- Sheriff in New Mexico to create intelligence division
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A sheriff in New Mexico has announced plans to add an intelligence division to her department in Las Cruces to consolidate information from federal databases to pursue criminal trends in the county. Las Cruces Sun-News reports that the in-house intelligence division will be staffed with sheriff's office staff and outside intelligence analysts from federal programs. It is unclear how much the division would cost. Dona Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart says her office is seeking to have access to federal databases meant for law enforcement with high security clearances, but clearances have not yet been provided.
- Gun debate prompts weapons ban at New Mexico state Senate
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's state Senate is prohibiting firearms in its public gallery and nearby rooms for the first time on Tuesday as legislators begin deliberations on red-flag legislation that would allow authorities to take guns away from people deemed dangerous to themselves or others. Statehouse rules ordinarily allow the open carry of legally owned firearms without entranceway screening. Restrictions and screenings for weapons have been implemented in recent years in the state House chamber for the governor's State of the State address. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham wants to allow law enforcement officials or family members to seek court orders to seize firearms temporarily from people deemed threatening.
- Coal mines' owner says deal in place to pay back taxes
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A Navajo Nation company says it has an agreement to pay outstanding taxes and royalties on three large coal mines that it bought last year in Wyoming and Montana. The Navajo Transitional Energy Company says it made its first payment in December under an installment agreement with the Department of Interior. The company took over the Antelope and Cordero Rojo mines in Wyoming and the Spring Creek mine in Montana in October from bankrupt coal firm Cloud Peak Energy. It agreed to pay tens of millions of dollars in royalties and taxes accumulated since May.
- New Mexico considers cannabis subsidies, crime expungement
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A Democrat-backed bill to legalize recreational marijuana businesses in all towns and counties across New Mexico is getting its first public vetting by lawmakers. A legislative committee will convene Tuesday on the Senate floor to accommodate crowds amid intense interest in a bill that subsidizes medical marijuana and automatically expunges many past pot convictions.
- Councilor's removal case over text messages dropped
EUNICE, N.M. (AP) — A city manager of a southeastern New Mexico town who wanted a councilor removed over attendance and for "being rude" is dropping his case. The Hobbs News-Sun reports the city council of Eunice, New Mexico, will not seek to remove Councilor Terry Bettis from office. City Manager Jordan Yutzy told the newspaper the decision came after he had a telephone conversation with New Mexico Assistant Attorney General Zack Jones. Previously, Yutzy sent a letter to the state Attorney General's office seeking guidance on how to remove Bettis from his seat.
- Oklahoma Authorities Investigate
COMANCHE, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma authorities are investigating after officers opened fire on a vehicle and injured the driver and a passenger following a high-speed pursuit. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says the two people who were shot were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. OSBI reports that after a 20-minute chase, the driver went into a ditch. OSBI says officers opened fire when the driver put the car in reverse. OSBI says a Walters police officer and deputies from Comanche and Stephens counties were involved in the shooting. The agency said the vehicle was later determined to be stolen out of New Mexico.
- Governor: New Mexico needs realistic, sustainable water plan
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration is asking lawmakers for money and manpower to create a plan for managing the state's water resources for the next five decades. Legislative analysts have recommended less money than requested be spent on the effort, but supporters say it's critical the state starts charting a course that will allow for flexible water management in the face of more drought and climate change. The state's most recent water plan was rolled out in 2018 and includes details about policies, historical legal cases and regional water plans. While it offers an inventory of the state's needs, critics say it falls short of laying out a concrete path for how to solve water problems.
- New Mexico may extend tax credit to non-citizens
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Activists for immigrant communities are pushing for legislation that allows New Mexico residents without Social Security numbers to qualify for state tax credits aimed at working families. Immigrants and allied advocacy groups thronged the state Capitol building Monday to lobby for stronger enforcement of laws that ensure low-wage workers are fully paid and reforms that would shield state records from access by federal immigration authorities. The group Somos Un Pueblo Unido says the initiatives are designed provide fair and equitable treatment of working families that are vital to the state economy. The group also supports greater state spending to encourage participation in the U.S. Census.