- State of New Mexico to pay newspaper $360K for legal fees
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The state of New Mexico has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by a weekly newspaper in Santa Fe that accused the former governor of discrimination and violating the state's public records law. The Albuquerque Journal reported Friday that last year's $360,000 settlement to The Santa Fe Reporter became public last week after a six-month confidentiality period imposed by state law expired. Officials say the agreement comes after the newspaper won a court ruling in 2017 that said Gov. Susana Martinez violated the state Inspection of Public Records Act. Martinez appealed. Officials say the state agreed to drop the appeal after reaching an agreement.
- Cities can't opt out of legal pot under new state proposal
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico would legalize recreational marijuana sales without exceptions for dissenting cities and counties under a rebooted proposal from legislators that stresses small business opportunities and easy access to pot for 80,000 current medical cannabis patients. Legalization for the first time enjoys the full support of second-year Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The system aims to stamp out the black market and avoid a regulatory patch-quilt, while giving local jurisdictions the right to levy their own taxes on marijuana sales. Every recreational dispensary would be required to offer medical marijuana to patients who qualify under a long list of medical conditions.
- Police: Homeowner fatally shoots person trying to break in
Albuquerque police say a person is dead after reportedly being shot by a homeowner as the person was allegedly trying to break into a home. The Police Department didn't immediately release the identity or other information about the person fatally shot late Friday night in northwest Albuquerque or additional information about the circumstances of the incident.
- Congressmen help migrant girl with Down syndrome get into US
A delegation from the U.S. Congressional Hispanic Caucus has helped a 6-year-old migrant girl with Down Syndrome and a heart condition get paroled in the United States. U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico said Friday he and other members accompanied the girl to a Port of Entry in Brownsville, Texas, and asked federal immigration authorities to allow the girl into the country to seek medical treatment. There are exemption for vulnerable people in the Trump administration's "Remain in Mexico" policy for migrants seeking asylum. The girl and her family had previously been denied entry.
- Wanted heavyweight MMA fighter arrested in New Mexico
BOSQUE FARMS, N.M. (AP) — Authorities in New Mexico have arrested a mixed-martial arts fighter wanted on a fraud charge who has evaded police for months. Police in Bosque Farms, New Mexico, detained Tyler East on Thursday after receiving a tip about his whereabouts. A bench warrant was issued for the 28-year-old in November after he failed to appear in a criminal case where prosecutors accuse him of defrauding another man of $3,000. In December, police in Los Lunas, New Mexico, said East slapped an officer's hand after the officer spotted him during a traffic stop. He is facing fraud and battery of a peace officer charges.
- Union bucks proposed 3% pay boost for state workers
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Leaders of the second-largest labor union for New Mexico state employees are bristling at a proposed 3% pay increase from the governor and are promising to push for more compensation at the Legislature in an election year. Dan Secrist, executive vice president to the Communications Workers of America, said he will present to lawmakers Saturday a budget amendment that would raise base pay to at least $15 an hour. The union also is calling for tiered pay increases ranging from 9% for workers earning under $30,000 annually to 5% for most workers earning over $60,000. The Legislature convenes Tuesday for a 30-day session.
- Las Cruces native Rick Montoya announces run for US Senate
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A Las Cruces businessman has entered the contest for U.S. Senate in New Mexico, adding to a list of Republicans looking for a nomination. Las Cruces Sun News reported Thursday that 72-year-old Rick Montoya announced his candidacy at Roberto's Mexican Restaurant in Las Cruces. Montoya is the sixth Republican who announced their run for the at-large seat ahead of the June primary election. Officials say the seat was held by Democratic Sen. Tom Udall who announced in March that he would not seek a third term. He told a crowd of supporters that his campaign strategy relies on counties in southern New Mexico.
- New Mexico commission approves wildlife trapping changes
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Under a measure adopted Friday by the state Game Commission, trappers now have to complete an education course and new restrictions will be imposed on setting wildlife traps and snares around designated trailheads and on select public lands in New Mexico. Trapping and snaring triggered emotionally charged debates during last year's legislative session. A bill dubbed "Roxy's Law" after a dog that was strangled by a poacher's illegal snare on a lakeside trail would have banned traps, snares and animal poison on public land with few exceptions. It never came to a floor vote. State wildlife managers suggested they tried to strike a balance, but trappers argued the changes are burdensome.