- FARMWORKER BILL-KOCH NETWORK
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A group funded by the powerful conservative-leaning Koch network is praising a Democratic congresswoman in New Mexico for joining a bipartisan effort to pass a farmworkers residency bill. Americans for Prosperity is scheduled Friday to launch a direct mail and digital campaign thanking U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small of southern New Mexico. The group also plans to thank other Democrats and Republicans who supported the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The bill, which passed the U.S. House on Wednesday, would give farmworkers in the country illegally a pathway to permanent residence.
- ENDANGERED WOLVES-PUPS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque's zoo is celebrating the survival of one of three Mexican gray wolf pups born at the facility this year. ABQ BioPark officials say the pup has grown over recent months and is becoming more curious and confident. The births in May marked the first time in nearly 15 years that the BioPark welcomed Mexican wolf pups. The rarest subspecies of gray wolf in North America, Mexican wolves have struggled to gain ground since first being released in 1998 as part of an effort to return the animals to their historic range in the American Southwest.
- STOLEN CHICKEN
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A school chicken stolen from a New Mexico elementary's coop has been returned unharmed. KOB-TV reports the chicken, Polka Dot, was returned to the students of Hodgin Elementary School in Albuquerque after a man saw a story about the stolen bird. The man says some students gave him the chicken because he is known to take care of the birds. Polka Dot had been taken from her coop at the school over the weekend.
- TEACHER-SEX ABUSE
AZTEC, N.M. (AP) — A former New Mexico high school teacher accused of statutory rape involving an underage student is expected to plead guilty to a felony sex charge. The Farmington Daily Times reports prosecutors and a defense attorney said James Coulter is scheduled to enter a guilty plea after his jury trial was reset. Police say the 33-year-old Coulter had sex with an Aztec High School student when she was 17 years old. He later told police that there were more victims.
- CENSUS-HARD TO COUNT-NEW MEXICO
POJOAQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities in New Mexico are turning to firefighters, religious leaders and rural irrigation associations to instill trust and promote participation in the 2020 census. About 41% of New Mexico residents live in hard-to-count areas. An Associated Press analysis of government data shows that's the largest proportion of any state in the nation. The census determines the allocation of $1.5 trillion in federal spending. New Mexico officials estimate that a 1% undercount would cost the state more than $700 million in federal aid over the course of a decade.
- PROPOSED WASTEWATER PIPELINE
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — City officials in New Mexico have approved a proposed project to design and construct a $20 million pipeline that would funnel treated wastewater back into the Rio Grande River despite concerns from environmentalists and irrigators. Santa Fe City Council directed city staff Wednesday to develop and propose 40-year and 80-year water plans to maximize resources. The plans include construction of the pipeline. Environmentalists and farmers say the plan could jeopardize the amount of water available for irrigation. City officials say the proposed project was in its early stages and would require dozens of permits before breaking ground.
- AIR FORCE-CONTAMINATION
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's congressional delegation is praising a defense spending bill that's close to clearing Congress. They say the measure would provide relief for communities affected by contamination at Air Force bases in the state and elsewhere. New Mexico is in a legal battle with the U.S. government over plumes at two military installations that contain chemicals left behind by past firefighting activities. Under the legislation, the U.S. Defense Department would have authority to take action to prevent further human exposure and provide alternate sources of water for those affected.
- COLORADO RIVER-DROUGHT PLAN
LAS VEGAS (AP) — States in the U.S. West that have agreed to take less water next month from the drought-stricken Colorado River got praise and a push for more action from the nation's top water official. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman told water managers from seven states that the promises they made to avoid severe cutbacks are crucial. She also said Thursday that tougher challenges are ahead. Beginning Jan. 1, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico start taking less water from the river that supports about 40 million people. Officials say cuts won't be noticeable. California, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming also have a stake in river water.