2017 legislative session

At Capitol, Giffords urges N.M. lawmakers to ‘come together’ on gun control

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Partially paralyzed and speaking in just a few simple sentences, a former U.S. congresswoman shot in the head six years ago during a rampage that left a half-dozen people dead delivered the most high-profile endorsement yet of two gun-control bills being considered in the New Mexico Legislature. “I’ve seen great courage when my life was on the line,” Gabrielle Giffords told a crowd of reporters and gun-control advocates at the Capitol on Wednesday. “Now is the time to come together — to be responsible. Democrats, Republicans, everyone.” Giffords’ appearance at the Legislature demonstrated the campaign for gun control is not letting up during the final weeks of the session.

1st Judicial District Attorney

Police shooting reviews dominate Santa Fe DA’s race

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Jennifer Padgett

Santa Fe has become the latest American city where prosecutors’ handling of police shooting cases will at least in part define the battle in a district attorney’s race. As officer shootings have come under increasing scrutiny around New Mexico and across the nation, so, too has the role of prosecutors in determining whether police acted lawfully. This story was reported jointly by New Mexico In Depth and the Santa Fe Reporter. It is reprinted with permission. Last month, Chicago’s top prosecutor was ousted by her primary opponent amid public outcry that she had moved too slowly to prosecute an officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man named Laquan McDonald.

1st Judicial District Attorney

Not just the Roundhouse: Big DA races looming in November

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The deadline for New Mexico candidates to file has passed which means campaign season is in full swing. It’s not just legislators competing though. Across the state candidates are also running for the position for district attorney in their respective areas. These races may have extra attention this year after a relentless drumbeat of tough-on-crime bills during the legislative session. First Judicial District

The First Judicial District—which covers Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos Counties—will see at least a couple of former coworkers going up against each other.