- New Mexico may ratchet up tobacco oversight
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico legislators are considering a full ban on flavored tobacco and nicotine vaping products along with more robust oversight of retail sales to discourage use by young people. Backed by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, one initiative would expand enforcement of the age limit on tobacco sales by requiring licenses for retailers. The licenses could be revoked for repeated illegal sales to those under age 21. The American Heart Association released a public opinion poll Thursday that shows majority support for prohibiting flavored products and licensing retailers.
- Access road to top of extinct volcano reopens in New Mexico
CAPULIN, N.M.. (AP) — The only road to the top of an extinct volcano in northeastern New Mexico has reopened after being closed for five months. Capulin Volcano National Monument officials reopened the road Thursday, ending a closure that began Aug. 9 due to a washout caused by heavy rain. Monument officials cautioned drivers to obey restrictions in a 90-yard (82-meter) segment of the road that has only one lane. The road is closed to RVs, buses, attached trailers or any other vehicles over 26 feet (7.9 meters) long while the road has the one-lane section. Officials say the road may close again in the future for maintenance.
- New coal mine operator behind on federal, county taxes
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Federal officials say the newest operator of three coal mines has fallen behind on federal and county mineral taxes. The Casper Star-Tribune reported Thursday that the Navajo Transitional Energy Company owes the federal government more than $10 million in unpaid taxes. Officials say the U.S. Interior Department filed a motion in bankruptcy court this month. Officials say the company took over the Antelope and Cordero Rojo mines in Wyoming and the Spring Creek mine in Montana in October from bankrupt coal firm Cloud Peak Energy. Officials say part of the agreement was that Navajo Transitional Energy Company would pay royalties accumulated since May in payments, but the company fell behind.
- Albuquerque names fire station after late councilman
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — City council members in New Mexico have named a fire station after late councilor Ken Sanchez. The Albuquerque City Council met Wednesday for the first time since Sanchez's death and voted unanimously to name a fire station in western Albuquerque after him. Council members say Sanchez was "instrumental in securing funding for the land acquisition and construction of" the station, which opened in 2012. Sanchez was elected in 2005 and represented a west side district that included west of the Rio Grande between Central and Montano. The Albuquerque Journal reported he died Jan. 1 from an undisclosed medical emergency.
- Coal industry on Navajo Nation could end with plant closure
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The closure of a coal-fired power plant on the Navajo Nation sooner than expected will be a major blow to a region where coal has been a mainstay of the economy for decades. The Arizona Public Service Co. operates the Four Corners Power Plant near Farmington, New Mexico. The utility announced this week it will close the plant in 2031 — several years earlier than expected. Regional officials say they're more focused now on promoting tourism and recreation, and ensuring the area has internet and other infrastructure to draw businesses. Another coal plant just miles away is set to close in 2022.
- New Mexico leads US in pecan production
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The numbers are in and U.S. agricultural officials say New Mexico marked a record year of pecan production in 2019 to lead the nation. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Thursday that production in the Southwest state topped out at more than 96 million pounds, up 6% from the previous year. Georgia followed with 69 million pounds, but many trees there are still recovering from the effects of a hurricane last year. Hot, dry weather from late August through October also had negative effects on Georgia's yield. Overall, the value of the nation's pecan crop totaled $469 million, up 14% from the previous season.
- New Mexico officials call US water rollbacks 'disastrous'
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico officials say the Trump administration's move to end federal protections for many of the nation's millions of miles of streams, arroyos and wetlands will be 'disastrous' for the Southwest state. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has been a constant critic of the president, said Thursday that water is the most important natural resource for residents in the arid state, and stripping protections is an affront to all who call New Mexico home. She says her office is considering legal options to prevent the rule from going into effect.
- Schools, other beneficiaries to get $1B from state endowment
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico schools and other beneficiaries will share more than $1 billion in funding from the state's permanent endowment funds. The State Investment Council said Thursday the amount that will be distributed over the next fiscal year will be more than ever before. It also marks an increase of more than $60 million over the last year due to growth of the state's Land Grant and Severance Tax permanent funds. State investment officials say record revenues from oil and gas production and strong investment returns over the past decade have turned the permanent funds into a billion-dollar revenue generator.