- Governor seeks new investments in early childhood education
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is urging legislators at the outset of the state's annual legislative session to rally around new financial commitments to public education. The commitments range from a trust fund for early childhood educational to free college tuition for local residents. Lujan Grisham was scheduled to deliver her second State of the State speech at noon on Tuesday as legislators weigh pending priorities for an $800 million budget surplus tied to a booming oil sector.
- Legislature considers tuition-free college, legalizing pot
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Efforts to legalize recreational marijuana, fund tuition-free college and shore up pensions for state and local government workers are top priorities as the New Mexico Legislature convenes. The 30-day session convenes on Tuesday. The entire Democratic-led Legislature is up for election this year as debate ensues on issues of restricting gun access, teacher pay and new criminal penalties for acts of domestic terrorism. State government is flush with income linked to record breaking oil production in the southeast corner of the state.
- SRP seeks solar energy from bidders including Navajo Nation
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — One of Arizona's largest utilities is seeking companies to build solar plants to provide up to 400 megawatts of power, including 200 megawatts from Navajo Nation facilities. The Farmington Daily Times reported Salt River Project issued a request for proposals Jan. 15. SRP officials say the energy will be delivered to customers in central Arizona. The request from the Phoenix-based utility asks for proposals for plants that can produce between 100 and 200 megawatts. The company says Navajo Nation plants could be located anywhere within its territory that can connect to the SRP grid.
- Film probes radical black-Latino-poor white 1960s alliance
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., (AP) — A new PBS documentary is exploring a little-known movement in 1960s Chicago that brought together blacks, Latinos and poor whites from Appalachia. "The First Rainbow Coalition," scheduled to begin airing Jan. 27, on most PBS stations, shows how Black Panther Party members organized Puerto Rican radicals and Confederate flag-waving white southerners to help tackle poverty and discrimination. Filmmaker Ray Santisteban says its a project that took him 14 years to complete. In 1969, Bobby Lee as a member of the Black Panther Party, reached out to southern white migrants living in Chicago to join him in fighting poverty and police misconduct.
- Bill would require Arizona tribes to resolve water disputes
PHOENIX (AP) — Republican leaders have introduced legislation to require Native American tribes in Arizona to resolve longstanding water disputes with the state before negotiating new gambling pacts. Cosponsors of the legislation, House Bill 2447, include House Speaker Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa, and Senate President Karen Fann, R-Prescott. The bill's chief sponsor, Prescott Republican Rep. Steve Pierce, told the Arizona Republic that it would help speed up the state's complex and lengthy negotiations with tribes over water rights because tribes want to retain the economic benefits of gambling casinos. Many tribes' current tribes expire in 2023.
- Arrest made in wrong-way crash fatality in Rio Rancho
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — A man charged in a fatal wrong-way auto crash three months ago in Rio Rancho has been arrested. Dwight David Weir of Bosque Farms was arrested Sunday near Isleta. He's charged with homicide by vehicle, possession of methamphetamine and other charges in the Oct. 22 head-on crash in which 52-year-old Mark A. Marquez of Farmington, a passenger in the SUV driven by Weir, died. Authorities say Marquez died after Weir's SUV struck a vehicle driven by a State Police officer, who suffered broken bones. Weir also was treated for injuries.
- Only Republican on county commission picked as its chairman
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The sole Republican on the Bernalillo County Commission has been elected to serve as its chairman. The Albuquerque Journal reports that Lonnie Talbert was elected to the leadership post last week in a 3-2 vote. Democratic Commissioners Charlene Pyskoty and Steven Michael Quezada supported Talbert. Democrats Debbie O'Malley and Jim Collie voted against Talbert. Pyskoty touted Talbert's independent voice and past support of immigrants and recognition of the climate crisis. O'Malley said Democrats should stick together in the era of President Donald Trump and that it was county voters who decided to put a Democratic majority on the commission.