Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Latest New Mexico news, sports, business and entertainment at 3:20 a.m. MDT

  • DEATH AND DISAPPEARANCE-CONGRESS

Federal agencies missed 2nd deadline for tribal safety billsALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. Senate staffers say officials missed a second deadline last week to offer input on bills on Native American safety, and only one department has since provided "partial comment."
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven set a "hard deadline" of July 8 for Interior and Justice Department officials to offer "definitive conclusions" on legislation after he criticized them for filing late testimony ahead of a key committee hearing last month. Hoeven, a North Dakota Republican, chairs the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
A Senate committee spokeswoman says Interior officials ultimately submitted updated documents to senators after the July 8 deadline, while the Justice Department hadn't yet. A Justice Department spokesman says officials are working to do so.
A spokesman for Sen. Tom Udall, a New Mexico Democrat, says the Interior only provided "partial comment."

  • MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Enrollment increase for New Mexico medical pot programSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Patient enrollment in the state's medical marijuana program has increased by nearly 10% since the start of the year.
Medical marijuana provider Ultra Health on Monday highlighted growth in the market for medical cannabis as the state overhauls cultivation limits, in a statement.
The Department of Health says the number of active patients increased to 74,100 at the end of June. That represents a 1% increase over May enrollment and a 35% expansion since June 2018.
New Mexico's medical marijuana industry is expressing mixed opinions about a proposal to limit production to 1,750 plants per producer and whether it helps ensure adequate supplies to patients.
New Mexico prohibits recreational marijuana. Newly added qualifying conditions for medical marijuana prescriptions include opioid use disorder, Alzheimer's disease and autism spectrum disorder.

  • NEW MEXICO AVALANCHE

Federal regulators say skier triggered deadly snow slideSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service says a skier triggered an avalanche in January at a ski resort in northern New Mexico that led to his death and the death of another skier after they were overrun by snow.
In a written review of the incident obtained by the Associated Press on Monday, the Forest Service found that Taos Ski Valley followed safety procedures under its federal permit in the days and weeks leading up to the Jan. 17 avalanche within ski area boundaries.
The Forest Service reviewed extensive records of avalanche control measures including explosives and interviewed personnel at Taos Ski Valley who responded to the snow slide.
Forest Service regional Winter Sports Coordinator Adam LaDell says the agency's review showed that ski resort personnel complied with operating procedures.

  • IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT-TACTICS

Making an immigration arrest requires hours of surveillanceESCONDIDO, Calif. (AP) — President Donald Trump's pledge to deport millions of immigrants in the U.S. illegally would be highly impractical to carry out, maybe impossible.
As an operation in the San Diego area last week illustrated, picking up immigrants is a time-consuming, labor-intensive and not always successful task for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
An arrest of just one immigrant often requires days of surveillance. Also, some local law enforcement agencies refuse to help ICE.

  • MANSLAUGHTER-CHILD ABUSE PLEA

Man facing up to decade in prison in fatal New Mexico crashALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A Sanostee man has pleaded guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and child abuse in a fatal car crash last year in New Mexico and is facing up to 10 years in prison.
Federal prosecutors say 27-year-old Tavis Washburn is out of custody pending his sentencing.
They say under terms of the plea agreement, Washburn faces between 71 to 120 months in prison.
Prosecutors say Washburn was driving impaired and speeding on a San Juan County highway in February 2018 when he crashed his car into a truck that was turning onto the road.
Authorities say a front-seat passenger in Washburn's vehicle was killed in the crash.
Washburn's 2-year-old son also was a passenger in the car and authorities say the child was endangered by his father's reckless conduct.

  • ATTORNEY GENERAL-OUTSIDE INTERESTS

New Mexico AG draws fire for working with NYU energy center(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Attorney General's Office is drawing criticism for employing two lawyers funded by a New York University center that promotes clean energy and environmental laws.
The energy advocacy group Power the Future and the American Tort Reform Association have raised concerns, with the association describing the arrangement nationally as an improper way for outside interests to embed attorneys in public offices.
The attorney general's office tells the Albuquerque Journal that while the NYU School of Law pays their salaries, the lawyers are managed by New Mexico officials.
Office spokesman Matt Baca says dozens of employees in Attorney General Hector Balderas' office are funded by outside sources, including federal grants or legal settlements.
Larry Behrens with Power the Future says the arrangement makes it look as though positions in public offices are for sale.
___

  • NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL

Longtime Navajo Nation lawmaker resigns, citing healthWINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — A longtime Navajo Nation lawmaker has resigned, citing health reasons.
Nelson S. BeGaye made the announcement Monday in an emotional speech at the start of the Navajo Nation Council's weeklong summer session. He has served on the council since 2003.
He did not elaborate on his health condition but says he wants to spend more time with family.
BeGaye is known for championing a 2005 bill to ban uranium mining on the vast reservation that extends into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
Council Speaker Seth Damon says BeGaye's leadership has been soft, sturdy and compassionate.
A special election will be held to fill BeGaye's seat. Damon can name someone from one of the five communities BeGaye represented to fill in temporarily.

  • SEXUAL MISCONDUCT-EPSTEIN-THE LATEST

The Latest: 2 accusers speak at Epstein bail hearingNEW YORK (AP) — Two of Jeffrey Epstein's accusers have spoken at his bail hearing.
Courtney Wild said Monday in Manhattan federal court that she was abused by the wealthy financier in Palm Beach, Florida, starting at age 14.
She calls him a "scary person" and urges detention "for the safety of any other girls" out there.
Annie Farmer says she was 16 when she "had the misfortune" of meeting Epstein and later went to spend time with him in New Mexico.
She says he behaved inappropriately. She declined to give details.
The judge says he'll announce his decision on bail Thursday.
Epstein's lawyers want him released on house arrest.