- PANDEMIC RELIEF-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Legislators have asked the New Mexico Supreme Court to limit Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's authority over more than $1 billion in federal relief. The lawsuit on Monday from the Republican Party's top-ranked senator and a Democratic colleague accuses Lujan Grisham of overstepping her constitutional authority. Democratic State Sen. Jacob Candelaria of Albuquerque says that no one person should have the power to decide alone how much people are taxed or how public money is spent. Lujan Grisham has tapped the disputed relief funds to replenish the state unemployment insurance trust and underwrite millions of dollars in sweepstakes prizes for people who got vaccinated.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Monday reported 17 more COVID-19 cases and two additional deaths. The latest numbers pushed the tribe's totals to 33,548 confirmed COVID-19 cases from the virus since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The death toll now is at 1,431. Navajo officials are urging people to get vaccinated, wear masks while in public and minimize their travel. Officials say all Navajo Nation executive branch employees will need to be fully vaccinated against the virus by the end of September or submit to regular testing. The tribe's reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles. It covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
- LEGISLATOR-CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A former high-ranking Democratic state legislator and Albuquerque public school administrator has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of racketeering, money laundering, fraud and ethics violations in connection with an alleged kickback scheme. The charges against former state Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton were published Monday by an Albuquerque-based state District Court and confirmed by the state attorney general's office. A defense attorney for Stapleton was not immediately available. The indictment lists 28 charges. They include 10 counts of using an official act for personal financial gain as well as a tax evasion charge.
- REDISTRICTING-NATIVE AMERICANS
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Native American communities want to redraw New Mexico's political map to boost Indigenous voters' influence in elections. Changes proposed Monday would reshape a congressional swing district where Republicans regained control in 2020. They would also lead to more Native American potential voters in six state House and three Senate districts northwestern New Mexico. The proposals were submitted to a committee that will provide recommendations to the Legislature at the end of October. The Democrat-led Legislature can draw its own lines. The governor must approve them. New Mexico is home to 23 federally recognized tribes.
- OIL AND GAS-EMISSIONS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is now the nation's second largest oil producing state, and environmental regulators say more needs to be done to rein in pollution from the industry. They're proposing another set of rules — this time aimed at limiting ozone-causing pollution. A hearing on new rules to limit emissions containing volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides began Monday. The oil and industry generally supports the proposal but wants to ensure that regulators balance the need to reduce pollution with the viability of the industry. Oil and gas revenues play a key role in bankrolling New Mexico's spending on public education.
- SCHOOL DISTRICTS-MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Three New Mexico school districts have been awarded funding to bolster mental health services over the next several years. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the state Public Education Department was bestowed earlier this month with a five-year, $8.9 million federal grant. The state has selected districts in Santa Fe, Farmington and Socorro to get grants to help students struggling mentally. The districts were chosen partly because of they serve many low-income students and students who speak English as a second language. The funds come from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The program, dubbed Project AWARE, will cover mental health trainings for staff.
- COLORADO RIVER-LAWSUITS SETTLED
Two major California water agencies have settled a dispute that once threatened to derail a multi-state agreement to protect the Colorado River. The Imperial Irrigation District is the largest, single recipient of Colorado River water. It sued the Metropolitan Water District twice in the past two years over water contributions and water storage. The entities announced Monday they have reached a settlement agreement. Under the agreement, Imperial can store water in Lake Mead under Metropolitan's account. The irrigation district also will contribute water to a regional drought contingency plan if California is called on to help stave off further water cuts. The river serves 40 million people in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada and Mexico.
- PANHANDLER KILLED
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police say an 18-year-old man shot and killed a panhandler in an unprovoked attack. Authorities say Isaiah Luna was booked into Metro Detention Center on suspicion of murder several hours after the Sunday morning shooting. According to police, Luna and his mother returned to the intersection where the killing happened. His mother then informed investigators her son was behind the shooting and the gun used was in his car. During questioning, Luna said he was acting in self-defense because the male transient had punched him in the face. Police say surveillance video shows the victim at no time hit Luna or try to enter his car.