- METHANE FIGHT-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has been outspoken about cracking down on methane emissions, but the advisory panel tasked with creating recommendations is meeting behind closed doors.The Santa Fe New Mexican reports even the time and place of the panel's meetings are kept private.
There have been no published agendas or meeting minutes on what the panel has discussed despite the political importance of the sessions.
Panel members and a spokeswoman for the governor say that in addition to the meetings being largely technical, making them public would thwart frank discussion.
The panel includes industry representatives and environmental lawyers. None has talked about what has taken place at the meetings.
The state expects to hold public meetings on the panel's final report before the end of the year.
- FUGITIVE ARRESTS-BARR-THE LATEST
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Democratic Congresswoman Deb Haaland of Albuquerque is urging Attorney General William Barr to meet in New Mexico with groups that are providing humanitarian assistance to immigrants seeking asylum in the U.S.Barr planned to promote a crime-fighting initiative Tuesday in New Mexico as the state struggles to curb some of the highest property and violent cries rates in the nation.
In a letter ahead of the visit, Haaland urged Barr to use his visit to better understand the impact of federal immigration policies on people fleeing extreme violence in other countries.
The first-term congresswoman and tribal member of Laguna Pueblo also urged Barr to consult with local Native American communities about a crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women.
- BORDER ACTIVIST TRIAL-THE LATEST
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Jury selection has begun in the second trial against a border activist on accusations that he harbored two immigrant men who had crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally.The trial against 37-year-old Scott Warren began Tuesday, just months after a jury in Tucson was deadlocked on charges against him.
Warren says he was fulfilling his mission as a humanitarian when he took in two Central American men and provided aid. The government says the men weren't injured and that Warren also helped them evade authorities.
This marks the second time federal prosecutors have tried to get a conviction.
Warren and his group, No More Deaths, say their work leaving water out in the desert and helping injured migrants is increasingly under attack.
- MIGRANT CHILDREN-THE TRAUMA
COMAYAGUA, Honduras (AP) — The 3-year-old girl traveled for weeks in her father's arms, as he set out to seek asylum in the United States. Now she won't even look at him.After being forcibly separated at the border by government officials, sexually abused in U.S. foster care and deported, she arrived back in Honduras convinced her once-beloved father abandoned her. He fears their bond is forever broken.
"I think about this trauma staying with her too, because the trauma has remained with me and still hasn't faded," he said, days after their reunion.
This month new government data shows the little girl is one of an unprecedented 69,550 migrant children held in U.S. government custody over the past year, enough infants, toddlers, kids and teens to overflow the typical NFL stadium.
- HEINRICH-CHIEF OF STAFF
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich has named the former executive of the National Hispanic Cultural Center as his new chief of staff.The New Mexico Democrat announced earlier this month that he appointed Rebecca Avitia, making her one of three Latino chiefs of staff serving in the Senate.
Avitia previously worked as Heinrich's state director.
The 37-year-old Columbia University School of Law graduate led the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque for six years. She was asked to resign last year by incoming New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Avitia opted not to reapply for her position.
The former prosecutor was credited with turning around the long-struggling center after years of mismanagement.
- SANTA CLARA-DISASTER AID
SANTA CLARA PUEBLO, N.M. (AP) — Federal officials say a New Mexico tribe will see an increase in federal disaster aid as it continues to recover from flooding that occurred several years ago.A significant portion of Santa Clara Pueblo's watershed was wiped out by wildfire in 2011 and the flooding that followed.
President Donald Trump recently authorized an increase in the level of funding for public projects undertaken as a result of flooding that occurred during the summer of 2012.
Under the disaster declaration issued for the state in August 2012, the federal share for public assistance was 75 percent of total eligible costs. Trump's order increases that to 90 percent for the pueblo.
The tribe is in the midst of rehabilitating the Santa Clara Creek and surrounding areas by building erosion-control structures and replanting.
- HYPERSPACE CHALLENGE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — More than a dozen small businesses will be gathering in New Mexico next week for the 2019 Hyperspace Challenge .The Air Force and a business accelerator with ties to Central New Mexico Community College recently selected 14 finalists for this year's challenge.
The effort brings together technology startups and government innovators from around the country to collaborate and solve real-world problems facing the space industry.
Organizers say the space industry is a growing component of the economy and many entities are looking for ways to foster innovation and investment.
The finalists will participate in a three-day hyper-accelerator in Albuquerque. The startup with the most viable pitch will be awarded incentives and prize money to help establish acquisition or contracting opportunities with the government.
The startups will share their pitches during the Space Startup Summit on Nov. 20.
- ALBUQUERQUE AIRPORT-SUSPICIOUS ITEM
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police say the terminal at Albuquerque International Sunport has been reopened after they investigated a suspicious item found at the airport.Airport staff announced the closure of the terminal about 5 p.m. Monday and police announced it was being reopened two hours later.
Police say the department's bomb unit investigated the suspicious item, but no other information was immediately released.
Airport officials didn't immediately say how many flights were affected by the terminal closure.