- Boy Scouts submit reorganization plan to bankruptcy court
DOVER, Del. (AP) — The Boy Scouts of America has submitted a bankruptcy reorganization plan that envisions continued operations of its local troops and national adventure camps but leaves many unanswered questions about resolving tens of thousands of sexual abuse claims by former Boy Scouts. The plan was filed Monday, even though the BSA remains in intense negotiations with insurers over sexual abuse claims and with the official committee representing abuse victims. The BSA says the plan demonstrates progress as it works to compensate abuse victims and address finances so it can continue operating. An attorney for hundreds of former Scouts calls the plan woefully inadequate.
- TRANSPARENCY-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico may discipline, fine workers who release recordsSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's Senate has approved a bill that would allow state employees to be fired or fined up to $5,000 for identifying people who receive public benefits or releasing information about an individual's immigration status, national origin, religion or sexual orientation. The bill from Democratic state Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez and Rep. Miguel Garcia of Albuquerque is backed by advocacy groups for immigrant communities. It won Senate approval Monday on a 34-6 vote. Government transparency advocates and the state attorney general's office warn that the bill makes some information confidential by default and would inject ambiguity into current laws that protect access to public records.
- New Mexico to resume horse racing as virus restrictions ease
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The commission that oversees horse racing in New Mexico says live racing is set to resume in April now that public health restrictions are being eased. The tracks and their associated casinos were hit hard by the pandemic. Without revenue from slot machines and tables, purse money was reduced last year to a fraction of what it in 2019. The Racing Commission said Monday that purse accounts are expected to experience an influx not seen in nearly a year. State health officials say reduced positivity rates and daily case totals are clearing the way for more economic activity.
- USDA puts brakes on land transfer for Arizona copper mine
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The Biden administration has put the brakes on an exchange of federal land in eastern Arizona that had cleared the way for a massive copper mine. Congress mandated the national forest land east of Phoenix to be turned over to Resolution Copper no more than 60 days after the publication of an environmental review. The document was published in the final days of the Trump administration. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday it's pulling back the document to further consult with tribes that hold the land sacred. The agency cited President Joe Biden's recent memo on strengthening relationships with tribal nations.
- New Mexico regulators want more details on power plant sale
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's largest electric provider must file an amended application with state regulators who will determine whether it can transfer its shares in a coal-fired power plant to an energy company backed by the Navajo Nation. Regulators say Public Service Co. of New Mexico's application to abandon its stake in the Four Corners Power Plant was insufficient and doesn't go far enough in explaining whether the transaction would benefit the public. The utility has until March 15 to submit a revamped application and additional evidence. Environmentalists have concerns about the sale, saying it runs counter to a New Mexico law aimed at ending fossil fuel electricity generation.
- 2nd endangered orangutan baby in 2 years at New Orleans zoo
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — It's cute, cuddled, red-haired and critically endangered — and the second Sumatran orangutan born in two years at the zoo in New Orleans. Audubon Zoo spokeswoman Annie Kinler Matherne said Monday that veterinarians haven't yet been able to weigh, measure and determine the sex of the baby born Sunday. She says 12-year-old Reese is cuddling her baby. It's Reese's first, but a news release notes that Reese has seen two different orangutans give birth and raise babies. Those were her own mother at Albuquerque BioPark Zoo in New Mexico, and Audubon's orangutan matriarch in 2019.
- New Mexico details its request for student testing waiver
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico education officials have released details of a request to the federal government to waive some standardized testing requirements this year due to the pandemic. In a letter to the U.S. Department of Education, they ask for an exemption from the requirement to test 95% of students. Instead, they want to test at least 1% of students and gather a representative sample. Officials say testing even half the student population would be challenging under the virus restrictions. Under the plan, the state would provide all families the option to have their students tested this spring, but not require them to do so.
- NMSU remains against declaring campus a sanctuary
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State University is rejecting requests that the Las Cruces campus take on sanctuary status for students who are in the country illegally. The Las Cruces Sun-News reported Sunday that officials declined formal proposals from the Associated Students of NMSU and the Faculty Senate to establish a sanctuary declaration. Proponents say it would protect students and faculty who are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients _ people brought to the U.S. illegally as children. NMSU Chancellor Dan Arvizu said in a campus-wide email late last week that the school already has other policies in place that protect students who don't have legal immigration status.