- SPACEPORT AMERICA-INVESTIGATION
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The state's top economic development officials are asking the New Mexico attorney general to review policies and procedures that govern spending and contracts at Spaceport America. Economic Development Secretary Alicia J. Keyes made the request in an email sent Tuesday to Attorney General Hector Balderas. The request is a result of her agency's investigation into the conduct of spaceport chief executive officer Dan Hicks. He was placed on administrative leave earlier this summer after a whistleblower complaint accused him of circumventing internal financial controls and accounting procedures. Hicks has declined to comment on the allegations, citing the ongoing investigation.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico officials are reassuring teachers that they can't be sued by students who get the coronavirus as some of them head back to the classroom. Like most public servants, teachers are protected by insurance that covers court costs. Officials with the state's school insurance authority say it's too soon to say how great the risk of lawsuits against schools will be. Many large districts have opted to stay online for now. But Tuesday marked the first day of in-person learning for some younger students in 20 districts and charter schools around the state.
- ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO-HOUSE
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — Republicans have released another attack ad on Democratic U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small in New Mexico's southern district even as she earns support from a traditionally conservative-leaning group. The National Republican Congressional Committee this week unveiled a new commercial blasting the Las Cruces Democrat's pledge to "work with anyone" while taking campaign contributions from environmental organizations. The GOP group says those environmentalists support the Green New Deal _ something Torres Small says she opposes. Meanwhile, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last week endorsed Torres Small over Republican challenger Yvette Herrell in the closely watched race. The chamber gave Torres Small high ratings for bipartisanship.
- NEW MEXICO-STUDENT MEALS
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — School is still virtual for most students across New Mexico but school lunches are available in person. The U.S. Department of Agriculture decided this week that summer lunch programs will continue for all students, even those who haven't qualified for free lunch. Most of the state's 89 school districts have no in-person learning, though a few elementary schools started Tuesday. Instead of serving meals in cafeterias, schools are distributing meals using empty buses. The governor's office says 13 million meals have been distributed since March. Funds remaining from summer food programs can be used until they run out.
- AP-US-COLORADO-RIVER-PIPELINE
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Six states in the U.S. West that rely on the Colorado River have rebuked a plan to build an underground pipeline to transport billions of gallons of water to Utah. In a joint letter Tuesday, water officials from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming urged the federal government to halt the approval process for the pipeline until the states could resolve concerns about the potential effect on future water supplies. Utah has the right to use additional river water under agreements between the states. But critics argue that diverting more water will jeopardize the river as it faces threats from persistent drought and climate change.
- DRY NEW MEXICO
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — One northwestern New Mexico city is trying to curb water use as the region deals with persistent drought. The Farmington City Council passed a resolution Tuesday enacting a water shortage advisory that calls for residents to cut their use by 10%. The advisory will remain in place until further notice. Lake Farmington supplies the city with drinking water. It's fed by the Animas and San Juan rivers. Officials say low stream flows and the likelihood of continued dryness will prevent supplies from being replenished. The latest map shows severe to extreme drought centered over the area.
- STATE HOUSE APPOINTMENT
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Bernalillo County commissioners have appointed Art De La Cruz as the representative for the state House's 12th District. The commissioners voted 3-2 Tuesday to appoint De La Cruz to the vacant seat over Brittney Barreras, the only other applicant for the position. The seat was vacant after the resignation of Patricio Ruiloba in August. Voters will pick their representative in the Nov. 3 election. De La Cruz, a Democrat, is a former county commissioner and one-time county parks director. Barreras, an independent, is a longtime retail worker. Both are currently campaigning for the seat in November.
- ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Six-term U.S. Congressman and Senate candidate Ben Ray Luján is endorsing a fellow Democrat to fill his northern New Mexico House district in the November election. Luján endorsed Santa Fe-based attorney Teresa Leger Fernandez in her campaign for the 3rd Congressional District seat against Republican Alexis Johnson. In a statement Tuesday, Luján praised Leger Fernandez for her work in developing rural health centers, protecting rural irrigation systems and promoting other critical infrastructure. Leger Fernandez has run as an supporter of "Medicare for all" that signifies the creation of a government-run, single-payer system for health insurance.