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Dec. 9 First News: Senate Democratic Leader Compares Governor To GOP's Trump Over License Law-Listen

New Mexico's top Senate Democrat is comparing Governor Susana Martinez to GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump because of her opposition to the state's immigrant driver's license law. Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez says the Republican governor's actions were—quoting-- "almost Trumpism"—since they were dividing New Mexico residents. He says Martinez is repeatedly telling "lies" about pending Real ID requirements. Sanchez says Martinez is falsely telling residents they will need passports for commercial air travel in January, though the federal government has not announced when those requirements will be adopted. Martinez has repeatedly tried to repeal a state law that allows immigrants to obtain driver's licenses regardless of status. A Martinez spokesman says Sanchez is to blame for the stalemate over revising the quote, "dangerous" law.

A New Mexico judge says mental health records will remain under seal concerning former Secretary of State Dianna Duran ahead of a sentencing hearing Monday that could hinge on evidence concerning Duran's self-professed gambling addiction. Duran has pleaded guilty to felony embezzlement and four misdemeanors related to siphoning thousands of dollars from her election account amid a gambling spree. Defense attorney Erlinda Johnson is urging the court to keep private mental health records and a handwritten letter from Duran to the court. Johnson said during a hearing Tuesday in Santa Fe that her client's gambling problem dates back to 2010 and got worse in 2012 and 2013 for undisclosed reasons. District Judge T. Glenn Ellington agreed to keep those records private, along with a cover letter to the health report.

Santa Fe District Attorney Angela "Spence" Pacheco says she's retiring at the end of this month.  Pacheco has served as a state employee for 27 years, 18 of which she spent at the 1st Judicial District Attorney's Office. She spent 11 years working as a prosecutor before being elected as district attorney in 2008 and was re-elected in 2012. Pacheco, who’s 66, told KOB-TV that she wants to spend more time with her family. The 1st Judicial District includes Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties. New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez will have to appoint a new district attorney to serve for the 10 months the seat will be vacated.  Voters will choose a new district attorney next November.

New Mexico education officials say college scholarships backed by lottery proceeds are covering about 90 percent of tuition costs for qualifying students. State Higher Education Secretary Barbara Damron briefed lawmakers Tuesday on funding levels for lottery scholarships. About 32-thousand students rely on the money. Damron says tuition increases are depleting scholarship funds faster than they can be replenished. Liquor taxes contribute 19 million dollars to the scholarships, but that extra funding source ends in mid-2018. Tuition support will be reduced by 30-percent in the fall of 2018 if no action is taken

The New Mexico Legislature is rolling out a new website design that aims to make it easier for visitors to search for information. There are scrolling updates and a simple menu across the top of the page and search boxes that will help track down legislation by keyword or the bill's sponsor. There are also links to committees and publications. Legislative webmasters have also included a comment box where users can leave suggestions. Officials say the old website and the new one will both be available through the 30-day legislative session that begins in January. The new site will be used exclusively after that.

The Dona Ana County Detention Center's director has been arrested on suspicion of fraud, willful neglect and bringing contraband into jail. The Las Cruces Sun-News says Chris Barela was arrested Tuesday. Barela, who’s 52, is accused of wrongfully spending money from the Inmate Welfare Fund. Jail inmates buy goods such as toiletries and snacks from a commissary run by a county contractor and a portion of the profits goes into the fund. Barela also is accused of bringing an assault rifle into the detention center's booking room in 2012 and willfully- neglecting his duties since July 2010. County commissioners' complaints and two internal affairs investigations resulted in the arrest of Barela, who's been booked into Lea County jail. In the meantime, the county Sheriff's Office has taken control of the detention center.

Santa Fe Weather: Mostly sunny today and tomorrow with highs in the low-to-mid-50s. Tonight: Partly cloudy with the overnight low 33.