexican border gives a sense of where they settled.
Houston was the most popular destination, reflecting its emergence as a primary gateway for Central Americans and other immigrants.
Nashville, Tennessee, was more than twice as popular as Chicago. Small cities in the Texas Panhandle, Alabama and Tennessee also drew large numbers.
The findings are compiled by Tom Wong of University of California, San Diego. They are based on more than 7,300 families who stayed at a shelter affiliated with the San Diego Rapid Response Network from October to June.
Wong says in a report published Wednesday that nearly one-third of families had issues with conditions in U.S. government custody, many related to food and water.
- NEW MEXICO WILDFIRE
Cibola National Forest fire continues to grow in New Mexico
SAN MATEO, N.M. (AP) — A wildfire in Cibola National Forest continues to grow as around 130 firefighters work to fight the inferno.
New Mexico and federal fire officials said late Tuesday the blaze has swelled to 8 square miles (20.7 square kilometers) and is around 28% contained.
Recent rains have created favorable conditions, allowing fire managers from the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands to manage the wildfire near an inactive stratovolcano in the San Mateo Mountains.
Officials say the fire was caused by lightning on August 4. It's located about 100 miles (161 kilometers) west of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
- FRYING PAN ATTACK
Deputies: New Mexico man attacked another with a frying panCHAPARRAL, N.M. (AP) — A southern New Mexico man is facing charges after authorities say he hit another man over the head with a frying pan.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports Jeremy Fritz was arrested Sunday following the alleged attack that deputies say left one man seriously injured.
According to court documents, Dona Ana County Sheriff's deputies were called to a trailer park in Chaparral, New Mexico, in response to a 911 call about a fight.
Deputies found resident Harry Copperider standing outside of his trailer covered in blood from a four-inch (10-centimeter) wound to his head. Court documents say the deputy also found a bent, red frying pan in Cooperider's home.
The 26-year-old Fritz was arrested and charged with aggravated battery and obstructing arrest.
It was not known if he had an attorney.
- NEW MEXICO-HISTORIC SITES
New Mexico gets $270K grant to protect 2 historic sites
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The National Park Service has awarded nearly $270,000 for historic preservation projects in New Mexico through the agency's Save America's Treasures program.
Four members of the state's U.S. Senate and House delegation announced Tuesday that the village of Santa Clara will use funds to make repairs in Fort Bayard located near Santa Clara, New Mexico. Fort Bayard is one of the first installations in the American Southwest to be garrisoned by Buffalo Soldiers.
Meanwhile, the Cornerstones Community Partnerships will use funds to restore Casita Desiderio y Pablita Ortega, part of Plaza del Cerro in Chimayo, New Mexico.
The grants are awarded to preserve and protect historic properties that represent the nation's cultural heritage.
- FATAL SHOOTING-ARREST
State Police: El Llano man arrested in a fatal shooting
EL LLANO, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police say an El Llano man has been arrested in connection with a homicide.
They say 45-year-old Jullian Medelez was booked into the Rio Arriba County Detention Center on suspicion of second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, aggravated assault on a peace officer and resisting, evading or obstructing a peace officer.
State Police were called out Sunday to an El Llano home after a 911 hang-up call.
They say Medelez came out holding a knife and making threats to officers.
He was arrested after police went inside the house and found 32-year-old George Albert Lewis II of Santa Fe with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
State Police say Lewis was helping Medelez move last Sunday and was shot for an unknown reason.
- COAL MINE EXPANSION
State officials back expansion of largest Montana coal mine
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Montana environmental officials are proposing approval of a major expansion of the state's largest coal mine after it was recently sold through a bankruptcy auction.
Jen Lane with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality said the 72 million ton (65 million metric ton) expansion of the Spring Creek Mine near Decker will occur within the mine's existing permit boundary.
The expansion would extend the life of the mine by four years, to approximately 2031.
Spring Creek in 2017 ranked as the 10th largest coal mine in the United States, producing almost 13 million tons (12 million metric tons) of coal.
A bankruptcy judge on last week approved the sale of Spring Creek and two Wyoming mines owned by bankrupt Cloud Peak Energy to the Navajo Transitional Energy Company.
Company representatives said the sale will help keep the mines open.
MISSING MONSOON RAIN
People across Southwest longing for seasonal rainstorms
- FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Around the Southwest, people are longing for seasonal rainstorms like a lost summer romance.
The weather pattern characterized by a shift in wind patterns and moisture being pulled in from the tropical coast of Mexico arrives like clockwork each year. It starts in mid-June and runs through September. Rain usually tags along.
But this summer is different. The Southwest is parched.
The Flagstaff airport is seeing its driest monsoon season in 120 years. Las Vegas has barely recorded any rain. St. George in southern Utah had none in July and August.
Meris Carmichael wants to lure the rain to Arizona in a tongue-and-cheek way. She's been encouraging people to wash their cars — a perverse weather guarantee to ruin a shiny auto exterior with muddy raindrops.