Tapia Documentary Set To Air On HBO On Dec. 16 – The Associated Press
A documentary on the rise and fall of Albuquerque-born, world champion boxer Johnny Tapia is slated to air on HBO next week.
The network says 'Tapia,' using first-person narration and archival footage, will be shown Dec. 16.
The film premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival last year and was shown at the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Award for best documentary.
Tapia died at his Albuquerque home in 2012. Investigators said there were no indications of a drug overdose or alcohol use but that the 45-year-old former fighter likely developed medical complications from past illegal drug use.
Petition Pushes Albuquerque Police Indictments – The Associated Press
Some family members of those killed by Albuquerque police have presented a petition demanding federal indictments.
Family members on Wednesday called 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.
The petition garnered more than 45,000 signatures.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office did not 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 homeland camper James Boyd. That shooting, caught on video, generated angry protests around the city.
NM Education Chief Calls For Targeted Investments – The Associated Press
The head of the New Mexico Public Education Department says the state needs to continue making targeted investments in reading initiatives and teacher training and mentorship programs if it wants to see more improvements in student achievement.
Hanna Skandera outlined her agency's budget request to the Legislative Finance Committee on Thursday. It includes about $68 million in new spending.
The department is asking for $15.5 million to prepare kindergarten through third-grade students as they learn to read. That would mark a $1 million increase over this year's spending on the reading initiative.
The department also wants to expand a program that extends the school year for kindergarten through third grade in hopes of boosting cognitive skills in young students.
Other proposals call for more pay, additional training and other incentives to recruit and retain teachers.
Man Sought In Albuquerque Manhunt In Custody - The Associated Press
Albuquerque police say man who allegedly carried weapons near an elementary school last week is in custody after turning himself in.
The Dec. 1 incident triggered a four-hour manhunt and resulted in the school and nearby businesses being placed on lockdown. Nobody was injured.
According to police, investigators said 28-year-old Andrew Godsey acknowledged shooting at a glass bottle with an air rifle but said he didn't point the air gun at people or a school.
Police said Godsey was wanted on a warrant accusing him of disorderly conduct, unlawful carrying and negligent use of a deadly weapon and other crimes.
Police contacted Godsey at a hospital and took him into custody without incident Wednesday evening.
Officer's Certification Suspended After DWI Arrest - The Associated Press and Santa Fe New Mexican
The law enforcement certification of a 29-year-old Espanola police officer has been suspended for two years by a state board in the wake of his drunken-driving arrest while off duty in October.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board approved the suspension for Officer Jose Martinez on Tuesday.
New Mexico State Police arrested Martinez during an Oct. 14 traffic stop, and Espanola police Chief Richard Gallegos says Martinez has been on administrative leave since October.
Martinez has pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated driving while intoxicated.
'Batman Vs. Superman' Done Filming In New Mexico - The Associated Press
The Warner Bros. film studio has completed filming of its "Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice' production in New Mexico after earlier shooting in two other states.
The New Mexico Film Office says the towns of Playas and Taos hosted the production.
The film stars Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill in the title roles and is set for a March 2016 release.
Previous filming took place in Michigan and Illinois.