Albuquerque Police Sued Over Encrypted CDs In Shooting – The Associated Press
An Albuquerque law firm is suing the Albuquerque Police Department over what it say is encrypted records from a police shooting probe.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that Kennedy Kennedy & Ives Law Practice recently filed the lawsuit in connection with records related to the shooting death of Armand Martin. Authorities say the 50-year-old Air Force veteran was shot by police during a standoff in May.
The law firm requested information in connection with the shooting investigation, but the firm said three of the CDs were password protected.
Albuquerque police spokeswoman Celina Espinoza said the department couldn't comment on pending litigation or the allegation that it released password-protected records.
Albuquerque police and the U.S. Justice Department recently signed an agreement to overhaul the police force.
New Mexico Senate Panel OKs Bill Limiting Police Drones - The Associated Press
A proposal that would ban the use of police drones from gathering evidence without a warrant in New Mexico has cleared its first hurdle.
The Senate Public Affairs Committee voted 6-2 Tuesday to move along a proposal outlawing unwarranted surveillance by unmanned aircraft in New Mexico.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino and Rep. Paul Pacheco, would prevent unwarranted material from being used in court and would allow targets of drones to seek civil action.
The move comes as police departments in New Mexico consider using drones in investigations.
Earlier this week, the federal government proposed drone rules for aerial photography and mapping, crop monitoring, and inspections of cell towers, bridges and other tall structures.
DA Wants To Stay On Albuquerque Police Shooting Case – The Associated Press
A New Mexico district attorney who drew national attention for seeking charges against two Albuquerque officers who killed a homeless man says she shouldn't be taken off the case.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Kari Brandenburg said in a court filing this week that she saw no conflict of interest despite her office working closely with Albuquerque police on other cases.
Lawyers for Albuquerque SWAT team member Dominique Perez and former detective Keith Sandy filed a joint motion last month to remove Brandenburg from the case due to a conflict of interest.
James Boyd, who authorities later said suffered from schizophrenia, was shot during a standoff in March in the Sandia Mountains foothills. Video of the shooting showed Boyd appearing to surrender before Perez and Sandy opened fire.
NM House OKs Bill To Help Teachers Become Administrators – The Associated Press
The New Mexico House of Representatives has approved a bill that would streamline the process for teachers who want to become school administrators.
The measure passed on a 38-24 vote Monday. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.
The legislation allows quality educators to get an administrative license in a shorter time period and gives superintendents more flexibility to fill administrative positions.
New Mexico's current six-year licensing process is the longest in the nation.
Some teachers who now complete a Public Education Department-approved preparation program will have the ability to seek an administrative position.
Republican Rep. Tim Lewis of Rio Rancho called the favorable vote on his bill "a huge victory" for teachers and children.
New Mexico High Court Upholds Astorga's Murder Conviction - The Associated Press
The New Mexico Supreme Court has upheld the murder conviction of a man convicted of killing a Bernalillo County Sheriff's deputy.
The state's high court issued Monday its opinion and said it found no evidence that a jury was prejudice against Michael Astorga.
In May 2012, Astorga was sentenced to life in prison and avoided a death sentence for the shooting death of Deputy James McGrane. Authorities say Astorga killed McGrane during a 2006 traffic stop.
The state Supreme Court previously ruled that Astorga was eligible for the death penalty since the crime occurred before lawmakers passed the repeal.
Astorga appealed his trial on the grounds of "purported errors" during the guilt phase. He also argued that he should have been granted a change of venue during his trial.
New Mexico Senate Approves Skandera As Education Secretary - The Associated Press
The New Mexico Senate has voted to confirm Hanna Skandera as education secretary four years after she took the job.
The Senate approved her nomination 22-19 Monday.
Gov. Susana Martinez's nomination of Skandera in 2011 drew criticism because of her having never been a teacher or administrator.
Senators who supported her say she is an educator who has made improvements in the Hispanic student graduation rates in the state, New Mexico's education woes predate her, and they spoke of support for her from educators from the Navajo Nation to the University of New Mexico.
And, finally, they say, the voters have spoken by ushering Martinez to a second term and thus expressed support for her policies and appointees.
New Mexico County Eyes Less Revenue Amid Falling Gas Prices - The Associated Press
A southeastern New Mexico county once booming with oil and gas production is expecting a 23 percent reduction in revenue for the next fiscal year.
The Hobbs News-Sun reports that Lea County estimates the gross receipts taxes from all levies are projected to be $3.3 million less thanks to a dramatic fall in oil prices.
Sherri Bunch, Lea County finance director, says the drop in oil and gas production has also lead to readjustments to this fiscal year's spending plan.
The plunge in crude oil prices per barrel has led to plummeting gas prices nationwide and has affected the energy industry, especially in oil-rich Lea County.
A recent audit noted how the county's main sources or revenues "are from oil and gas production tax, property tax" and other sources.
'Very Large Array' Gets $90M Upgrade, Capture Galaxy Storm - The Associated Press and KOB-TV
The Very Large Array has undergone a major upgrade and officials say it will now be able to reveal more of the universe.
KOB-TV reports that the 1970s-era telescopes near Magdalena, New Mexico, recently went through a $90 million technology update thanks to the National Science Foundation, Canada and Mexico.
Up until recently, the array of radio telescopes was still using technology from when they were built in the 1970s.
Officials say the new VLA is so powerful it recently discovered a star-killing storm in the core of a galaxy.
Chris Carilli, the National Radio Astronomy chief scientist, says the new VLA also may help scientists peer into the very beginnings of the universe.
Western Starring Adam Sandler To Be Filmed In Santa Fe - The Associated Press
A western comedy starring Adam Sandler to be shown on Netflix will begin filming in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico.
New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis announced Monday that the Happy Madison Production, "The Ridiculous Six," is scheduled to start shooting later this morning.
The film will be directed by Frank Coraci and also stars Terry Crews and Jorge Garcia.
The office says the production will employ around 200 New Mexico crew members and 250 New Mexico actors and local background talent.
"The Ridiculous Six" is produced by Adam Sandler and Allen Covert.
Santa Fe Development Eyes Attracting Millennials To City - The Associated Press and Santa Fe New Mexican
Developers hope to turn a defunct environmental school into a new apartment complex aimed at attracting young professionals to Santa Fe.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that three local developers behind the proposed El Rio say the project will have amenities that appeal to millennials. Those amenities include affordable rent, access to the River Trail, electric car charging stations, a solar-heated pool, bike storage and large spaces for collaboration.
Some neighbors, however, are concerned about the size and density of the complex.
Later this week, Blue Buffalo LLC, will go before the city Planning Commission to request a general plan amendment and rezoning. The company is seeking a "high density residential" designation from the city and zoning that would allow 29 units per acre.