- CHACO CANYON-DRILLING
Congress measures conflict over drilling near sacred sitesSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Advocates for greater restrictions on oil and natural gas drilling near untrammeled Native American cultural sites in the Southwest are urging Congress to establish better safeguards.
A research trip by a U.S. House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources culminates Monday in a public hearing at the New Mexico Capitol. The committee is exploring the effects of air pollution on ruins held sacred by indigenous communities.
New Mexico's delegation to Washington wants to halt new oil and natural gas lease sales on federal holdings within a 10-mile (16-kilometer) buffer zone around Chaco Culture National Historic Park and its ancient stone structures and avenues.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez says many tribes want a greater area around Chaco protected from industrial incursions.
Oil developers say robust protections already are in place.
- ALBUQUERQUE-WOMAN SHOT
Police: Woman wounded in shooting in southwest AlbuquerqueALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police say they are investigating a shooting in southwest Albuquerque that has left a woman wounded.
They say the shooting occurred around 6 a.m. Sunday near 59th Street and Central Avenue.
Police say when officers arrived on the scene, they found a woman who was suffering from a gunshot wound.
She was taken to the hospital, but her condition is not immediately known.
Police didn't release her name and age and they say no suspects in the case are in custody at this time.
- HUMAN REMAINS FOUND
Skeletal human remains found near New Mexico's Baylor CanyonLAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Dona Ana County Sheriff's detectives say they're investigating the discovery of skeletal human remains near the Baylor Canyon area of the Organ Mountains.
They say a hiker made the discovery Friday evening.
Sheriff's detectives responded and began an initial investigation of the area, locating some personal effects and a backpack near the remains.
They say documents found inside the backpack might help identify the remains, which were transported Saturday to the New Mexico Office of the Medical Examiner.
- URANIUM PLUMES-AQUIFER
Report: Uranium plumes for Bluewater Mill site 'stable'(Information from: Gallup Independent, http://www.gallupindependent.com)
GRANTS, N.M. (AP) — U.S. officials say uranium plumes in a major aquifer in western New Mexico believed to be coming from a closed mine aren't growing.
The Gallup Independent report a new report to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission concluded the plumes in the San Andres-Glorieta and Ancestral Rio San Jose alluvial aquifer appear to be "essentially stable." The plumes are believed emanating from the former Bluewater Mill site.
The report, completed in February, is based on 2017 information on groundwater data and contaminant plumes.
Department of Energy's Office of Legacy Management site manager Bernadette Tsosie says the path of the San Andres-Glorieta aquifer plume remains 2 miles north of the nearest drinking water supply well for the Village of Milan and Grants, New Mexico.
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- QUAY COUNTY-PLAGUE CASE
Health Dept: Plague case reported in a Quay County ranch dogSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting a case of plague in a ranch dog from Quay County.
It's the first case of plague in the state this year.
Authorities say the dog has recovered with treatment from his veterinarian.
Plague is an infectious disease of animals and humans caused by bacteria that's usually transmitted through the bite of an infected flea.
Pets can also be exposed after eating an infected animal after hunting or scavenging it.
Humans can contract plague by direct contact with the tissues of infected animals including rodents, wildlife and pets.
There were no cases of human plague in New Mexico last year and four cases in 2017. All survived the illness.
There were three cases of animal plague last year and 28 in 2017.
- IMMIGRATION-NEW MEXICO-THE LATEST
The Latest: Border Patrol drops more migrants in Las CrucesLAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Las Cruces officials say more migrants seeking asylum in the US were dropped off Saturday in the southern New Mexico city by the Border Patrol and the city is appealing for donations of food and personal hygiene items.
City officials said in a statement that 83 migrants arrived Saturday, following approximately 95 who were dropped off by the Border Patrol on Friday at a Gospel Rescue Mission homeless shelter and a campus of social service facilities.
Those arriving Saturday were taken to the Community of Hope campus and to the city's Meerscheidt Recreation Center, which is now closed to the public because of its use as temporary housing for migrants.
The statement said needed items included utensils, napkins, paper plates, sanitary napkins, shampoo, clothing, towels, blankets, canned food, bottled water, roam padding for bedding and stuffed toys.
The Border Patrol announced Thursday it would release migrants in southern New Mexico and in El Paso, Texas, pending their future court earings "due to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations' capacity issues."
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- GRAND CANYON-FALL DEATHS
Recent fatal falls at Grand Canyon follow dozens of others(Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com)
PHOENIX (AP) — Two recent deaths in which men plummeted in the Grand Canyon follow dozens of apparently accidental fatal falls since the national park was established 100 years ago.
Michael Obritsch, of Santa Rosa, California, died April 3 after falling from the edge of the South Rim in Grand Canyon Village, near the Yavapai Geology Museum.
Park officials say his body was found 400 feet (more than 122 meters) below the rim.
A tourist from Macau, China, fell to his death on March 28. Officials say the man was at least 50 years old.
The Arizona Republic reports the man was trying to take a photo at Grand Canyon West's Eagle Point — close to the Skywalk located on the Hualapai Reservation outside the park — when he stumbled and fell.
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- ELECTION 2020-TRUMP'S MAP
Trump campaign eyes chances to vie for states lost in 2016WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump loves to recount how his 2016 campaign defied expectations to pierce the vaunted Democratic "blue wall."
For 2020, he's looking to do one better.
As his re-election campaign kicks into high gear, it's exploring opportunities to contest states he lost in 2016, aiming to keep divided Democrats on the defensive.
Trump on Monday visits one of those states, Minnesota, where he lost to Hillary Clinton by fewer than 45,000 votes in 2016. The campaign also is targeting New Mexico, Nevada, and New Hampshire, all states where Trump fell short by under 100,000 votes.