Judge Lifts Restraining Order In Gila Lawsuit – The Associated Press
The Interstate Stream Commission can now move forward with a meeting next week to consider the future of the Gila River.
During a hearing yesterday, state District Judge Francis Mathew lifted a temporary restraining order that had blocked action by the commission.
New Mexico faces a December 31st deadline for deciding how to manage its share of the river under the Arizona Water Settlements Act.
The commission plans to meet Monday to consider a recent staff recommendation to build a diversion and storage system along the Gila.
Critics say the cost of any diversion would far outweigh the federal subsidies available for the project.
Former commission director Norm Gaume is among the critics. He sued, alleging the commission's handling of the Gila River violated the state Open Meetings Act.
New Mexico Immigrants Hopeful After Obama Move - The Associated Press
Immigrants in New Mexico say they are encouraged by President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration but believe more reforms are needed.
Barbara Gomez, a member of the University of New Mexico student group Dream Team, said Thursday she was happy that some immigrant parents will be allowed to stay under the changes. However, the 21-year-old said leaders in Washington needed to come together and pass a comprehensive bill.
Josue del Luna Navarro also said he wish the executive action extended beyond the targeted 5 million or so immigrants suspected of being in the country illegally. The 18-year-old says the move left out a number of hardworking people who are already living in the U.S.
Both Gomez and Navarro were among the thousands of immigrants nationwide who watched the president's announcement at viewing parties.
Los Alamos Director Denies Lab Hid Facts From WIPP - The Associated Press & The Santa Fe New Mexican
The head of Los Alamos National Laboratory is denouncing a published report that exposed missteps at the lab that had played a part in a radiation leak at the nation's only underground nuclear waste repository.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports lab director Charlie McMillian sent a memo to employees earlier this week.
In it, he dismisses suggestions that the lab was hiding scientific theories about the Feb. 14 accident at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
The newspaper's initial report was based on interviews and thousands of documents and emails obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. Some emails expressed outrage from WIPP officials about what they weren't told by Los Alamos lab.
The Department of Energy is expected to release a final report on the WIPP leak before the end of the year.
Navajo Nation President Approves Junk-Food Tax - The Associated Press
The sales tax on cookies, chips and sodas sold on the Navajo Nation is going up.
Tribal President Ben Shelly signed legislation Friday to impose a 2 percent sales tax on junk food starting next year. It will remain in effect until 2020.
The money will pay for projects including farmer's markets, vegetable gardens and exercise equipment in tribal communities.
Elected officials across the U.S. have taken aim at sugary drinks with proposed bans, size limits, tax hikes and warning labels, but the efforts haven't gained widespread traction.
The Dine Community Advocacy Alliance spent nearly two years to get a junk food tax approved on the Navajo Nation.
Shelly vetoed a version of the bill earlier this year. He says this one is clearer on how it will be implemented.
Martinez Highlights New 'Katie's Law' Successes - The Associated Press
Gov. Susana Martinez is touting more success from a DNA testing law that bears the name of a New Mexico college student who was murdered in 2003.
Martinez announced Friday an 88 percent increase in matches by the New Mexico DNA Identification System thanks to the expanded Katie's Law. She says the system has matched DNA from 463 arrestees to 478 cases since 2011.
The law was named in memory of Kathryn Sepich, a New Mexico State University student whose killer was identified with DNA evidence after he was convicted of another crime.
The original law, passed in 2006, required DNA samples from suspects arrested for violent felonies such as murder, kidnapping, robbery, burglary and sex offenses. The 2011 revision extends the testing requirement to all felonies.
New Mexico Unemployment Rate Drops To 6.5 Percent - The Associated Press
New Mexico's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped in October to 6.5 percent, down from 6.6 percent in September and below the 6.8 percent rate of October 2013.
State labor officials reported Friday that New Mexico's economy added 9,100 jobs since October 2013, representing growth of more than 1 percent. The gains in nine economic sectors more than offset losses in four others.
The education and health services sector added 4,900 jobs — more than half of the new positions — while manufacturing lost 2,300 jobs for the biggest loss by one sector.
Other sectors with big gains included financial activities with 2,000 additional jobs and mining and logging with 1,700 jobs.
The state has recorded net job gains since June
Securities Division Proposes Broker Suspensions - The Associated Press
The state Securities Division has proposed taking action against two brokers accused of breaching their duties and contributing to an investment crisis at the Bernalillo County treasurer's office.
The division sent one notice to the Bank of South Carolina, which was doing business as Bank of Albuquerque, and broker Thomas Wayne Hayes. The other notice went to Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. and broker Royce O. Simpson.
The notices were sent yesterday, a day after the state auditor released a special review that detailed risky investments by the county treasurer's office.
The Securities Division is proposing to ban the brokers from trading securities in New Mexico. It's also calling for fines against the brokers and their companies.
The notices also call for the companies to submit a plan that ensures proper oversight of brokers.
Gov. Martinez Denounces Obama's Immigration Move - The Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, the country's only Latina governor, is denouncing President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration.
The Republican said in a statement Thursday she was disappointed with his move and that he should have tried one more time to work with Congress to tackle the issue.
Martinez said the executive action didn't reflect "good common-senses" and was not "an act of compassion."
She said the move was an "invitation to further law-breaking" and didn't address the systemic issues along the border.
Earlier this week, Martinez published an opinion piece in the Washington Times calling on Congress to act on a comprehensive immigration reform bill.
She said solutions shouldn't reward those who have broken the law but they also shouldn't
No Charges Likely In New Mexico Neighbor Shooting - The Associated Press
An Albuquerque man who police said fatally shot his black Iraq War veteran neighbor likely won't face charges.
Second Judicial District Attorney Kari Brandenburg says the state attorney general's office and New Mexico State Police both agreed with her agency that no charges should be filed.
The decision comes after civil rights groups demanded an investigation into the shooting death of 24-year-old Jonathan Mitchell.
Authorities say Mitchell was shot by neighbor Donnie Pearson during what Pearson described as an exchange of gunfire.
Mitchell's family claimed Pearson drove up to Mitchell's garage and shot him in his front yard.
Video taken from an Albuquerque police helicopter showed Mitchell firing first in an exchange of gunfire with Pearson. The video also revealed that Pearson's SUV drove up to Mitchell's garage.
Mom Charged Anew In New Mexico Van Chase, Shooting - The Associated Press
New charges have been filed against a Tennessee woman in a chaotic 2013 traffic stop and chase during which a New Mexico State Police officer fired shots at her minivan full of children.
A Taos County grand jury yesterday indicted 40-year-old Oriana Farrell of Memphis on fleeing and child abuse charges. An appellate court in August dismissed previous charges over the departure and replacement of a grand jury member.
The officer shot at Farrell's van carrying her five children after she twice sped off and was stopped by another officer for speeding near Taos. Video of the shooting gained national attention, and the officer was later fired.
Suspected FSU Gunman Was Attorney In New Mexico - The Associated Press
A man suspected of shooting three people at a Florida State University's library yesterday worked for the District Attorney's office in Las Cruces.
A State Bar of New Mexico spokeswoman says Myron May was listed as an attorney for the Dona Ana District Attorney until recently.
In addition, a Las Cruces police report last month says May was the subject of a harassment complaint from a former girlfriend.
Danielle Nixon told police that May had recently developed "a severe mental disorder" and he came to her home to complain that police had placed cameras in his home and car.
Nixon told police May had quit his job.
Albuquerque Police: Teenager Shot Accidentally - The Associated Press
Albuquerque police say the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy was an accident.
Police say a 16-year-old friend fatally wounded Melquisedec Rodriguez while they were playing with the gun at a friend's home Wednesday morning.
According to police, the 16-year-old thought the gun's safety was on.
Police also say Rodriguez had stolen the gun from a vehicle and that the gun has been recovered.
The 16-year-old was released to his parents. Police say a prosecutor has told the youth that he might be charged at a later date.
UNM Won't Renew Contract Of Women's Soccer Coach - The Associated Press
The University of New Mexico is not renewing the contract of women's soccer coach Kit Vela three months after a hazing incident.
School officials announced the move yesterday.
Vela had a 122-104-45 record in 14 seasons with the Lobos.
The team was 10-6-2 this season, finishing third during the Mountain West regular season before losing in the conference tournament semifinals.
Vela was suspended for a week without pay and 22 players were suspended for one game after the hazing episode in August.
O'Keeffe Painting Sells For Record $44.4M In NYC - The Associated Press
A Georgia O'Keeffe painting of a simple white flower has sold for $44.4 million, more than triple the previous auction record for a work by a female artist.
Sotheby's New York says the 1932 painting, "Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1," sold yesterday during the auction house's sale of American art.
The painting was sold by the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, to benefit its acquisitions fund. The buyer bid by telephone. Sotheby's isn't disclosing the buyer's identity.
Lost New Mexico Kitten Ends Up In Maine - The Associated Press and Portland Press Herald
A New Mexico woman's missing kitten has been located in Maine, although exactly how the feline made the 2,300-mile trip remains a mystery.
The female kitten, named Spice, was turned into the Animal Refuge League in Westbrook earlier this month by a man who found her inside a duffel bag outside a Portland thrift store.
Spice's owner was tracked though an implanted microchip to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
A spokeswoman from the Animal Refuge League tells the Portland Press Herald she talked to the owner, who said Spice bolted on Halloween when she opened her door for trick-or-treaters.
The owner, who didn't want to be identified, said she's never been to Maine and doesn't know anyone from Maine.
Spice, meanwhile, remains in Westbrook because the owner can't afford to fly her home.