Today's News

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A thin layer of snow blanketed parts of New Mexico on Monday to wrap up what has been one of the driest and warmest years on record for the state.

Snow fell along Interstate 25 near the Colorado border through midday, keeping state highway crews busy spreading salt and cinder to ease what had started out as a treacherous day of travel for some.

Difficult driving conditions were reported early along parts of I-25 and along Interstate 40 in the east. At Pino's Truck Stop in Las Vegas, N.M., employees said the parking lot was full of drivers who didn't want to chance the snow-packed and icy conditions being reported at Raton Pass and near Glorieta outside of Santa Fe.

The sun peeked out from behind the clouds by the afternoon, clearing the roads and leaving behind only frigid temperatures.

"When I came in at 5:30 this morning, I couldn't even see," Deborah Montano said of her hour-and-a-half commute through the snow to Clines Corners, a popular rest stop along I-40. "But it's dry now, like it never even happened."

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House will miss the midnight Monday deadline lawmakers set for voting to avoid the "fiscal cliff."

House Republicans notified lawmakers that the chamber will vote Monday evening on other bills. They say that will be their only votes of the day.

President Barack Obama and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Monday they are near a deal to avoid wide-ranging tax increases and spending cuts — the fiscal cliff — that take effect with the new year.

Both men said they were still bargaining over whether — and how — to avoid $109 billion in cuts to defense and domestic programs that take effect on Wednesday.