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Lawmakers Hold Hearing On ICE Detention In NM, 4 Passengers Remain Critical Following Bus Crash

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Lawmakers Hold Hearing On ICE Detention In New Mexico- Associated Press

State lawmakers have heard testimony about conditions inside federal facilities that house migrants in New Mexico, where the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has entered into agreements with counties and private companies to operate two detention centers.

About 200 people filled a state capitol room for the legislative committee hearing Monday in Santa Fe.

Adriel Orozco, an attorney for the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, urged lawmakers to enact a measure that would prohibit counties from entering into new agreements with ICE to expand or add immigrant detention centers in the state.

The ICE facilities in New Mexico are in Otero and Cibola counties.

Orozco said immigrants at the Cibola County facility have complained of medical neglect.

An ICE spokeswoman did not immediately provide comment in response to an emailed request from the Associated Press.

State's Chief Deputy Defender Resigns Amid Harassment Claims- Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press

The chief deputy of New Mexico's Offices of the Public Defender is resigning amid allegations of sexual harassment, the state's chief public defender confirmed.

Bennett Baur told The Santa Fe New Mexican last week Chief Deputy Defender Chandler Blair notified the agency he was leaving to go into private practice.

Two female attorneys who filed sexual harassment complaints against Blair are still pursuing their claims after the New Mexico Disciplinary Board declined to take action.

Blair has denied the allegations.

The disciplinary board's legal counsel said the decision to take no action was made in part because of insufficient evidence and because the New Mexico Rules of Professional Conduct only address the behavior of lawyers related to their representation of clients, not in their workplace.

Blair did not immediately return an email from The Associated Press.

Discussion To Focus On Native American Voting Rights- Associated Press

Access and barriers to the political process across Indian Country will be the focus of an upcoming discussion in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, vice chair of Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, will be leading Tuesday's conversation about Native American voting rights.

Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye, representatives with the National Congress of American Indians, the Native American Rights Fund and top election managers from New Mexico will be among those participating.

Earlier this year, the Native American Voting Rights Coalition held a field hearing in Albuquerque at which people shared their experiences with voter registration and voting in federal, state and local non-tribal elections.

The group has been working to document the needs and challenges faced by Native American voters and to identify successes that can be replicated.

Folk Art Market In Santa Fe Sets Sales Record- Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press

Officials say the International Folk Art Market Santa Fe set a record for sales in 2018.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports CEO Jeff Snell says the market had tallied at least $3.28 million in sales as of Sunday night. Snell says that's up from last year's record of $3.14 million.

Snell says the market had record sales despite an hour-long internet outage on Saturday, caused when monsoon rains and lightning took out one of the market's main routers and forced organizers to reboot the system.

Snell says market workers had to switch to recording credit card information manually during the outage because their point-of-sale system was out of order.

According to its website, the International Folk Art Market Santa Fe celebrates the humanity of the handmade that empowers communities through monumental earnings.

Campfires, Smoking Now Allowed On Carson National Forest- Associated Press

Campfires, smoking and chainsaws now are allowed in the Carson National Forest.

Higher humidity and recent rain led to the decision to lift fire restrictions Monday throughout the northern New Mexico forest.

Officials say visitors still should be cautious and ensure campfires are drowned with water and cool to the touch.

Target shooting is allowed in some dispersed areas. Fireworks always are banned.

An area around Sardinas Canyon remains closed because of a wildfire, as do some roads and campgrounds.

Flood Damages Homes, Power Line, Crops In Socorro County- Associated Press

Heavy flooding has knocked out part of a transmission line from Socorro to Magdalena, leaving hundreds without power.

The Socorro Electric Cooperative says about 1,560 customers in and around Magdalena are without power Monday.

Spokesman Jimmy Capps says water rushed through an arroyo late Sunday, uprooting poles and anchors along the transmission line.

He says crews expect to restore power late Monday.

Socorro County manager Delilah Walsh says the floodwaters also damaged 18 homes in San Antonio, broke water lines, destroyed crops and washed out a section of rail line.

No one was injured.

She says residents in San Antonio reported hearing rumbling before seeing what looked like a river flowing through their property. She says a walk-in freezer and a propane tank floated away.

Investigation Into Weeping Virgin Mary Statue Continues- Las Cruces Sun-News, Associated Press

The Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces continues to investigate a Virgin Mary sculpture in a Hobbs church that appears to be weeping.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports Bishop Oscar Cantú of the diocese said Friday a sample of the fluid collected from the sculpture was sent for chemical analysis and it was determined that it was olive oil.

That fact doesn't preclude the occurrence from being deemed a church miracle. But an investigation is still underway.

Cantú says the investigation entails trying to determine whether there was a natural cause behind the liquid found on the hollow bronze sculpture.

Cantú says the diocese also examined the interior of the statue and determined nothing irregular.

The sculpture, which stands in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, has been attracting attention since visitors first reported the fluid in May.

4 Passengers Remain Critical Following Deadly Bus Crash- Associated Press

Four people remain in critical condition following a deadly crash involving a commercial passenger bus and three other vehicles on a New Mexico highway early Sunday.

Authorities said three people were killed and two dozen were injured, including 12 who were still hospitalized Monday. Hospital officials say several patients have been treated and released.

The Sandoval County Sheriff's Office hasn't released the names of the dead.

One of the people killed was in a car that struck a pickup truck from behind about 2 a.m. Sunday on Interstate 25 north of Albuquerque. The bus driver took evasive action to avoid the disabled car and its driver lost control. The bus rolled and was sideswiped by a semi-truck.

The wreckage was strewn across the interstate, forcing its closure for hours.

New Mexico Passenger Bus Crash Kills 3, Sends 24 To Hospital – Associated Press, Albuquerque Journal

A crash involving a passenger bus and three other vehicles on Interstate 25 early Sunday killed three people and sent 24 to the hospital, authorities said.

Sandoval County Fire Chief James Maxon confirmed the deaths and said the crash occurred on I-25 just north of Bernalillo, about 18 miles north of Albuquerque.

The Albuquerque Journal reports Maxon said the accident was one of the worst he had seen in his career. Part of the interstate was closed in both directions for nearly 12 hours.

Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Keith Elder said a southbound passenger car rear-ended a pickup truck. The truck hit the median and the driver was ejected and killed.

An El Paso-Los Angeles Limousine Express Inc. bus swerved to avoid the wreck and lost control, ending up on its side across the northbound lanes.

Then a semi-truck swerved to avoid the bus and crossed southbound 1-25 and a frontage road, according to the Journal.

Emergency crews had to extricate several people who were trapped in the bus using a tool that pries open parts of a vehicle.

It was not immediately known whether the other two people who died were bus passengers. The Journal reports 38 people were involved in the crash, including the three who were killed, and 24 were transported to area hospitals.

More University Of New Mexico Startups Staying In StateAlbuquerque Journal, Associated Press

The University of New Mexico says 11 startups launched this past fiscal year to market UNM technologies. But this time, they all plan to stay in New Mexico.

The Albuquerque Journal reports Lisa Kuuttila, president and CEO of the Science and Technology Corp., the university's tech-transfer office, says it's the first time since the STC began publishing annual statistics on its program achievements for each fiscal year that not a single startup chose to relocate to other markets.

Kuuttila called it a “milestone” and says it reflects the growing support here for entrepreneurs seeking to launch and grow companies. More availability of early-stage funding is a contributing factor, she added.

Kuuttila says eight of 12 startups marketing UNM technologies left for other states in fiscal year 2017.

Trooper Shot, Suspect Killed In Interstate Traffic StopAssociated Press

Officials say a New Mexico State Police trooper has been wounded and a suspect fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire during a traffic stop.

Deputy Chief Robert Eshom said at a news briefing that the wounded officer was involved in a traffic stop at about 2 a.m. Sunday along Interstate 25. Eshom says a passenger in the vehicle shot at the officer, who returned fire. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

The officer, who has not been identified, was taken to a hospital in stable condition, treated and released.

Neither the officer nor the suspect has been identified.

Officials say an investigation is ongoing.

Dust Storm Closes I-10 Near The Arizona-New Mexico BorderAssociated Press

A section of Interstate 10 near the New Mexico-Arizona border was closed in both directions due to a dust storm.

Arizona Department of Transportation officials announced the closure Sunday afternoon and say there's no immediate timetable for the highway's re-opening.

They say drivers can use the U.S. 191 northbound to U.S. 70 eastbound to reach Lordsburg, New Mexico.

Arizona DOT announced on Twitter that parts of I-10 re-opened Sunday night.

The stretch of highway near rural Lordsburg has seen numerous closures in recent years along with deadly crashes due to similar dust storm conditions stemming from the desert landscape and a dry lakebed.

8 Arrested In Protest At Utah Operator Of Detention CentersAssociated Press

Eight people were arrested during a protest held outside offices of a Utah-based private prison company that wants to open a fourth detention center for U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement.

The protest was held Thursday outside Management & Training Corp.'s headquarters in Centerville, a Salt Lake City suburb.

Demonstrators objected to a proposal by MTC to establish a new ICE immigrant detention center in Evanston, Wyoming, to serve the Salt Lake City area.

MTC now operates detention centers in Calexico, California; Chaparral, New Mexico and Livingston, Texas.

Centerville police said about 15 protesters voluntarily left the MTC headquarters but that eight did not and were arrested on suspicion of trespassing, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

New Mexico Ex-Tax Secretary Delays Plea In Corruption CaseAssociated Press

The former head of New Mexico's Taxation and Revenue Department has been arraigned in court on embezzlement and corruption charges related to her time in office without entering a plea.

Demesia Padilla appeared in court Friday to face felony counts of embezzlement, computer access with intent to defraud and engaging in an official act for personal gain, along with five misdemeanor charges linked to ethics violations.

Defense attorney Paul Kennedy said a plea was not appropriate without a showing of probable cause. Padilla was release pending evidentiary hearings in October.

Padilla resigned in 2016 after state investigators raided tax department offices. The office of Attorney General Hector Balderas alleges that Padilla advocated as tax secretary for abatement of a tax penalty against a former client of her accounting firm.

No Applicants For Judicial Opening So Deadline Is ResetLas Vegas Optic, Associated Press

The state court system's first attempt to recruit potential replacements for a retiring District Court judge in northeastern New Mexico didn't work so it's trying again.

The Las Vegas Optic reports that the Judicial Selection Office has reset the deadline for submissions of applications to replace Fourth Judicial District Judge Matt Sandoval to Aug. 2 because no applications were received by the initial deadline of July 5.

Sandoval is officially retiring Aug. 1, though he hasn't heard any cases since taking a leave of absence due to health concerns last November.

The Las Vegas-based Fourth Judicial District includes Guadalupe, Mora and San Miguel counties and has two other judges.

The Judicial Nominating Committee will meet Aug. 27 in Las Vegas to evaluate the applicants for the position.

Pilot Tours Offer Glimpse Of Atomic Bomb Development SitesAssociated Press

U.S. nuclear security officials have partnered with the National Park Service to offer pilot tours of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in New Mexico.

The once-secret city of Los Alamos was among the World War II sites where the U.S. developed the first atomic bomb. The historical park was established in 2015 to preserve portions of the sites.

About 100 people went on the tours Thursday and Friday as part of the Los Alamos ScienceFest, and officials say they're looking forward to planning the next tour.

The Manhattan Project park at Los Alamos has a number of buildings located in areas that are off limits to the public.

Officials say the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Park Service and Los Alamos National Laboratory will continue to evaluate opportunities to host public tours of the historic sites.

Child Welfare Workers Being Trained On Sex Trafficking SignsLas Cruces Sun-News, Associated Press

New Mexico child welfare workers are being trained on how to spot signs of child prostitution after the arrest of two Albuquerque parents suspected of prostituting their 7-year-old daughter.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports a subsequent review of the case found 25 prior referrals about the girl and her family dating back to 2004.

New Mexico Children Youth and Families Secretary Monique Jacobson said this week that the review prompted recommendations for employee discipline and policy changes.

She says the training is part of the changes. It will teach protective services workers and juvenile justice workers what signs to look out for and dispel myths on sex trafficking.

She says it's not uncommon for children that her office works with to be involved in child prostitution cases.

Hall Of Fame Jockey Mike Smith Returns To New MexicoAssociated Press

Mike Smith became the 12th jockey in history and the only one from New Mexico to win the Triple Crown after flying across the finish line atop three-year-old Justify in June.

Smith was born in Roswell and forged his love of horse racing while growing up in the farming community of Dexter.

He recently returned to his home state to celebrate his historic victory.

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez proclaimed July 8 as "Mike E. Smith Day," as the jockey spent the day signing autographs and raising money for the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund at Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino.

Smith tells the El Paso Times that winning the Triple Crown was an amazing feeling.

Smith has two Kentucky Derby wins, two Preakness wins, three Belmont wins, and 26 victories in Breeders' Cup races.

Judge Says Lawsuit Over Federal Nuke Lab Cleanup Can Go ForwardEl Paso Times, Associated Press

A federal judge is allowing part of a watchdog group's lawsuit over cleanup efforts by Los Alamos National Laboratory to move ahead.

The court has denied a motion by Los Alamos National Security LLC and U.S. Energy Department, a co-defendant, to dismiss Nuclear Watch New Mexico's claims for civil penalties.

In court documents filed Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Judith Herrera said both agencies failed to prove violations won't happen again.

Herrera did, however, drop part of the complaint asking for injunctive relief.

A spokesman for the laboratory declined to comment Friday.

NukeWatch first filed a complaint in May 2016.

The group says the defendants committed 13 violations when fulfilling a 2005 cleanup agreement with state officials.

The New Mexico Environment Department had argued a new agreement made in 2016 invalidated the 2005 one, making the lawsuit moot.