Newest Bones On West Mesa Not Connected To Unsolved Serial Killing– Associated Press, Albuquerque Journal
Albuquerque authorities say bones discovered earlier this week in an area where 11 women were found buried nearly a decade ago aren't connected to an unsolved serial killing but rather are part of an archaeological site that dates back centuries.
The Office of the Medical Investigator released its findings Friday.
A forensic anthropologist and forensic dentist used dental features, bone weathering scales and other observations to determine the age and origin of the remains.
The state archaeologist will ensure that any remaining skeletal elements are collected and removed for appropriate reburial.
Construction workers who were building a park on the city's West Mesa discovered the remains Tuesday. It was less than a mile from the mass grave where human remains were unearthed in 2009.
Police on Friday shared the medical investigator's findings with family members of a number of women who are still missing.
Canal Breach After Rainstorm Causes Flooding In Belen–Associated Press
Cleanup and repair work is underway in Belen after neighborhoods were flooded when heavy rain caused a canal to breach.
The breach Thursday evening sent water into the downtown area of Belen, which 30 miles south of Albuquerque.
Mayor Jerah Cordova said some residents may need to be relocated because of the flooding.
The Red Cross set up shelters at a school and a senior center but it wasn't immediately known whether anybody used the facilities.
Republican Candidate For New Mexico Governor Stockpiles Cash– Associated Press
The Republican candidate for governor of New Mexico has stockpiled more than twice as much campaign cash as the Democratic nominee ahead of the November general election.
Republican Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Steve Pearce on Thursday reported a campaign account balance of nearly $2 million as of the end of June. He alone sought the GOP nomination in the June 5 primary to succeed Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, who cannot run for a consecutive third term.
The Democratic contender for governor, U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, spent $694,000 from May 30 to June 30, as she emerged victorious from a three-way primary race.
Lujan Grisham reported a cash balance of roughly $873,000 for her campaign, after contributions of about $433,000.
Researchers Collect Oral Histories From Rural New Mexico– Associated Press
Two New Mexico State University researchers are traveling the state to collect stories about daily life in rural New Mexico during the early- and mid-1900s.
Associate professor Mary Alice Scott and assistant professor Kelly Jenks say the goal is to record these oral histories before the memories are forgotten.
Scott says this era marked a turbulent time in the state's history and the interviews done so far say a lot about how rural families and communities were affected by events like World War II.
Jenks says the team is targeting regions and communities that have often been neglected.
They're working with the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum to transcribe and archive the interviews. They plan to share some stories in a series of public talks next spring.
Koch-Funded Group To Hold Forum On Immigration In New Mexico– Associated Press
A Koch brothers-funded group is hosting a New Mexico forum to push immigration reform amid outcry about the Trump Administration's move to separate migrant families.
The LIBRE Institute is scheduled July 18 to hold a forum in Albuquerque that seeks to bring together activists, religious leaders and attorneys. The conservative-leaning group is organizing similar forums in other states.
The LIBRE Institute has held forums around President Donald Trump's tax reforms and other conservative policies but has been vocal on pushing immigration reforms.
The group also has pushed for permanent protections from immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children despite opposition from some Republicans.
Albuquerque Names Harvard Grad Michelle Otero Poet Laureate– Associated Press
A southern New Mexico-raised Mexican-American writer has been named Albuquerque's poet laureate.
The city of Albuquerque recently announced that Michelle Otero will be Albuquerque's fourth poet laureate and will serve two years.
The Deming High School product holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Harvard University and a Master's in Fine Arts Creative Writing from Vermont College. Otero has written about women's issues and the lives of Latinos living along the U.S.-Mexico border.
She has worked with writers of color at various writing retreats and lives in Albuquerque's South Valley.
Large Mudslide Has Closed US Highway 64 Near Eagle Nest– Associated Press
New Mexico State Police say there's a large mudslide on U.S. Highway 64 near Eagle Nest.
They say the highway is closed from mile post 287 before Eagle Nest to mile post 309 in Cimarron.
State Department of Transportation crews are working to clear the roadway.
There's no immediate estimate to how long the closure will last and motorists are being asked to seek an alternate route.