- STUN GUN-SLUR-STUDENT
Video: Deputy used stun gun, shouted gay slur at teen boy(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.santafenewmexican.com)
ESPANOLA, N.M. (AP) — A northern New Mexico sheriff's deputy is facing criticism after a video showed him shouting a homophobic slur at a student with special needs and using a stun gun on him.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the May 10 episode at Española Valley High School has attracted the attention of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico and state Attorney General Hector Balderas.
According to a lapel video, Rio Arriba County sheriff's deputy Jeremy Barnes called the 15-year-old boy a homophobic slur then used a stun gun on him after he refused to follow orders.
Officials say the boy had been detained on suspicion of taking part in a drug deal.
Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Office spokesman Randy Sanches said the office has launched an internal investigation.
___
- INFANT-FRACTURED SKULL
New Mexico mom arrested after infant suffers skull fractureLAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico woman is facing charges after police say her 4-week-old infant suffered skull and rib fractures.
Las Cruces police say Elvia Hilaria Dorado was arrested Thursday following an investigation into the boy's injuries.
According to police, the 27-year-old Dorado and her boyfriend took their son to a Las Cruces hospital Sunday after claiming the young boy fell from a bed. Doctors discovered the infant had a fracture to the left side of his skull and was transferred to El Paso Children's Hospital for more advanced care.
Dorado told investigators her son fell from the bed and landed on a pile of clothes and a heating pad.
She was charged with child abuse and ordered held without bail.
It was not known if Dorado had an attorney.
- TRUMP-IMMIGRATION-THE LATEST
The Latest: Business group may take legal action vs tariffsWASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says it's looking into possible legal action to block President Donald Trump from imposing a 5% tariff on imports from Mexico if the nation doesn't crack down on Central American immigrants trying to get into the United States.
Chamber spokesman Eric Wohlschlegel says the group is exploring legal action.
Neil Bradley, executive vice president of the Chamber, called the tariff "exactly the wrong move."
He says it will be paid by American families and businesses without doing anything to remedy problems at the border.
Bradley called on Congress and the president to work together to address the problem.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of more than 3 million businesses.
__
- TRUMP-IMMIGRATION-SO MANY MIGRANTS-THE LATEST
The Latest: Group of 116 Africans arrested at borderEL PASO, Texas (AP) — Border officials in Texas say a group of 116 Africans was arrested Thursday after wading through the Rio Grande to enter the United States.
The migrants were from Angola, Cameroon and other African nations and include families with children and young people who were not with relatives.
This was the first large group that agents in the Del Rio sector have arrested, although big groups have been showing up every day in other areas of the southern border. Agents have encountered 182 large groups, or those with more than 100 people, since October.
It's unclear if the migrants in Texas were seeking asylum, and the agency is still processing them.
________
- TRUMP-IMMIGRATION-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico governor: Trump tariffs could be 'catastrophic'SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says President Donald Trump's tariff on imports from Mexico has the "potential to be economically catastrophic" for the state.
The Democratic governor said Friday the 5% tariff could threaten jobs for tens of thousands of people in the state and called on the president to retract his proposal.
Lujan Grisham said the state sends around $1.5 billion in exports to Mexico each year and a trade war would devastate businesses all across New Mexico.
She says Trump should work with Congress on comprehensive immigration reform instead of using tariffs that do nothing but serve his "empty anti-immigrant rhetoric."
Trump says he is placing a 5% tariff on all Mexican imports to pressure Mexico to halt Central American migrants trying to cross the U.S. border.
- IMMIGRATION-OVERCROWDING
'Dangerous' migrant overcrowding at El Paso border facilityEL PASO, Texas (AP) — An inspection at an El Paso Border Patrol station where detained migrants are held found this month that there were 900 people crammed into the 125-person facility at one point.
The Office of Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security found "dangerous overcrowding." A majority of detainees were held past the maximum allowed 72-hour period.
Inspectors found migrants held in standing-room only spaces for days and some standing on toilets.
An unprecedented number of families with children have arrived at the border this year.
The government built a temporary tent in El Paso and plans to open a bigger facility within 18 months.
The report released Friday and first reported by CNN comes two days after El Paso agents arrested a group of 1,036 immigrants — the largest encountered.
- STATE POLICE-ALBUQUERQUE
New Mexico State Police to reduce presence in Albuquerque(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police officials say they will reduce by half the number of officers assigned to patrol Albuquerque streets.
The Albuquerque Journal reports Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered 50 state police officers to the city earlier this month as part of operation addressing violent crime.
State Police Chief Tim Johnson says 25 officers will return to their original posts Monday.
Agency spokesman Lt. Mark Soriano says the agency plans to gradually remove the other officers.
Albuquerque Police Chief Michael Geier previously said the city would keep the extra officers for 45 or 50 days.
Department spokesman Gilbert Gallegos did say how many state officers will remain in the city for the duration of the operation.
___
- MILITARY BASE-JET FUEL SPILL
Groups ready to sue over fuel spill at New Mexico air baseALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A coalition of state lawmakers and nonprofit groups is seeking firm deadlines for the U.S. Air Force to clean up contamination resulting from jet fuel at a base bordering New Mexico's largest city.
The coalition filed a notice of intent to sue Friday, saying the contamination represents a danger to public health and the environment. It wants an agreement that establishes a schedule with clear deadlines and penalties.
The fuel leak — believed to have been seeping into the ground for decades — was detected in 1999.
The Air Force already has spent $125 million cleaning up soil and water around the site, but the coalition contends there are no enforceable requirements in place.
While state and military officials say drinking wells are protected, community watchdogs are pushing for an independent review of the cleanup.