- New Mexico inmate death 'apparent suicide' amid lawsuits
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An inmate's suspected suicide recently in a New Mexico prison occurred as two new lawsuits accuse the state Corrections Department of negligence in inmate deaths at another penitentiary. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports one federal lawsuit filed this month says the department ordered medical personnel to remove 39-year-old Efrain Perez Martinez from life support in early 2019 over the protests of family members. Another federal lawsuit accuses Corrections Department officials of failing to provide heart medication to an inmate with a known heart condition. He later died. Corrections spokesman Eric Harrison confirmed 29-year-old Justin Guilez was found dead in his cell Wednesday "in what was an apparent suicide."
- Mom charged with boiling pets found competent to stand trial
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico woman facing charges she beat and tortured her children and forced them to watch her kill their pets has been found competent to stand trial. The Farmington Daily Times reports state District Court Judge Curtis Gurley recently found Martha Crouch competent to stand trial and ordered her case remanded to a magistrate court for further action. The 54-year-old Crouch was arrested in June after a daughter told authorities stories of physical and emotional abuse. She said her mother boiled puppies and poisoned a kitten as punishment. Eric Morrow, Crouch's attorney, described the extreme cruelty to animals charge as outrageous.
- Work underway on Xcel Energy wind farm in eastern New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Texas-based Xcel Energy has poured the first 66 foundations for what will be a 240-turbine wind farm in eastern New Mexico. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports Xcel Energy recently began construction on a $900 million wind farm southeast of Portales, New Mexico. The 522-megawatt Sagamore Wind Project will be the largest single wind facility in New Mexico by the time it's completed later this year. Sagamore will produce enough electricity to power 194,000 homes annually. Xcel spokesman Wes Reeves says the company will use the New Mexico and Texas wind power to serve its customers in those two states.
- New Mexico bail reform committee to hear from experts
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A committee appointed by the New Mexico Supreme Court to review the state's pretrial detention procedures will be hearing from some national experts. The committee will meet Thursday in Albuquerque. Members will hear from the founder of the Center for Legal and Evidence-Based Practices and the program director of the Justice Management Institute. Both have assisted other states on matters related to pretrial release and detention. New Mexico voters in 2016 approved an amendment aimed at bail reform but district attorneys, law enforcement, victim advocates and others have raised concerns about implementing the changes. A report from the committee is due by March 31.
- New Mexico governor to sheriffs: Enforce gun law or resign
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed a red-flag law that will allow state district courts to order the temporary surrender of firearms. She urged sheriffs to resign if they refuse to enforce the law signed Tuesday. Some sheriffs from mostly rural areas opposed the legislation in the state with a strong culture of gun ownership. New Mexico Sheriffs' Association President Tony Mace said he and other sheriffs will assert their discretion over enforcement of the law and that they work directly for voters, not the governor. Gun control advocates say they'll teach people how to submit affidavits for emergency risk protection orders.
- Virgin Galactic reports high interest in its space flights
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Virgin Galactic has received nearly 8,000 online reservations of interest since its first successful test flight into space 14 months ago. The company announced the figure Tuesday as it nears commercial operation and prepares to reopen ticket sales. Virgin Galactic already had more than 600 firm reservations that were taken from customers in 60 countries until the December 2018 flight, when it closed down ticket sales. The company says it will begin a process that will allow those online registrants who are serious about becoming passenger astronauts to register for a firm reservation by paying a fully refundable deposit of $1,000.
- Congresswoman: Science should guide nuclear storage decision
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A member of New Mexico's congressional delegation says science should guide any decisions about whether to allow a multibillion-dollar temporary storage facility for spent nuclear fuel to be built in the state. U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small in an interview with The Associated Press acknowledged that the growing stockpile of spent fuel at commercial reactors around the U.S. is a national problem and elected leaders need to ensure New Mexico does not pay an unfair price as part of the solution. The state's governor and others have voiced concerns about the state becoming a permanent dump for high-level radioactive waste.
- New Mexico oil group, GOP House hopeful condemn candidate ad
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A radio ad from a New Mexico GOP House candidate suggesting that her Republican oil executive opponent endorses "New Green Deal" policies is drawing strong condemnation. The ad paid by Yvette Herrell was airing on at least one Albuquerque-area conservative radio station Tuesday. It says Claire Chase refused to oppose a landmark energy law that sets New Mexico on a path toward more renewable energy. Chase was chair of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, which took a neutral stance on the Energy Transition Act. Chase campaign manager Mike Berg called the ad "absurd" and said Herrell was lying. The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association also strongly condemned the Herrell campaign for a "baseless political attack."