A motorist says he thought a northern New Mexico sheriff was going to execute him during a heated traffic stop. Michael Tafoya told jurors Monday he begged for his life as Rio Arriba County Tommy Rodella pulled a gun on him following a chase in March. Rodella is standing trial of federal charges of deprivation of rights and brandishing a firearm. He has pleaded not guilty. Authorities say Rodella was in plainclothes when he pulled over Tafoya, jumped out of his personal SUV with a gun, and shoved his badge in Tafoya's face. Defense attorney say Rodella did not injure Tafoya and simply wanted to stop him from driving recklessly. Tafoya, who’s 26, is scheduled on Tuesday to face cross examination.
Republican incumbent Susana Martinez and Democratic challenger Gary King disagreed over the economy and schools in their first appearance together at a candidate forum in New Mexico's race for governor. King criticized Martinez for presiding over the "worst economy in the country," and said New Mexico has lagged behind other states in job growth. Martinez jabbed at King for supporting tax increases to balance the budget two decades ago when he served in the Legislature. To improve education, King said the state should tap into a permanent fund to expand early childhood education programs. Martinez reiterated her support for legislation to hold back third graders, rather than promoting them to the next class, if they can't read proficiently. Martinez and King faced off Monday during a forum sponsored by business groups.
A state judge is set to hear arguments from a group of taxi and limousine operators seeking to stop ride-sharing services from operating in New Mexico. Albuquerque District Judge Nancy Franchini heard arguments Monday in a temporary restraining order hearing from a lawsuit filed by the group. The Public Regulation Commission which regulates taxis and limos previously ruled that Lyft and Uber were in violation of state law. However, the two companies have continued to operate. Unlike traditional taxi businesses, Lyft and Uber use smart-phone programs to connect people seeking rides with people who have cars. The president of Yellow Checker Cabs in Albuquerque says the ride-sharing services don't have proper insurance and are putting their own drivers at risk along with New Mexico residents.
The Hobbs Municipal Schools is partnering with a private, Christian liberal arts college to address a teacher shortage in the booming oil town. The Hobbs News-Sun reports that the school district and University of the Southwest signed an agreement last week that will allow district staff to earn their teaching degrees from the college while continuing to work for the school district. The agreement also allows the institution to count experience in the classroom toward a bachelor's degree in education for instructional assistants. Currently, Hobbs schools employ hundreds of instructional assistants, who must possess a high school diploma or GED. Hobbs Schools Superintendent T.J. Parks says the district loses around 10 new hires per year because of a lack of affordable housing in the booming oil area.
A new poll shows many New Mexico residents favor eliminating public access to police and court records of people who are arrested but not convicted of most crimes. The Albuquerque Journal reports that just under half of the likely New Mexico voters surveyed — 49 percent — say they would support a state law that eliminates public access to those records. Meanwhile, 38- percent of voters said they would oppose such a law in the September Journal poll. Currently, the criminal arrest of an adult in New Mexico is a matter of permanent public record regardless of whether that person is acquitted or the charges were dismissed. The new poll was conducted two weeks ago and has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly sunny today with the high near 77, with a 20-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms. Tonight: Partly cloudy with the overnight low, 49 and a 20-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms. Tomorrow: Mostly sunny with a high of 79 and a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms.