- Defying odds, New Mexico university's Chicano studies grows
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The University of New Mexico's Chicana and Chicano Studies Department is seeing a jump in enrollment, defying overall student enrollment declines at the state's largest college. Numbers show one of the nation's first Chicano Studies programs saw a 636% spike in students since 2011 as other areas at the university experienced declines. While colleges across the U.S. also report enrollment drops, similar Latino studies programs are reporting growth in enrollment. The department chair says universities are experiencing a rise in Latino students, and they are hungry for Latino studies classes. She says studies show those classes help with graduation rates among Latino students.
- Police: New Mexico man hit officer with shirt after DWI stop
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico man is facing charges after police say he was arrested for drunken driving and threw his clothes at an officer. The Hobbs News-Sun reports Alonso Martinez of Eunice was taken into custody following a traffic stop in Hobbs. According to police, an officer found an open container of Michelob Ultra in the car's center console. Police say Martinez was taken to Hobbs City Jail to detox when, during a clothing exchange, he threw his shirt in the face of the officer. Martinez was charged with battery upon a peace officer and aggravated DWI.
- Liberal groups start effort to target 'corporate' Democrats
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A coalition of liberal groups has begun a campaign to target critical moderate New Mexico Senate Democrats who have blocked some liberal proposals. The coalition calling itself the No Corporate Democrats community coalition said Monday it will work to unseat five Senate Democrats they say oppose more spending on early childhood education. The senators have stopped proposals aimed at dipping into the state's largest permanent fund to pay for the expansion of early childhood programs. The five Democrats also voted against an unsuccessful abortion rights measure in 2019. The bill would have repealed a 1969 anti-abortion law.
- Girl Scouts of New Mexico donating cookies for truck drivers
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails have announced a partnership with Love's Travel Stops aimed at donating cookies to truck drivers. The state's subsidiary organization of Girl Scouts said this week it wanted to show its appreciation for truck drivers who are delivering critical supplies during the spread of the novel coronavirus. The group says Donations for Drivers allows individuals and businesses to say thank you by donating boxes of cookies that will be given to drivers at Love's Travel Stops along Interstate 40 in New Mexico.
- New Mexico panel OKs abandonment of coal-fired power plant
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico regulators have green-lighted an application by the state's largest electric utility to abandon its interest in a major coal-fired power plant. The Public Regulation Commission on Wednesday voted unanimously in favor of letting Public Service Co. of New Mexico divest from the San Juan Generating Station. The commission also approved an order allowing the utility to issue $360 million in bonds to fund decommissioning costs, severance packages for displaced workers and job training programs. The bonds will be paid off by utility customers. The votes came after a delay in the online proceeding that resulted from an outburst by a group of young people that included epithet-laden chat messages and rap music.
- Police: Santa Fe man intentionally coughed on customers
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A Santa Fe man is facing charges after police say he entered a store and intentionally coughed on several people. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports Edward Babcock was arrested last week following reports he was coughing on customers at a Big Lots store in Santa Fe. According to a criminal complaint, the 4O-year-old Babcock coughed on a woman and her 10-year-old daughter after telling the woman, "It's on, it's on." A witness told police Babcock was getting close to others and coughing on them, too. Police say the victims all felt Babcock was exposing them to COVID-19. He was charged with two counts of assault. It was not known if he had an attorney.
- Southeastern New Mexico Airport expansion continues
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — A southeastern airport in the heart of New Mexico's oil region is continuing its expansion despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and drop in gas prices. The Hobbs News-Sun reports officials say the expansion of Lea Regional Airport is on course and the completion of the airport terminal expansion Phase 1 should finish by the end of April. Designed to add about 9,000 square feet to the current 4,400-square-foot terminal, Phase 1 will triple the amount of space available for passengers. Phase 2, the reconstruction of the existing terminal, will start only after Phase 1 is completed. Phase 3 will double the phase 1 gate seating area.
- State Supreme Court will mediate mail-in ballot dispute
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's Supreme Court says it will referee a dispute over how to proceed with the state's June 2 primary election without in-person voting to minimize public exposure to the coronavirus. The New Mexico Republican Party is objecting to universal mail-in balloting procedures proposed by local election officials as a substitute for in-person voting. The dispute erupted as a host of states rush to adopt alternatives to in-person voting amid the pandemic. Among health concerns is the safety of poll workers, who tend to be older and more vulnerable to severe effects of COVID-19.