- ELECTION 2020-SENATE-NEW MEXICO
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — Former television weatherman and Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Mark Ronchetti has released a new ad with uplifting messages but doesn't mention President Donald Trump by name. The ad unveiled Tuesday targeting New Mexico GOP voters uses footage of the raising of the American Flag on Iwo Jima and astronauts on the moon. The commercial comes after the Albuquerque Journal reported last week his GOP rivals criticized him for saying at a climate change event last year that he was a Republican "until the orange one." Ronchetti campaign manager Jeff Glassburner called opponents unelectable who "are engaging in negative attacks because they have no substance to their campaigns."
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is ordering workers at retail stores and restaurants to wear face coverings as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, starting with big box stores and major grocery stores on Wednesday. The requirement extends to other essential businesses starting on Monday. A new testing strategy for the state prison system also was announced Tuesday, and the state plans to underwrite a monthly hazard bonus for child care workers. New Mexico health officials are confirming six new deaths and 107 confirmed infections linked to the coronavirus pandemic.
- VIRGIN GALACTIC
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Virgin Galactic has reported a first-quarter net loss of $60 million but is touting tens of millions of dollars in potential future revenue as more people have put down deposits for the chance to buy a ticket once the spaceline resumes sales. Company officials outlined earnings for the quarter during a webcast Tuesday. The presentation comes just days after Virgin Galactic celebrated the first glide flight of its spaceship over New Mexico. The company is in the midst of final testing but has yet to offer a date for the start of commercial flights. It also has inked a new agreement with NASA to develop high speed technologies.
- ELECTION 2020-HOUSE-NEW MEXICO
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — A candidate in a contentious Republican U.S. House primary in southern New Mexico is calling for one of her opponents to withdraw as the race turns personal and nasty. Oil executive Claire Chase demanded Monday that former state lawmaker Yvette Herrell leave the race over accusations Herrell was pushing rumors around Chase's first marriage. Retired Marine and Chase supporter Jared Richardson told The Associated Press that Herrell called and told him that Chase cheated on her first husband. Chase says the accusations are false. Herrell denies spreading the rumors and promised to protect herself against libel.
- RAPE CASE-COMMERCIAL DATABASE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A man in New Mexico could face at least a decade in prison after investigators used an unusual technique of tracking DNA through a genealogy service to link him to a 2015 rape. The Albuquerque Journal reported.that Angel Gurule pleaded guilty Monday to criminal sexual penetration in what authorities believe is the state's first case of an arrest made after investigators uploaded his DNA profile to the database that allows members of the public to investigate their heritage. Defense attorney Raymond Maestas said he plans to present evidence of mitigating factors during the sentencing hearing, including details of childhood trauma and testimony by psychologists who examined Gurule.
- SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The public will have more time to comment on an environmental review related to a proposed multibillion-dollar complex in New Mexico that would store spent nuclear fuel from commercial power plants around the U.S. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has granted a request by members of New Mexico's congressional delegation, providing another 60 days for the process. In a preliminary recommendation, the commission favors approval of a license for Holtec International to build the facility in southeastern New Mexico. The congressional delegates had argued more time was needed given the health emergency that has resulted from the coronavirus outbreak.
- ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A trickle of primary voters filed through a makeshift polling site inside a cavernous parking garage Tuesday, as New Mexico election officials took impromptu precautions against the transmission of COVID-19 on the first day of early voting. Masks, gloves and bottles of disinfectant were on hand as voting began at county clerks' offices in a primary that concludes on June 2. At the same time, election officials are promoting mail-in voting by absentee ballot as the safest option. The state Supreme Court last month rejected a proposal to suspend most in-person voting. Open races are underway in the 3rd Congressional District and to fill a Senate seat.
- SANTA FE FILM FESTIVAL
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The Santa Fe Independent Film Festival has been named to MovieMaker's list of "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee in 2020." The Albuquerque Journal reports the festival recently receive the honor for the seventh year. According to MovieMaker, film festivals have taken big financial hits for the greater good. The festivals that made the list were based on a rubric intended to highlight the festivals that provide the best possible return for moviemakers. MovieMaker Magazine is a leading resource for interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, movie recommendations, and festival coverage. The 2020 Santa Fe Independent Film Festival is scheduled for October 14 to 18.