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Latest New Mexico news, sports, business and entertainment at 6:20 a.m. MDT

  • ALBUQUERQUE-MAYORAL DEBATE

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque's struggle with violent crime and escalating homelessness took center stage Monday night as the three candidates running for mayor in New Mexico's largest city faced off during a forum sponsored by the New Mexico Black Voters Collaborative. Crime has been among the top issues for voters as the city deals with record homicides this year. Incumbent Tim Keller tried to defend his record, pointing to community policing efforts and a new public safety office. He also took aim at fellow Democratic challenger, Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales, saying crime is his problem too. Republican candidate Eddy Aragon described the city as being in crisis, saying things need to be turned around. 

  • AMBER ALERT-NEW MEXICO

BELEN, N.M. (AP) — A statewide Amber Alert has been issued for a 2-year-old Belen girl who allegedly was taken by her father. Belen police say Italy Hernandez was last seen around 8:30 a.m. Monday. Police say the child's 29-year-old father is wanted in a stabbing case. Authorities don't have any information about where the man was headed with his daughter in the car. Police also say they don't yet have the numbers on the car's New Mexico license plate for tracking purposes and are asking for the public's help in locating the man and child.

  • VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Monday reported 20 more COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths. The latest numbers pushed the tribe's totals to 33,800 confirmed COVID-19 cases from the virus since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The known death toll remains at 1,442. Based on cases from Sept. 10-23, the Navajo Department of Health issued an advisory for 40 communities due to an uncontrolled spread of COVID-19. Navajo officials are urging people to get vaccinated, wear masks while in public and minimize their travel. Officials said all Navajo Nation executive branch employees will need to be fully vaccinated against the virus by the end of this month or submit to regular testing. 

  • LOS ALAMOS-CONTAMINATION

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Energy Department wants to switch to less stringent testing for detecting cancer-causing chemicals at and around one of its premier nuclear weapons laboratories. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the federal agency is using the state's three-year review of surface water rules to push for a test at Los Alamos National Laboratory that's more limited in detecting PCBs. Environmentalists and New Mexico regulators oppose the proposed change. The Energy Department claims its testing would be sufficient and that the current method required by the state goes far beyond what's necessary.

  • AP-US-AFGHAN-REFUGEES-ASSAULT

Fort Bliss officials say a soldier reported that she was assaulted by a small group of Afghan refugees at the Army post's shelter complex in New Mexico. A Fort Bliss statement said the assault happened Sept. 19 at the Doña Ana County Range Complex. A Defense Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation, said the soldier escaped her assailants with minor physical injuries. The official said the assault was not sexual. The official says the FBI is investigating. Fort Bliss says it's strengthening security measures in the complex near El Paso.

  • DEVON ENERGY-SETTLEMENT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma City-based Devon Energy Corporation and its affiliates have agreed to pay $6.15 million as part of a settlement with the federal government. The settlement announced Monday by the U.S. Department of Justice resolves allegations that Devon underpaid and underreported royalties from natural gas from federal leases in Wyoming and New Mexico. Devon disputed the federal allegations, and did not admit liability as part of the agreement. A spokeswoman for the company did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton of the DOJ's civil division said the settlement demonstrates "the government will hold accountable those who take improper advantage of public resources."

  • AP-US-REL-HAITIAN-MIGRANTS-RELIGIOUS-RESPONSE

Faith-based groups are scrambling to keep up with fast-paced developments in the Haitian migrant crisis. They're trying to assist those in need while assailing the harsh enforcement tactics employed against them. Before thousands of Haitian migrants recently dispersed from a camp along the Texas border, a coalition of churches provided them with sandwiches, water and other essentials. Since dispersing, many migrants have received help from faith-based groups in Houston, El Paso and elsewhere. Immigration hardliners criticize some of the efforts by religious activists, saying their efforts encourage still more migrants to come. Those providing the assistance see it as part of their religious mandate to help the needy. 

  • RIO RANCHO SCHOOLS-NO INTERNET

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico school district has canceled class because of an internet service outage. Officials with Rio Rancho Public Schools made the decision not to hold classes Monday. They sent a letter to parents Sunday saying a damaged fiber optic circuit was causing the outage. With no internet, some key systems that involve safety and student transportation would be at risk. District officials say contractors are coming from out of state to do the repairs. Classes are expected to resume Tuesday.