Roswell Horse slaughter house passes inspection

The attorney for a proposed horse slaughterhouse in southeastern New Mexico says a federal inspection Tuesday went well and the plant hopes to be in business soon.  

Attorney Blair Dunn says agriculture officials found no issues at Valley Meat Co. and told the owners they are recommending a grant of inspection be issued immediately. Dunn says he expects final approval for the plant to come in a matter of days. 

Valley Meat Co. has become ground zero for an emotional, national debate over a return to domestic horse slaughter. 

The company hopes the inspection ends a yearlong political drama that has left it idle and made owner Rick De Los Santos and his wife, Sarah, targets of vandalism and death threats.

Roswell Horse slaughter house passes inspection

NM Supreme Court to hear arguments in water case

The New Mexico Supreme Court will hear arguments next week in a case challenging the state's ability to pump groundwater in southeastern New Mexico.

 The state has been pumping water from wells between Artesia and Carlsbad to augment flows in the Pecos River. The pumping is part of a drought management strategy aimed at delivering water to downstream users in New Mexico and Texas. 

Other users are complaining that the state's pumping has lowered the area's water table. 

The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a lower court ruling challenging the state's process for transferring water rights to the well field.

NM Supreme Court to hear arguments in water case

LULAC faults NMSU in presidential search

A civil rights group is faulting New Mexico State University for not including them in the advisory and selection process of naming a new president. 

The New Mexico League of United Latin American Citizens said in a letter Monday that it was being excluded and faulted NMSU for the low number of Latinos on the school's board of regents.

 Paul "Pablo" Martinez told the board of regents in a letter that LULAC was included with the recent selection of University of New Mexico President Bob Frank. 

NMSU spokeswoman Julie Hughes says the board has received LULAC's letter and is in the process of responding. 

Community forums of the five presidential finalists began this week. 

LULAC faults NMSU in presidential search