Regional

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Wildlife managers are investigating the death of a Mexican gray wolf found last month in New Mexico.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Wednesday the endangered wolf belonged to the Whitewater Canyon pack, which has been roaming in the north-central area of the Gila National Forest.

Officials say there have been seven documented wolf mortalities between January and June. They initially reported eight.

Following a standoff that lasted nearly seven hours, an Anthony woman was arrested by Doña Ana County Sheriff’s detectives for allegedly threatening a woman with a gun and attempting to steal her car – moments after threatening another woman who lives nearby.

Lourdes Alvarado, 45, allegedly got into a physical altercation with a woman in the 200 block of Church Street in Anthony. The victim, who drove herself to an El Paso-area hospital, told detectives Alvarado had pointed a gun at her and had physically assaulted her.

A man suspected of throwing rocks at a marked police unit, shattering a window and damaging a second vehicle, was arrested early Wednesday morning after a SWAT callout on the grounds of a local elementary school.

  The National Institutes of Health recently awarded a $2.7 million grant to Luis R. Martinez, Ph.D., associate professor of biological sciences at The University of Texas at El Paso, to study a potentially life-threatening fungus and suggest possible treatments.

In June, New Mexico State University announced the Summer Jam at the Pan Am concert starring a line-up with three world touring high-caliber artists. Tyga, DJ Mustard and A-trak will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23 at the Pan American Center. 

The Pan Am has hosted several high-profile country artists over the last few years including Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Thomas Rhett and Chris Young. A desire for a hip hop and rap lineup of the same caliber inspired two 2018 NMSU alumni known as “Team Naray” to return and give back to their alma mater. 

Elephant Butte Irrigation District has reached the end of another successful irrigation season. The EBID Board of Directors have set a final order date for both the Hatch Valley and Mesilla Valley. We expect the demand to be very high for the end of the season water orders. Do not wait – Use it or Lose it! Be ready to pick up water when you are notified and be ready to water at any time it is scheduled, day or night, weekend or holiday.

Otero County, NM – On August 13, 2019 at about 11:46 a.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal crash near the intersection of US 54 and McGregor Range Road, near Chaparral, NM. 

  SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas says his office is evaluating public safety at big-box stores and other shopping venues in the aftermath of the Aug. 3 mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas.

Balderas on Wednesday attended a summit on domestic terrorism convened by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Democratic U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico is calling for an impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.

The first-term lawmaker from Albuquerque said Wednesday in a statement that Trump "has proven he's unfit to serve as president" and that Congress needs to "shed light on what his administration is hiding and hold the president accountable."

Haaland previously said she favored more aggressive oversight of Trump that might lead to impeachment hearings.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State is reporting a five-year high in athletic ticket sales thanks to excitement around football and basketball.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports New Mexico State had a $326,000 surplus in ticket sales last year — the most in New Mexico State athletics director Mario Moccia's five years.

Las Cruces police officers are now patrolling area Walmart stores in the wake of the Aug. 3 mass-shooting that killed 22 and injured several more in El Paso, Texas.

The City of Las Cruces entered into agreement with Walmart, through a private security company contacted by Walmart, to allow off-duty LCPD officers to work 12-hour shifts at the local stores. There are four Walmart stores in Las Cruces.

Charges against a Las Cruces man arrested in June for allegedly battering his girlfriend and mistreating two pets have now been upgraded after their cat tested positive for methamphetamines.

On June 3, 2019, Las Cruces police were dispatched to a home on Boutz Road where 39-year-old Aaron Spaulding allegedly battered his girlfriend the day before and held the woman against her will. Police learned that a verbal argument turned physical, and Spaulding allegedly punched her multiple times and took away her cell phone.

  SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The Department of Justice is urging a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit by the state of New Mexico that seeks to halt the quick release of asylum seeking migrants into local communities without economic assistance.

In a motion filed Monday, Albuquerque-based U.S. Attorney James Anderson says that the Department of Homeland Security has discretion over the parole of migrants and agency resources.

Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima announced Tuesday he's running for a fourth term.  

Four other candidates have announced their intention to run for Las Cruces Mayor:  Current city councilor Greg Smith, former councilor Jesusita Dolores Lucero, nonprofit founder Mike Tellez , and Gina Ortega, a businessperson who ran for Mayor in 2015.

Candidates will be certified early next month.

  EL PASO, Texas – The City of El Paso is hosting a Community Memorial Service to reflect and remember the victims of the mass shooting and to offer a place of healing and support for the community. 

The memorial gathering is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. It will be held at Southwest University Park in downtown and will be simulcast live at three satellite locations – the Convention Center and Cleveland Square Park both in downtown, and at Ponder Park, at 7500 W.H. Burges Drive. 

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says her administration is considering whether to extend background checks on private gun sales to the sellers of firearms and not just buyers.

The first-year Democratic governor said that adding background checks on gun sellers might allow authorities to better track the movement of firearms.