1. ALBUQUERQUE MAYOR TIM KELLER ANNOUNCES “CRIME-FIGHTING” 
    PLAN
 
The skyrocketing violent crime rate in Albuquerque has Mayor Tim Keller looking for answers. His latest move is to create a joint agency initiative called the Metro 15 Operation. The idea is to crack down on the city’s 15 worst violent offenders. This new effort includes the City, APD, the District Attorney, the Office of Superintendent of Insurance and others. Sounds like another futile effort to crack down on crime.

From KOB-TV:
 

2. APPEALS COURT AFFIRMS THE RELEASE OF FABIAN GONZALES
 
An appellate court has upheld a judge’s decision to free Fabian Gonzales, one of the suspects implicated in the 2016 murder and dismemberment of 10 year-old Victoria Martens. The Court ruled that Judge Charles Brown’s decision to release Gonzales pending his trial was correct according the law.
 
This is why we need tougher state laws and changes in bail conditions. New Mexico laws favor defendants and the courts are becoming revolving doors for criminals.
 

 3. NEW MEXICO NATURAL GAS PART OF MAJOR INTERNATIONAL   
     EXPORT INITIATIVE
  
New Mexico is the newest member of an international initiative focused on expanding the export potential of American natural gas while balancing environmental goals.

The Western States and Tribal Nations group recently announced the addition of New Mexico, saying the state would be a strong advocate for rural economies and environmentally sound production.

The state hopes to find untapped markets for New Mexico’s natural gas. Oil and gas are a huge source of revenue for our state and means jobs.

New Mexico is among the top 10 natural gas producers in the nation.

Here’s the story:
 

4. ANOTHER LUJAN GRISHAM CABINET MEMBER GONE

Here we go again.
 
The head of New Mexico’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department has suddenly resigned. Jackie Lindsey becomes the third Cabinet member to leave during the Lujan Grisham Administration.
 
Her departure comes just a day after Lujan Grisham led a meeting with New Mexico’s congressional delegation and state officials to discuss strategies for combating violent crime and domestic terrorism.
 
Nice timing.
 
The Education chief and the head of Aging and Long-Term Services are the other Cabinet members who have left the Administration.

 
OTHER BRIEFS:
 
INCREASED STATE FUNDING NOT ADDRESSING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN NEW MEXICO
 
The state continues to wrestle with a problem of domestic violence, despite more money being allocated. The number of domestic violence incidents in New Mexico has remained steady over the last three years despite an increase in funding for services.
 
The Associated Press reports New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department has failed to implement some programs mandated by legislation.
 
From the AP:
 
PERMITS ON SALE TO HARVEST CHRISTMAS TREES ON FEDERAL LAND

Christmas tree permits are now available at Bureau of Land Management offices around New Mexico.

Federal land managers say the $5 permits will be sold in Albuquerque, Socorro, Taos, Farmington and Santa Fe through Dec. 24.