- BEHAVIORAL HEALTH-NEW MEXICO
Report: New Mexico needs to boost mental health servicesALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Independent federal investigators say there's a need for mental health services in New Mexico, but many counties in the sparsely populated state lack licensed providers who can serve patients who rely on government assistance.
A report released Monday by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department's inspector general details the challenges for Medicaid patients when it comes to accessing behavioral health care.
The report states that improving access is essential in New Mexico, where more than half of adults with mental illness do not receive treatment.
The report notes that the state has among the highest rates in the nation for suicide and overdose deaths. It also ranks as one of the poorest states, with more than half of the population either uninsured or covered by public health insurance.
- WEST NILE VIRUS-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico reports deadly case of West Nile virusSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials say a 72-year-old woman from Bernalillo County has died from the West Nile virus.
The Health Department says 20 cases have been confirmed in the state since the first human case was reported in early August. The patients have been from Dona Ana, Socorro, Sandoval, Valencia, San Juan, Taos and Bernalillo counties.
New Mexico has had cases of West Nile every year since the virus migrated to the state in 2003. There were seven cases in 2018 and 33 cases in 2017.
The virus is commonly spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. There are no vaccines to prevent it or medications to treat it.
Officials say most of the cases reported this year resulted in neuro-invasive disease, the most severe form of the disease.
- HOMICIDES-QUIET POLICE
Las Vegas police denying records requests in homicide cases(Information from: Las Vegas Optic, http://www.lasvegasoptic.com)
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — Police in a northern New Mexico city are investigating four homicides but giving few details.
The Las Vegas Optic reports the Las Vegas Police Department has denied three open records requests made by the Optic under New Mexico's Inspection of Public Records Act and are refusing to provide any information about the cases.
To date, charges have been filed in just one case.
The city of Las Vegas has denied the newspaper's request, refusing to release any documents in any of the three cases. Officials say doing so could compromise the police investigation.
Melanie Majors, the executive director of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, says any original records of entry from law enforcement agencies are public record.
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- TRUMP FUNDRAISING
Protest likely to greet Trump fundraising trip in CaliforniaRIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — President Donald Trump is making a rare visit to the Democratic stronghold of California, where a series of high-dollar fundraisers will likely be met with protests.
Trump routinely mocks the state's liberal culture, policies and politics. Yet his visit signals there are still plenty of wealthy California Republicans who support him.
The events will be spread across two days and are expected to bring in $15 million. That's according to a Republican official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters.
The progressive Backbone Campaign says on Facebook that it plans to fly a large "Baby Trump" balloon in the Bay Area when Trump is in town.
In the suburbs of Albuquerque, New Mexico, supporters cheered the president as he vowed to flip the Democratic-leaning state in 2020.
- TRUMP-NEW MEXICO VISIT-THE LATEST
The Latest: Trump cites oil boom, Hispanic job numbersRIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — President Donald Trump says he can win New Mexico and boasted that an oil and gas boom has helped to grow the state's revenues.
During a rally Monday night in New Mexico, the president asked supporters to give him more time in office. The crowd of thousands responded by chanting: "Four more years."
Dianna Arvizu, an El Paso, Texas-native who now lives in Albuquerque, was among those in the crowd. She said Trump has a strong chance at capturing New Mexico.
She called his visit "big," saying "He's coming for us in New Mexico because he cares."
Trump told the crowd that the number of new business licenses in New Mexico is outpacing other states.
In a nod to New Mexico's large Hispanic population, he mentioned the start of Hispanic Heritage Month and said the median income for Hispanics has finally surpassed $50,000 a year.
- CITY COMMISSIONER-ASSAULT
Hobbs city commissioner facing assault charges(Information from: Hobbs News-Sun, http://www.hobbsnews.com)
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — Police say a Hobbs city commissioner made threats against one of his commercial property tenants before choking him.
The Hobbs New-Sun reports Ninth Judicial District Attorney Andrea Reeb is prosecuting the case against Dwayne Penick in connection with a Feb. 8 altercation at Curls & Swirls Rolled Ice Cream.
Surveillance video from inside a store and obtained by the News-Sun appears to show Penick approaching a man in a car, with punches thrown by both men when the man got out of the car.
Penick was charged with assault, battery and disorderly conduct.
Fellow City Commissioner Christopher Mills, a defense attorney, is representing Penick. He says the tenants just want to get out of their lease.
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- ELECTION 2020-TRUMP-THE LATEST
The Latest: Trump pitches economic argument in New MexicoRIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — President Donald Trump made a pocketbook appeal to New Mexico voters, assuring them at a rally Monday night near Albuquerque that his energy policies have made the state wealthier.
Trump warned that that those gains could disappear if the proposal known as the Green New Deal takes effect. He accused Democrats of wanting to annihilate New Mexico's economy.
New Mexico hasn't backed a Republican for president since 2004. Trump rallied supporters in suburban Rio Rancho as part of an effort to turn the state and expand his grip on the Electoral College in next year's election.
Trump usually ventures to Republican-friendly states. The New Mexico rally demonstrates a reelection campaign with resources to try turning a few Democratic-leaning states its way.
- OPIOID CRISIS-PURDUE-BANKRUPTCY-THE LATEST
The Latest: First hearing set on Purdue bankruptcyA judge will need to decide whether lawsuits against members of the Sackler family that owns Purdue Pharma can go ahead with the company seeking bankruptcy protection.
But at a hearing Tuesday in White Plains, New York, Judge Robert Drain is scheduled to consider routine matters such as whether the company can keep paying its taxes and utilities.
Several states are preparing to fight the company's bankruptcy plan, which includes a settlement deal that could be worth up to $12 billion.
States that oppose it say that members of the Sackler family need to be made to pay more than the $3 billion to $4.5 billion called for in the settlement.
The bankruptcy filing will at least pause more than 2,000 suits aiming to hold the company accountable for its role in the opioid crisis.