SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California and 15 other states filed a lawsuit Monday against President Donald Trump's emergency declaration to fund a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra released a statement Monday saying the suit alleges the Trump administration's action violates the Constitution.

"President Trump treats the rule of law with utter contempt," Becerra said. "He knows there is no border crisis, he knows his emergency declaration is unwarranted, and he admits that he will likely lose this case in court."

  SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Pay would increase by at least 6 percent for teachers and 4 percent for state workers under an annual state spending plan moving through the Legislature.

Democratic lawmakers advanced a plan Monday to increase New Mexico state spending on public school education by about $450 million — with raises of 6 percent teachers and public school staff. The proposal is headed for a full vote of the House of Representatives over the objections of Republicans in the legislative minority.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Parts of New Mexico are expected to be hit with winter weather that will bring snow and cold temperatures.

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque said Monday a storm and cold front is scheduled to strike the state's northeast portion. Meanwhile, a weather system could bring snow to the Mesilla Valley in southern New Mexico.

Twelve to 18 inches of snow are anticipated by end of day Tuesday in Chama, while Red River and Raton residents could see 8 to 12 inches.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State is seeking around $14 million for upgrades including improvements to its athletic facilities.

KVIA-TV in El Paso, Texas, reports the school hopes to get funding from lawmakers for $8 million renovations at Aggie Memorial Stadium. The planned improvements would include a brand new press box and also a new scoreboard.

New Mexico State also wants $3 million for fixes to the Pan American Center.

CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Eddy County Sheriff's officials say they're investigating the theft of 139 barrels of crude oil from an oilfield.

They say the barrels were removed from property owned by Concho Resources near U.S. Highway 62/180.

The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports Concho's security supervisor contacted sheriff's officials on Jan. 31, but it's believed the theft occurred between last September and December.

The estimated loss is about $7,000.

Sheriff's officials say the department has a full-time oil field theft investigator.

The plight of animals living on the extreme edges of the world will be the focus of the latest installment in New Mexico State University’s Climate Change Education Seminar Series.

Joel Berger, an ecologist at Colorado State University’s Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, will give a presentation titled “Extreme Conservation on a Glacier-less Planet,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20 at the Rio Grande Theatre. The event is free and open to the public. 

The online early childhood education master’s program at New Mexico State University has been named among the top 20 such programs in the country, according to an online ranking site that researches graduate programs in the U.S.

Two well-known actresses will be honored for their work at the Las Cruces International Film festival during the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Rio Grande Theatre, 211 Main St.