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Headlines: APD & DOJ Hold 'Frank' Meetings, APD Indictments Sought...

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Albuquerque Police, DOJ Hold 'Frank' Meetings  - The Associated Press

Albuquerque police and U.S. Justice Department officials have held a series of private but contentious briefings following a signed agreement on reforms.

Officials say officers and federal authorities gathered Tuesday for the last of five meetings on how reforms will be adopted. But some officers expressed anger on how the Justice Department investigated Albuquerque police and pressed federal officials on why they only focused on certain excessive force cases.

The city and the Justice Department recently signed an agreement to overhaul the city's troubled police department.

Scott Greenwood, who negotiated on behalf of the city, says the briefings were frank and they were opportunities for officers to express their opinions.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office says the office would release a statement later Wednesday.

Albuquerque Police Shooting Indictments Sought - The Associated Press

The city of Albuquerque and the U.S. Department of Justice have signed an agreement to overhaul the city's troubled police department. But some family members of those killed by Albuquerque police shootings want federal indictments.

Family members have scheduled a press conference today to call on U.S. Attorney Damon Martinez to seek indictments against Albuquerque officers linked to more than 40 shootings since 2010. They are upset that Bernalillo County District Attorney Kari Brandenburg has not found probable cause against any of the officers.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office did not immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in New Mexico is still evaluating the March police shooting of 38-year-old homeless camper James Boyd. That shooting, caught on video, generated demonstrations around the city.

3 To Sue University Of New Mexico Over Rape Case - The Associated Press

Two University of New Mexico football players and another man plan to sue the University of New Mexico and its police department over an investigation that led to rape charges that were ultimately dropped.

Lobo football players players SaQwan Edwards and Crusoe Gongbay and community college student Ryan Ruff on Tuesday said they plan this week to file a suit accusing UNM police of conducting an inadequate investigation.

A UNM student told police in April she was raped at gunpoint inside a vehicle. The men were arrested but charges were later dropped. A prosecutor said there was insufficient evidence to prove guilt.

The men said they had consensual sex with the woman.

The university said it stands by the investigation and will carefully review the suit once it is filed.

Board Revokes Albuquerque Officer's Certification - The Associated Press

A state board is revoking the law enforcement certification of an Albuquerque police officer accused of kneeing a University of New Mexico law student in the groin during a traffic stop, causing him to lose a testicle.

A Police Department spokesman says Officer Pablo Padilla is currently assigned to administrative duty and that his future with the department isn't immediately clear following the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board's decision Tuesday.

The law student, Jeremy Martin, has filed a lawsuit in connection with the April injury which his lawyer said required emergency surgery for Martin following the stop.

Police said Martin would not heed Padilla's orders during the stop.

Police Chief Gordon Eden ordered a 240-hour suspension after a city review office concluded that Padilla violated procedures during the arrest.Board revokes Albuquerque officer's certification

Rail Runner Speeds Increased After Gates Installed - The Associated Press and Santa Fe New Mexican

New Mexico Rail Runner Express trains traveling through Santa Fe road and trail crossings are back at normal speeds following the installation of new safety measures.

The Rio Metro Regional Transit District had slowed its trains following the deaths of two bicyclists struck by trains at crossings in separate incidents earlier this year. Each cyclist rode in front of a train.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the new safety measures include pedestrian gates and more warning signs.

The changes were made after Rio Metro and the Federal Railroad Administration spent four months analyzing crossings in Santa Fe.

The state Transportation Department spent nearly $1 million of federal money on improvements at crossings.

Hobbs Residents Approve Voter ID Measure - The Associated Press

Residents in a southeastern New Mexico city have overwhelmingly approved a measure to require a photo ID to vote in municipal elections.

About 78 percent of voters in a special election yesterday decided to amend the city charter to require residents to present photo identification at polling places.

Hobbs is the latest battleground over requiring strict identification to cast ballots.

Supporters say the measure would help eliminate potential in-person voter impersonation and increase public confidence in elections.

Civil rights groups argue that voter ID measures disproportionately affect blacks, Latinos, senior citizens and the poor by unduly restricting voting and imposing unnecessary costs.

The election arrives on the heels of a Lea County record-low turnout in November's midterm elections.

New Mexico Eyes Teacher Merit-Pay Pilot Programs - The Associated Press

New Mexico's Public Education Department is expected to announce plans on merit-pay pilot programs at selected school districts and charter schools.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that the $7 million initiative will allow nine school districts and 12 charters to submit their own plans for merit-pay programs.

Education Secretary Hanna Skandera says by allowing districts to design their own programs, state education officials can explore different ways merit pay might work statewide.

But Albuquerque Teachers Federation President Ellen Bernstein says teachers are already working hard and she doubts merit pay will motivate them to work any harder.

Santa Fe, Pojoaque, Floyd, Hobbs, Gallup, Farmington, Raton, Lordsburg and Des Moines districts are taking part.

Albuquerque Public Schools, the state's largest district, did not apply for the program.

NM Governor Proposes Paying New Teachers MoreThe Associated Press

Gov. Susana Martinez wants to boost the salary for new teachers as part of an $11.5 million package of proposals aimed at supporting teachers around the state and improving student achievement.

New Mexico consistently ranks at or near the bottom when it comes to education, and Martinez says increasing the pay for starting teachers by $2,000 will help make the state's recruitment efforts more competitive.

If approved by the Legislature, the governor says the starting pay for a teaching job will be $34,000 and any teacher currently earning less would receive a raise.

Martinez's plan also calls for $2.3 million in funding to help teachers purchase classroom supplies through a debit-card program and $2.5 million for a mentoring program that will pair high-performing teachers with those who need help.

New Mexico Court Clears Way For RecountThe Associated Press

The New Mexico Supreme Court has cleared the way for the recount to begin in the race for land commissioner.

The court on Wednesday lifted the stay it had imposed after reviewing a petition filed by incumbent Democrat Ray Powell over concerns his campaign had with the procedures for the recount.

The court denied the petition, a move that came after Powell and state elections officials negotiated an agreement over how to conduct the count. One issue was how many ballots would be used to calibrate the vote tabulating machines.

The latest totals provided by the secretary of state's office show Republican Aubrey Dunn leading Powell by several hundred votes, a margin so small it triggered an automatic recount under state law.

State officials say the recount will begin Thursday.

Agency Seeks $10M To Expand Child Welfare Reforms  - The Associated Press

A state child welfare agency that has been hamstrung by staffing shortages, overwhelming caseloads and a string of high-profile abuse cases in recent years is asking New Mexico lawmakers for millions of dollars more to continue with reform efforts next year.

Officials with the Children, Youth and Families Department made their case Wednesday before the Legislative Finance Committee.

Their request includes more than $10 million to expand reforms started earlier this year in response to the death of Omaree Varela, a 9-year-old Albuquerque boy who police say was repeated kicked by his mother.

The money would pay for 93 new full-time positions in the protective services division to help with the growing caseload.

It would also go toward establishing several child advocacy centers and family support sites around the state.

Police: Bandits Hit NM Homes For Holiday Displays - The Associated Press and KOAT-TV

Police say a suspected pair of bandits is robbing Albuquerque homes of their colorful, outside holiday displays.

KOAT-TV reports authorities say at least two families have had blow-up Christmas characters stolen from lawns.

Bryan Pesko recently told the station an ornament shaped like two penguins riding a sled, worth about $100, were taken early Monday.

Police say a nearby house also had its inflatables stolen.

No arrests have been made.