- CARTEL KILLING-IMPRESS
Police: Suspect killed New Mexico man to impress cartelHOBBS, N.M. (AP) — A southeastern New Mexico man reportedly says he wanted to prove himself to a Mexican drug cartel when he allegedly shot and killed another man last week. The Hobbs News-Sun reports Anthony Breeding told police he shot Jose Angel Rivera, who was found under the carport of his home between Hobbs and Nadine on Thursday. Deputies discovered Rivera lying underneath the carport in a pool of blood from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Lea County Sheriff Corey Helton told the News-Sun that authorities believe Breeding was working for a Mexican drug cartel.
- INMATE TREATMENT-JAILS
New Mexico county sees more lawsuits on inmate abuse claimsALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico county involved in one of the largest prisoner civil rights settlements in U.S. history is facing more federal lawsuits over its treatment of inmates. Attorney Matt Coyte recently filed two lawsuits on behalf of inmates who allege mistreatment and abuse at the Doña Ana County Detention Center in Las Cruces. One lawsuit says Susan Hylton was placed in solitary confinement for 85 days after she sought to report sexual and physical abuse following a strip search. Court documents say Antonio Reali, of Coarsegold, California, was refused proper medical care after he suffered a heart attack.
- NEW MEXICO-DAVIE
Coach Bob Davie's buyout to cost New Mexico $825KALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — It will cost the University of New Mexico $825,000 to buy out the two years remaining on head football coach Bob Davie's contract. University President Garnett Stokes said Tuesday she signed off on the the deal, the terms of which were disclosed during a regents meeting. Davie finished 35-64 after his eighth season at New Mexico, though he twice guided the Lobos to bowl games and earned New Mexico's first bowl victory in 10 years. But the last three seasons were marked by more losses than wins.
- SMUGGLED IMMIGRANTS
Chinese migrants found hiding in appliances at US crossingSAN DIEGO (AP) — Eleven Chinese migrants have been found hiding in furniture and appliances inside a truck that was stopped while it tried to enter the United States. at a Southern California border crossing. Photos provided by authorities show at least one person crammed inside a washing machine and another curled up in a wooden chest. Agents made the weekend discovery during a search at the border crossing between Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego. The truck driver is an American citizen and was arrested on suspicion of human smuggling. The 11 Chinese citizens were detained pending criminal and immigration proceedings.
- BORDER TUNNEL-ARIZONA
Border tunnel found in Arizona after 4 migrants caughtNOGALES, Ariz. (AP) — The Border Patrol says it found another cross-border tunnel from Mexico to the United States after the arrest of four migrants. The agency says agents in Nogales, Arizona, made the discovery on Sunday after a camera operator spotted the migrants. Agents traced the migrants' trip and came across the tunnel from Nogales, Mexico, to Nogales, Arizona. It was just 50 yards from another tunnel discovered last week, although that one was incomplete. The Border Patrol says it worked with Mexican authorities and that it has since destroyed the fifth tunnel discovered this year in the Tucson Sector, which covers large areas of Arizona.
- MARIJUANA FOR PETS
Hearing on medical pot for ailing pets delayed in New MexicoSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A pubic hearing has been delayed on a petition to open New Mexico's medical marijuana program to ailing pets. The state's medical cannabis advisory board declined to hear the proposal Tuesday because a quorum of board members was not in attendance or available by phone. Ailing household pets would have access to medical marijuana prescribed by veterinarians if the petition were to move forward. Cannabidiol-infused products derived from hemp and marijuana are widely marketed to pets, but no state has authorized medical pot for pets. About 78,000 people participate in the state's medical marijuana program for conditions ranging from cancer to Alzheimer's disease.
- UNIVERSITY-FEDERAL MONITORING
Agency halts monitoring of university on sexual misconductALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice is ending its monitoring of a 2016 agreement with the University of New Mexico on prevention and handling of sexual assault and harassment. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the department told the university last week that it has determined "no further action is warranted at this time" while cautioning that it still could investigate any future complaints. University President Garnett Stokes announced the development during a Board of Regents meeting Tuesday and said the university has complied with training and all other requirements of the agreement on sexual misconduct prevention. The agreement also called for the university to revamp policies and investigation methods and it avoided a federal lawsuit against the university.
- NUCLEAR WASTE REPORT
Report: National laboratory lost track of nuclear wasteSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An annual report on hazardous waste violations has revealed a contractor overseeing operations at a National Laboratory in New Mexico lost track of 250 barrels of waste in the past year. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported Monday that Triad National Security LLC had 19 violations of its permit from the New Mexico Environment Department after the contractor mislabeled and improperly stored waste containers at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Regulators say the barrels filled with low-level radioactive waste and other hazardous materials were shipped to a waste plant in Carlsbad without tracking. A spokesman says lab personnel were awaiting arrival of the waste to the plant before updating the shipping data.