- RURAL ECONOMY-NEW MEXICO
Workshops look to ignite employment in rural communitiesSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Experts in rural economic development are discussing ways to bolster employment and combat poverty in remote areas of New Mexico.
Workshops organized by the Western Governors' Association on Tuesday delved into strategies for helping people including disabled residents work remotely from home for far-away businesses.
A separate panel is exploring strategies for ensuring access to nutritious food in impoverished communities or people living far from population centers.
About one and three children in New Mexico come from homes where parents struggle to find secure employment. The workshops have brought together experts from academia, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the energy industry, a homebuilders' association and anti-hunger groups.
Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was scheduled to speak at the conference Tuesday.
- TRAVEL-GEORGE ORWELL-NEW MEXICO
George Orwell New Mexico exhibit bares 'doublespeak' legacyALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A George Orwell exhibit in New Mexico is tackling the themes of the novelist's work from "1984" to "Animal Farm."
"George Orwell: His Enduring Legacy," which runs to April at the University of New Mexico, features posters and material related to work challenging totalitarianism.
The exhibition was sparked after a longtime advocate and employee of the University of New Mexico University Libraries donated his collection of rare Orwell books.
Artifacts and posters from the Spanish Civil War are shown to illustrate how the conflict played a role in Orwell's intellectually formation. The exhibit also features artistic portrayals of Napoleon, the authoritarian pig in "Animal Farm."
The British-born Orwell was also known for "1984," which has become a best-seller in the U.S. again during the Trump administration.
- POLICE SHOOTING-LAS CRUCES
Police: Man fatally shot, exchanged gunfire with officersLAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a man was fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire with officers from the Las Cruces Police Department and the U.S. Marshal's Service who were attempting to arrest him.
The Police Department said in a statement that no officers were injured in the incident late Monday and that it is being investigated by the department and a multi-agency task force.
Department spokesman Dan Trujillo said the man was sought on a "violent felony arrest warrant" and fired at officers who shot back.
No identities were released.
- ELECTION 2020-SENATE-NEW MEXICO
More New Mexico Democrats endorse Senate bid by congressmanSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján says his Senate election bid in 2020 has the support of New Mexico's two current senators.
In a statement Monday, Luján announced endorsements of his campaign by retiring Sen. Tom Udall and second-term Sen. Martin Heinrich.
Leading Democrats are falling in line behind Luján as the only Democratic contender to replace Udall after Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver dropped out of the race last week.
Republican contractor Mick Rich and college professor Gavin Clarkson are pursuing the GOP nomination for Senate. They both lost statewide elections in 2018.
Luján represents northern New Mexico and currently holds the No. 4 leadership position among House Democrats. A crowded field of candidates are vying for his seat in Congress.
- ELECTION 2020-TRUMP-NEW MEXICO
APNewsBreak: New Mexico GOP set to endorse TrumpALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Republican Party of New Mexico appears set to join Nebraska Republicans and endorse President Donald Trump for re-election.
State GOP chairman Steve Pearce told The Associated Press on Monday that an endorsement "would be a mere formality" since everyone on the party's central committee is supporting the president.
Pearce says he knew of nobody in New Mexico GOP circles who wasn't supporting Trump. He also didn't know if any of Trump's Republican challengers, like former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh or former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, would even get on the New Mexico ballot.
The Nebraska GOP announced in August the party had unanimously endorsed Trump for re-election.
Four states have discussed plans to cancel their 2020 GOP presidential primaries.
- OIL BOOM-HOUSING
New Mexico town in oil boom to get new worker 'camp'(Information from: Hobbs News-Sun, http://www.hobbsnews.com)
JAL, N.M. (AP) — A small New Mexico town in the heart of the Permian Basin oil and gas boom is getting a new camp development to house oil workers.
The Hobbs News-Sun reports Canada-based international hospitality company Amity Lodges announced this month a groundbreaking ceremony for a new camp development under construction east of Jal, New Mexico.
Jal Mayor Steve Aldridge says the southeastern New Mexico town has been struggling in recent years to provide sufficient housing for oil and gas workers.
Amity Lodges management consultant Ryan Bullock says the camp will open in a first phase providing 558 executive style beds.
Officials say amenities at the facility will include a 26,424 square-foot (2,455 square-meter) kitchen and dining hall in 39 modules with up to 780 dining hall seats.
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- NAVAJO POLICE OFFICER DIES
Navajo Police officer dies; had Oct. 9 on-duty medical eventCROWNPOINT, N.M. (AP) — Navajo Police Department officials say a 22-year veteran officer has died after suffering a medical problem while on duty last month.
They say Sgt. Lamar Martin died Monday.
Police officials say Martin had a "medical event" on Oct. 9, but they didn't release any other details.
Martin became a Navajo Police Officer in November 1997 and was a defensive tactics instructor, a general instructor, a field training officer and a member of the strategic reaction team for the department.
Police officials say Martin served in the Marines and the New Mexico Army National Guard.
He also was assigned for active duty in support of Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and 2009.
Funeral plans for Martin were pending and police didn't immediately have a list of his survivors.
- BORDER PATROL-SHOOTING-THE LATEST
The Latest: Border agents chased man before deadly gunbattleSUNLAND PARK, New Mexico (AP) — New Mexico State Police say a man shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent was stopped because he was believed to have crossed the border illegally.
They say two Border Patrol agents approached a group of four people about a mile from the border and a chase began early Monday. Authorities say the suspect fired at the agents, but neither was injured.
One of the agents shot back, hitting the man, who died at a hospital.
A Border Patrol spokesman says the three other people in the group have been arrested. It's unclear what charges they face.
The shooting happened in Sunland Park, New Mexico, a suburb of El Paso, Texas.