- ELECTRIC RATES-PNM
Court: New Mexico regulators must reconsider utility caseALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court wants utility regulators to reconsider a 2016 order that cleared the way for the state's largest electric provider to increase rates.
In a ruling Thursday, the court found that regulators violated Public Service Co. of New Mexico's due process rights by denying the utility the ability to recoup future costs related to decommissioning the Palo Verde nuclear power plant in Arizona.
The court made the determination even though it said most of the Public Regulation Commission's order was reasonable and lawful.
As part of that original order, regulators found that the utility acted imprudently in deciding to repurchase part of the nuclear plant and renew leases for its power. As a result, the commission had limited the amount of spending on Palo Verde that PNM could recoup from customers through rates.
- HELICOPTER CRASH-NEW MEXICO
NTSB: Helicopter pilot blamed himself in New Mexico crashALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A National Transportation Safety Board report says a pilot blamed himself for a fatal helicopter crash before he succumbed to his injuries.
Pilot Jamie Coleman Dodd was among five people killed in the January 2018 crash in northern New Mexico.
Zimbabwe opposition leader Roy Bennett and his wife, Heather, as well as a co-pilot and wealthy businessman also were killed. The crash's sole survivor was the businessman's girlfriend and co-pilot's daughter.
Federal investigators wrote in their report Thursday that the pilot told a witness as he was placed in a rescue helicopter that he had crashed his aircraft into terrain near Raton and that the accident was his fault.
The report did not identify Dodd by name. New Mexico authorities have said previously that he was the lead pilot.
- IMMIGRATION DETENTION-NEW MEXICO
Officials reopen New Mexico private prison to hold migrantsESTANCIA, N.M. (AP) — Officials have decided to reopen a private prison in New Mexico to hold local inmates as well as immigrants being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Torrance County commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to open the detention center in the rural town of Estancia under an agreement with the federal agency.
The contract stipulates for ICE to pay the county nearly $2 million per month during the first year of prison use, allowing up to 714 immigrants to be housed.
The price will increase in subsequent years. Only adult men will be held in the facility.
Officials say the agreement will provide the county with 240 jobs.
Officials say the county will also sign agreement with private prison operator CoreCivic for it to run the facility and hire staff.
- IMMIGRATION-CHILD'S DEATH
Migrant child dies in US custody; 4th since DecemberHOUSTON (AP) — A Guatemalan official says a 2½-year-old migrant child has died after crossing the border, becoming the fourth minor known to have died after being detained by the Border Patrol since December.
Tekandi Paniagua, the consul for Guatemala in Del Rio, Texas, said Wednesday that the boy had entered the United States with his mother at El Paso, Texas, in early April. Paniagua said the boy had a high fever and difficulty breathing, and authorities took him to a children's hospital where he was diagnosed with pneumonia.
The boy remained hospitalized for about a month before dying Tuesday. The Washington Post first reported his death.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the boy's mother told agents he was sick on April 6, three days after they were apprehended, and he was hospitalized that day.
Advocates have long questioned the Border Patrol's ability to care for the thousands of parents and children in its custody. The agency says it's overwhelmed by the surge of migrant families crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
- ELECTION 2020-HOUSE-NEW MEXICO
Competition heats up in New Mexico congressional primarySANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Santa Fe-based attorney Teresa Leger Fernandez is launching her campaign for the Democratic nomination to an open congressional seat in 2020.
Leger Fernandez announced Thursday that she was kicking off her campaign in Las Vegas, New Mexico, where she graduated from high school.
A new campaign website describes Leger Fernandez as a mother of three and cancer survivor, who has worked on behalf of tribal communities as an attorney and serves on the board of a nonprofit affordable housing group.
The Democratic primary is likely to be decisive in the heavily Democratic 3rd Congressional District. At least six contenders are vying for the Democratic nomination to succeed U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of Nambé as he runs for Senate.
- Leger Fernandez is the daughter of former state Sen. Ray Leger.
HISTORY MUSEUM-LEADERSHIPNew Mexico History Museum gets interim director
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A career employee with the National Park Service has been named interim director of the New Mexico History Museum and Palace of the Governors.
State officials announced Billy Garrett's appointment Wednesday.
Garrett worked for the park service for 26 years, focusing on management of cultural resources, environmental design and community planning. His work involved Civil War battlefields, the Grand Canyon and other locations.
After retiring, he returned to New Mexico and served two terms as a Dona Ana County commissioner.
As interim director, he'll oversee the museum's daily operations along with development of exhibitions and public programs. The museum campus in Santa Fe also includes a historic press, photo archives and the Native American Artisans program.
The museum's board of regents will conduct a national search for a permanent director.
- LAS CRUCES-BISHOP
Pope Francis appoints Malta-born priest as Las Cruces bishop(Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com)
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Pope Francis has appointed a Malta-born priest as the new head of the Diocese of Las Cruces.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports the Vatican announced this week Francis named Peter Baldacchino as Las Cruces bishop.
Baldacchino replaces Bishop Oscar Cantú who was reassigned as the coadjutor bishop of San Jose, California in September 2018.
Baldacchino was formerly the auxiliary bishop of Miami.
After ordination to the priesthood, he served for three years as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
His installation as the third Bishop of Las Cruces will take place on July 23.
The Las Cruces Diocese serves all of southern New Mexico.
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- TRUMP-IMMIGRATION
Trump to deliver immigration speech ThursdayWASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will deliver an immigration speech on Thursday.
Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner has been working to finalize a plan that focuses on border security and changes to the legal immigration system. Kushner presented the plan to senators on the Hill Tuesday.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told reporters after the presentation that White House officials seemed "well on their way" to winning consensus for a plan that would unite Republicans on the contentious issue. But he added, "Whether it will or not, I don't know."
One Republican official briefed on Tuesday's meeting said Kushner provided few details.
Trump's speech Thursday hasn't been publicly announced, but a person familiar with the plans discussed them on condition of anonymity.