- AP-US-NUCLEAR-WASTE-NEW-MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A member of New Mexico's congressional delegation says science _ not economics, fear or political bias _ should guide any decisions about whether to allow a multibillion-dollar temporary storage facility for spent nuclear fuel to be built in the state. U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small in an interview with The Associated Press acknowledged that the growing stockpile of spent fuel at commercial reactors around the U.S. is a national problem and elected leaders need to ensure New Mexico does not pay an unfair price as part of the solution. New Mexico's governor and others have voiced concerns about the state becoming a permanent dump for high-level radioactive waste.
- BODY FOUND-MISSING WOMAN
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Authorities have identified a woman's body found off a forest road in northern Arizona as a New Mexico resident reported missing over a month ago. Sasha Krause was last seen more than a month ago picking up items from the Farmington Mennonite Church in northwestern New Mexico. A camper found her body late last week north of Flagstaff, Arizona. Authorities matched fingerprints collected at the scene with Krause's driver's license record in Texas. The investigation into how she died is ongoing. The medical examiner's office says results of an autopsy will take a few weeks.
- COAL STATION-ABANDON
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Utility examiners in New Mexico have backed a plan to close a coal-fired power station. The Albuquerque Journal reported examiners recommend the state Public Regulation Commission should approve the Public Service Company of New Mexico's request to abandon the San Juan Generating Station. Regulation commission examiners say hearings have showed abandonment will cost ratepayers less over the next 20 years than continuing to operate the plant. The examiners say most of the savings will come from replacing San Juan electricity with cheaper solar, wind, battery storage, and natural gas generation. The closure is expected to cost up to $361 million.
- FILM OFFICE DIRECTOR
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Film Office will be getting a new director. State officials announced Tuesday that the city of Albuquerque's film liaison will take over the post in early March. Amber Dodson will replace Todd Christensen, a long-time locations manager who will be returning to the private sector. Under Dodson's leadership, Albuquerque issued a record 448 film permits in 2019. The growth came as Netflix and NBCUniversal ramped up production at their studios in Albuquerque. Prior to being the city's film liaison, she worked in Hollywood in film production, business development and marketing and advertising.
- BORDER TRADE-MEXICO
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Border trade leaders are expressing optimism for the 2020 trade forecast with Mexico especially at the busy Santa Teresa Port of Entry in New Mexico. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that's because port officials, which have long lacked the ability to process hazardous materials, expect that to change by the end of 2020. Adding a hazmat containment site could increase the port's volume of traffic by 20 percent _ from 600 trucks per day to 720. Democratic U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico says governing the specifics of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement have been ironed out and the parties can move forward with a degree of certainty on border trade.
- AP-US-IMMIGRATION-BORDER-DETENTIONS
EL PASO, Texas (AP) — Immigration detention centers on a part of the U.S.-Mexico border are being upgraded or expanded after U.S. officials were overwhelmed by a surge in migrants last year. The Border Patrol gave a tour Tuesday of a complex of buildings it's opening in El Paso, Texas, to house and process over 1,000 people. The center features play areas for children, showers and laundry facilities. It comes after officials set up tents in a parking lot to hold people last spring. Critics say the move doesn't solve a lack of oversight and they question why the Trump administration is expanding detention space as it pushes policies to reduce asylum claims.
- IMPERSONATING POLICE-TWO STATES
PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP) — A man sought in New Mexico where he is charged with impersonating a peace officer is now accused of the same crime in Arizona. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office says 30-year-old Aaron Wells of Crown King was arrested Friday on charges accusing him of telling people he was an undercover federal agent and of being a felon unlawfully in possession of a firearm. The office says Wells also was sought on felony warrants in New Mexico. Records there indicate Wells is sought in Magistrate Court in Aztec on charges of impersonating a peace officer and fraud. Wells remains jailed in Arizona and court records don't list an attorney who could comment on the allegations.
- OIL BOOM-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — It was the 1970s when New Mexico last increased the amount of bond money that oil and gas companies are required to put up before drilling. As development continues at a record pace, State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard says it's time to take another look. Legislation that called for a study of the issue stalled during the recent session, but the State Land Office is moving ahead and will research bond levels over the next several months. Officials say the amount of bonding needed to assure that taxpayers aren't left paying for any clean-up and restoration after development is currently unknown.