- ELECTION 2021-NEW MEXICO-MAYORS
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Voters in New Mexico's largest city and the state capital of Santa Fe are weighing whether to reelect progressive mayors or back Hispanic challengers from the more conservative wing of the Democratic Party. Tuesday's elections are a preamble to statewide and congressional contests in 2022. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber are defending their handling of pandemic safety and economic relief funds. Tuesday marks the final day for in-person voting with absentee ballots due by 7 p.m.. The election extends to city councils, school district boards and tax initiatives for local education spending.
- AP-US-BIDEN-SOUTHWEST-AIRLINES
WASHINGTON (AP) — Southwest Airlines says it's conducting an internal investigation after one of its pilots in greeting passengers used a phrase that's become a stand-in for insulting President Joe Biden. The Dallas-based airline announced its investigation Sunday after The Associated Press reported the incident in a story about the emerging use of the phrase "Let's go, Brandon." The pilot used the phrase on the plane's public address system, which resulted in audible gasps from some of those on the Friday flight from Houston to Albuquerque, New Mexico. An AP reporter was on the flight. Southwest says it does not condone employees "sharing their personal political opinions" while on the job.
- LEGISLATOR'S SON KILLED
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The son of former State Senator Steve Komadina has been identified as the victim of Corrales' first homicide in almost 20 years. Corrales Police Chief Victor Mangiacapra told KOAT-TV that 46-year-old Spencer Komadina was allegedly shot and killed Saturday by his roommate after they got in a fight at their home. The suspect, 60-year-old Joel Ray, remains detained at Sandoval County Detention Center on suspicion of first-degree murder. It was not immediately known if he had retained an attorney. Republican Steve Komadina represented a district in Sandoval County between 2001 and 2008. According to authorities, it's the village of Corrales' first homicide since 2002.
- ALBUQUERQUE-FATAL SHOOTING
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Bernalillo County Sheriff's officials say at least two people are dead after a shooting in Albuquerque. They say several other victims were taken to a hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds. Authorities say the shooting occurred around 3 a.m. Sunday and it is unclear how many shooters were involved. The names, ages and genders of the two people killed weren't immediately identified.
- HOUSE PARTY SHOOTING
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police in Albuquerque say four people were shot and wounded at a large house party on the city's west side, but nobody was seriously injured. They say officers responded to the scene shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday after they received a 911 call. Police say four people who were at the party suffered gunshot wounds to their legs, although none of the injuries were life-threatening. They say gunfire also struck several homes and vehicles in the neighborhood, but there were no reports of injuries at those homes. Police say detectives with the Gun Violence Reduction Unit recovered several firearms during the investigation. Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina says detectives have identified several people involved and they face prosecution.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Sunday reported 67 more COVID-19 cases and two additional deaths. The latest numbers pushed the tribe's totals to 36,817 confirmed COVID-19 cases from the virus since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The known death toll now is at 1,487. TThe Navajo Department of Health had reported 105 more COVID-19 cases Friday but no deaths for the 20th time in the past 30 days and then 77 cases and one death on Saturday. Based on cases from Oct. 8-21, the tribal health department issued an advisory notice for 48 communities due to uncontrolled spread of COVID-19. The tribe's reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles (70,000 square kilometers) and covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
- PROP FIREARM-MOVIE SET
Alec Baldwin has spoken publicly for the first time on camera about the cinematographer he fatally shot on the movie set of "Rust," calling her a friend and saying he is in "constant contact" with her grieving family. Baldwin spoke to photographers Saturday on a roadside in Vermont. He called the film crew "very, very well-oiled" until "this horrible event happened." The video was distributed by TMZ. Investigators believe Baldwin's gun fired a single live round that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. Baldwin said he was speaking out so that the photographers would stop following his family.
- POLICE OFFICE-HIDDEN CAMERA
BERNALILLO, N.M. (AP) — Officials in a New Mexico town deny wrongdoing in the installation of a hidden surveillance camera in a police office used by a now-former police sergeant who says her expectation of privacy was violated. KRQE-TV reports that a lawyer for the former Bernalillo Police Department sergeant, Monica Torres, has formally notified the town that Torres intends to sue, alleging violation of a state law requiring consent from at least one person in a recording. Bernalillo officials said in a statement that the town stands by its policies and that nothing improper occurred. A special prosecutor is reviewing a state police investigation's conclusion that no crime had been found.