- LEGISLATURE-BURN BILL
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed legislation that will clear the way for more prescribed fires as New Mexico deals with worsening drought and climate change. The measure clarifies liability for private landowners who conduct prescribed burns. Officials with the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department say that will make it easier and more affordable for landowners to get insurance. They say similar legislation in other states has resulted in increased prescribed burning. Supporters of the measure says the intensity of recent fire seasons underscores the need for action. The governor also signed other bills related to the minimum wage and education.
- HORSE RACING-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Horse racing regulators in New Mexico have adopted several changes to the state's doping rules to align with the latest guidelines and recommendations issued by the Association of Racing Commissioners International. The amendments come as tracks here and elsewhere brace for implementation next year of a new federal law that aims to set national medication and safety standards for the industry. The executive director of the New Mexico Racing Commission said Thursday the constitutionality of the new law is being challenged by a national horsemen's group. He also said the commission's staff is getting ready for live racing to resume in the state.
- LEGISLATURE-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The legislature hit a stalemate over an initiative to rein in interest rates on small, short-term loans. Advocates for lowering maximum interest rates on storefront loans say current loan rates exploit the poor and can send borrowers into a spiral of debt. The state Senate rejected amendments Thursday from the House to a bill that initially capped interest rates at 36% annually. House-approved revisions would allow a maximum annual percentage rate of 99% for loans of $1,100 or less. Current interest rates are capped at 175% annual interest.
- EDUCATION FUNDING-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico state Senate is debating a constitutional amendment that could increase funding for early childhood and K-12 education by hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Passage would be a victory for Democrats who have tried to increase the withdrawal of funding from the Land Grant Permanent Fund for over a decade. The measure would increase withdrawals from the fund by 1.25%, with most of the money going to early childhood education and some going to K-12 schools. The state's $20 billion endowment has doubled in the past 11 years thanks to oil and gas royalties and market investments. Critics say future revenues could fall.
- MARIJUANA-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Legislation to legalize cannabis in New Mexico advanced Thursday toward a decisive Senate floor vote under a framework that emphasizes government oversight of pricing and supplies along with social services for communities where the criminalization of pot has led to aggressive policing. The Senate judiciary committee advanced a Democrat-sponsored bill on a 5-4 vote amid stinging criticism from Democratic Sen. Joseph Cervantes, who fears the regulatory framework will create a powerful, government-protected monopoly. The Senate has until noon Saturday to send a legalization bill to Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Legislators discarded a Republican-sponsored proposal that stressed low taxes and cheap consumer prices to stamp out illicit marijuana.
- CONGRESS-HAALAND'S SUCCESSOR
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's secretary of state has announced that a special general election will be held June 1 to fill the U.S. House seat vacated by Deb Haaland. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver made the announcement Wednesday after Haaland officially resigned the post Tuesday after being confirmed as secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior, which manages public and tribal lands. Haaland, a tribal member of Laguna Pueblo, said she is now able to act as a role model to "little girls everywhere" in her new position. Haaland's initial election to Congress in 2018 and Cabinet confirmation set new milestones for Native American women in the U.S. government.
- BC-SCI-SPRING FORECAST
Government forecasters say the spring in the United States looks like it will be dry and warm with little flooding. Thursday's spring outlook is bad news for the West, which has been under a megadrought for more than 20 years. About two-thirds of the country is now abnormally dry or under drought conditions. Forecasters say that's only going to get worse. They expect water use cutbacks, dangerous wildfires, low reservoir levels and damage to wheat crops. Forecasters expect nearly the entire country to be warmer than normal for the next three months, and that worsens drought.
- MEXICAN GRAY WOLF DEATH
EAGAR, Ariz. (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating what it says is a suspicious death of an endangered Mexican gray wolf near Eagar. The agency and others are offering a reward of up to $37,000 for information that leads to a conviction. Federal law enforcement officers removed the carcass from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest on Feb. 19. They say a vehicle was seen stopped or driving slowly near the Saffel Canyon trailhead the night before. The wolf was part of the Hoodoo pack that was hazed away from Nutrioso in December.