- LEGISLATURE-EDUCATION RAISES
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Many teachers across New Mexico can expect a pay increase next school year after the state House voted unanimously to raise minimum salaries by $10,000. Monday night's vote marked the last legislative hurdle for the bill. The Senate unanimously approved the measure last week. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is expected to sign the bill. Starting teachers earning the current minimum of $40,000 would make $50,000 for a standard nine-month contract, an increase of 22%. Higher-paid teachers would benefit less depending on their district. Lawmakers are considering raises for other school workers in the final days of the legislative session, which ends Thursday.
- NAVAJOS-VOTING RIGHTS
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — The Navajo Nation is suing San Juan County over a recently adopted map that will determine political boundaries for the northwestern New Mexico county through 2030. The tribal government, its human rights commission and five tribal members filed a federal lawsuit filed last week. It claims that the county commission violated the Voting Rights Act by approving a map that packs Native American voters into a single district. The lawsuit states that the map approved by the commission in December deprives Native American voters of an "equal opportunity" to elect candidates of their choice in four districts. The county did not immediately comment on the lawsuit.
- CLERGY SEX ABUSE-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A federal judge has been told that Archdiocese of Santa Fe records that would indicate how much insurance money is available to help pay a settlement of clergy sex abuse claims can be made public if they are redacted to withhold victims' identities. The archdiocese had asked Judge David T. Thuma to seal the records, saying that releasing them could breach the terms of its insurance agreements and make them unenforceable. However, lawyers for four insurers said during a U.S. Bankruptcy Court hearing Monday that they didn't object to release of the records if information identifying victims is redacted,
- POLICE SHOOTING-TORRANCE COUNTY
EDGEWOOD, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a suspect is dead after being shot during an encounter with at least one Torrance County sheriff's deputy. The New Mexico State Police is investigating the incident that took place Monday night in a rural area of Edgewood south of Interstate 40 and said no deputies were injured. No identities or additional information on circumstances of the incident were released. Edgewood is 26 miles (42 kilometers) east of Albuquerque.
- LEGISLATURE-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Proposals to increase state spending and slash taxes have moved closer to reality with crucial floor votes in the New Mexico House and Senate, as lawmakers set priorities for an unprecedented deluge of state government income. The state Senate voted 37-3 on Monday to endorse a $8.48 billion general fund spending plan for the fiscal year starting on July 1 — a 14% increase over current-year spending. Senate additions to the spending plan worth $150 million still require House approval or negotiation if disagreements persist. The House endorsed a variety of tax cuts, credits and rebates.
- ALBUQUERQUE STABBINGS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police have arrested a man suspected of stabbing 11 people, apparently at random, as he rode a bicycle around the city. Authorities identified him Monday as Tobias Gutierrez, who has a criminal history. He was booked on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Investigators went to several crime scenes Sunday, including one near the University of New Mexico. Police say the suspect rode a bike and was armed with a large knife. Two victims were critically injured and others were treated for injuries at hospitals and released. Police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos says the stabbings appear to have been random. Booking documents say Gutierrez is homeless.
- LEGISLATURE-LAWMAKER ARREST
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A state lawmaker is apologizing after police say she was arrested and charged with aggravated drunken driving. Police say Democratic state Rep. Georgene Louis was stopped for speeding late Sunday night and was booked after a sobriety test. As a member of the state House, Louis was participating in the frenetic final days of a 30-day annual legislative session. A committee chaired by Louis canceled a hearing scheduled for Monday morning, just hours after she was booked at the local jail. In a statement from her lawyer Monday afternoon, she says "I know I let so many people down. I am accepting responsibility for my mistake."
- BC-NM-RABID FOX-CATRON COUNTY
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Department of Health officials say a fox from Catron County near Reserve has tested positive for rabies. They say it's the first positive fox rabies case in New Mexico so far this year. The fox was submitted to the state public health laboratory in Albuquerque for testing after it bit a person last Friday. Authorities say the unidentified victim is receiving treatment. They say rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be prevented, but not cured. As New Mexico's largest state agency, the Department of Health offers public health services in all 33 counties and collaborates with 23 Native American tribes, Pueblos and nations.