Associated Press

• VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court says state officials have the power to impose civil penalties as they enforce mandates that are part of public health orders. The unanimous written opinion was issued Friday. It provides more detailed legal reasoning for the court's oral decision made in August in a case brought by businesses that challenged fines imposed by the state amid the coronavirus pandemic. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham had petitioned the court to resolve the dispute.

• ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Leading state lawmakers are laying plans for the next legislative session in January after an election that ushered in a new slate of progressive Democrats to the state Senate. A meeting of House and Senate leaders with legal counsel is scheduled Friday as the Legislature initiates the process of redrawing legislative district boundaries and discusses the executive powers that the governor commands in response to the coronavirus. Democrats retained substantial majorities in the Legislature in Tuesday's election.

• ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Leading state lawmakers are laying plans for the next legislative session in January after an election that ushered in a new slate of progressive Democrats to the state Senate. A meeting of House and Senate leaders with legal counsel is scheduled Friday as the Legislature initiates the process of redrawing legislative district boundaries and discusses the executive powers that the governor commands in response to the coronavirus. Democrats retained substantial majorities in the Legislature in Tuesday's election.

• Democratic-led Legislature begins redistricting process

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Leading state lawmakers are laying plans for the next legislative session in January after an election that ushered in a new slate of progressive Democrats to the state Senate. A meeting of House and Senate leaders with legal counsel is scheduled Friday as the Legislature initiates the process of redrawing legislative district boundaries and discusses the executive powers that the governor commands in response to the coronavirus.

• ELECTION 2020-HOUSE-NEW MEXICO

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A day after Republicans won back New Mexico's only conservative-leaning congressional district, a top state Democrat says its boundaries will be redrawn. House Speaker Brian Egolf has suggested there could be implications for Republicans holding on to the seat. The redistricting process this time will be guided by the Democratic-controlled Legislature and Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Democrats also dominate the state Supreme Court, which could decide any legal disputes.

• VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials are partnering with the federal government to expand COVID-19 testing across the southern part of the state. The state Health Department said Wednesday the effort is aimed at driving down positivity rates in counties that are currently on the "red" list. Once a county improves, it moves to the "green" list and some restrictions can be relaxed. Starting Thursday, the Health Department will open 12 new testing sites in areas where positivity rates have skyrocketed.

• COVID-19 testing to expand across southern New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials are partnering with the federal government to expand COVID-19 testing across the southern part of the state. The state Health Department said Wednesday the effort is aimed at driving down positivity rates in counties that are currently on the "red" list. Once a county improves, it moves to the "green" list and some restrictions can be relaxed.

• COVID-19 testing to expand across southern New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials are partnering with the federal government to expand COVID-19 testing across the southern part of the state. The state Health Department said Wednesday the effort is aimed at driving down positivity rates in counties that are currently on the "red" list. Once a county improves, it moves to the "green" list and some restrictions can be relaxed.

• ELECTION 2020-HOUSE-NEW MEXICO

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham boasted that voters were turning out in droves Tuesday and electing Democrats up and down the ticket. But that didn't happen in a key congressional district where oil and gas development provides thousands of jobs and underpins New Mexico's state budget.

• ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico promoted U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján to the U.S. Senate in Tuesday´s election in a victory for Democrats as Joe Biden won the state's Electoral College delegates. Also on Tuesday, Republican Yvette Herrell wrestled the state's southern congressional district away from first-term Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small.

• New Mexico elects Democrat Luján to US Senate, backs Biden

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico promoted U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján to the U.S. Senate in Tuesday´s election in a victory for Democrats as Joe Biden won the state's Electoral College delegates. Also on Tuesday, Republican Yvette Herrell wrestled the state's southern congressional district away from first-term Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small.

• New Mexico elects Democrat Luján to US Senate, backs Biden

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico promoted U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján to the U.S. Senate in Tuesday´s election in a victory for Democrats as Joe Biden won the state's Electoral College delegates. Also on Tuesday, Republican Yvette Herrell wrestled the state's southern congressional district away from first-term Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small.

• New Mexico sets record for daily COVID-19 cases amid surge

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has set a new record for the number of COVID-19 cases reported in a single day. State health officials reported an additional 1,141 cases Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to 49,240 since the pandemic began. New Mexico has been dealing with a surge for weeks now despite having some of the toughest public health restrictions in place, including mandates that call for face coverings and limited interaction with others.

• ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO

Open Senate, House races test Democratic hold on New MexicoSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Election Day voting is progressing in New Mexico where Democrats are pushing to maintain control of New Mexico's delegation to the U.S. Senate and hand Joe Biden a presidential victory. Republicans are trying to flip a Senate seat and change the course of statewide politics. In the open Senate race, northern New Mexico Congressman Ben Ray Luján was vying Tuesday to succeed Sen. Tom Udall and take a seat in the upper chamber of Congress.

• ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Election Day voting is underway in New Mexico where Democrats are pushing to maintain control of New Mexico's delegation to the U.S. Senate and hand Joe Biden a presidential victory. Republicans are trying to flip a Senate seat and change the course of statewide politics. In the open Senate race, northern New Mexico Congressman Ben Ray Luján was vying Tuesday to succeed Sen. Tom Udall and take a seat in the upper chamber of Congress.

• Open Senate, House races test Democratic hold on New Mexico

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Democrats are pushing to maintain control of New Mexico's delegation to the U.S. Senate and hand Joe Biden a presidential victory. Republicans are trying to flip a Senate seat and change the course of statewide politics. In the open Senate race, northern New Mexico Congressman Ben Ray Luján was vying Tuesday to succeed Sen. Tom Udall and take a seat in the upper chamber of Congress.

• Open Senate, House races test Democratic hold on New Mexico

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Democrats are pushing to maintain control of New Mexico's delegation to the U.S. Senate and hand Joe Biden a presidential victory. Republicans are trying to flip a Senate seat and change the course of statewide politics. In the open Senate race, northern New Mexico Congressman Ben Ray Luján was vying Tuesday to succeed Sen. Tom Udall and take a seat in the upper chamber of Congress.

• ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico election officials are bracing for a final day of in-person voting and absentee-ballot deliveries as Democratic candidates seek to extend their domination in federal elections and Republicans try to reclaim a footing in Congress and reelect the president. New Mexico has open races for a U.S. Senate and a northern congressional seat and there is a hard fought rematch in the southern 2nd congressional district along the U.S. border with Mexico.

• Under Trump, citizenship and visa agency focuses on fraud

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The U.S. agency that reviews citizenship and visa applications has shifted to emphasize fraud detection, enforcement and vetting under President Donald Trump. Applicants, attorneys and some U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employees call it overkill. Immigration critics say it's overdue. Curbing legal immigration has been a priority for Trump as he's reshaped the immigration system, arguably more than any U.S. president.

• Under Trump, citizenship and visa agency focuses on fraud

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The U.S. agency that reviews citizenship and visa applications has shifted to emphasize fraud detection, enforcement and vetting under President Donald Trump. Applicants, attorneys and some U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employees call it overkill. Immigration critics say it's overdue. Curbing legal immigration has been a priority for Trump as he's reshaped the immigration system, arguably more than any U.S. president.

• AP-US-TRUMP-IMPACT-ON-IMMIGRATION-CITIZENSHIP-AGENCY

Under Trump, citizenship and visa agency focuses on fraudSAN DIEGO (AP) — The U.S. agency that reviews citizenship and visa applications has shifted to emphasize fraud detection, enforcement and vetting under President Donald Trump. Applicants, attorneys and some U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employees call it overkill. Immigration critics say it's overdue. Curbing legal immigration has been a priority for Trump as he's reshaped the immigration system, arguably more than any U.S. president.

• AP-US-TRUMP-IMPACT-ON-IMMIGRATION-CITIZENSHIP-AGENCY

Under Trump, citizenship and visa agency focuses on fraudSAN DIEGO (AP) — The U.S. agency that reviews citizenship and visa applications has shifted to emphasize fraud detection, enforcement and vetting under President Donald Trump. Applicants, attorneys and some U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employees call it overkill. Immigration critics say it's overdue. Curbing legal immigration has been a priority for Trump as he's reshaped the immigration system, arguably more than any U.S. president.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Navajo Nation is asking the public to weigh in on the possible reopening of four of the tribe's casinos in New Mexico and Arizona.  The proposed reopening plan would allow casinos and other gaming facilities to operate at 50% capacity. If the legislation is not passed, Albuquerque TV station KRQE reports the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise likely will be forced to permanently close and layoff all employees by the end of this month.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Nick Starkel threw for 467 yards and a career-high five touchdowns to help San Jose State beat New Mexico 38-21 and open the season with back-to-back wins for the first time 33 years. Bailey Gaither set career highs with 10 receptions and 208 yards receiving, including a 69-yard touchdown, and Tre Walker 107 yards and two TDs on nine catches for SJSU. Teveka Tuioti was 20-of-35 passing for 294 yards and two touchdowns with one interception and had 14 carries for 69 yards and a score for New Mexico (0-1, 0-1).

• Governor urges New Mexicans to avoid Halloween gatherings

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Saturday said the spread of coronavirus is out of control in New Mexico and urged residents to stay home and avoid gathering with others to celebrate Halloween. A Facebook post by the Democratic governor's office urged New Mexicans to protect themselves and their fellow residents "by celebrating a COVID-SAFE Halloween" that included staying home and not gathering with others.

• CLIMATE CHANGE-PROGRESS

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State officials say New Mexico has made progress in reducing greenhouse gases and adapting to the effects of climate change, but work remains. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that a state climate change task force released its second annual climate report. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says the state's commitment to fighting climate change has grown stronger as the effects of climate change have been exposed by an extended fire season, severe drought and low water levels.

Today in History 

• Today is Saturday, Oct. 31, the 305th day of 2020. There are 61 days left in the year. This is Halloween. 

Today's Highlight in History: 

• On Oct. 31, 1941, work was completed on the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota, begun in 1927. 

On this date: 

• LEGISLATOR THREATENED-NEW MEXICO

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The state Republican Party on Friday criticizing the conduct of a Democratic state senator in an encounter with state police as the legislator sought help regarding telephone message threats. Republicans made public lapel camera video of the visit by several state police officers to the home of Sen. Jacob Candelaria in which the senator raises his voice with police and asks them to leave.

• WESTERN GRAY WOLF-25 YEARS

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — Wolves have repopulated the mountains and forests of the American West with remarkable speed since their reintroduction 25 years ago. They've expanded to more than 300 packs in six states. Now voters in Colorado are poised to give the predators another boost in their rebound from extinction in the region last century. A Nov. 3 ballot initiative seeks to reintroduce them to the western half of the state, where cattle ranchers and hunting guides see the return of wolves as a threat.

• NAVAJO NATION-HEMP LAWSUIT

SHIPROCK, N.M. (AP) — The Navajo Nation is suing nearly three dozen people, accusing them of illegally growing hemp or marijuana on the reservation. The lawsuit filed earlier this week in the Shiprock District Court in northwestern New Mexico says the operations are contaminating the tribe's water, land and other natural resources. It's the second such lawsuit the tribe's Department of Justice has filed this year.