WASHINGTON (AP) — Beto O’Rourke, the former Texas congressman, announced Friday that he was ending his Democratic presidential campaign, which failed to recapture the enthusiasm, interest and fundraising prowess of his 2018 Senate race. Addressing supporters in Iowa, O’Rourke said he made the decision “reluctantly” and vowed to stay active in the fight to defeat President Donald Trump. “I will …

CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — A southeastern New Mexico city near the state’s booming oil region may become the next town to ban single-use plastic carryout bags.   The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports advocates in Carlsbad have drafted an ordinance aimed at ridding the city of loose plastic bags. The proposal could go before the Carlsbad City Council later this year.   …

U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small has introduced a bill that would provide $180 million in federal funding to reimburse organizations that provide assistance to illegal immigrants. The Southern Border Communities Relief Act, introduced by Torres Small on Oct. 2, would authorize $60 million for the next three fiscal years to reimburse organizations that provide humanitarian support for illegal immigrants at …

U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small has introduced a bill that would provide $180 million in federal funding to reimburse organizations that provide assistance to illegal immigrants. The Southern Border Communities Relief Act, introduced by Torres Small on Oct. 2, would authorize $60 million for the next three fiscal years to reimburse organizations that provide humanitarian support for illegal immigrants at …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A University of New Mexico dean has announced plans to ask the state to fund full-ride scholarships to medical students who commit to practicing within the state. The Albuquerque Journal reported Monday that medical school dean Paul Roth has plans to ask the state for $6 million in additional scholarships to create the program. State officials …

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The group of Democrats in the U.S. House who were either undecided or opposed to an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump got even smaller Thursday as first-year congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small announced her support for the process. The Democrat from southern New Mexico initially was among those who had their reservations, saying they wanted more …

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) — A Texas-based energy service provider has laid off 178 workers at its Colorado office saying it is a permanent employment loss. The Daily Sentinel reports that oil field company Halliburton told the state Department of Labor and Employment about the anticipated layoffs in a written letter dated Monday. Company officials say the layoffs were due …

SANTA FE (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham professed her full-throttled support for the oil sector on Tuesday, telling industry leaders that her Cabinet secretaries work for them and that she hopes the state can overtake North Dakota as the No. 2 oil producer among states. Lujan Grisham, a Democratic former congresswoman, repeatedly thanked men and women of …

DALLAS (AP) — A white former Dallas police officer who said she fatally shot her unarmed, black neighbor after mistaking his apartment for her own was found guilty of murder on Tuesday. A jury reached the verdict in Amber Guyger’s high-profile trial for the killing of Botham Jean after six days of witness testimony but just a handful of hours …

DALLAS (AP) — A Dallas police officer testified Friday that after entering what she thought was her apartment last year, she shot the silhouetted figure inside because he was advancing on her in the dark and she feared for her life. Amber Guyger, 31, told the jury at her murder trial that when she put her key in what she …