Latest New Mexico news, sports, business and entertainment at 6:20 a.m. MDT
- STOLEN CAR-BEYONCÉ CLAIM
Police: Suspect in car theft claimed she was Beyoncé Knowles
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico woman is facing charges after police say she stole a car and later tried to claim she was pop singer Beyoncé Knowles. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports Henry was arrested Saturday morning when an officer spotted a vehicle that resembled one that recently had been reported stolen. According to court documents, the 48-year-old Henry ignored the officer's orders to pull over and later parked in front of her home. Documents say Henry told the officer she was Beyoncé. Henry is charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, concealing identity and resisting or obstructing an arrest. It was not known if she had an attorney.
- CONSTRUCTION SITE-GRAVES
Around 30 graves discovered at New Mexico construction site
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Around 30 graves from what is believed to be a former cemetery have been found at a construction site in New Mexico. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports workers at a construction site in downtown Santa Fe found human remains in February and more remains have since been found. Archaeologist Alysia Abbott told the city's Archaeological Review Committee last week that her team is in the early stages of formalizing a testing plan for the future site of a retirement community. The remains are believed to have been buried in what was once the original Masons and Odd Fellow Cemetery, which was closed in the early 1900s.
- ELECTION 2020-HOUSE-NEW MEXICO
GOP hopeful: Republican Congress showed 'lack of leadership'
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A Republican U.S. House candidate in a crucial New Mexico race says the GOP-controlled Congress and the Trump Administration showed a "lack of leadership" during President Donald Trump's first two years in office. Former state lawmaker Yvette Herrell told conservative podcast host Daniel Horowitz this week she felt GOP leaders in the House and Senate could have done more to push a conservative agenda from 2017 and 2018. She also faulted the Trump administration for failing to tackle issues that "could have been put to bed." Herrell later praised Trump for "fighting Republicans." A campaign manager for Claire Chase, a Herrell GOP primary opponent, says Herrell's comments make her sound like Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico plans surveillance for COVID-19 at nursing homes
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's Health Department plans to deploy public health nurses this week to assisted care facilities for the elderly to look for evidence of the new coronavirus and ensure adequate precautions. No COVID-19 cases have been detected in New Mexico after at least 69 tests. Health Department spokesman David Morgan on Tuesday confirmed the planned deployment of nurses and said visits to nursing homes already are underway by the agency's quality management bureau. State health officials are asking people who believe they have symptoms to call a state hotline before going to a physician or health care provider to limit the potential for transmission of the virus.
- ELECTION 2020-STATEHOUSE-NEW MEXICO
Legislative races take shape in state as candidates register
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Candidates have registered to run for state House and Senate positions in New Mexico's Democrat-dominated Legislature as at least seven lawmakers leave open seats. Several moderate Democrats include Senate President Mary Kay Papen of Las Cruces are confronting primary challenges by progressives within their party, as Republicans plot a comeback after losing several seats House seats. The Democratic Party in 2018 expanded its House majority to a 46-24 advantage, while flipping the governor's office and consolidating control over New Mexico's congressional delegation and every statewide office outside the judiciary. Multiple candidates are seeking to defeat a Democratic state senator recently convicted of drunken driving.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
Governor vetoes spending on oil-price, coronavirus concerns
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.
- ELECTION 2020-SENATE-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico GOP contractor drops out of US Senate race
ALBUQUERQUE. N.M. (AP) — Republican construction contractor Mick Rich has announced he is ending his second run for the U.S. Senate in New Mexico. Rich said a statement Tuesday he remained committed to Republicans in New Mexico and President Donald Trump. His announcement comes days after he failed to gain enough delegates to get on the ballot during the New Mexico GOP primary. Navajo Nation member and anti-abortion advocate Elisa Martinez won the top ballot position in the GOP Senate primary. She will vie against well-recognized television meteorologist Mark Ronchetti. Both are seeking to challenge U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, who is the lone candidate in the Democratic primary. Rich lost to Democratic U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich in the general election in 2018.
- PEDESTRIAN THROUGH WINDSHIELD
Pedestrian goes through windshield; driver critically hurt
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police say a pedestrian was killed and a driver critically injured when a vehicle struck the pedestrian who then crashed through the windshield, striking the driver. Police say the incident occurred Monday night when the pedestrian was standing in the far-left eastbound traffic lane of Interstate 40. Identities weren't released and police said investigators weren't immediately able to determine why the pedestrian was standing on the highway. The freeway was partially closed for several hours after the incident.