- TAX PREPARER-GUILTY PLEA
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a northern New Mexico tax preparer faces up to six years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of aiding and abetting the preparation of false income tax returns. The U.S. Attorney's Office for New Mexico said in a statement that 44-year-old Carlos Perea of Las Vegas pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Albuquerque. The statement said Perea owned and operated Perea Fast Tax in Las Vegas and that he admitted to reporting false information to decrease tax liabilities and increase refunds. According to the office, Perea faces up to three years in prison on each count.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An alternate care overflow facility in New Mexico designed to house coronavirus patients has remained locked and unused as hospitals across the state are increasingly slammed. The Albuquerque Journal reported that New Mexico and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invested $3.6 million to renovate a now-closed hospital, promising it would be "operational" by April 27 for patients recovering from COVID-19. The state signed a one-year lease to use the Gibson Medical Center for $8.6 million a year. But it is still unclear when or if the space will be used. The New Mexico Health Department said in a written statement that the center remains an option for addressing overcrowding.
- HEALTH SECRETARY-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A public health expert at the University of New Mexico has been appointed to lead the state's Health Department amid surging daily rates of coronavirus infection. Physician Tracie Collins was appointed Wednesday to lead an agency that is a cornerstone of the state's response to COVID-19. Gov. Michelle Lujan says she chose Collins based on the need for "experienced and compassionate public health leadership." Collins said the state wants to help people protect each other from COVID-19 in private settings amid indications that the virus is spreading at social and family gatherings that are beyond the direct reach of emergency health orders.
- OUTDOOR ECONOMY-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's outdoor recreation economy is outpacing the industry's growth nationwide. Officials with the state's Outdoor Recreation Division pointed Wednesday to updated figures released by the federal government's Bureau of Economic Analysis. The numbers show the industry contributed $2.4 billion to the state's gross domestic product last year and grew nearly 6% since 2018. The report also shows that the industry employs more than 35,000 workers and accounts for $1.2 billion in annual income. Since 2018, outdoor recreation income has grown 7.6% in New Mexico. That's compared with an increase of less than 4% for the nation.
- HEALTH SECRETARY-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A public health expert at the University of New Mexico has been appointed to lead the state's Health Department amid surging daily rates of coronavirus infection. Physician Tracie Collins was appointed Wednesday to lead an agency that is a cornerstone of the state's response to COVID-19. Gov. Michelle Lujan says she chose Collins based on the need for "experienced and compassionate public health leadership." Collins said the state wants to help people protect each other from COVID-19 in private settings amid indications that the virus is spreading at social and family gatherings that are beyond the direct reach of emergency health orders.
- METHANE FIGHT-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's state treasurer is calling on state environmental regulators to close loopholes in proposed rules aimed at reducing emissions of methane and other pollutants from the oil and natural gas industry. State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg said Wednesday he has joined with a long list of socially responsible investment groups that are citing gaps in the proposed regulations. The administration of Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says that New Mexico stands to have some of the most expansive rules for addressing methane and other emissions from the industry after many meetings with industry experts and environmentalists.
- COLLEGIATE SPIRITS-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — First it was craft beer and then fine wine. Now New Mexico State University is unveiling its own officially licensed whiskey. That makes it the first college in U.S. to do so. School officials announced Pistol Pete's Six-Shooter whiskey on Wednesday. The college in 2017 boosted the Aggie brand with a golden ale crafted by one of the state's largest brewing operations. The development of more branded products comes as universities search for new revenue streams amid shrinking budgets. Like NMSU's other ventures, this one involves a partnership with another homegrown business, Dry Point Distillers.
- BORDER-MIGRANTS APPRHENDED
SANTA TERESA, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Border Patrol says 41 migrants were apprehended after getting off a bus on the Mexican side and then crossing into southern New Mexico while other people threw objects at agents to divert their attention. A Border Patrol statement said the crossing attempt occurred Monday near the Santa Teresa Port of Entry west of El Paso, Texas. The statement didn't specify what objects were thrown at agents or mention any injuries. It said agents recently have been apprehending "increasingly large groups" of migrants attempting to cross the border in the area of Santa Teresa or nearby Sunland Park.