SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's Legislative Finance Committee says a new financial forecast says state revenues will be $53 million lower next year than previously expected. That means a potential budget gap of $500 million to $600 million next year.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Bill Richardson is urging New Mexicans to shop at local stores, saying that could raise $27 million for the state in December. He says small- and medium-size businesses are the lifeblood of New Mexico, so shopping locally helps the state.
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — Hobbs city officials have settled a lawsuit with the city's police union over a variety of police policies and procedures. The settlement approved by a state district judge covers everything from how officers write reports to having the city attorney's office review major directives issued by the police department.
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Federal officials say a prairie songbird may warrant protections under the Endangered Species Act. The Sprague's pipit has seen nearly four-fifths of its population disappear in the last four decades. It breeds in the northern Great Plains and southern Canada and winters from Arizona and Texas to Louisiana, Mississippi and northern Mexico.
