Deaths Of 3 Mexican Gray Wolves Under Investigation—Associated Press
Three Mexican gray wolves have been found dead in Arizona and New Mexico and wildlife managers say they're investigating.
The latest monthly report on the status of the endangered predators shows a male wolf belonging to the Marble Pack was found dead in New Mexico. In Arizona, a female from the Hoodoo Pack and a single male were also found dead in June.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department didn't release any further details about the deaths in the report released Friday. The agency partners with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the wolf reintroduction program.
Illegal shootings, politics and legal battles have hampered the program over the years. Environmentalists want more captive wolves released, but ranchers and some local leaders are concerned about livestock losses and public safety.
Could New Mexico Land Proposed Facebook Data Center? —Associated Press
New Mexico's largest electric provider has filed documents with state regulators that reveal plans by social media giant Facebook to build a new data center.
According to Public Service Co. of New Mexico's filing with the Public Regulation Commission, both New Mexico and Utah are in the running for hosting the proposed data center.
Facebook wants to get its energy needs for the center from renewable resources, so PNM is seeking an expedited approval process for recovering from Facebook the costs associated with providing the electricity.
A spokeswoman for PNM Resources, the utility's parent company, says a hearing would have to be held. Approval is being sought by Aug. 31.
Facebook describes its data centers, which deliver all of the company's services to users, as some of the most complex machines ever created.
New Mexico Governor Offers Condolences To Texas—Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez says she's heartbroken over the violence in downtown Dallas.
In a statement issued Friday in response to the shooting deaths of five officers following a protest in Dallas, the governor says she called Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to offer her condolences. She told him that New Mexicans are praying for officers in Dallas, their families and law enforcement officials around the country.
The shootings also spurred a statement from APD Forward, a coalition of community groups that has been monitoring the implementation of police reforms in New Mexico's largest city.
The coalition says all the violence around the country this week should help ongoing efforts in Albuquerque to reform the police department. APD Forward member Jenny Metzler says the groups are looking for ways to "heal the divide between police and impacted communities."
Update: Court Orders Corruption Trial Against Ex-Senator—Associated Press
A New Mexico district court is ordering that former state Sen. Phil Griego stand trial in a public corruption case on charges including fraud, bribery and perjury.
Judge Brett Loveless found on Friday there was probable cause to pursue nine out of 10 charges filed by the state attorney general's office against the former Democratic lawmaker who resigned in 2015 amid a Senate ethics probe.
Prosecutors say Griego used his position as a state senator to profit from the sale of a state-owned building in downtown Santa Fe, pushing the sale through the Legislature without disclosing his personal interest.
The decision to proceed to trial followed four days of testimony from high-ranking state government officials and lawmakers.