- BORDER WALL-MILITARY BASES
New Mexico military bases may lose projects to border wallLAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Defense issued a list of military construction project funds that may be diverted, under President Donald Trump's national emergency declaration, for construction of a border wall.
The list, released Monday, includes $187.5 million in funds for projects at military installations in New Mexico at White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, Kirtland Air Force Base and Cannon Air Force Base.
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and Rep. Deb Haaland, both New Mexico Democrats, condemned the possible diversion of funds.
The defense department says if its budget requests for the 2020 fiscal year are enacted on time, "no military construction project used to source (border barrier) projects would be delayed or cancelled."
The release also says that project funds appearing on the list would not necessarily be used for the wall.
- RAPE-TEACHER CONVICTED
Former high school teacher convicted of raping studentTIERRA AMARILLA, N.M. (AP) — A former teacher at a northern New Mexico high school has been convicted of raping a student.
The 1st Judicial District Attorney's Office announced that jurors late Thursday convicted Miguel G. Garcia of two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact of a minor and five counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual penetration of a minor.
District Attorney Marco Serna says Garcia sexually assaulted the student between 2012 and 2013 when he taught at Mesa Vista High School in Ojo Caliente.
Garcia faces up to 13.5 years in prison on each count. A sentencing hearing was set for May 6.
- ROUTE 66-LOSING PRESERVATION?
Last grants coming for endangered Route 66 programALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Final grant season for an endangered federal program that's helped preserve the historic Route 66 Highway for two decades is ending next month.
The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is accepting grant applications until April 12 and it's not clear if Congress will continue the project.
At risk are millions of dollars in grants aimed at reviving old tourist spots in struggling towns.
The program has helped finance projects like the El Vado Motel neon sign restoration in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the Baxter Springs Independent Oil and Gas Station restoration in Kansas. It's administered by the National Park Service.
Decommissioned as a U.S. highway in 1985, Route 66 went through eight states, connecting tourists with friendly diners and motor lodges in small towns.
- UNITED STATES-MEXICO-ASYLUM
Trump policy of sending asylum seekers to Mexico faces judgeSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Trump administration's policy of returning asylum seekers to Mexico will face scrutiny from a U.S. judge in San Francisco.
Judge Richard Seeborg has scheduled a hearing Friday to help him decide whether to block the policy while a lawsuit moves forward. He's not expected to rule immediately.
The lawsuit by civil liberties groups claims the policy violates U.S. law by failing to adequately evaluate the dangers that migrants face in Mexico.
It also accuses the administration of depriving migrants of their right to apply for asylum by making it difficult or impossible to prepare their cases.
The administration says the policy is in response to a crisis at the southern border that has overwhelmed the ability of immigration officials to detain migrants.
- GALLUP-POLICE CHIEF
Ex-police chief turns over audio file in Whistleblower case(Information from: Gallup Independent, http://www.gallupindependent.com)
GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — A former Gallup police chief has turned over secretly recorded audio files in connection with his complaint against the western New Mexico city.
The Gallup Independent reports Phillip Hart gave a state court his cellphone with 43 audio files containing secretly recorded conversations he had with the city manager.
Hart was fired in August as he and the city of Gallup were embroiled in year-long legal disputes.
Hart disputed the city's policy of allowing community service aides to pick up and commit intoxicated residents to the detoxification center.
He also said that the city violated the Whistleblower Protection Act by placing him on administrative leave and prohibiting him from fulfilling his duties after he sought clarification on the city's detox policy.
___
- STUPID JOKE-KILLING
Prosecutors: New Mexico man killed man over a 'stupid joke'(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.santafenewmexican.com)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico man is standing trial for the 2017 murder in Santa Fe connected to what prosecutors say was anger over a "stupid joke."
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports lawyers gave opening statements this week in the murder trial of Christopher Owens. Prosecutors say the 32-year-old Owens shot and killed 30-year-old Timothy Baca after Baca made fun on his singing after a night of partying.
Assistant District Attorney Blake Nichols told jurors the pair got into a fight over the comment but Baca eventually offered to shake hands. Nichols says that's when Owens shot the father of four.
Defense attorney Kelly Golightly says accounts vary on what happened and the story has many holes.
Owens is charged with murder, tampering with evidence and trafficking of a controlled substance.
___
- WATER ROLLBACK-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico raises concerns over proposed federal water ruleSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Environment Department wants to withdraw from a federal lawsuit challenging Obama-era protections for waterways and wetlands across the country.
The department filed a motion Thursday, saying the positions taken in the lawsuit are inconsistent with its stance on proposed revisions to the water rule that were issued last month by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The department says the proposed definition for waterways that would be protected under the rule would exclude most of New Mexico's waters.
Environment Secretary James Kenney says all water in New Mexico — from the Rio Grande to groundwater and seasonal streams — must be afforded legal protections.
Combined with the effects of climate change, the state argues that New Mexico's waters may become more intermittent and therefore even less protected under the proposed rule.
- GUN CONTROL-NEW MEXICO
Elections regulator nixes referendum on gun control lawSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A Republican-led attempt to hold a statewide referendum by signature petition on a newly signed gun control law has been turned away by the New Mexico Secretary of State's Office.
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver on Thursday said the proposed petition did not satisfy legal requirements.
In a letter to Republican House minority leader James Townsend of Artesia, she says the new state law to expand background checks to nearly all private gun sales is a matter of public safety and cannot be overturned by referendum under state law.
The law to expand background checks against a federal database of prohibited buyers has generated a backlash from county sheriffs and others who say it will be difficult to enforce and do little to address gun violence.