SANTA FE — State contributions to two Navajo Nation projects in San Juan County were cut by the governor to help close New Mexico's $650 million budget shortfall, according to data from the New Mexico Association of Counties.   Full Story

FARMINGTON — A city councilman e-mailed developers, the mayor and another councilman about La Plata Ranch, angering two other councilors who said they should have discussed the development publicly.   Full Story

— The Daily Times — Former Piedra Vista receiver Charly Martin played for the Carolina Panthers on Thursday against the Miami Dolphins.   Full Story

— By Christopher Smith — The Daily Times AZTEC — A plume of smoke twisted into the air above Fred Cook Memorial Stadium on Thursday.   Full Story

On this week's edition of Newsmakers, Jasper Welch, director of the San Juan College San Juan College business Enterprise Center, offers a better understanding of what those poor job market numbers mean and whether the usual holiday bump in retail sales will be able to shore up continued local losses. Newsmakers   Read more

Editor: We need a Marshall Plan for the Middle East. After World War II, the Marshall Plan helped to rebuild Europe and improved our output of manufacturing and agriculture throughout the world.   Full Story

Editor: "Allah Akbar," God is Great (Almighty). An endless variation of this phrase falls from the tongues of the devoted with ease.   Full Story