- ALBUQUERQUE POLICE CHIEF
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller says he went both inside the outside the Albuquerque Police Department for leadership to fight crime and reform the organization. Keller on Monday announced his selection of interim Chief Harold Medina to be the new chief and Sylvester Stanley, currently chief of Isleta Pueblo, as superintendent of police reform, a new position. Medina was named interim chief with the departure of the previous chief in late 2020. Medina will focus on core crime-fighting activities, recruiting police officers and building morale. Stanley will oversee discipline of officers as well as the department's academy and Internal Affairs division and work with the U.S. Department of Justice.
- HEALTH EXCHANGE-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The House of Representatives has endorsed a tax increase that would boost subsidies for insurance coverage on the state health insurance exchange. The bill moves to the Senate for consideration. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham supports the bill. A similar proposal to broadly increase the surtax on insurance premiums stalled in the state Senate last year, as the federal government repealed its health care provider fee that helped support state insurance markets established under the Affordable Care Act. House Republicans stood in unified opposition to the surtax increase, citing concerns about small businesses.
- LAS CRUCES-SUPERINTENDENT KILLED
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Police in Las Cruces say no charges are being filed against the 18-year-old driver of a minivan that fatally struck the school superintendent for New Mexico's second largest city. Karen Trujillo, a former leader of the state Public Education Department, was hit Feb. 25 while walking her two dogs and died at a hospital from her injuries. Police said Monday that investigators determined the minivan was traveling within a safe range of speed for the roadway where the crash occurred and Trujillo was walking in the roadway. Investigators also believe the 50-year-old Trujillo was wearing earbuds and likely was unable to hear the vehicle approaching.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is clearing the way for schools to reopen next month as vaccine eligibility is expanding to include shots for all teachers and other educators. State education officials announced Monday that five-day a week programs would be open to those who want them. Districts also will be required to provide virtual learning options for students who opt out. As part of the vaccination effort, the state plans to get teachers their first shots by the end of March. The state is making the move as part of a directive by the Biden administration. State officials have acknowledged that meeting the goal depends on the federal government increasing vaccine shipments.
- NUCLEAR LAB-MORE SPACE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — One of the nation's premier nuclear laboratories will be moving hundreds of employees from its sprawling campus in the mountains of northern New Mexico to Santa Fe as part of a 10-year real estate deal. Los Alamos National Laboratory announced the lease Monday, calling it the largest job relocation in the capital city's history. It's also the second lease to be signed by the lab this year for more office space in Santa Fe. The move comes as Los Alamos tries to make space for additional hires that will be focused on building the plutonium cores that trigger weapons in U.S. nuclear arsenal.
- CAMPAIGN FINANCE-JUDICIARY
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Under a bill aimed at reducing reliance on private campaign donations in the judiciary, New Mexico could become the first state to offer public campaign financing to candidates seeking to serve as judges in general jurisdiction courts that handle the bulk of criminal and civil-law trials. The bill from Democratic Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth of Santa Fe and allied Sen. Katy Duhigg of Albuquerque is headed toward a likely Senate floor vote this week. Supporters say public financing can open the door to a more diverse set of judicial candidates. Several Republican legislators are warry of the changes.
- RENEWABLE ENERGY-LEASES
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has signed four leases with the city of Las Cruces that will boost the community's renewable energy initiatives. The agreements mark the first time the State Land Office has approved a municipality for renewable energy development for utility generation on state trust land. When completed, the four solar projects will replace existing power to four utility-scale water wells serving Las Cruces residents and businesses. Garcia Richard says she hopes the leases will serve as a framework for other cities as they seek alternatives to either power or provide utilities with renewable energy.
- MALL-FATAL SHOOTING
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police are searching for a suspect after a man found shot outside a mall later died. Police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos says an officer was driving in the area of the Coronado Mall on Sunday afternoon when she heard gunfire. The officer found the victim in the parking lot suffering from gunshot wounds. She administered first aid until paramedics arrived. The victim was taken to the hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities have not released his name nor have they identified a suspect.