- SPOUSE KILLING-SUICIDE
DEMING, N.M. (AP) — Police in southern New Mexico say they believe an 83-year-old fatally shot his wife before killing himself. The Deming Headlight reports Gerard McDonough was found dead early Thursday after he reportedly called 911 to say he shot his wife, Diane McDonough. Officers arrived at their Deming home and found Gerard and the 69-year-old Diane dead. Police say they found two handguns. The death of Diane was ruled a homicide and the death of Gerard was suicide.
- ABIQUIU LAKE
ABIQUIÚ, N.M. (AP) — A newly passed U.S. House bill may allow Abiquiú Lake to store a greater volume of water from a wider range of sources. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports a provision in a water resources development bill would increase the northern New Mexico reservoir's storage capacity by 30,000 acre-feet. That would raise the lake's permissible water level by roughly 10 feet (3 meters). The reservoir now is permitted to store only what's known as San Juan-Chama water, which originates in the Colorado River. That water is diverted through tunnels across the Continental Divide and then carried along the Chama River.
- ELECTION 2020-SENATE-NEW MEXICO
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — Democrat U.S. hopeful Ben Ray Luján has released a television ad touting his support for expanding Medicaid while pointing to his father's fight with cancer. The commercial scheduled to begin airing statewide on Tuesday highlights Luján's father, Ben Luján, the late Speaker of the New Mexico House, and his access to insurance. But the younger Luján says the lack of affordable health care forces some New Mexico residents to make tough decisions to pay bills. Republican Mark Ronchetti says Luján supports a government takeover of health care that would outlaw employer-based insurance plans and limit doctor choice. Luján and Ronchetti are seeking an open U.S. Senate seat in New Mexico.
- BASKETBALL RECRUIT KILLED-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A Santa Fe-based district attorney says his office will seek adult criminal sanctions against a 16-year-old defendant in the killing of a standout high school basketball player. District Attorney Marco Serna said Monday that his office will file an open count of murder in children's court and then request to move the case to state district court to pursue adult sanctions. Fedonta "J.B." White was shot early Saturday at a social gathering on the northern outskirts of Santa Fe. A 16-year-old linked to the killing was being held at a juvenile detention center. The Associated Press generally does not identify juveniles who are accused of crimes.
- CARLSBAD-SPOUSAL HOMICIDE
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — A Carlsbad man suspected of killing his wife is facing charges in Texas now after trying to avoid capture. The Carlsbad Current-Argus reported Monday that Carlsbad police went to a domestic disturbance call at the home of Bernardo Fernandez on Saturday. Officers found the body of his 48-year-old wife and observed she had "severe head injuries," according to a police statement. However, the manner and cause of her death was not released. Authorities say a Reeves County sheriff's deputy in Pecos, Texas, spotted Fernandez and tried to detain him. Fernandez is accused of shooting at the deputy, who returned fire. An injured Fernandez was treated at a local hospital.
- COWBOYS FOR TRUMP
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge has barred the leader of the group Cowboys for Trump from seeing his son following social media posts and refusing to abide by COVID-19 mask requirements. District Judge Mary Rosner ruled last month that Couy Griffin can only see his son on Facetime calls after he ignored orders to remove social media photos of his son at Cowboys for Trump events. His ex-wife, Kourtnie Griffin, says the posts have generated online threats. The judge says Griffin also has defied health orders to put a mask on his son at public events. Griffin says it's unfair that the court will keep his son away from him.
- SPACEPORT CEO-NEW MEXICO
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A whistleblower complaint says the CEO of New Mexico's commercial spacecraft launch facility pressured the former chief financial officer to circumvent internal financial controls and accounting protocol. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports the complaint obtained through a public records request says Spaceport America CEO Dan Hicks also tried to monitor the CFO's communications with state Economic Development Director Alicia Keyes. The four-page complaint was submitted in June by Zach De Gregorio, who has since resigned as CFO. Keyes said in July that Hicks was placed on leave pending an investigation, but did not provide further details.
- COUNCILOR-QUESTIONABLE TRAVEL
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's state auditor says the city of Albuquerque should ask a councilor to repay $4,000 for a trip to three East Coast cities. The Albuquerque Journal reports State Auditor Brian Colón said his review of a 14-day trip by City Councilor Klarissa Peña found extra costs that violate city policies on reimbursements. Peña says she is committed to repaying the city. The review came after Pena traveled in June with family to Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington to attend a conference for city council presidents. Records show Pena billed the city $3,290 for train tickets and another $2,082 for hotels.