New Mexico
New Mexico governor defends approach to attempted gun restrictions, emergency order on gun violence
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday defended her decision to treat gun violence as a public health epidemic, citing statistics on recent firearms seizures, reduced reports of gunfire in the Albuquerque metro area and an uptick in jail bookings, while awaiting a crucial court ruling on a signature effort to suspend gun-carry rights in public parks and playgrounds.
The governor last week extended an emergency public health order regarding gun violence an additional 30 days into early November. A federal judge has temporarily blocked provisions that suspended the right to carry guns in public parks, playgrounds and other areas where children recreate, setting a Wednesday deadline for a ruling on whether to indefinitely block the restrictions while several court challenges are resolved.
Lujan Grisham appeared at the news conference alongside Cabinet secretaries not only for New Mexico’s Public Safety and Corrections departments but also child welfare services, pubic health and environmental protection agencies that are under orders to respond to the ravages of gun violence and drugs.
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They unveiled a new website dashboard for statistics related to gun violence in the Albuquerque area. Administration officials said some new efforts to contain gun violence and drugs wouldn’t be possible without the emergency orders — such as a mandate that expanded behavior health services from major medical insurers and emergency funding for wastewater testing for drugs at schools.
“I won’t rest until we don’t have to talk about (gun violence) as an epidemic and a public health emergency. That’s the goal — and if we turn the tide and it’s sustainable,” Lujan Grisham said.
Lujan Grisham is confronting a public backlash from critics of her public health order who describe its gun restriction provisions as an assault on constitutional rights that allow a person to carry a firearm for self defense.
On Tuesday, the governor said she has a responsibility to explore opportunities for gun-free “safe spaces” amid shifting judicial precedent.
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“That’s a question that’s now moving to the courts,” Lujan Grisham said of her proposed gun restrictions. “I need to know what we can and cannot do to keep New Mexicans safe.”
The standoff is one of many in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year expanding gun rights, as leaders in politically liberal-leaning states explore new avenues for restrictions.
The governor’s emergency orders also include directives for monthly inspections of firearms dealers statewide, reports on gunshot victims at New Mexico hospitals and voluntary gun-buyback programs.
Corrections Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero said her agency is taking custody of 48 high-maintenance inmates from Bernalillo County’s Metropolitan Detention Center to free up staff to help the area contend with violent crime.
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Environment Department Secretary James Kenney said the planned wastewater testing program aims to identify which opioids, including fentanyl, are present at public schools, with 250 testing points statewide, to inform the state’s response.
The governor has scaled back initial gun restrictions in the emergency public health order that broadly suspended the right to carry guns in most public places, which the sheriff and Albuquerque’s police chief had refused to enforce.
The latest health order also avoids interference with access to a municipal shooting range in Albuquerque located within a public park. Gun restrictions would be tied to a statistical threshold for violent crime that applied only to Albuquerque and the surrounding area.
State police would have authority under the governor’s order to assess civil penalties and fines of up to $5,000 for infractions.
New Mexico
Winter storm will bring mountain snow for Christmas
A winter storm will pass over Northern New Mexico and deliver some mountain snow on Christmas.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Dry and seasonably warm weather will continue through early next week.
A winter storm will bring light snow accumulations to the northern mountains Christmas Day and Night and most of the state will see an uptick in wind speeds.
Temperatures will drop a few degrees later in the week, but remain near to slightly above average.
Another weak winter storm could bring more mountain snow on Friday.
Meteorologist Brandon Richards has your full forecast in the video above.
New Mexico
Report: Former New Mexico State O-Lineman Louie Canepa to Transfer to Oklahoma State
PORTAL TRACKER
The Cowboys have gained some more transfer talent, this time adding to their rebuilding offensive line.
Louie Canepa, a 6-foout-4, 320-pound interior offensive lineman, is headed to Oklahoma State, according to a report. He spent the last three years at New Mexico State.
New Mexico State o-line transfer Louie Canepa is expected to transfer to Oklahoma State, @mzenitz and I have learned for @247Sports.
Canepa has played over 1,100 snaps the last two seasons with starts at both RT and RG.https://t.co/txsOShkxTz pic.twitter.com/2Z1iSiP0Hv
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) December 22, 2024
Canepa came to New Mexico State as the No. 15 OL prospect from his state, originally hailing from Vintage High School in Napa, California. He appeared in one game as a true freshman but by Year 2 he was instrumental in the Aggies turning in a 10-win season.
As a redshirt freshman in 2023, Canepa played in 14 of the Aggies’ 15 games, starting 10. New Mexico State ranked 14th in rushing yards per game, and made it to the Conference USA Championship Game. In 2024, he appeared in all 12 games and started four at right guard.
At New Mexico State, Canepa played under Andrew Mitchell, who was reportedly hired to coach OSU’s offensive line, along with Cooper Bassett.
Capena is the third offensive lineman the Cowboys have grabbed out of the portal thus far, joining Kasen Carpenter (Tulsa) and Lavaka Taukeiaho (Weber State). There’s a lot of rebuilding to be done in that room with 2024 starters Dalton Cooper, Cole Birmingham, Joe Michalski, Preston Wilson, Jake Springfield and Isaia Glass all leaving the program (the first five through eligibility and Glass through the portal).
New Mexico
New Mexico OL Transfer LaJuan Owens Commits to Cal
It was predictable that Cal would go after offensive linemen in the transfer portal, the Bears picked up one on Friday when New Mexico transfer offensive tackle LaJuan Owens announced on social media that he has committed to Cal.
Owens played for Cal’s new offensive line coach Famika Anae at New Mexico so the Bears know what they are getting.
Owens spent his first college season at Tulane, but he redshirted that season before transferring to New Mexico, where he played just one season. Therefore, the 6-foot-5, 335-pounder has three seasons of college eligibility remaining.
New Mexico’s offensve line was outstanding this season, giving up just five sacks, the fewest in the country.
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