North America's Largest Powwow Organizers To Announce Future – ABQ Journal, Russell Contreras Associated Press
New Mexico officials and organizers of North America's largest powwow are set to make an announcement on the future of the popular American Indian event.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the Gathering of Nations will move to Expo New Mexico. New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez is scheduled to hold a press conference with organizers on Wednesday at Expo.
The move comes weeks after University of New Mexico said it would stop hosting the Gathering of Nations.
University of New Mexico data shows that after cleanup costs, the powwow resulted in a loss for the school of more than $2,300 in 2015.
The powwow is the world's largest gathering of Native Americans and indigenous people. This year's event, held in April at UNM's basketball arena, attracted about 3,000 dancers from more than 700 tribes around the United States, Canada and Mexico.
New Mexico Gov. Martinez Not Supporting Gary Johnson Either – The Associated Press
Republican New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez says she won't support Libertarian presidential candidate and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson.
The nation's only Latina governor, who has not endorsed fellow Republican Donald Trump, said Wednesday she disagrees with Johnson's stance to reduce the nation's military. Martinez also said as a former prosecutor she couldn't support Johnson's plan to legalize marijuana.
Johnson recently won the presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party and is seeking the support of Republicans who feel uncomfortable with supporting Trump.
Last week, Trump attacked Martinez at an Albuquerque rally for the number of state residents on food stamps.
Martinez, who is the chair of the Republican Governors Association, has criticized Trump for past comments about Mexican immigrants. She also says she wanted to hear how Trump would defend the state's federal military bases.
Regulator Warns Of Long, Costly Cleanup At Los Alamos Lab – The Associated Press
It could take another decade and more than $4 billion to clean up the hazardous waste remaining at one of the nation's premier nuclear weapons laboratories.
That warning came Wednesday from New Mexico Environment Secretary Ryan Flynn as he met with state lawmakers in Santa Fe.
He outlined changes to a proposed consent order with the U.S. Energy Department that will guide future cleanup at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The state Environment Department is reviewing public comments, but it's unclear when a final decision on the order will be made.
Flynn told members of the legislative committee that the consent order signed in 2005 focused more on the investigation of contaminated sites within the lab's boundaries. Under the new plan, the state wants to see more cleanup work done.
Kirtland Air Force Base First In Line For New Helicopters – The Associated Press
Kirtland Air Force Base is first in line to get the next generation of combat rescue helicopters.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the new combat rescue helicopter was developed under a $1.28 billion contract. It will have expanded range and efficiency, a bigger cabin and improved performance at high altitudes.
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich said Tuesday at the base that the old fleet of search-and-rescue helicopters will be replaced by 2028.
Senators including the New Mexico Democrat pushed against terminating the replacement program over two years ago.
Heinrich called the base's 58th Special Operations Wing the leading training facility for combat search and rescue crews and Air Force special operations.
Col. Dagvin Anderson is the special operations wing commander, and says the retiring aircraft have been used since the 1980s.
Albuquerque Schools COO Dies On Trail – Albuquerque Journal
The hiker who died on the La Luz trail in the Sandia Mountains Monday morning was a top administrator with Albuquerque Public Schools.
The Albuquerque Journal reports at an emotional press conference on Tuesday that APS Superintendent Raquel Reedy recalled 59-year-old Ruben Hendrickson’s love of the outdoors and his dedication to his job.
Hendrickson was on a part of the trail called the Y near the top of the Sandias when he suffered a medical episode around 10 a.m. APS officials did not have additional details.
Hendrickson joined APS as director of budget in 2009 after a long career as controller for Intel in Rio Rancho. He eventually rose to chief operating officer with APS. Hendrickson leaves behind a wife, two sons and a daughter.
Bill Clinton To Campaign In Las Cruces – Las Cruces Sun-News
Former President Bill Clinton will return to New Mexico this week to campaign for his wife, Hillary Clinton, in her presidential bid.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports Clinton will be at the Picacho Middle School in Las Cruces at 2:30 on Thursday. Bill Clinton campaigned recently in Española and Albuquerque, although Hillary Clinton has not come through the state.
New Mexico will hold its primary on June 7 along with California, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota and South Dakota. Clinton has a total of 2,312 delegates. Bernie Sanders has a total of 1,545 delegates. Candidates need 2,383 to gain the nomination.
Navajo Woman Sues Mormon Church Alleging Abuse – Associated Press
Another member of the Navajo Nation is suing the Mormon Church, alleging she was sexually abused in a former church program.
The woman identified as B.N. in tribal court documents says she was sexually molested and raped multiple times while in foster care in Utah, from 1965 to 1972. She was among thousands of American Indians who participated in the church's Indian Student Placement Program.
Two Navajo siblings sued The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in March outlining similar allegations. Attorneys representing the three plaintiffs say church leaders failed to protect the children.
A church spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a message left late Tuesday.
The church has said it doesn't tolerate abuse of any kind. It also is challenging the jurisdiction of the tribal court.
Rain Brings Out More Snakes In Santa Fe – Santa Fe New Mexican
Experts caution Santa Fe residents that there are more snakes popping up this year and they tend to be bigger in size.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the heavy amounts of rain the state saw last year is to blame since it brought larger plants. That in turn brought more rodents and snakes hunting those rodents.
There are only two poisonous types of snakes in the state and one, coral snakes are only in the southwest corner of New Mexico. Rattlesnakes are more common in northern New Mexico, but experts said they are reclusive and most snakes are unlikely to bother humans if humans leave them alone.
The New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center recorded 18 rattlesnake bites so far this year and the center said that’s on track to match last year’s total of 83 bites.
Center officials caution people to prevent snakes from entering homes by patching holes and to avoid trying to capture snakes or reaching into areas where they might hide.
Ex-Santa Fe Lawyer Who Did Prison Time Again Accused Of DWI – KOB-TV, Associated Press
A magistrate has ruled that a former Santa Fe attorney again accused of driving while intoxicated will have to use a blood-alcohol monitoring device upon his release.
Authorities say Carlos Fierro was arrested early Saturday after he failed field sobriety tests, refused a blood test and was charged with aggravated DWI.
KOB-TV reports he was arraigned Tuesday. Bond was lowered to $10,000 cash or surety and the magistrate also ordered Fierro not to carry firearms or weapons and not to drink alcohol or enter any establishments that serve or sell alcohol.
Fierro was convicted of killing a pedestrian in Santa Fe in 2008 while driving impaired.
He was released from prison in 2012 after serving about three years of a seven-year sentence.
Fierro received good-time consideration and was credited with time served.
Gallup Diocese Nears $25 Million In Abuse Settlement – Gallup Independent, Associated Press
As its bankruptcy case wraps up, the Diocese of Gallup has allocated millions of dollars to compensate victims of clergy sexual abuse.
The Gallup Independent reports that the diocese's bankruptcy confirmation hearing is scheduled for June 21.
It is creating a fund of between $21 million and $25 million to be used for professional fees and settlements with the 57 abuse survivors who led claims in bankruptcy court. Professional fees are now listed at more than $3.6 million and some settlements for abuse claimants are expected to approach $300,000.
There are also several non-monetary provisions in the settlement, including letters of apology to be sent to abuse claimants.
The Gallup Diocese is also expected to take measures to help prevent clergy sexual abuse in the future.
'Breaking Bad' Actors Lend Help In New Mexico Race – Associated Press
Tony Award-winning actor Bryan Cranston is giving a fellow actor from "Breaking Bad" some help in his race for a New Mexico county commissioner's seat.
Cranston is joining comedian George Lopez in asking some residents of the state's largest county to vote for Steven Michael Quezada in a county commissioner's race. They are promoting Quezada on mailers targeting voters.
Lopez and fellow "Breaking Bad" actor Dean Norris also are lending their voices on robo calls for Quezada.
"Breaking Bad," which is set in Albuquerque, follows former high school teacher Walter White, played by Cranston, producing methamphetamine with a former student, Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul.
Quezada played DEA agent Steven Gomez in the hit AMC-TV series, which ended in 2013 amid a large following.
Western New Mexico University Museum Facing Renovation – Associated Press
The museum at Western New Mexico University which holds an extensive collection of prehistoric American Indian pottery and blankets will close temporary for renovation.
Officials say construction is scheduled to begin in August and end the fall of 2017 to renovate the nationally registered historic building.
The $3.2 million project will focus on three main objectives including the updating of the HVAC system, installation of a fire suppression system, and a new security system.
Known for the NAN Ranch Collection and Eisele Collection of Mimbres pottery, the University Museum currently displays a history of mining in the area, as well as a pictorial history of Western New Mexico University.