- New Mexico counties, rural residents fight transmission line
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Two New Mexico counties and rural residents are standing up against a proposed transmission line that would connect the potential for more wind farms in New Mexico with markets in other western states. Commissioners in Valencia and Socorro counties have voted to oppose the Western Spirit Transmission Line. Critics fear the project's huge towers and miles of high-voltage lines will spoil their rural quality of life by obstructing pristine vistas, impacting wildlife and undermining tourism-related income and property values. Western Spirit has the federal and state permits it needs, but developers must still negotiate right-of-way agreements with landowners in the two counties.
- Tribes turn to other heat sources after coal mine closure
POLACCA, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo and Hopi families in northeastern Arizona that have long relied on coal to heat their homes are looking to other sources after last year's closure of a coal mine. The Kayenta Mine shut down after decades of supplying the Navajo Generating Station. The Navajo and Hopi tribes shared in the coal royalties. Tribal members also had access to the coal, regularly loading the long-burning fossil fuel into pickup trucks or buying it from roadside vendors. Now they're having to travel farther for coal, switching to firewood or even burning household items to stay warm.
- Authorities: Body resembles that of missing New Mexico woman
Authorities are investigating whether a body found in northern Arizona is that of a northwestern New Mexico woman reported missing over a month ago. The San Juan County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico says it was notified Friday by the Coconino County Sheriff's Office in Arizona of the discovery of a body matching the general description of 27-year-old Sasha Krause, a Farmington-area resident. She was last seen the evening of Jan. 18 picking up items items from the Farmington Mennonite Church where her car was found parked outside. The San Juan County Sheriff's Office said an autopsy will be conducted as early as Monday to establish the identity and to determine cause of death.
- New Mexico GOP hopefuls launch early ads for US House seat
LOS LUNAS, N.M. (AP) — Three Republican hopefuls are hitting the airwaves early as they seek to challenge a Democratic congresswoman for a key U.S. House seat in southern New Mexico. The oil executive, former state lawmaker and businessman are spending on radio and television ads months before the GOP primary. The early spending highlights their efforts to define their candidacies long before expected attack ads. Meanwhile, the Democratic incumbent is holding town hall meetings across the conservative-leaning, majority Hispanic district to draw attention to her bipartisan proposals after voting to impeach President Donald Trump.
- Albuquerque police: Woman found dead in tent was killed
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police are investigating the killing of a homeless woman. Police say the woman was found dead inside a tent and that she had signs of trauma to her torso. Police said the woman hasn't been identified and that detectives were conducting interviews and canvassing the area for witnesses. The location is in a commercial area southwest of the junction of Interstates 25 and 40
- Albuquerque police: Man fatally shot outside bar
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police say a fatal shooting occurred Friday night outside a bar where a person was shot during a confrontation with security personnel. Police say a woman called 911 to report that a "male subject" was breaking into her vehicle and then shots were fired as security personnel approached the subject. Police said arriving officers found that person unresponsive and that fire department personnel found no signs of life. Police didn't say whether the dead person was armed, provide that person's age or say whether the woman was inside the vehicle when she called police. No identities were released.
- New Mexico airports to share almost $2M in federal funds
ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — Airports in several New Mexico communities will share nearly $2 million in federal funds to make runway infrastructure improvements. The Federal Aviation Administration announced the grants this week. The money includes $750,000 for the Roswell International Air Center as a revenue guarantee and for a marketing program to facilitate direct service to Denver via United Airlines. Members of New Mexico's congressional delegation applauded the funding, saying the state's regional airports serve as critical lifelines for rural communities and their economies. Gallup, Carlsbad and Portales were among the other communities to get grants.
- Groups want cows corralled to protect jumping mouse habitat
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Environmentalists say U.S. land managers are failing to keep livestock and wild horses out of streams and other wetlands in Arizona's White Mountains, resulting in damage to habitat that a rare species of mouse depends on. They are suing in federal court. The battle over the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse has been ongoing for years. The mouse was listed as an endangered species in 2014. That prompted the U.S. Forest Service to fence off streams and watering holes in New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado to protect habitat thought to be ideal. Forest officials said Friday that work is continuing and disputed the allegations.