- TV-THE WARRIOR TRADITION
Film probes history of Native Americans in the US militaryALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A new PBS film, "The Warrior Tradition," seeks to examine the history of Native Americans in the U.S. military since World War I.
Through interviews with veterans, the documentary shows how Native American veterans transformed the life for tribal members and used their service to expand civil rights.
The film illustrates the mixed feelings some Native Americans felt toward the U.S. military and how tribal members embraced those who served as "warriors."
Director Larry Hott says the Native American veterans in the film believed military service was part of their family history and wasn't just about a way to escape poverty.
The one-hour documentary co-produced by WNED-TV Buffalo Toronto and Florentine Films/Hott Productions, Inc., is scheduled to air on most PBS stations Monday.
- IMMIGRATION-DEFERRED ACTION
For 30-somethings, stakes are high over future of DACAPHOENIX (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday about President Donald Trump's attempt to end the program, and the stakes are particularly high for the older generation of people enrolled in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, known as DACA.
The program dating back to the Obama administration allows immigrants brought here as children to work and protects them from deportation. Roughly 18% of the 669,000 people enrolled in DACA are 31 and older.
On Sept. 15, 2017, the Trump administration announced the end of the program, setting off a series of legal challenges that will culminate before the Supreme Court. A decision is expected in the spring.
DACA remains in existence, but only for people who were already enrolled when Trump ended it.
- JAIL EMPLOYEE-METH
New Mexico jail employee accused of bringing meth to workSANTE FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico deputies have arrested a Santa Fe County Jail corrections officer after he acknowledged bringing meth to work.
Cohen Mangin was arrested and charged with bringing contraband into places of imprisonment and possession of a controlled substance. He was released Friday.
Authorities say another officer found a plastic bag filled with meth near the main entrance Thursday.
Investigators say surveillance video showed Mangin dropping it as he got out of a car.
Investigators say Mangin said in an interview that he used it to stay awake.
Online court records do not list a defense attorney for Mangin who could comment on the allegations.
A county spokesperson said an investigation is underway.
He is scheduled to appear in court in December.
- ALBUQUERQUE RAPID TRANSIT PROJECT
New Mexico public transportation project to begin operationsALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico city officials have announced a new public transportation project is expected to begin operations in Albuquerque this month.
City officials say the Albuquerque Rapid Transit project includes designated bus-only lanes and stops that would carry riders along Central Avenue every 10 minutes.
Officials say the ART project is set to launch Nov. 30 with free rides until Dec. 31. Riders must pay $1 starting Jan. 1.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller says officials plan to time routes starting Sunday.
Law enforcement says there are plans to issue warning citations starting Nov. 30 to educate the community on safe driving practices around the buses before $80 fines are issued in January.
Officials say the $133 million project includes 20 new buses expected to replace the existing Rapid Ride lines.
- LUNCH SHAMING
Proposal to end school lunch shaming moves aheadBANGOR, Maine (AP) — A federal proposal designed to prevent lunch shaming has moved ahead thanks to a vote in the U.S. Senate.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico added an amendment to a funding bill that would ban schools from singling out children because their parents or guardians haven't paid school lunch bills. The proposal would also encourage schools to find new ways that shield children from such embarrassment.
Collins says the funding bill passed the Senate by a wide margin recently.
Some states, including Maine and New Mexico, have state laws designed to protect children from lunch shaming. Shaming sometimes comes in the form of making children wear hand stamps or perform extra chores because of their lunch debts.
- JUDICIAL OPENING
Judge Ortiz to retire from 1st Judicial District CourtSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A judge for the state District Court that serves Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties plans to retire Jan. 1, creating an opening for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to fill.
Lujan Grisham will select her appointee for the 1st Judicial District Court from among those recommended by a nominating commission.
The opening will be created by the retirement of Judge Raymond Ortiz, a Santa Fe native appointed to the bench in 2005 by then-Gov. Bill Richardson.
A judge appointed to serve out the term of a retiring district judge must run for election to remain on the bench and as voters to retain them every six years.
- ALBUQUERQUE POLICE-EXCESSIVE FORCE
New Mexico police achieve compliance with oversight policies(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Albuquerque Police Department has implemented all the court-approved policies enforcing constitutional policing and preventing the use of excessive force.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Thursday that independent monitor James Ginger confirmed the department has achieved 100% primary compliance with the policies outlined in a settlement agreement with the Department of Justice.
The report covers February 2019 through July 2019.
Officials say it's the first time in a yearslong reform effort that the police department has attained complete compliance.
Ginger says the Department of Justice announced in 2014 that its investigation found Albuquerque police had a pattern of using excessive force against its citizens.
Ginger says the police have made strides toward reform including training officers on policies, rewriting its use-of-force policy and recreating a board to review internal investigations.
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- ELECTION 2020-FAMILY FIGHT
GOP daughter of key Democrat to run for state SenateSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The daughter of Democratic New Mexico Senate president pro tem is running for a state Senate seat as a Republican, and her mom isn't supporting her.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports former state racing commissioner Susan Vescovo said this week she plans to challenge Democratic state Sen. Liz Stefanics of Cerrillos primarily over abortion rights.
Senate President Pro Tem and longtime Democrat Mary Kay Papen says she loves her daughter "dearly" but doesn't support her candidacy.
The Alto, New Mexico, Republican, says she believes she will be competitive in heavily Democratic areas such as Santa Fe because Catholics in the county are likely to agree with her anti-abortion views.
The district cover parts of Lincoln, Torrance, Valencia, Bernalillo, Santa Fe, and San Miguel counties.