- ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO
Most state officials avoiding endorsements during primaries
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says she doesn't plan to endorse any of her party's candidates for president during the primaries. Most members of the state's Democratic congressional delegation also are wary about weighing in. The exception is U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, who threw her support behind Elizabeth Warren early on and recently campaigned for her in other states. Freshman Rep. Xochitl Torres Small has been more reserved, saying her job is to represent constituents across her sprawling district. She has expressed concerns about some of the candidates' views on oil and gas.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico announces arrival of coronavirus test kits
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Department of Health says it has capacity to test for COVID-19 with tests kits provided the federal government. The agency announced Tuesday that kits from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are allowing the Department of Health to test several hundred patients without having to send samples out of state for analysis. Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel says testing kits will be provided at no cost to New Mexico residents. Screening is being considered for people with signs of the illness who test negative for more common respiratory illnesses and have traveled to a countries including China, South Korea, Italy and Iran.
- MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Utah lawmakers vote to study violence against Native women
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah is poised to study the disproportionate violence inflicted against Native American women and girls after the Utah Legislature voted to create a task force. The Deseret News reports indigenous communities gathered at the Utah Capitol to celebrate Tuesday after the proposal passed the Senate unanimously. It now heads to Republican Gov. Gary Herbert's desk. Democratic state Rep. Angela Romero's plan would bring together a nine-member task force of lawmakers, researchers, tribes, law enforcement and an advocate for victims. The task force will study gaps that contribute to the American Indian women facing a murder rate more than 10 times the national average.
- TUITION INCREASE-NEW MEXICO
University of New Mexico proposes 2.6% tuition increase
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The University of New Mexico has announced plans to raise tuition 2.6% for current students while giving employees a 4% pay raise. The proposed increase comes a week after the university announced it will offer free tuition for first-time students whose families make $50,000 or less. University leaders say the tuition increase also comes amid an anticipated 6% drop in enrollment. The tuition increase and subsequent employee pay raise received preliminary approval from Board of Regent committees on Monday. Budget recommendations will next go before the full board, which is scheduled to approve the entire university budget in May.
- HISTORY MUSEUM-NEW DIRECTOR
New Mexico History Museum gets permanent executive director
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The man who had been temporarily overseeing the New Mexico History Museum since last May has been named as the permanent executive director. The state Cultural Affairs Department announced Billy Garrett's appointment Wednesday. His duties include the development of exhibitions and public programs at a number of venues that fall under the History Museum's umbrella. Those include the Palace of the Governors and the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library. Garrett says he's also excited about a new fundraising campaign aimed at new exhibitions, work on the Palace of the Governors and expansion of public programs.
- GUARDIANSHIP FRAUD CASE
Former CFO gets 20-year sentence in guardianship fraud case
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The former chief financial officer of a now-defunct New Mexico nonprofit that provided guardianship services is going to prison. That's in an $11 million fraud scheme case in which one co--defendant awaits sentencing and two others are now fugitives on the run. A federal judge in Santa Fe sentenced 64-year-old Sharon Moore to 20 years in prison on Monday. The judge issued arrest warrants for 73-year-old Susan Harris and 58-year-old William Harris after the Albuquerque married couple failed to appear for sentencing. Their son, Craig M. Young, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty in November. Prosecutors say the defendants used client funds to finance a lavish personal lifestyle that included luxury vacations, and upscale homes and vehicles.
- WRONG ACCENT-SEAL
Accent mark in official Santa Fe seal in wrong spot
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An accent mark of the official seal of the capital city of the nation's most Hispanic state is in the wrong spot. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the misplaced accent mark at the top of the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico's website was recently spotting by a reporter who uses an accent in his name. On the website, the seal uses the official's name of the city: La Villa Real de la Santa Fé de San Francisco de Asís, or Santa Fe for short. But the seal on the city's website puts the accent mark over the first "s" in Asís instead of over the "i."
- PROSECUTOR-DUI-GUNS
New Mexico prosecutor resigns after DUI, firearms arrest
ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — A southeastern New Mexico prosecutor has resigned following his arrest for aggravated drunken driving and negligent use of a firearm. The Hobbs News-Sun reports Fifth Judicial District Attorney's office prosecutor Jonathan Michael Thomas stepped down Saturday after getting arrested in Chaves County on Friday. According to a criminal complaint, a sheriff's deputy said Thomas was found in a car with a strong odor of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes. The deputy says Thomas refused to perform field sobriety tests and informed the deputy he had a firearm at his waist. District Attorney Dianna Luce says the criminal case has been sent to the Ninth Judicial District Attorney's office for prosecution. It was not known if Thomas had an attorney.