New Mexico News

Navajo Nation Reaches Settlements with Mining Companies

The Navajo Nation’s Department of Justice announced Wednesday it has settled with mining companies to resolve claims stemming from a 2015 spill that resulted in rivers in three western states being fouled with a bright-yellow plume of arsenic, lead and …

New Mexico Cracking Down on Drunken Drivers

New Mexico authorities will be cracking down on drunken drivers throughout the month of December. State police issued the warning this week, saying sobriety checkpoints will be set up around the state. Officers also will be asking for driver’s licenses, …

New Mexico Disabled Woman Getting $300K Settlement

New Mexico State Police have reached a $300,000 settlement with a disabled woman who accused an officer of grabbing and handcuffing her after she refused to provide ID in 2016. Jessica Guttman claimed in her 2018 lawsuit that she and …

New Mexico Officials Say Teachers Are Safe from Legal Liability Amid Virus

New Mexico officials clarified this week that teachers won’t be on the hook for lawsuits that might stem from COVID-19 outbreaks as in-person classes began for some students. “In no way will teachers or school employees be held personally liable …

New Mexico Man Sues After Being Injured in Chase, Crash

A man has sued a New Mexico State Police officer who crashed into his vehicle in January 2019 while chasing a truck near Espanola. Rudy Vialpando, 62, said he suffered spinal fractures and injuries to his ribs and right knee …

New Mexico Forest Official Cites Rising Risk of Human-Caused Wildfires

The top administrator of a national forest in northern New Mexico says there’s an elevated risk of human-caused wildfires due to drying conditions and negligence by some forest visitors. Carson National Forest Supervisor James Duran said there’s a high fire …

New Mexico Mom Suing Company for Overturned Bounce House That Trapped Children

A Santa Fe, N.M., woman is suing Meow Wolf after she says her children were injured when wind overturned the arts and entertainment company’s rented-bounce house. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports attorneys for Anita Vargas didn’t say in court …

New Mexico to Use Satellite Tracking During Wildfire Season

New Mexico has a new tool that could help crews get an early jump on any wildfires that might break out. The State Forestry Division will be getting real-time alerts via a satellite tracking system designed by the Santa Fe-based …

Lawsuit Alleges Bullet at New Mexico School Harmed Student

The family of a boy is suing a police officer who mistakenly fired his weapon inside a southern New Mexico middle school and nearly hit the student. The family recently filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against officer Francisco …

New Mexico District Settles for $475K After Teacher Punched 9-Year-Old

A New Mexico school district has agreed to pay $475,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by the family of a boy who was punched by a music teacher. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports a copy of the settlement says …