- CHINA-OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico officials urge health providers to be vigilantSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Officials in New Mexico are urging health providers across the state to be proactive and vigilant as more than 500 cases of a new viral respiratory illness have been confirmed in China and elsewhere since an outbreak began last month. State Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel says no cases have been detected in New Mexico but that the health care community needs to be attentive to every patient's travel history and symptoms. The illness comes from a newly identified type of coronavirus, which is a family of viruses that can cause the common cold as well as more serious illnesses.
- NUCLEAR WEAPONS-PLUTONIUM
Lawmakers assured review of nuclear weapons work to be openALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Members of New Mexico's congressional delegation say they've been assured by U.S. officials that a review of a proposal to ramp up production of key components for the nation's nuclear arsenal will be open and transparent Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan were briefed last week after the National Nuclear Security Administration announced it didn't need to do a more expansive nationwide review of the impacts of building plutonium cores at federal installations in New Mexico and South Carolina. Watchdogs say the site-specific review planned for Los Alamos National Laboratory will fall short of what's needed for such a major undertaking.
- NEW MEXICO-OIL AND GAS
GOP leader chides Lujan Grisham for ignoring oil in speechSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's leading House Republican says he found it disrespectful that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham failed to mention the oil and gas industry in her State of the State speech. GOP House Minority Leader James Townsend said Tuesday the industry is providing record revenues to the state's coffers and will end up funding some of the Democrat's educational initiatives. He says the governor should have acknowledged that. Lujan Grisham spokesman Tripp Stelnicki says the governor throughout her first year in office has made it clear that she appreciates the state's the oil and gas industry.
- INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT
Court takes another look at Native American adoption lawNEW ORLEANS (AP) — Federal appellate judges are questioning whether a law meant to preserve Native American families unconstitutionally intrudes into state adoption issues. Arguments heard Wednesday at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans could determine the future of the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act. The law gives preference to Native American families in foster care and adoption proceedings involving Native American children. A divided three-judge panel of the appeals court upheld the law in August. But he law's opponents succeeded in getting a re-hearing before the full court.
- MOTHER KILLED-MISSING BOY
Reward offered for New Mexico man accused in woman's deathROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — The FBI is offering a reward for a Roswell man accused of killing the mother of his 3-year-old son before fleeing with the boy. Federal authorities recently issued an arrest warrant for 32-year-old Jorge Rico-Ruvira on one count of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Rico-Ruvira is also facing charges of first-degree murder in state court for the death of 27-year-old Isela Mauricio-Sanchez. Authorities say Rico-Ruvira may have headed to Mexico, where he has family. A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to Rico-Ruvira's apprehension or arrest.
- NETFLIX EXPANSION
Netflix announces New Mexico investments including new filmALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Netflix Inc. has announced it is making additional investments in New Mexico including a jobs training program and the production of a new film. The Albuquerque Journal reports the announcement comes one year after Netflix signed a deal to purchase Albuquerque Studios. Netflix says an upcoming original film starring Idris Elba and produced by Jay-Z will be made in New Mexico. The project is expected to be filmed in and around Santa Fe County. Netflix also plans a partnership with NBCUniversal and the state of New Mexico to launch a training program for production jobs.
- AP-US-BORDER-PATROL-FREEZING-CELLS
Judge hints he may rule for migrants in Border Patrol suitTUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A judge indicated Wednesday he may side with migrants in a lawsuit that alleges extreme overcrowding and inhumane conditions at some of the Border Patrol's facilities in Arizona. A trial in the lawsuit challenging conditions in the Tucson Sector ended Wednesday. U.S. District Court Judge David C. Bury criticized the lack of measures taken by the Border Patrol to address persistent overcrowding and lengthy times in custody. He didn't say exactly when he would rule but indicated it would be the end of next week at the earliest. The government says lawyers for the migrants haven't proven the Border Patrol violated anybody's constitutional rights.
- ARIZONA UTILITY-CLEAN POWER
Arizona's biggest utility vows all clean power by 2050PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's largest electric utility says it plans to switch to 100% carbon-neutral power generation by 2050. Wednesday's announcement marks a sharp turnaround by Arizona Public Service. It spent $38 million two years ago to fight a ballot proposal that required utilities to get half their power from renewable sources by 2030. The utility's chairman and CEO says the plan is different than the defeated ballot measure because it's flexible. The company will close a major New Mexico coal-fired power plant seven years early but rely on the nation's largest nuclear power plant. The Sierra Club's Grand Canyon Chapter calls it "a good start."