Colorado Disputes Key Part Of EPA Mine Report - By Dan Elliott, Associated Press
Colorado officials are disputing a key claim by federal agencies about a massive spill of toxic wastewater from an inactive mine.
A report by the federal Bureau of Reclamation said two state mining experts signed off on an Environmental Protection Agency cleanup project that led to the Aug. 5 spill at the Gold King Mine in southwest Colorado.
But Mike King, head of the state Department of Natural Resources, says the state experts neither approved nor disapproved the operation. King made the statement in a letter to the EPA, which The Associated Press obtained through an open records request.
The letter is a blow to the EPA's contention that outside experts supported the plan.
The EPA said Thursday it's reviewing King's letter. The Bureau of Reclamation said the author of its report wasn't available to comment.
Suspect In Albuquerque Road Rage Killing Pleads Not Guilty – The Associated Press
The Albuquerque man accused of opening fire during a road rage dispute and killing a 4-year-old girl has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges.
Tony Torrez made his first court appearance Friday after a grand jury indicted him last week in the Oct. 20 shooting that unnerved New Mexico's largest city. He's also been charged with assault and tampering with evidence.
Police say the 32-year-old cut off a pickup truck driven by Lilly Garcia's father at an interstate exit, chased the vehicle and fired shots. The girl, who was riding in the backseat with her 7-year-old brother, was shot in the head.
Torrez was ordered held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque without bond. Police say he acknowledged shooting the girl when he was arrested.
Man Arrested After Police Find Explosives In East Roswell – The Associated Press
Authorities say a man has been arrested after police discovered explosives inside a residence in east Roswell.
New Mexico State Police bomb technicians removed the explosive material during a 14-hour incident that began with the execution of a search warrant in an unrelated case Thursday.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting in the investigation and authorities say formal federal charges are expected to be filed soon against 23-year-old Isaac J. Salas.
Authorities say Salas lives in a detached secondary residence on the property where the explosives were found.
Roswell police served a search warrant in connection to a recent larceny case in which a gun had been stolen.
Authorities say experts are trying to determine the type of explosive material that was found.
Gov. Martinez: No Intention Of Seeking Higher Office – The Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez's name has been floated as a potential vice presidential candidate, but the Republican has no intention of throwing her hat into the ring.
Her office said Friday that her feelings about seeking a higher office haven't changed despite her name being mentioned this week by GOP presidential hopeful Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as he discussed the party's talent pool.
Martinez is the nation's only Latina governor. She's also the vice chair of the Republican Governors Association and is expected to be tapped for another leadership role when the group meets next week for its annual convention.
Martinez returned to New Mexico on Friday after a quick trip to Texas for a political fundraiser. She also has attended other out-of-state fundraisers in recent weeks.
Feds' Estimate On Los Alamos Cleanup Too Low – The Associated Press
A New Mexico official says cleaning up radioactive and hazardous waste at Los Alamos National Laboratory will cost far more than the $1.2 billion estimate by the federal Department of Energy.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that state Environment Secretary Ryan Flynn said at a public meeting Thursday that the Department of Energy's cost projection is "far too low" and called for the state and federal governments to have an honest conversation about the issue.
Even with the energy department's estimate, Los Alamos is expected to receive $181 million for environmental remediation in the next federal budget.
The state and the energy department are revising a 2005 agreement that said the cleanup should be finished by this year. That didn't come close to happening.
Nun Who Stood Up To Billy the Kid Moves Up Sainthood Path – The Associated Press
An Italian-born nun who challenged Billy the Kid, calmed angry mobs and helped open New Mexico territory hospitals and schools is moving up the path toward possible sainthood.
The Archdiocese of Santa Fe on Friday closed its inquiry on why Sister Blandina Segale should become a saint. The findings now will be forwarded the Vatican.
Segale was a nun with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati and an advocate for Hispanics and Native Americans. She founded schools in New Mexico and St. Joseph Hospital.
Her encounters with Old West outlaws became the subject of an episode of the CBS series "Death Valley Days," titled "The Fastest Nun in the West."
Segale worked as an educator and social worker in Ohio, Colorado and New Mexico.
Lawyers For Gallup Diocese Say Deal In Bankruptcy Case Near – The Associated Press
Attorneys for a New Mexico diocese and its insurance companies say they are optimistic they will soon reach a resolution during mediation talks in their bankruptcy proceedings.
The Gallup Independent reportsthat the Diocese of Gallup's Chapter 11 case has been winding its way through bankruptcy court for nearly two years. At a status conference Tuesday, attorneys said they believe a successful resolution might be obtained during mediation talks scheduled to take place in Phoenix Dec. 3-4.
At the conference, attorneys for the Diocese asked U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David T. Thuma to postpone any court decisions until after the mediation. Thuma agreed.
The bankruptcy proceedings pertain to insurance policies the diocese reportedly had in the 1960s and '70s. The diocese creditors are victims of sexual abuse by priests.
Suspect In Road Rage Shooting Scheduled To Appear In Court – Associated Press
The Albuquerque man accused of opening fire during a road rage dispute and fatally shooting a 4-year-old girl is expected to be arraigned in New Mexico District Court on Friday.
The hearing will be 32-year-old Tony Torrez's first court appearance since a grand jury indictment brought charges against him that include first-degree murder, assault and tampering with evidence in the Oct. 20 shooting.
Torrez also faces federal drug and firearms charges in connection with alleged marijuana trafficking.
Police say he shot Lilly Garcia in the head after cutting off a pickup truck driven by the girl's father at a freeway exit.
The girl was riding in the backseat of the pickup.
Torrez is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque on a $650,000 cash-only bond.
Santa Fe Archbishop: 'Spotlight' To Bring Up 'Horrific' Past – Associated Press
Santa Fe Archbishop John Wester says the upcoming release of a movie detailing the Boston Globe's 2002 investigation into the church's cover-up of clergy abuse may bring up "horrific memories" for New Mexico victims.
In a recent letter to Archdiocese of Santa Fe priests and parishioners, Wester says the movie "Spotlight" is a chance for the faithful to pray for abuse victims.
New Mexico was at the center of similar scandals years before the Boston stories.
His letter comes as high-ranking leaders of the Catholic church have sent talking points to U.S. dioceses in advance of the wide release of "Spotlight."
The Boston Globe reports the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops formulated the guidance, complete with statistics, in September in anticipation of the film's Nov. 20 U.S. release.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that two lawsuits were filed this week against the Archdiocese of Santa Fe alleging sexual abuse by three priests against boys at a church in Mountainair and a school in Albuquerque.
Rubio Names Martinez As Possible Running Mate – Santa Fe New Mexican
Republican Presidential hopeful Marco Rubio said on Thursday that Gov. Susana Martinez could be a potential running mate.
The Santa Fe New Mexican quoted a report from Reuters about the U.S. senator speaking at an event in South Carolina. He mentioned Martinez when questioned about a possible vice presidential candidate.
The Democratic National Committee immediately criticized Rubio, citing a federal investigation of Martinez political advisor Jay McCleskey. The New Mexican reports Martinez has confirmed the investigation, but discounted it as something brought on by mean politics.
Gov. Martinez Appoints Nakamura To Fill Supreme Court Seat – Associated Press
Gov. Susana Martinez has chosen District Court Judge Judith Nakamura of Albuquerque to fill a seat on the New Mexico Supreme Court.
Martinez, a Republican, announced the appointment Thursday, calling Nakamura an advocate for public safety who has shown "tremendous leadership" while serving as a judge in New Mexico's Second Judicial District.
Nakamura will have to seek election next year if she wants to keep the seat being vacated by retiring Supreme Court Justice Richard Bosson.
Nakamura is a longtime Albuquerque resident and University of New Mexico law school graduate who previously served as chief judge in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court before moving to District Court in 2013.
She also is a past political director of the state GOP and staffer of former Sen. Pete V. Domenici.
Final Settlement On Nuke Violations Have Yet To Be Inked – Associated Press
New Mexico and the federal government have yet to sign a final agreement aimed at settling dozens of violations stemming from a radiation leak at an underground nuclear waste repository.
The state Environment Department's chief attorney briefed lawmakers on the status of the settlement during a meeting Thursday in Santa Fe.
Jeff Kendall says the debate is over the amount of money that will be funneled to New Mexico over what period of time.
The general terms of the agreement were announced in April, with the U.S. Department of Energy agreeing to spend more than $73 million on road improvements and environmental projects in New Mexico.
The state initially levied more than $54 million in penalties against DOE and its contractors for violations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
GOP's Ben Carson Says Border Can Be Secure In 1 Year – By Bob Christie, Associated Press
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson says the U.S.-Mexico border can be secured in one year, promising to finish a job that has taken decades to come close to accomplishing.
The political newcomer told a telephone town hall audience in Arizona Thursday that double fencing, more Border Patrol officers, National Guard troops and technology can get the job done.
Carson told the call-in audience that although he doesn't make campaign promises, "that's as close to one (as) I would make."
The retired neurosurgeon also said he'd allow people in the country illegally to stay as guest workers. They could stay if they have "pristine" records, register and pay back taxes and could only work in certain industries.
State Funds For Private Textbooks Ruled Unconstitutional – Associated Press
The New Mexico Supreme Court has ruled that the state's practice of buying textbooks for private and religious schools is unconstitutional.
The high court issued its ruling Thursday, reversing a previous Court of Appeals decision that said the practice was allowed.
Advocates of the program said that money for the books is governed by federal law, because the funds are provided by federal mineral leases. But half of the money the federal government receives from use of public lands is paid to the state.
Plaintiffs Cathy "Cate" Moses and Paul Weinbaum filed a lawsuit in 2012, claiming that the state's use of public money for private schools has taken money away from public schools.
Nun Who Stood Up To Billy The Kid To Move Up Sainthood Path – Associated Press
An Italian-born nun who challenged Billy the Kid, calmed angry mobs and helped open New Mexico territory hospitals and schools is set to move up the path toward possible sainthood.
The Archdiocese of Santa Fe is scheduled Friday to close its inquiry on why Sister Blandina Segale should become a saint. The inquiry panel will then forward its findings to the Vatican.
Segale, a nun with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati and an advocate for Hispanics and Native Americans, founded schools in New Mexico and St. Joseph Hospital.
Her encounters with Old West outlaws became the subject of an episode of the CBS series "Death Valley Days," titled "The Fastest Nun in the West."
She worked as an educator and social worker in Ohio, Colorado and New Mexico.
Border Agency Holds Off On Widespread Use Of Body Cameras -
By Elliot Spagat, Associated Press
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has ordered additional study as it considers whether to equip agents and officers with body cameras.
The move came after a yearlong review at the nation's largest law enforcement agency.
Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske said Thursday the agency will use body cameras for training purposes sometime after January, but he was noncommittal on when, or even if, the devices will be distributed more widely.
He cited cost, technological challenges and need for labor union approval as concerns.
The commissioner asked staff for the additional research by the end of January on using body cameras at Border Patrol checkpoints and other locations. He also asked for a report by the end of March on the possibility of equipping agency vehicles with dashboard cameras.
State High Court To Review Timeline For Criminal Cases – Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
The New Mexico Supreme Court will consider proposed changes to rules it set for Bernalillo County this year to help expedite criminal cases.
The court imposed rules in February to force the busy 2nd Judicial District Court to work through its backlog. The Supreme Court required prosecutors to share evidence upon which charges are based with defense lawyers at the time of arraignment, which can happen several days after an arrest. The cases must then be completed in 6 to 12 months.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the Bernalillo County Criminal Justice Oversight Committee has proposed changes to the rule that include doubling the time for police to provide initial evidence to prosecutors in some cases.
Correction: This story corrects stories from Nov. 11 and Oct. 27 when the Associated Press reported, and KUNM broadcast, inaccurate information about the timing of arraignments. The rules in question call for arraignments within 7 to 10 business days – depending on whether the accused person is in jail - not the 48 hours originally reported. We regret the error.