- New Mexico considers retirement 'double dipping' for police
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Legislators are drafting a plan to ease restrictions against retired police officers coming back to work in an effort to add more officers across New Mexico in the midst of a labor shortage. At a legislative hearing Tuesday, retired police officer and state Rep. Bill Rehm of Albuquerque outlined a proposal for changes to reemployment provisions for retired police to incentivize a return to work. He said officers might continue to draw on pension benefits or wait for a bigger payout later. New Mexico's governor wants to deploy 1,000 more police officers amid public frustration with crime.
- Voting options expand in Albuquerque, Santa Fe elections
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Nearly 13,000 absentee and early ballots have been cast in local elections that will determine the next mayors of New Mexico's largest city as well as its state capital, with two weeks remaining before Election Day. The secretary of state's office on Tuesday released its first tally of voter participation in the consolidated Nov. 2 election for local government offices including school boards and bond initiatives that influence local tax rates. More than 25,000 absentee ballots have been requested. Mayors Tim Keller in Albuquerque and Alan Webber in Santa Fe are running for reelection in three-way races.
- New Mexico finishes tests of wells for Air Force chemicals
CLOVIS, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico environmental protection officials have wrapped up testing of nearly five dozen private wells near a U.S. Air Force base in eastern New Mexico for so-called "forever chemicals" known as PFAS. The chemicals can be toxic to humans and animals. The state Environment Department said Monday that neither of two PFAS contaminants the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established health advisories for were detected in the samples collected during the study. However, other types of PFAS compounds were found at very low levels in some wells. Contamination with the chemicals has been documented at and around Cannon and Holloman air force bases, leading to a legal fight with the Air Force.
- Navajo Nation: No COVID-related deaths 14th time in 20 days
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Tuesday reported 85 more COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths for the 14th time in the past 20 days. The latest numbers pushed the tribe's totals to 34,999 confirmed COVID-19 cases from the virus since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The known death toll remains at 1,464. Tribal officials still are urging people to get vaccinated, wear masks while in public and minimize their travel. Based on cases from Oct. 1-14, the Navajo Department of Health issued an advisory for 31 communities due to the uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus. The tribe's reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles and it covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
- Amazon eyes Albuquerque airport for new cargo facility
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Amazon is eying the airport of New Mexico's most populous city as the site for construction of a new cargo facility. Albuquerque City Council members on Monday formally proposed a lease agreement for Seattle-based Amazon to build a 30,750-square-foot cargo facility at the Albuquerque International Sunport. Amazon spokeswoman Eileen Hards declined comment beyond a prepared statement saying that the company hasn't signed a lease for the site yet, but is "actively exploring options locally." Albuquerque officials said existing cargo operations at the airport are at capacity. The city recently secured a $6.5 million federal grant to expand the airport's cargo apron.
- New Mexico clears way for hospitals to ration care if needed
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is clearing the way for hospitals to ration care if necessary. Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. David Scrase says hospitals already have been juggling patients with fewer resources, and the order he signed Monday sets up an "equitable procedure" for making tough decisions. Hospitals can suspend procedures that aren't medically necessary if they don't have capacity. Officials say many patients are being treated for non-COVID-19 illnesses and for delaying care. State officials again pushed vaccinations, as the rate in New Mexico continues to hover just below 72%. There is a proposal being introduced in Albuquerque that would require that city's police officers and first responders to be vaccinated or face termination.
- Education funding on ballots in New Mexico cities' elections
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Early voting is underway across New Mexico towns, including for education funding. If approved, ballot measures would renew property taxes to pay for school buildings, computers and air ventilation systems. Due to changes in the state funding formula, 100% of the property tax mill levies would stay in local school districts. In the past, the state took credit for 75% of the taxes, allowing it to send more money to other schools across the state. School districts are also getting $900 million in federal pandemic aid this year. Early voting is underway, and the final Election Day is Nov. 2.
- Man who fell from New Mexico sports skybox, son get payouts
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A man who fell from a luxury suite at a university sports arena in Albuquerque onto concrete stairs below has been awarded $144,000 under a state-negotiated settlement. During a basketball game in December 2016 at the University of New Mexico, Eduardo Bracamonte Jr. fell while making his way to a seat and his momentum carried him over a short wall. The university denies wrongdoing and had no immediate comment Monday. Bracamonte landed feet-first, shattering bones in his foot and ankle in a fall witnessed by his son. A lawsuit described the design and arrangement of the luxury suite as dangerous.