- SPOUSAL PRIVILEGE-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M . (AP) — he New Mexico Supreme Court has revisited a 2019 decision that barred the state's court system from continued use of a longstanding legal privilege that disallows testimony by a defendant's spouse. The 2019 ruing said the so-called spousal communication privilege was based in misogyny and had "outlived its useful life," but the state high court on Thursday reinstated the privilege while ordering an advisory committee to study whether the privilege should be modified or abolished. The 2019 decision abolishing the privilege upheld the murder conviction of a Clovis man, David Gutierrez II, and the latest order affirms that part of the 2019 decision.
- AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-OLDER-TEACHERS
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — Some veteran teachers are sticking it out during the pandemic while others confronted with the headaches of distance learning and the health risks have retired early or taken leave. New Mexico is tied with Maine for having the oldest teachers in the country. A 2018 National Center for Education Statistics survey of teachers and principals showed one in four are older than 55. And the New Mexico education department says 6% of the state's teachers and teaching assistants are 65 or older. One 86-year-old teacher in Farmington, New Mexico, says he has been adapting to distance learning with help from colleagues.
- GRANDFATHER KILLED
FORT SUMNER, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a woman sought on suspicion of killing her grandfather in New Mexico has been arrested in Florida. New Mexico State Police say Candy Jo Webb, 27, was arrested Thursday by U.S. Marshals in Jacksonville, Florida on a warrant for first degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of her grandfather A.J. Harden.Harden's remains were found Oct. 15 inside a tool chest at a Fort Sumner property. Agents believe Harden's granddaughter gave him the drugs Xanax and Ambien, then after he died concealed his remains in the chest and drove them to the property. Webb is awaiting extradition to new Mexico.
- NEW MEXICO STORM
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is in line for some more snow. Forecasters with the National Weather Service say two storms are expected to hit northern and central parts of the state through Monday night. The first storm will bring high winds and some snow to the northern mountains starting Saturday night. The next storm will bring more snow with cooler temperatures starting Sunday night. This follows an epic storm that blew through New Mexico in late October. The record snowfall provided some relief for the persistent drought conditions. Overall, precipitation was below normal in October in the central and southern parts of the state.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials are reporting a new high for the COVID-19 daily case count, surpassing a record set just days ago. Cases reported Friday totaled 1,287 — bringing the statewide total to nearly 52,400. The latest figures come as 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.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico legislators are grappling with the public health risks of convening their next session in January amid surging statewide rates of infection and deaths. A panel of leading legislators on Friday unveiled a proposal to move committee meetings to the downtown Santa Fe convention center to provide more spacious rooms for in-person committee hearings. Democratic House speaker Brian Egolf described a possible hybrid attendance model for the upcoming 60-day session that would close off public access to the Statehouse for floor debates and votes — but allow public attendance and comment at committee meetings in the convention center.
- AIR POLLUTION-PENALTY
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Environment Department says it has reached a settlement with the operator of a gas plant near Farmington over alleged statutory, regulatory and permit violations. The agency says CCI San Juan LLC has agreed to pay a $950,000 civil penalty. The company was cited for emitting more than 1.6 million pounds of pollutants over a two-year period. The emissions included hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. State officials say failure to comply with emissions limits results in harmful levels of pollutants that can affect public health and the environment.
- ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A top-ranked Democrat offered assurances Friday that legislative districts will be redrawn in a "fair, open, and transparent process" as the Legislature initiates the redistricting process. New Mexico House Speaker Brian Egolf made the remarks on Friday amid criticism for earlier remarks about redrawing the 2nd Congressional District after the defeat of the district's incumbent Democratic congresswoman. Democrats retained substantial majorities in the Legislature in Tuesday's election. The election was the last before U.S. House and state legislative districts across the nation must be redrawn to balance the number of residents based on the 2020 census.