Republican incumbent Susana Martinez and Democratic challenger Gary King are to appear together at a candidate forum for the first time in New Mexico's race for governor. Martinez and King will face off Monday in Albuquerque during a forum sponsored by the state chapter of a commercial real estate development association. A poll by the Albuquerque Journal earlier this month showed Martinez leading the race with 54 percent support among likely voters to 36 percent for King. The candidates will participate in two televised debates next month, including one in which Martinez will speak in Spanish and King will use a translator. The governor and King outlined their policy differences last week during separate appearances at a conference in Las Cruces at New Mexico State University.
Carlsbad Caverns will remain closed because of hazardous road conditions caused by recent flooding. National Park Service officials say crews were working Sunday to clear debris on a road brought in by high water. The park has been closed since Thursday. Southeastern New Mexico has been experiencing flooding the last few days as a result of the remnants of Hurricane Odile The New Mexico National Guard on Saturday rescued 40 oilfield workers stranded by floodwater on a county road near Artesia. Authorities say a man was found dead near Loving after his vehicle got stuck in water.
A nonpartisan panel that evaluates state judges is recommending voters to retain 73 of the 85 judges. The New Mexico Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission said this week that the 73 judges received the panel's approval while two judges earned "Do Not Retain" nods. To remain on the bench, judges must receive at least 57 percent voter approval under state law. Denise Torres, chair of JPEC, said the evaluation was an extensive process and included a number of difficult decisions. The panel says it used an objective standard to make recommendations to voters, and reports its findings in narrative, table and bar graph formats.
More than two-thousand City of Albuquerque employees say a proposed pay raise by the city would come at the cost of an unapproved contract. KOAT-TV reports that representatives for more than two-thousand workers have filed a temporary restraining order against the city. Mayor Richard Berry's administration announced earlier this month a 3 percent pay hike following an impasse with union locals representing workers. Union representative Rocky Gutierrez says the workers do want raises. He says the city is also going to enforce the rest of a contract that the two parties have not been able to agree on since 2010. City officials say they are reviewing the restraining order and intend to dispute it. The pay raise was to take effect with paychecks issued Friday.
Santa Fe People’s Climate March Saturday drew hundreds who marched in solidarity with similar events across the country leading up to tomorrow’s United Nations Climate Summit. The local marchers were calling attention for the need to address carbon emissions for the good of New Mexicans. *****Q: to make a change.” 1:33***** The United Nations is convening tomorrow in the largest gathering of world leaders ever devoted to climate change, and some bold proclamations are expected.
Santa Fe Weather: Partly sunny today with a 60-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms, today’s high 72. Tonight-Mostly cloudy with a 30-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms with a low of 52. Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, the high 76 and a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms.