News

Sundance Film Fellows Travel To Mescalero Apache Reservation

Tristan Ahtone — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:35:20 +0000

The Sundance Film Institute says four Native American filmmakers will be on the Mescalero Apache reservation in Southern New Mexico this week. The visit is the first stage of development for Native writers and directors hoping to release independent films in the coming years.

NM Officials To Help Victims Of Unlicensed Dentist

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:49:48 +0000

New Mexico Department of Health officials want to help any victims of an unlicensed tooth doctor who was operating as a "mobile dentist" out of a sedan around Santa Fe.

State health officials are offering counseling and testing services for any victims of a man known as "El Dentista."

The services include no-cost confidential blood tests and referrals for additional services if needed.

Navajo Nation Opens Flagship Casino In Arizona

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:45:57 +0000

New sets of twin arrows are beckoning travelers on Interstate 40 in northern Arizona.

A grand opening for the Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort is set for Friday. It's the Navajo Nation's first casino in Arizona, about 20 miles east of Flagstaff.

The 267,000 square-foot building sits across the interstate from an old trading post and rest stop known for the giant twin arrows that point toward the ground.

'No Spanish' NM High School Games Called 'Pattern'

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:38:28 +0000

The League of United Latin American Citizens says two recent cases of Spanish being banned at New Mexico high school games are examples of a "disturbing" pattern.

Ralph Arellanes, New Mexico LULAC state director, said Monday that the group has heard of a least five cases of high school players being ordered this school year not to speaking Spanish. Arellanes says LULAC will begin an aggressive effort to monitor future cases, and if necessary, will file lawsuits.

Thousands Seek Work Even As NM Jobless Rate Drops

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:10:52 +0000

Thousands of people in New Mexico are still looking for work or at least better jobs even as the state's unemployment rate is down.

The Department of Workforce Solutions reports that New Mexico's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in April, down from 6.9 percent in March and 7 percent in April 2012.

The department says New Mexico gained about 7,900 jobs during the past 12 months, for a 1 percent growth rate.

Governor's Arts Awards Recipients To Be Honored

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:08:42 +0000

The New Mexico Arts Commission says seven artists and supporters of the arts are recipients of this year's Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts.

An awards ceremony is scheduled Sept. 27 in Santa Fe at the New Mexico Museum of Arts and there will be a reception in the state Capitol.

The recipients are Rio Rancho painter and printmaker Edward Gonzales, Santa Fe painter Darren Vigil Gray, Taos musician Jenny Vincent, Taos painter and furniture maker Jim Wagner and Santa Fe potter Frank Willett.

Board To Hold Hearing Over Complaint Against Berry

The Albuquerque Journal — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:06:54 +0000

Albuquerque's Board of Ethics will hold a preliminary hearing over a complaint filed by Pete Dinelli's mayoral campaign against incumbent Richard Berry.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that Dinelli's campaign has alleged Berry violated the city's ban on accepting campaign donations from city contractors.

The Berry campaign contends it's in full compliance with campaign laws.

Comment Period Ends In Mid-June For Proposed Mine

The Albuquerque Journal — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:04:32 +0000

The U.S. Forest Service expects to close its public comment period in mid-June on a draft environmental impact statement for the proposed Roca Honda uranium mine near Mount Taylor.

Strathmore Minerals Corp. and Sumitomo Corp. of Japan propose to sink one or two shafts to depths of 2,000 feet or more below three sections of Forest Service and state lands about 22 miles northeast of Grants.

The proposal has plenty of support from the local business community, but faces strong opposition from environmental and Native American groups.

Tribe's Police Agency Without Permanent Leader

The Farmington Daily Times — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:02:35 +0000

The Navajo Nation Police Department has gone five years having without a permanent leader.

The police chief's position has been vacant since April 2008 when Police Chief Jim Benally was put on paid leave.

Officials haven't given an explanation as to why Benally was placed on leave.

The Farmington Daily Times reports that the police department has had district commanders take turns filling in as police chief.

Another Portion Of Gila's Catwalk To Reopen

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:00:44 +0000

Gila National Forest officials say another portion of the popular Catwalk National Recreation Trail is expected to open soon.

Forest employees are replacing an additional quarter mile of the trail and hope to have the work done by Memorial Day.

Glenwood District Ranger Pat Morrison says the U.S. Forest Service recognizes the importance of the trail to local residents and tourists.

New Mexico Will Get Hybrid Health Exchange

Deborah Martinez — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:40:01 +0000

UPDATE: Exchange board chairman J.R Damron said Monday that New Mexico will focus on having a state-run insurance exchange ready for small businesses this fall and will use a federally operated exchange to offer insurance coverage to individuals for the next year.

Back To The Basics: An American Graduate Special

Elaine Baumgartel — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:37:19 +0000

State of the RE:Union Thu. 5/30 8a: In this American Graduate special, State of the Re:Union takes a closer look at school, community, and the drop out crisis in this country.

With reporting from both urban and rural schools, and interviews with education experts, State of the RE:Union goes “ back to the basics”, looking at strategies that get to the heart of what makes students want to learn.

Coming Home: Stories Of Veterans Returning From War

Elaine Baumgartel — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:27:30 +0000

State of the RE:Union Thu. 5/23 8a: More than two million veterans have come home so far from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. For returning veterans, reintegrating into society can be a challenge.

How do you find your place, when you’ve changed and the people you love don’t recognize you? When that old life is gone and you have to start a new one from scratch.

Navajo Nation Explores Future Of Coal

Tristan Ahtone — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:01:12 +0000

The Navajo Nation says the only financially viable future for its coal supply may be in clean coal technologies, and overseas exports.

KUNM's Tristan Ahtone reports the Nation is taking preliminary steps to find a future for its coal resources in light of tough, domestic regulations.

Alford Buyout Agreement To Net UNM $625K

The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:08:01 +0000

The University of New Mexico says it has reached an agreement in principal with former men's basketball coach Steve Alford over his buyout.

Alford said in April he was willing to pay a $200,000 buyout for leaving the Albuquerque school to take a job at UCLA, but he wouldn't pay the $1 million payment that New Mexico wanted.

The dispute stemmed from the timing of his announcement and a term sheet he had signed just weeks before agreeing to a new 10-year contract with New Mexico that included a $1 million buyout.

Albuquerque Police Investigate Drive-by Shooting

The Albuquerque Journal — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:49:39 +0000

Albuquerque police are searching for leads in a drive-by shooting that landed a UNM Cancer Center executive in the hospital.

Police say Justin Schroer was jogging through a neighborhood near Constitution and Girard around 6 a.m. when he was shot once in the left side of his abdomen. The bullet passed through his right side. He's expected to survive.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that Schroer is the director of development for the cancer center.

'Mother's instincts': NM Woman Chased Abductor

The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:12:54 +0000

A mother who chased down a man and ran into his car after he grabbed her 4-year-old says her "mother's instincts" kicked in when she launched her pursuit.

Melissa Torrez told The Associated Press on Friday she began her chase "without any feeling" and was focused only on getting her daughter back as the abductor led her on a high-speed chase throughout Albuquerque on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old mother of three says as soon as others in the apartment complex told her a man took her daughter she jumped in the car.

NM Gets Private Grant To Expand School Programs

The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:05:58 +0000

New Mexico is receiving a half million dollars from a Denver-based philanthropic group to expand programs that allow students to receive an associate degree from a college while attending high school.

Gov. Susana Martinez announced Friday that the Daniels Fund is providing $525,000 for the state to establish more pilot "early college high schools" like one that operates in Las Cruces.

Freeze Of Albuquerque Oversight Commission Sought

The Albuquerque Journal — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:04:37 +0000

Operations of an appointed advisory commission that investigates citizen complaints against the Albuquerque Police Department would be suspended while the City Council considers the commission's future.

Councilors Trudy Jones and Brad Winter plan Monday to propose that the Police Oversight Commission's operations be put on hold. A decision would come later.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that critics of the commission range from the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico to the police union.

Judge Declines To Reconsider Ruling On Mining Ban

The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:01:50 +0000

A federal judge in Arizona is refusing to reconsider a ruling upholding the Interior Department's authority to ban new hard rock mining claims on federal land.

U.S. District Judge David Campbell's ruling Thursday denies mining industry groups' request for reconsideration his March 20 ruling.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced a prohibition in 2012 on over a million acres near the Grand Canyon that are rich in high-grade uranium ore reserves.

Panel Solicits Applicants For Insurance Regulator

The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:00:16 +0000

Former State Insurance Superintendent Chris Krahling has been named to a panel that will select New Mexico's top insurance regulator.

A nine-member committee will select the next superintendent of insurance, who starting in July will be in charge of an independent office regulating insurance rates and policies.

The committee meets next Tuesday in Albuquerque, and is accepting applications for the superintendent's position until the end of the month.

NM Transgender Student Told To Wear Girl's Gown

Elaine Baumgartel — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:58:20 +0000

All Damian Garcia wants to do is wear his black robe when he and his fellow high school classmates graduate next week.

Officials at St. Pius X Catholic School in Albuquerque say no. Because Garcia was born as a girl, the school insists he must wear a white robe along with the other girls.

Jemez Site Designated As National Landmark

The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:56:21 +0000

A northern New Mexico historic site that is considered one of the best preserved examples of a 17th century Spanish colonial mission has been designated as a national historic landmark.

The San Jose de los Jemez Mission Church was added to the list of landmarks Thursday. There are now nearly four dozen national historic landmarks in New Mexico.

State Cultural Affairs Secretary Veronica Gonzales calls the church in Jemez Springs an "outstanding example of American history and culture."

Report: Economic Recovery Especially Slow For Hispanics In New Mexico

Elaine Baumgartel — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:08:53 +0000

The unemployment rate for Hispanics in New Mexico is double the rate for non-Hispanic whites, according to a new report from the Economic Policy Institute.

In the last quarter of 2012, the unemployment rate for Hispanics here was 8.2 percent, compared to 4.7 percent for whites.

Mescalero Apache Explore Rare Earth Element Mining

Tristan Ahtone — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:38:23 +0000

The Mescalero Apache tribe of New Mexico says it is looking to expand it's economy by mining rare earth elements. The elements are highly sought after for their applications in high-tech and green industries.

West Nile Virus Cases Up Across Southwest

Tristan Ahtone — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:32:45 +0000

West Nile virus cases in the Southwest are up from previous years, according to new 2012 statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control.
First discovered in New York around 1999, the West Nile virus traveled west, carried by birds and mosquitoes, eventually hitting the Southwest.

NM High Court Considers Appeal On Back Pay, Raises

Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:11:32 +0000

The New Mexico Supreme Court is considering whether thousands of state workers covered by union contracts are owed back pay and raises totaling millions of dollars.

The state high court on Wednesday heard arguments on an appeal by the administration of Gov. Susana Martinez.

State Engineer Plans Metering Of Some Water Wells

Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:10:29 +0000

New Mexico's top water manager plans to order irrigators, municipalities and industry in a portion of the state to install meters on their underground wells to measure water use.

Mexican wolf captured again after straying in NM

Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:08:40 +0000

It's strike two for a Mexican gray wolf that was released into the wild just weeks ago.

Congress Approves Additional LANL Cleanup Money

The Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:19:43 +0000

Congress has approved an additional $19 million for nuclear waste cleanup at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The New Mexico congressional delegation on Wednesday announced the approval of a "reprogramming" request by the Department of Energy to transfer money from other programs to ensure the lab can meet its promise to remove thousands of barrels of radioactive waste by 2014.