- ALBUQUERQUE MAYOR CAMPAIGN
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court won't weigh in on the Albuquerque city clerk's decision to deny Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales about $600,000 in public financing for his campaign for mayor. The Albuquerque Journal reports the state high court on Wednesday denied Gonzales' request to order a state judge or City Clerk Ethan Watson to certify Gonzales for public campaign financing. Judge Bryan Biedscheid in Santa Fe last month ordered Watson to reconsider, saying Gonzales was denied due process before Watson decided July 9 that Gonzales violated financing qualification rules. Appeals, hearings and court filings led to the request last week for the Supreme Court to step in.
- NEW MEXICO ABORTION SIGN
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An anti-abortion rights billboard along a New Mexico interstate is tapping the image of a famous Albuquerque police officer to promote its political message. But police officials say he didn't give the anti-abortion group permission to use his picture. Like soldiers and other public servants, police officers are not allowed to use their uniforms or insignias to promote partisan issues. Officer Ryan Holets is seen as a local hero after he adopted the baby of a then-pregnant heroin addict he met while on patrol in 2017. He is also active in national Republican politics but has avoided wearing his uniform at political events.
- NEW MEXICO-AFGHANISTAN-REFUGEES
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Some incoming Afghan refugees were greeted at Holloman Air Force Base this week by two members of New Mexico's all-female U.S. House delegation, who hail from opposite ends of the political spectrum. Afghans evacuated in recent days by the American military are largely being processed at U.S. government facilities across the country, including Holloman Air Force Base outside Alamogordo and nearby Fort Bliss in westernmost Texas. Republican U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell on Wednesday says she's proud of the humanitarian effort and worried about security. Democratic U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury of Albuquerque met with an Afghan interpreter and a support group for women.
- HOPI PRIMARY ELECTION
KYKOTSMOVI, Ariz. (AP) — Hopis are voting Thursday to narrow down the list of candidates for tribal chairman. Incumbent Tim Nuvangyaoma is among four people seeking the post. The others are David Norton Talayumptewa, former Vice Chairman Alfred Lomaquahu Jr. and Andrew Qumyintewa. The top two finishers will move on to the Nov. 11 general election. Both candidates for vice chairman automatically move on to the general election. Polls on the reservation in northeastern Arizona will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. Thousands of Hopis are eligible to vote in the primary election.
- BUDGET SURPLUS-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Tuition-free college and more spending to secure abandoned oil wells are among the priorities from New Mexico's Democratic governor on state spending amid a windfall in state income linked to federal pandemic relief and petroleum production. September marks the outset of the Legislature's grueling budget writing process in a state still grappling with high rates of unemployment and childhood poverty.
- FATAL SHOOTING SUSPECTS-LAS CRUCES
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Police have arrested a 28-year-old suspect in a fatal shooting last month in Las Cruces and are asking for the public's help in locating a second suspect. Las Cruces police said Tuesday they arrested Hector Victor Calderon on Saturday. They charged him with one count of open murder, two counts of conspiracy and one count of tampering with evidence in the killing of 40-year-old Ezekiel Diaz on Aug. 16. They said they have issued an arrest warrant on the same charges for a 29-year-old man. They warned Tuesday that the second suspect may be armed and should be considered dangerous.
- OFFICER INVOLVING SHOOTING-MORIARTY
MORIARTY, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 46-year-old suspect who fired at a SWAT team during a standoff with Albuquerque police. The victim who fired multiple shots at officers responding to a domestic violence call at a residence in Moriarty Monday night was identified as Cimmeron Christy of Moriarty. He was pronounced dead at the scene from his injuries sometime after 10 p.m. No deputies or officers were injured. Police said Tuesday state police, Torrance County deputies and an Albuquerque Police Department SWAT team were attempting to negotiate a peaceful surrender when Christy fired the shots toward the officers and they returned fire.
- PEOPLE-BOB ODENKIRK
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Bob Odenkirk is back shooting "Better Call Saul," six weeks after a heart attack. Odenkirk tweeted a photo of himself getting made up to play title character Saul Goodman in the AMC series, indicating that shooting had resumed on its sixth and final season. Odenkirk said on Twitter: "Back to work on Better Call Saul!" The 58-year-old Odenkirk had what he later called a "small heart attack" and collapsed on the Albuquerque, New Mexico, set of the show on July 27. Odenkirk has been nominated for four Emmys for the role. Both shows were shot in, and mostly set in, New Mexico.