- Cowboys for Trump leader refuses virus test in jail
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The jailed leader of Cowboys for Trump has been held in solitary isolation for two weeks as he refused to take a coronavirus test. U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui on Friday said Couy Griffin also ejected offers to speak with an attorney regarding his arrest in connection with the Jan. 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol. Griffin has been jailed and charged by federal prosecutors with entering the Capitol grounds. He was arrested Jan. 17 as he returned to Washington. Griffin has said he wasn't involved in violence at the Capitol and never went inside the building as he waded among throngs of Trump supporters on an outer balcony.
- Legislator tests positive for coronavirus within Capitol
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The Democratic speaker of the state House is restricting access by lawmakers to the House floor and closing off conference rooms after the disclosure that a Republican legislator tested positive for COVID-19, along with several earlier positive tests among legislative staff. Speaker Brian Egolf of Santa Fe said Friday that he will begin restricting in-person access to House floor sessions to himself and one additional person from each political party. That would establish almost entirely online participation in House committee hearings and floor debates. The Capitol is closed to the public. Republican House Minority Leader Jim Townsend said the COVID-positive male lawmaker is asymptomatic and doing fine.
- New Mexico tribe sues US over hospital closure amid pandemic
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico Indigenous tribe is suing the U.S. government, claiming federal health officials have violated the law by ending emergency and in-patient medical care at a hospital on tribal lands. Acoma Pueblo Gov. Brian Vallo said during a briefing Friday that the tribe's pleas have fallen on deaf ears and that the lack of emergency health care services could not have come at a worse time as COVID-19 continues to take a toll on his community. Acoma is asking a federal judge to overturn a decision by the Indian Health Service to shutter the facility. The agency argues that it hasn't violated the law.
- Man faces federal charges in New Mexico train derailment
VADO, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico man is facing federal charges for allegedly derailing a freight train. Federal prosecutors say Luis Angel Rodriguez made an initial court appearance Friday. The 27-year-old La Mesa man will remain in custody pending a preliminary hearing. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney. Authorities say Rodriguez in the early morning hours of Dec. 2 allegedly placed railroad ties on the track near Vado. That caused two Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway locomotives and 12 empty rail cars to derail, resulting in millions of dollars in damage. The conductor and engineer also were injured.
- New Mexico prison chief says private jails needed, for now
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is sticking with its approach to contracting with privately operated prisons — and possibly phasing them out as time and money allow. State Corrections Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero on Thursday spoke out in opposition to a bill that would make it unlawful for the state and local governments to contract with private prisons across New Mexico. The bill from Democratic legislators including Rep. Angelica Rubio of Las Cruces would cut loose three private prison operators that oversee four New Mexico facilities — and nearly half of state inmates. The proposal responds to calls for more accountability in the criminal justice system. Tafoya Lucero says the proposal is impractical.
- Groups challenge utility plan to dump New Mexico power plant
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Environmentalists are challenging an effort by New Mexico's largest electric provider to abandon its interest in the coal-fired Four Corners Power Plant ahead of schedule. In a filing with state regulators, they say the plan would violate provisions of the state's landmark energy law. The groups argue that the statute prohibits fossil fuel-fired plants from being reassigned or sold as a means of complying with renewable energy standards. Public Service Co. of New Mexico earlier this month filed an application with regulators, seeking to offload its 13% ownership share. The plant provides power to customers in New Mexico and Arizona.
- NMSP probes officer-involved shooting of man in Las Lunas
LAS LUNAS, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police are investigating the non-fatal shooting of an armed man by Los Lunas police earlier this week. The officers say they returned gunfire after the suspect shot at them while attempting to flee on foot Monday across Interstate 25 in Los Lunas. The officers were not hurt. State police said Friday the suspect will face unspecified criminal charges upon his release from an Albuquerque hospital for what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. He has not been identified. The officers say they say shot him at least once after he fired at them while running across the interstate into a field.
- Carlsbad parole violator rams deputy cruiser before arrest
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — A 29-year-old parole violator has been arrested on multiple charges after he allegedly injured two Eddy County sheriff's detectives when he rammed their patrol vehicle while trying to elude them in Carlsbad. The New Mexico State Police said Friday each officer fired at least one shot at the suspect Wednesday but he wasn't hit. He continued to attempt to flee before his vehicle became disabled from and caught on fire. EJ G. Kincaid of Carlsbad and both officers were hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries suffered in the crash. Kincaid was booked on suspicion of four counts, including aggravated battery on a peace officer.