Albuquerque Starts New Superintendent Search Amid Turmoil -
Russell Contreras, Associated Press
Albuquerque Public Schools must enter another superintendent search after its new school chief resigned following the hiring of an administrator facing child sex abuse charges.
And some worry it may be hard to attract strong candidates amid the turmoil.
The latest controversy is just another in a string of high-profile bad news for New Mexico's largest school district.
Superintendent Luis Valentino resigned Monday after only two months on the job following his hiring of the administrator. Valentino also faced resistance for wanting to get rid of a politically-connected staffer.
Retired educator and reformer Moises Venegas says national candidates might be reluctant to apply for the job since it appears old-style New Mexico political factions control the district.
Venegas also says the board needs to show more leadership to stop bad publicity.
The APS school board has named Raquel Martinez Benavidez Reedy, who goes by Raquel Reedy, as acting superintendent. KOB-TV reports Reedy is the district’s associate superintendent for elementary education.
Navajo President Requests Help From FEMA After Mine Spill - The Associated Press
Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye is asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency for help in the tribe's recovery from a mine spill.
The Aug. 5 spill from the Gold King mine near Silverton, Colorado, sent toxic sludge into waterways including the San Juan River that flows through the reservation.
Begaye issued an emergency declaration and restricted tribal members from using the water for drinking, agriculture and livestock.
In a letter Tuesday, Begaye asks FEMA to appoint a recovery coordinator to the tribe, saying the agency is best positioned to assess the short- and long-term impacts, determine priorities and support recovery.
The tribe has been critical of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's response to the spill.
A spokesman for FEMA didn't immediately return a message Tuesday from The Associated Press.
17 In Running For Medical Marijuana Producer Licenses In NM – The Associated Press
The New Mexico Department of Health says a committee has whittled down from 86 to 17 the number of applicants seeking licenses to produce medical marijuana.
Health Secretary Retta Ward will review the finalists and decide how many licenses will be granted. She's expected to make a decision in the next 30 days.
Officials considered a number of factors in narrowing the list of potential producers, including plans for production, security, sales and distribution, quality assurance and their agricultural experience.
The department did not release the names of the applicants but said it's working on a rule change that would allow for the names of licensed producers and their employees to be made public.
The department expected to publish the proposed rule and hold hearings on the matter this fall.
New Mexico Court Schedules Arguments On Assisted Suicide – The Associated Press
New Mexico's highest court is poised to consider the legality of assisted suicide.
The state Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for Oct. 26 in a so-called "aid-in-dying" case recently decided by the state Court of Appeals.
The Court of Appeals on Aug. 11 struck down a Bernalillo County District Court judge's ruling that essentially allowed assisted suicide in the state.
In a split decision, the Court of Appeals concluded "that aid in dying is not a fundamental liberty interest under the New Mexico Constitution."
The District Court judge had previously ruled that a 1963 state law making assisted suicide a fourth-degree felony in the state was invalid as applied to physicians who administer a lethal dose of medication to a terminally ill patient.
New Mexico State University To Search Bags At Aggie Stadium – The Associated Press
New Mexico State University is stepping up security at Aggie Memorial Stadium.
The university says it will conduct bag searches of people attending football games this fall as well other major events on the university's main campus in Las Cruces.
According to the university, the bag searches are for illegal items such as explosives, guns and other weapons.
Alcohol and other prohibited items found such the bag checks will be subject to confiscation.
Attorneys To Argue Scope Of Obama Administration Water Rule – The Associated Press
A federal judge in North Dakota is giving attorneys until Tuesday night to file briefs arguing the scope of his injunction blocking a new Obama administration water rule.
U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson last week issued a temporary injunction requested by North Dakota and 12 other states including New Mexico to stop the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers from regulating some small waterways under the Clean Water Act.
The EPA says the injunction applied only to the 13 states that filed the lawsuit. Attorneys for the 13 states say the judge's ruling has "nationwide scope."
The states say the regulation is an overreach by the federal government. The federal agencies say the rule clarifies the law and actually makes it easier for the states to manage some waterways.
Aerospace Company Chooses New Mexico Spaceport For Testing – The Associated Press
An aerospace company based in southern New Mexico plans to begin testing its aircraft and space launch vehicles at Spaceport America beginning next year.
Officials with the New Mexico Spaceport Authority announced Tuesday that ARCA Space Corp. has selected Spaceport America as the site for its testing.
ARCA was established in 1999 as a nonprofit organization in Romania and became known for its innovative developments within private space flight. In 2004, the company launched its first rocket — the Demonstrator 2B — as part of the Ansari X Prize Competition.
The company expanded its operations to the United States last year.
Founder and CEO Dumitru Popescu says the proximity to Spaceport America and the expansive access to airspace were crucial factors in the decision to locate the company's global headquarters in Las Cruces.
Lawmakers To Discuss Impeaching NM Official Accused Of Fraud – Associated Press
Democratic leaders in the New Mexico House of Representatives are raising the possibility of impeachment proceedings against the state's top elections official after allegations of fraud, embezzlement and money laundering were leveled against her.
House Minority Leader Brian Egolf says the charges against Republican Secretary of State Dianna Duran are serious and if the House decides to pursue impeachment, the process needs to be a bipartisan effort.
Duran is facing a 64-count complaint accusing her of funneling campaign donations into personal accounts and withdrawing hundreds of thousands of dollars at casinos around the state.
Duran's attorney says she looks forward to addressing the allegations in court.
The secretary of state's office declined to comment on the charges Monday, saying only that the staff would continue to carry out the duties of the office.
NM Auditor Questions Spending Under Former Border Sheriff – Associated Press
A state audit says lack of oversight in the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Department allowed high-ranking officials to use federal grant money to boost their overtime pay.
State Auditor Tim Keller on Monday released the report reviewing how federal funds meant for enhancing law enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border were managed under the Doña Ana County sheriff from 2012 to 2013.
The audit report suggests the former sheriff's officials flexed their normal work schedules to earn time-and-a-half of their hourly rate, without having to seek any additional approval.
No policies were violated, but Keller says a lack of financial controls raises concerns over transparency in how federal grant dollars are used in New Mexico.
The audit was requested by Doña Ana County Sheriff Enrique Vigil, who took office this year.
New Mexico Lawmakers To Get Update On Gila River Project – Associated Press
Legislators will be getting an update on the Gila River diversion project in southwestern New Mexico from state and federal water managers.
The Legislature's Water and Natural Resources Committee continues meetings today that began Monday in Silver City.
The Gila project stems from the 2004 Arizona Water Settlement Act, which provides for the diversion of up to 14,000 acre-feet of water from the river each year.
The act provides for $128 million in federal money for the project, but critics say costs could balloon to $1 billion.
University of New Mexico researcher Jim Brooks says the Interstate Stream Commission's decision to go ahead with project was based on incomplete information and flawed analysis.
The commission has defended its decision, saying exhaustive research supports New Mexico receiving additional water from the Gila.
New Initiative Targets Panhandling – Albuquerque Journal
A new initiative will offer panhandlers day jobs rather than handouts.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that a pilot program by the city of Albuquerque and St. Martin’s Hospitality Center will use a van to find panhandlers around the city twice a week. They’ll be offered $9 an hour to work on things like weed and litter control.
Those who participate will get a ride back to St. Martin’s at day’s end to get their pay. They’ll also get help from staff to access other services such as housing, mental health counseling and food.
St. Martin’s will also help connect them to long-term employment. The program has enough funding to operate through the end of the year.
Officials said the pilot program is an offshoot of the campaign that started earlier this year to tackle panhandling. Signs went up at various intersections encouraging people to donate via a website instead of handing out cash. They also suggested panhandlers call 311 to get information on services.
Injunction Against Federal Water Rule May Expand – Associated Press
A federal judge in North Dakota is allowing arguments over the scope of his injunction blocking a new rule that would give the federal government jurisdiction over some smaller waterways.
U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson in Fargo last week issued a temporary injunction requested by North Dakota and 12 other states, including New Mexico, to stop the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers from regulating some small waterways under the Clean Water Act.
The EPA said the injunction applied only to the 13 states that sued. But North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, who filed the injunction request, says his reading of the ruling was that it applied to all 50 states.
The judge gave attorneys until Tuesday afternoon to file briefs on the issue.
Atari Games From Landfill Net Windfall – Alamogordo Daily News
Atari game cartridges pulled from an Alamogordo landfill have netted about $107,000 in sales.
The Alamogordo Daily News reports a dig that began in April 2014 found more than 800 game cartridges. Most were sold on eBay to buyers around the world. One based on the movie “E.T” was regarded as one of the worst video games ever made and may have accelerated Atari’s downfall.
The bulk of sales proceeds, about $65,000, will go to the city of Alamogordo. The Tularosa Basin Historical Society will get more than $16,000. The rest went to shipping fees. The cartridges went to a number of museums in the U.S., Canada and Germany as well as private buyers.
A consultant on the project is holding onto nearly 300 cartridges that may be sold at a later date.