University Of New Mexico Denies Buying, Selling Fetal Tissue – KOB-TV, Associated Press
The University of New Mexico is denying a claim by Lt. Gov. John Sanchez that it bought or sold fetal tissue.
The school's Health Sciences Center issued the statement Sunday, a day after Sanchez posted the allegations on Facebook.
KOB-TV reports that center officials say any fetal tissue was obtained from women who agreed to donate for research.
The center also says it has followed all federal laws involving fetal tissue research.
According to the school, a House panel has issued subpoenas for depositions from two faculty members and related documents.
Former New Mexico Senator Pleads Not Guilty – The Associated Press
Former New Mexico state Sen. Phil Griego has pleaded not guilty to fraud and bribery charges in connection with his role in the sale of a state-owned building.
Griego was arraigned in Santa Fe District Court on Monday.
Judge Sarah Singleton denied a request for bail and says Griego can be released on his own recognizance.
Griego is confronting 10 criminal counts for fraud, perjury, tampering with public records, bribery, and other violations. The state attorney general's office say the Democrat used his job as a senator to orchestrate the sale of a state-owned building in downtown Santa Fe, and later earn a sales commission from a private company.
Michelle Obama To Give Santa Fe Indian School Commencement – The Associated Press
First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver the high school commencement address to Santa Fe Indian School.
The White House announced Monday that Obama will address the school on May 26 as part of the White House Generation Indigenous Initiative.
The initiative works to improve the lives of American Indian youth by promoting a national dialogue and programs to train the next generation of leaders.
Last year, the First Lady addressed the White House Tribal Youth Gathering in Washington, D.C.
The Santa Fe Indian School currently is owned and operated by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico.
Sunport Police Chief, Officers On Leave Over Missing Drugs – KOAT-TV, Associated Press
The Sunport police chief and three officers are on leave over confiscated drugs that went missing.
KOAT-TV reported Saturday that Aviation Police Chief Marshall Katz, Deputy Chief Timothy Esquibel and officers Johnny Moraga and Lisa Cheromiah are all on paid administrative leave while the city investigates.
According to attorneys for Katz, Sunport police seized drugs during a traffic stop last month.
Attorneys say the officers attempted to take the drugs to an Albuquerque police substation but could not get inside.
So they put them in a Sunport police locker and some of the drugs later went missing.
Katz says he investigated.
City officials declined to go into detail about the city's investigation.
Katz was suspended last year for misusing official resources for personal benefit.
Ruling: 2 Albuquerque Officers Can Be Sued For 2013 Death – The Associated Press
A federal appeals court says two Albuquerque police officers can be sued for using a stun gun on a suspect who suffered from mental illness and later died.
The 10th U.S. Circuit of Appeals ruled Monday that Albuquerque officers David Baca and Andrew Jaramillo weren't immune from the way they used the stun gun on Jerry Perea during a 2013 encounter.
According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Perea's family, Perea was hit with a stun gun 10 times.
The city had argued the officers were justified in using the stun gun. An autopsy later revealed Perea had heart disease and methamphetamine in his system.
Both officers attempted to subdue Perea, who was on a bicycle, following welfare check call.
The medical examiner could not determine his exact cause of death.
Albuquerque Museum To Restore Historic B-52 Bomber – The Associated Press
The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History in Albuquerque is planning a makeover for the first plane to drop a hydrogen bomb.
Time and weather have taken a toll on the B-52B Stratofortress. In its Cold War heyday, the plane test-dropped more than a dozen nuclear weapons.
Museum restoration coordinator Jerry Hanks says the aircraft needs a complete restoration on the outside, body work and a total paint job. That adds up -- the authorized paint runs $460 a gallon and the primer is $300 a gallon.
The paint is expected to last for at least 20 years.
The museum has launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise $60,000, about half the estimated cost of the project. The work is expected to be complete by late summer or early fall.
Los Alamos To Benefit From Settlement Funds – The Associated Press
Aging water lines and other infrastructure in Los Alamos will be replaced as part of a settlement between New Mexico and U.S. Department of Energy stemming from a 2014 radiation release at the federal government's underground nuclear waste dump.
Gov. Susana Martinez is visiting Los Alamos on Monday to highlight $32 million in settlement funds that will be used in the northern New Mexico area.
Aside from water infrastructure improvements, another $10 million will go toward the construction of storm water control structures at Los Alamos National Laboratory to increase monitoring and sampling for contamination.
The rest of the money will be spent on improving transportation routes for shipping radioactive waste from the lab.
Another Arizona Mental Health Provider To Leave New Mexico – Associated Press
Another Arizona behavioral health company brought in to replace New Mexico nonprofits accused of Medicaid overbilling and fraud has announced it will stop providing services in New Mexico at the end of June.
Agave Health Inc. runs treatment programs in Bernalillo, Santa Fe and about 10 other counties. The company cited ongoing financial hardships along with Medicaid rate reductions as reasons for its decision.
Agave said in a statement issued Friday that it regrets having to take such as drastic measure.
The move means three of the five Arizona providers brought in by Gov. Susana Martinez's administration in 2013 to replace the New Mexico nonprofits have pulled up stakes in the state.
The state Human Services Department says it's working to ensure there are no gaps in coverage.
UNM To Survey Students About Sexual Misconduct – Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
The University of New Mexico is hoping to gauge how prevalent sexual misconduct is on campus through a survey.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the confidential survey goes live on Monday and will be available to a combined 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students for six weeks.
University officials say they hope the survey responses will help them know if they are making progress in managing cases of sexual harassment and assault while awaiting results of a Department of Justice investigation into the topic.
The U.S. Department of Justice in 2014 announced an investigation into UNM's policies regarding sexual assaults. UNM officials say they are now awaiting those results, but that they wanted to address the issue on their own.
New Mexico Groups Push For More Renewable Energy – Associated Press
A coalition of New Mexico environmental groups and community leaders are pushing for more electricity to come from renewable energy sources.
The head of the University of New Mexico's Sustainable Studies Program, Bruce Milne, says it's both desirable and feasible for the U.S. to shift to 100 percent renewable energy and that technological innovations in the industry could be exported globally.
Milne was among the representatives from Environment New Mexico and other groups who gathered this week in Albuquerque for a panel discussion regarding a new white paper on renewable energy.
Supporters said New Mexico is well positioned to be a leader in the transition given that it's the second sunniest state in the nation and has significant wind resources.
Budget Details Albuquerque Police Response Delays – Albuquerque Journal
A budget proposal from the city of Albuquerque shows police response times are growing and 911 operators aren’t answering phones as quickly.
The Albuquerque Journal reports Mayor Richard J. Berry is pushing for $250,000 to increase staffing at the police communications center, part of a proposed boost in overall spending for the department. He is also seeking a 1.5 percent raise for officers.
But Shaun Willoughby, president of the police union, says that’s not enough and officers should get a raise of up to 4.5 percent.
The police department has struggled with understaffing. It is also working on reforms mandated under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Eddy County Deputy Arrested In Alleged Livestock Scheme – Carlsbad Current-Argus, Associated Press
Two men, including an Eddy County sheriff's deputy, are facing charges that they schemed to sell stolen livestock.
The Carlsbad Current-Argus reported Saturday that Deputy Trey Thompson and Skeeter Chadwick have been arrested on felony charges of unlawful disposition of animals and transporting stolen livestock.
The arrests stem from a state Livestock Board investigation earlier this year.
Board officials say the case is ongoing.
Eddy County Sheriff Scott London says Thompson has been on paid leave since early February.
Thompson is running for undersheriff on the same ticket as Kelly Lowe, who is running for sheriff.
Lowe said in a statement that the charges incorporate "a one-sided explanation of circumstances" and not Thompson's statements or evidence.
It was not immediately clear if Thompson or Chadwick have attorneys.