A ruling by the federal government denying New Mexico an extension from tougher requirements for state driver's licenses and identification cards may prompt state lawmakers into a compromise over the status of immigrant driver licenses. The feds have denied the state's request for an extension of the REAL-ID act, meaning effective January 10th, New Mexico licenses will no long be accepted at federal facilities such as Los Alamos National Laboratory. Eventually, passengers using their New Mexico licenses as ID won't be allowed to board commercial air flights. The ruling also heightens the divisive issue of immigrant driver's licenses in New Mexico. Governor Susana Martinez has indicated she'll try for the seventh consecutive year to repeal the state law. Martinez may be forced into settling on a bi—partisan compromise promoted by Republican Senate Leader Stuart Ingle and Democratic Senator John Arthur Smith. The two had proposed a two-tier state driver's license—one for U-S citizens that meets the federal requirements, and an option for undocumented immigrants to have a license, but one that wouldn't allow them to use it to board planes and enter federal facilities.
Santa Fe is one of several New Mexico communities that instruct their law enforcement officers not to question people's immigration status. They're called “Sanctuary” communities because of this policy, and recently their receipt of federal law enforcement funds were in jeopardy because of this approach. New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich was among the majority of Senators voting against. *****102915-Heinrich-6 :22***** Heinrich called the bill, quote, “a politically-driven effort that would punish cities that have worked hard to build community trust to reduce crime, including domestic violence.
Guilty—That's the verdict returned by the jury in the weeks-long trial to determine liability for causing the massive Las Conchas fire in 2011. The jury on Wednesday finding that the Jemez Mountains Electric Co-operative, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Incorporated and the U-S Forest Service shared responsibility for the largest fire in New Mexico's recorded history. Jurors found the Co-op 75-percent negligent, Tri-State at 20-percent, and the Forest Service five-percent to blame. Potential damage amounts will be determined during a future trial. The blaze started when an aspen tree fell onto power lines that stretched through national forest land in the Jemez Mountains.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Criminal Investigations Division is seeking the public's help in identifying two men who were in the pictured vehicle during a recent burglary at Santa Fe West Mobile- Home Park on Henry Lynch Rd. The vehicle has a Jordan sticker on the back window and bubbled, dark tint, aftermarket rims and a turquoise license plate.
The head of New Mexico's child welfare agency says having no adequate place for children to eat, shower or even sleep within the first 48 hours of being removed from their homes can intensify the trauma they experience. Children, Youth and Families Secretary Monique Jacobson outlined an ambitious plan to address the issue Wednesday during the Legislative Finance Committee's meeting in Santa Fe. Jacobson says it would take an estimated $30 million to establish a wellness center in Albuquerque that could take in children while social workers look to place them with foster families and eventually reunite them with parents. She says the center could change outcomes for hundreds of children in protective custody. Lawmakers questioned Jacobson about the request and warned that the budget will be tight next year.Santa Fe Weather: Mostly cloudy today with a 20-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms, today's high, 57. Tonight: cloudy with showers likely and the overnight low, 41. Tomorrow: There's a 70-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms and it'll be cloudy with tomorrow's high only 47.