- ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO-DISTRICT ATTORNEY
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — A district attorney in northern New Mexico has announced he won't seek re-election. The Las Vegas Optic reports Fourth Judicial District Attorney Richard Flores said last week he decided it was time to move on after four terms. The Democrat has been the top prosecutor in San Miguel, Mora and Guadalupe counties for the last 16 years. According to Flores, his office has prosecuted more than 4,000 DWI cases and around 92 homicide cases. Current Deputy District Attorney Tom Clayton and public defender and attorney Brett Phelps say they plan to run for the post Flores will vacate at the end of this term.
- UNM-POLICE CHIEF
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — University of New Mexico Police Chief Kevin McCabe has announced plans to retire. McCabe said last week he will step down from his role as police chief of the state's largest university at the end of June. He has been with the university's police department since 2010 and served as chief since 2014. McCabe, who holds a bachelor's degree in business administration, came to the University of New Mexico after retiring from the Albuquerque Police Department where he served for 24 years. During his tenure, the university's police department replaced aging apparatus and upgraded radios and dispatch equipment. Officials say a national search for the next chief will begin immediately.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A plunge in world oil prices is threatening to reverse state budge surpluses that have allowed New Mexico to make major new investments. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham vetoed hundreds of local roadway projects in response to uncertainty over oil markets and the new coronavirus. The market upheaval Monday could affect the plans to shore up government salaries, public school education, health care and business incentives. The state government relies on the oil sector for more than a third of its annual general fund income. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has until Wednesday to decide on an 8% annual spending increase proposed by lawmakers.
- UNIVERSITY TUITION HIKE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The University of New Mexico will be raising students' tuition next fall. KOB-TV in Albuquerque reports the UNM Board of Regents unanimously approved the spike in a budget meeting Monday. Tuition will go up by 2.6%, according to a university official. Students from in the state will pay $200 more per semester. Out-of-state students will have to fork over an additional $600 per semester. Officials say the increase is not related to a 4% raise for some employees or a 6% drop in enrollment. Last month, the university announced students from households making $50,000 or less could be eligible for free tuition their freshman year.
- ROUTE 66-DEATHS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Nearly one in five fatal pedestrian crashes in New Mexico's largest city last year occurred in a dimly lighted and highly congested section of historic Route 66. An analysis by the Albuquerque Journal found a part of Albuquerque plagued by poverty had eight pedestrian deaths in 2019. That's more than any other location out of the 42 fatal pedestrian crashes last year. The dangerous section of Route 66 is in a part of the city known for high crime rates and outdated infrastructure. A citywide initiative aimed at reducing pedestrian deaths doesn't include this section of Route 66.
- NMSU-INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State University is restructuring its international programs and will drop an intensive English program amid travel bans. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports the school recently announced it will end its non-credit intensive English language offerings provided by the Center for English Language Programs. The center will fold permanently on May 15. New Mexico State has experienced recent years of decline in enrollment and revenue from tuition and research funds at the land grant university. New Mexico State University Provost Carol Parker is moving to consolidate international and border initiatives, including the creation of a new interdisciplinary community of practice branded "Beyond Borders."
- TV-CAPITOL BARBIE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico-based production company has plans to begin working on a new television pilot in Albuquerque that will be tackling some big topics. The New Mexico Film Office says work on 'Capitol Barbie' is scheduled to start this month at sites around the city. Directed and produced by Riley Del Rey, the mini-series is described as a "mean girls style political thriller" about aspiring Latinos working in Washington, D.C. Del Rey says the aim is to create a show that will engage different political philosophies and inspire debate. The production will feature an all-New Mexico cast and crew.
- INFANT-BROKEN RIBS
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico man is facing charges after authorities say he squeezed his infant stepdaughter so hard he broke three of her ribs. The Alamogordo Daily News reports Jonathan Salcedo was arrested Wednesday and charged with child abuse following reports of an injured infant. According to court records, a four-month-old infant girl was brought into an Alamogordo emergency room suffering from multiple fractures to the right arm and ribs. Court document alleged that the 26-year-old Salcedo admitted to police he injured the baby after he got angry she wouldn't stop crying and screaming. Salcedo is being held without bail. It was not known if he had an attorney.