A new report finds the state should end the year with more money than expected.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the state is expected to see 2.5 percent more revenue, or about $155 million, than was anticipated by forecasters, including economists and policymakers for the Legislature and the administration of Gov. Susana Martinez.
According to the report from the Legislative Finance Committee, the higher amount comes from more consumer spending, which is reflected in gross receipts tax revenues and other taxes paid on the purchase of goods and services. Corporate income tax revenue was up by 62 percent. The biggest drop was in oil and gas revenues.
Teen Confessed To Shooting In Foothills – Albuquerque Journal
A 16-year-old accused of being the triggerman in the slaying of Steven Gerecke last month in the Albuquerque foothills during a rampage by a group of teenagers has confessed to the shooting. That’s according to a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that Jeremiah King admitted to detectives he was the one who shot 60-year-old Gerecke in his own driveway during a night of “mobbing” on June 26.
APD Spokesman Tanner Tixier said King confess before a July 10 news conference held by Police Chief Gorden Eden. And documents say three teens in addition to the six arrested were with the group that night.
Six teenagers ages 14 to 17 were arrested and indicted for the murder earlier this month. Four will be tried as adults and two as juveniles.
Official Says Staffing Woes Hampering PRC – Santa Fe New Mexican
The state Public Regulation Commission continues to struggle with a critical shortage of personnel. Staff members told regulators on Wednesday this impacts their ability to efficiently move cases through the commission’s docket.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that six key positions remain vacant, including those of three staff attorneys and three division directors, one of whom serves as the agency’s chief financial officer. Chief of Staff Vincent Martinez said hiring for the most crucial jobs would create a projected budget deficit of nearly $400,000.
A total of 19 staff positions need to be filled. Commissioner Patrick Lyons said a lack of critical staffers has put the commission at a disadvantage at a time when it’s under pressure by state legislators and others to resolve cases quickly. But Commissioner Valerie Espinoza said the agency should focus on filling low- and mid-level slots rather than those with higher salaries.
Federal Agencies To Manage Future Atomic Bomb Historic Park – Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press
Three sites of the Manhattan Project are a step closer to becoming a national park managed jointly by two federal agencies.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the atomic bomb was designed and tested in Los Alamos, New Mexico during World War II. Los Alamos and cities in Tennessee and Washington will make up the future Manhattan Project National Historic Park.
The National Park Service and the Department of Energy released an agreement Tuesday to manage the project together.
A bill introduced by former U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman in 2004 prompted the push for the park, which he says is an important part of world and American history.
Los Alamos Study Group co-founder Greg Mello says the project debases the idea behind national parks.
Albuquerque Police: 2nd Carjacking Suspect Now In Custody – Associated Press
Albuquerque police say two carjacking suspects now are in custody.
A man who holed up in a tire shop for hours was arrested Wednesday evening.
Police say an SUV was stolen from a woman Tuesday morning by a man at gunpoint and officers spotted it Wednesday morning in the Albuquerque foothills.
That prompted a 25-minute pursuit that ended at the tire shop.
News video showed a man and a woman run into the building after getting out of the SUV in an adjacent alley.
Police say the unidentified woman came out and was arrested Wednesday afternoon as negotiators tried to engage the male suspect.
They say the business' employees got out and there were no hostages.
Police identified the male suspect as 36-year-old Martin Duran but didn't release any other details.
Panicked 911 Caller: Dispatcher Had No Reason To Hang Up – Associated Press
A 911 caller says she was panicked but as calm as possible before a New Mexico dispatcher hung up on her while she tried to save the life of a friend who had been shot.
Esperanza Quintero told The Associated Press on Wednesday that she wished dispatcher Matthew Sanchez had done more to help before telling the 17-year-old to "deal with it yourself."
In the recording, the caller snaps at Sanchez for repeatedly asking whether Chavez-Silver is breathing.
The call was made after 17-year-old Jaydon Chavez-Silver was shot in June as he watched other teens play cards at a friend's house. He later died.
City officials say Sanchez resigned Tuesday, a day after a recording of the 911 was released.
Two Houses From 'Breaking Bad' For Sale In Albuquerque – Associated Press
Two houses featured on the hit AMC-TV series "Breaking Bad" are up for sale in Albuquerque.
A mother-daughter realty team said this week they are helping sell the home where the fictitious Jesse Pinkman made methamphetamine on the hit television show.
The house in Albuquerque's Country Club area is listed for $1.6 million.
Susan C. Feil and Alicia Feil Peterson of Coldwell Banker Legacy also listed another house that appeared in the series finale in Albuquerque's North Valley.
The sales team created a website to promote the houses, which includes the caveat "Meth lab not included."
"Breaking Bad" follows former high school teacher Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, producing methamphetamine with a former student, Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul. It ended in 2013.