Roswell police: 2 teens found dead at park in homicide case
ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — Police say two teenagers have been fatally shot at a Roswell park and it's being investigated as a homicide. They say the boys _ ages 15 and 16 _ were found dead at Cahoon Park. Their names are not immediately available. Police believe the teens were at the park to purchase a gun. They say officers were called to the scene around 5 p.m. Saturday According to investigators, the two teens were in a parked car when another car arrived. Police say multiple people got out of the second car and at least two people shot at the teenagers. They say one of the victims was found inside the vehicle and another was on the ground nearby. Police say they still are searching for suspects in the case.
Remaining evacuation orders lifted in New Mexico wildfire
RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a wind-driven wildfire in southern New Mexico that destroyed more than 200 homes now is 56% contained and all remaining evacuation orders have been lifted. The wildfire that started Tuesday in the Village of Ruidoso and killed two people remains under investigation. New Mexico State Police say they still are awaiting confirmation on the identities of the elderly couple who died. Evacuation orders began to be lifted late Friday and covered about 60% of the estimated 4,500 people ordered to leave their homes. Two areas that remained under mandatory evacuations _ Gavilan Canyon and Lower Eagle Creek _ had the orders lifted Sunday morning. As of Saturday, the fire had burned 9.6 square miles (25 square kilometers) of timber and brush.
Crews fight New Mexico fires as some evacuations lift
RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — Authorities have lifted some evacuation orders for a southern New Mexico mountain community hit by wildfire. Firefighters are working Saturday to contain a wind-driven blaze that killed two people and destroyed over 200 homes. A Village of Ruidoso spokesperson said about 60% of the estimated 4,500 people who were told to evacuate since the fire started Tuesday were allowed to return home late Friday. Evacuation estimates were previously reported to be around 5,000 people. Specific numbers weren't immediately available. Fire incident commander Dave Bales said crews on Saturday worked to put out hot spots and clear lines along the fire's perimeter to keep the fire from spreading.
State police: Suspect dead, officer uninjured in shooting
PREWITT, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico state police say a state police officer is uninjured and a suspect is dead following a shooting on Interstate 40 on Saturday. The agency said in a brief statement that the incident occurred near Prewitt in northwest New Mexico, The statement did not provide circumstances of the incident or identities of those involved.
some state lawmakers calling it quits, can't afford to serve
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Various state legislators around the country are calling it quits this year, in part because of the low pay. It's an issue especially in part-time legislatures like Connecticut, where the base salary of $28,000 hasn't been raised in 21 years. There's concern that the low pay will discourage people of modest means from running, making legislatures less diverse racially, economically, and age and gender-wise. Bills increasing legislator pay were proposed in several states this year, including Connecticut, Georgia, Oregon, and New Mexico, which is the nation's only unsalaried legislature. But so far they've faltered. Some lawmakers fear that voting themselves a pay raise will rankle the voters.
Biden increases oil royalty rate, scales back lease sales
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Interior Department is moving forward with the first onshore sales of public oil and gas drilling leases under President Joe Biden, but will sharply increase royalty rates for companies that extract oil. Friday's announcement comes as federal officials weigh efforts to fight climate change against pressure to bring down high gas prices. The royalty rate for new leases will increase to 18.75% from 12.5%. That's a 50% jump and marks the first increase since the 1920s. Republicans want Biden to expand U.S. crude production. But he faces calls from within his own party to do more to curb fossil fuel emissions that are heating the planet.
Prayer, worship lift unaccompanied migrant teens in shelters
EL PASO, Texas (AP) — Every Sunday afternoon since last Easter, teens kneel by a makeshift altar at Fort Bliss and pray so hard that tears stream down their faces. They pray for families left behind when they crossed the U.S.-Mexico border alone without authorization and for quick release from this emergency shelter on a vast Army post in the Texas desert. And they pray for their futures. Here and at similar facilities set up along the southwestern border during migrant surges, Catholic priests, deacons, and music ministers celebrate Mass with them. They say they hope to bring these young people some comfort and healing.
New details in officer-involved killing of shooting suspect
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police have released more details about last month's officer-involved fatal shooting of a man suspected of firing shots into vehicles driving near his home in the Foothills area, killing one person and injuring two others. Police said Friday three officers responding to reports of an "active shooter" March 14 approached 52-year-old John Dawson after he exited the house about 40 minutes after the shootings. They were under the impression Hunter was surrendering but he "suddenly got to his feet and advanced on the officers. Police say three bean-bag rounds were deployed but Hunter began to pick up a handgun on the ground and the officers fired 12 shots.