- NEW CAMPAIGN RULES-NEW MEXICO
Legislative leaders take command of campaign resourcesSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New rules for funneling resources to political campaigns in New Mexico may provide legislative and party leaders with a stronger hand in influencing the outcome of elections, as Democrats assert their control over the Legislature and governor's office.
The Democratic House speaker and Republican minority leader have registered specialized political committees this month that can command vast resources through unlimited non-cash contributions.
Democratic House Speaker Brian Egolf says his legislative caucus committee is likely to provide campaign strategy services and door-to-door canvassing in key legislative races.
The committees are one outcome of legislation aimed at disclosing more about the sources of political contributions by independent expenditure groups and others.
Transparency advocate Austin Graham of the Campaign Legal Center describes some provisions as a "power grab by legislative leadership."
- SUBSTITUTE TEACHING-REGULATIONS
New regulations limit experienced New Mexico sub teachers(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A new law and regulations are requiring more retired New Mexico teachers to limit the amount of time they spend in a classroom or take off a year.
The Albuquerque Journal reports legislative and Educational Retirement Board rule changes altered eligibility requirements for retirees who go back to work in education while collecting a pension.
New Mexico Educational Retirement Board executive director Jan Goodwin says retirees who collect their pension can't work more than a quarter of full-time equivalent hours unless they are part of the "return to work program."
Under the program, which is already in place, retirees can work as many hours as they like, but can't join the program until they take a year off from education.
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- CITY MANAGER-HARASSMENT
Fired New Mexico city manager says settlement exonerates himSUNLAND PARK, N.M. (AP) — A former New Mexico city manager who says he was fired without cause is receiving a $211,000 settlement in a wrongful termination lawsuit.
Former Sunland Park city manager Bob Gallagher says he received the payout last week. He described the settlement as vindication following his August 2017 firing.
Sunland Park is not admitting to any fault and officials declined to comment on the settlement.
Gallagher says he was fired after he refused to comply with several directives from three city councilors who wanted him to engage in questionable actions.
An independent investigation did not to turn up evidence of corruption and no charges were brought.
Gallagher also faced allegations of sexual harassment as the city manager of Jal in southeast New Mexico. But a lawsuit there was dismissed.
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This story corrects a previous version that said Gallagher was fired for alleged misconduct. A city spokesman said previously that the City Council did not provide a reason for its decision.
- PRIVATE WATERWAYS-RECREATIONISTS
Ruling may open New Mexico's private waterways to public(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.santafenewmexican.com)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A state commission's decision may reopen New Mexico's private waterways to recreationists.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the New Mexico Game Commission last week handed fishermen and other recreational boaters a partial victory by temporarily halting a program for private property owners. Under the 2017 program, private property owners have say over whether the public can access waterways on their land.
The current commission, appointed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, decided Wednesday to impose a 90-day moratorium on the rule until it can receive advice from Attorney General Hector Balderas as to whether it is legal under state law.
A previous commission, appointed by Republican then-Gov. Susana Martinez, implemented a program in 2017 that allowed landowners to certify rivers and streams that cut through their property as "non-navigable."
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- IMMIGRATION-HUNGER STRIKE
Attorney: Hunger-striking immigrants forced to hydrateEL PASO, Texas (AP) — An attorney for three Indian nationals seeking asylum in the U.S. says they have been forced to receive IV drips at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas as they approach their third week of a hunger strike.
A court official says the U.S. Department of Justice filed orders with federal judges last week that relate to non-consensual hydration or feeding for four men.
Linda Corchado, who represents three of the four men named in the court orders, says the men have been locked up for months and they are trying to appeal or reopen asylum claims that were denied. She says as of Sunday, they had gone 20 days without food.
Lawyers and activists who spoke with the men fear that force-feeding may be next.
Corchado says the fourth man is also Indian and is represented by another attorney. It's unclear if that man was also forced to accept an IV.
- ROSWELL-HOMICIDE CASE
Roswell police investigating death of a woman as a homicideROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — Police in Roswell say they're investigating the death of a woman as a homicide.
They say officers were called to the scene around 11 p.m. Friday and 40-year-old Jennifer Morro was found dead at the scene.
Police didn't immediately release any details on the woman's death or how long the body had been at the location where it was found.
They are asking that anyone with any information in the case to call Roswell police or the Chavez County Crime Stoppers hotline.
- ELECTION 2020-DEMOCRATS-MONEY
Vulnerable House Dems amass cash, adding to GOP challengeWASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican pathway for recapturing House control in next year's election charges straight through the districts of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents, especially freshmen. Judging from early but formidable cash advantages those lawmakers have amassed, ousting them won't be easy.
Each of the 62 freshmen House Democrats has raised more money than their top opponent. The same is true for all 31 Democrats from districts President Donald Trump had won in 2016, and all 39 Democrats who snatched Republican-held seats last November.
In nearly all cases it's not even close. Most of these Democrats' war chests are multiples of what their leading challengers have garnered.
- AREA 51-FACEBOOK EVENT
Rural Nevada not equipped for big 'storm Area 51' turnout(Information from: Las Vegas Sun, http://www.lasvegassun.com)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The phone hasn't stopped ringing at a 10-room motel in the remote Nevada desert since a Facebook post invited people to "storm" the mysterious nearby Area 51 site in September.
Connie West at the Little A'le'Inn tells the Las Vegas Sun it's a little scary to think how many people could descend on her town of just 54 residents.
More than 1 million people have responded to the internet post calling for people to run into the remote test area long the focus of UFO conspiracy theories.
The U.S. Air Force is warning people not to try.
Lincoln County Sheriff Kerry Lee doesn't expect many people to actually show up, but says even several hundred could create problems.
He says someone might get hurt, and that's nothing to joke about.
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