- ELECTION 2021-PROGRESSIVE MAYORS
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Progressive mayors are seeking reelection to New Mexico's largest city and its fast-growing state capital as voting begins Tuesday, contending with challenges from Hispanic candidates from the more conservative wing of the Democratic Party. The Nov. 2 election is a preamble to statewide and congressional contests in 2022, where Democrats hope to extend their hold on all statewide offices including governor and super-majorities in the state House and Senate. They also hope to reclaim a congressional swing seat. Voting begins Tuesday by mail and at county clerks' offices, with early voting at additional locations to start Oct. 16.
- ELECTION 2022-ENERGY-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is thanking attendees of the New Mexico Oil And Gas Association's annual meeting for their contributions to the economy. Fossil fuel mining is the state's largest government revenue source and directly funds education. Lujan Grisham also pledges to continue stricter regulation of methane emission and other byproducts of oil and gas extraction. She is cheering recent investments in hydrogen fuel cell technology and promises to pass a bill next year to make New Mexico a hydrogen "hub." Hydrogen can store energy and produces no carbon dioxide emissions. But hydrogen production currently relies on fossil fuels inputs. Climate activists are protesting Lujan Grisham's speech.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Monday reported 29 more COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths for the fifth consecutive day. The latest numbers pushed the tribe's totals to 34,172 confirmed COVID-19 cases from the virus since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The known death toll remains at 1,447. Based on cases from Sept. 10-23, the Navajo Department of Health had issued an advisory for 40 communities due to an uncontrolled spread of COVID-19. The tribe's reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles (70,000 square kilometers) and it covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Navajo officials are urging people to get vaccinated, wear masks while in public and minimize their travel.
- LAS CRUCES POLICE-LAWSUIT
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The Las Cruces Police Department has settled a lawsuit by a man who claimed he was seriously injured during an arrest by a former officer. The Las Cruces Sun-News reported Monday that records show the City of Las Cruces quietly settled with Warren McCowan for $180,000 in March but admitted no wrong doing. In turn, McCowan filed a motion to dismiss the suit with prejudice. In the suit, McCowan said Officer Mark Morales deliberately drove at a high speed and jerked his vehicle after arresting him for DWI in 2015. McCowan says officers also caused his a shoulder tear when pulling him up in the jail. Morales resigned in 2019.
- ESCAPED INMATE
ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — Authorities in Chaves County say an inmate has escaped custody. Chaves County Sheriff Mike Herrington posted on the agency's social media that 37-year-old Daniel Cobos escaped late Sunday night from Chaves County Detention Center. He says Cobos is considered dangerous. He did not say how the suspect was able to leave or why he was in custody. In May 2019, Cobos was listed as a wanted fugitive by the New Mexico Corrections Department for armed robbery with a deadly weapon. He was described then as 5-foot-9 and 141 pounds. He also has tattoos all over his scalp and neck.
- BALLOON FIESTA-POWER OUTAGE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Hundreds of hot air balloons filled the Sunday morning sky over Albuquerque on the second day of the Balloon Fiesta, but two balloons hit power lines and caused a brief outage for some Public Service Company of New Mexico customers. The company said 1,230 of its customers were without electricity for a couple hours after two hot air balloons hit power lines in the north valley. No injuries were reported. Viewer photos sent to Albuquerque TV station KOB showed one balloon's envelope draped over the power lines near Daniel Circle while another balloon hit power lines closer to 2nd Street and Ranchitos. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta returned this year after a pandemic hiatus. The nine-day event began Saturday.
- CHILD DIES-DAD ARRESTED
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police in Albuquerque say they have arrested a man in connection with his young daughter's death. They say 32-year-old Michael David Garcia was booked into jail early Saturday on suspicion of child abuse resulting in death. It was unclear Sunday if Garcia has a lawyer yet who can speak on his behalf. Police say officers responded around 3 p.m. Friday to a mobile home park in northeast Albuquerque where a 2-year-old girl was found dead. Authorities say the girl appeared emaciated and had visible bruising to the majority of her body as well as burns to her back thigh and hands.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation has reported 35 more COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths for the third consecutive day. The latest numbers released Saturday pushed the tribe's totals to 34,106 confirmed COVID-19 cases from the virus since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The known death toll remains at 1,447. Based on cases from Sept. 10-23, the Navajo Department of Health issued an advisory for 40 communities due to an uncontrolled spread of COVID-19. The tribe's reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles and it covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Navajo officials are urging people to get vaccinated, wear masks while in public and minimize their travel.