- WHITE SANDS-FEE INCREASE
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) — Officials at White Sands National Park say entrance fees will be increasing with the start of the new year. The increase isn't related to the change in designation from a national monument to a national park but because of plans by the National Park Service to increase fees nationwide. Officials say the fee hike will mean more revenue that can be used for infrastructure and maintenance at the New Mexico park. They say the improvements will enhance the visitor experience. Of the new revenue raised at White Sands, officials say 80 percent will remain there.
- ALBUQUERQUE HOMICIDE UNIT
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico authorities have confirmed reports of 80 homicides in Albuquerque after a body was discovered Monday, breaking the city's own record earlier this month. KOB-TV reports that Albuquerque city officials have announced they are working on strategies to decrease the workload on police officers and homicide detectives. Albuquerque Police Department commanders have cited the need for a second homicide unit, saying detectives should be balancing three to five investigations but they are nearly double that. Authorities say there is also a push for more officers to supplement the increasing workload, including from the upcoming cadet graduating class.
- DEPUTY-STUN GUN-LAWSUIT
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — A southeastern New Mexico man says Eddy County Sheriff's detectives illegally searched his home and used a stun gun on him seconds after making contact. The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports a lawsuit filed by Brandon Chandler says the detectives used excessive force. According to court records, detectives came to Chandler's home after a woman called authorities to report she was being held captive. The woman later told authorities she had taken drugs and wasn't being held. The lawsuit says authorities violated Chandler's constitutional rights. The Eddy County Sheriff's Office declined to comment on the pending litigation.
- RELIGION-HALLUCINOGENIC TEA LEADER
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico branch of a church that uses hallucinogenic tea is suing the federal government for failing to process immigration documents for one of its religious leaders. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports O Centro Espirita Beneficente União do Vegetal filed a lawsuit last week over claims of religious discrimination. The lawsuit comes after a Brazilian man who has led the church's Florida congregation since 2013 applied for visas that would allow him and his family to continue living in the United States while their immigration cases are pending.
- BREAKING BAD STORE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A store will be opening in Albuquerque that will cater to fans of the AMC-TV hit series "Breaking Bad." A co-owner of The Breaking Bad Store ABQ says local artists have been commissioned to create unique items inspired by the long-running series and its cast of characters. The shop will also carry items inspired by the show that aren't readily available in the U.S. Co-owner Edward Candelaria tells Albuquerque station KOB-TV that the store's grand opening will be Jan. 4. "Breaking Bad" followed a high school chemistry teacher turned meth lord. The series ran from 2008 to 2013.
- LEGISLATURE-VACANCY
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The deadline for anyone interested in filling a vacant seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives has been extended. The Bernalillo County Commission is meeting Jan. 7 to appoint a replacement for Democratic Rep. William Pratt, who died last week. The deadline for applications now is Jan. 6. Pratt served in a northeastern Albuquerque district where registered Republicans slightly outnumber Democrats. Applicants to replace him must live within the district's boundaries and be at least 21 years old. At least two Republicans and two Democrats have indicated they'll run for the seat in 2020.
- GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico legislators want greater accountability regarding state grants and tax incentives for businesses that are designed to create jobs. The push comes as the state ramps up financial support to a variety of industries. Proposed legislation by Democratic Rep. Bill Tallman of Albuquerque would require businesses that receive public support to provide the state with details about the number of related new full-time jobs, annual wages for those jobs and spending on local infrastructure. The proposal holds implications for hundreds of businesses that receive more than $100 million in incentives each year.
- HUMAN TRAFFICKING-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A judge sentenced a New Mexico father to 20 years in prison after he was convicted of forcing his children to panhandle to get him money for drugs. The office of Attorney General Hector Balderas said Monday the man was sentenced in Albuquerque, nearly three months after a jury found him guilty of three counts of human trafficking. Authorities say the father forced all three of his children to panhandle around Albuquerque between 2015 and 2018. The children later testified against him. The father denied the charges during the trial and said he doesn't do drugs.