Libertarian Senate Hopeful Quits As Gary Johnson Eyes Run- Associated Press
The Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate announced Monday that he is quitting the race, opening the door for former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson and creating uncertainty in a race that Democrats considered safe.
In a statement, Aubrey Dunn said he wanted to focus on his job as state land commissioner and that a water crisis in southeastern New Mexico demanded his attention.
"After much contemplation with my family and supporters, I believe I need to focus on my job as land commissioner for the remainder of my term," said Dunn, who was elected in 2014 as a Republican and will serve until the end of the year.
In his announcement, Dunn called upon Johnson, the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate in 2016, to take his place.
"I have spoken with Gov. Johnson, he is willing to consider serving as my replacement as the Libertarian nominee and I respectfully request that our Libertarian Party State Central Committee nominate him as the replacement candidate," Dunn said.
Judge Says Albuquerque Vehicle Seizure Program Unconstitutional- Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
A federal judge has found the vehicle seizure program operated in Albuquerque to be unconstitutional.
A lawsuit was filed against the city over the program.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that U.S. District Court Judge James Browning found the program unconstitutional in part because it required vehicle owners to prove their innocence after their car was taken.
Mayor Tim Keller's administration previously said that it would give vehicle owners who weren't driving when their car was seized more protections.
The city for years has operated a seizure program that allowed police to take cars from anyone arrested on suspicion of a second or subsequent drunken driving case, or someone arrested for driving on a revoked license.
The police would take the vehicles regardless of whether the driver owned the vehicle.
Governor Candidates Push Dueling New Mexico Economic Plans- Associated Press
The contenders for New Mexico governor are pushing dueling plans aimed at tackling poverty in one of the nation's poorest states and transforming a struggling economy tied to the boom-and-bust oil and gas industry.
Republican Rep. Steve Pearce told business leaders Monday that he would seek to expand the state's greenhouses, look to new mining ventures and push growth in artificial intelligence businesses.
He also vowed to do more to take advantage of Spaceport America and make Roswell a destination for painting large aircraft.
Democratic Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, released her "seven-point plan" last week aimed at addressing poverty by raising wages and adding more regulation against payday lenders.
The Albuquerque Democrat's plan includes raising the minimum wage from $7.50 to $10 per hour statewide, expanding child savings accounts and dedicating more resources to fighting hunger.
Lujan Grisham also is an outspoken advocate for expanding preschool programs — something liberal Democrats in the Legislature have been pushing to address poverty.
Troubled New Mexico City Still Lacks Police Chief, Manager – Las Vegas Optic, Associated Press
A northern New Mexico city plagued by lawsuits from former workers over conflicts with the mayor still doesn't have a police chief, a city attorney or a city manager.
And it's unclear when the city of Las Vegas will hire them.
The Las Vegas Optic reports Las Vegas Mayor Tonita Gurule-Giron still has not made the appointments after two months.
Gurule-Giron has repeatedly said the delays come as contracts are being drawn up by the city's contract attorney for various positions that would help fill other vacancies.
But the delays come as Gurule-Giron has clashed with city council over hires.
Three former city workers, including former Las Vegas City Attorney Dave Romero, are suing Las Vegas over their terminations.
City Approves Resolution Opposing Nuclear Storage Facility – Las Cruces Sun-News, Associated Press
Las Cruces has become the latest community in New Mexico to voice opposition to building a nuclear waste storage facility in the southeast corner of the state.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports the Las Cruces City Council last week approved a resolution opposing the transport and storage of high-level nuclear waste in the state.
Holtec International, a New Jersey-based company specializing in nuclear storage, has applied to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a license to construct a nuclear waste storage facility about 35 miles east of Carlsbad.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is accepting public comment on the proposal through July 30. The council voted in support of the resolution after discussing the issue for nearly two-and-a-half hours.
Director Of Crime-Tip Group Accused Of Embezzlement, Resigns – Farmington Daily Times, Associated Press
The former executive director of Crime Stoppers, a San Juan County organization that seeks anonymous crime-solving tips, has been arrested on charges alleging she embezzled more than $2,300.
A criminal complaint accuses 31-year-old Carlee Hooper with embezzlement and tampering with evidence, and an arrest warrant affidavit alleges she made unreported charges by using a bank card attached to a Crime Stoppers bank account and deleted evidence on a Crime Stoppers phone.
The Daily Times reports that defense attorney Shellie Patscheck says Hooper didn't have any malicious intent and that the accusations against her client are based solely on account discrepancies.
Crime Stoppers board Chairman Curtis McGee says Hooper has resigned as executive director and that the organization wants to maintain the integrity of its work with the county Sheriff's Office.
Court To Hold More Preliminary Hearings, Fewer Grand Juries – Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
Court officials for New Mexico's most populous county plan to drastically reduce use of closed-door grand juries to charge criminal defendants, instead having judges hold more preliminary hearings in open court to hear testimony.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that officials for the 2nd Judicial District Court serving Bernalillo County say the change in how it's decided whether there is probable cause to support formal charges should save money and mean cases are vetted early on.
The change has the backing of the chief public defender who says it will lead to earlier resolutions of some cases but the district attorney says it'll make launching new criminal cases more challenging and resource intensive.
Prosecutors in Bernalillo County now use grand juries to issue indictments in the vast majority of felony cases.
Española Officers Have Fun Lip-Syncing Funky "Low Rider" – Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press
New Mexico police officers are joining a lip-sync challenge aimed at boosting the profiles of their agencies to recruit new officers and to showcase their musical talents.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the Española Police Department's video, released earlier this month, features several officers lip-syncing and dancing to 1975's "Low Rider" by the funk band War while surrounded by lowriders.
In the video, Española Police Chief Louis Carlos and Deputy Chief Roger Jimenez say the challenge could give the department an opportunity to show its human side.
The police department says most of the response to the video has been positive.
The video came out just in time for the city's Lowrider Day, which celebrates lowrider culture.
Police departments from Seattle to Texas have also participated in the challenge.
Gallup's Low Water Levels Drawing Attention From Officials – Gallup Independent, Associated Press
City officials say the groundwater in one of the largest cities near the Navajo Nation is being mined at a faster rate than it can recharge thanks to drought conditions.
The Gallup Independent reports Gallup, New Mexico, officials said Tuesday that groundwater levels in the city have dropped about 200 feet over the past 10 years. Officials say within the decade, the supply is not expected to meet current water demands.
Gallup city councilors are considering proposals aimed at reducing water use. Water bill hikes and contingency plans to restrict water use are among the plans being considered.
Florida Airman Meets Soldier Who Saved His Life – Citrus County Chronicle, Associated Press
A Florida airman who was seriously wounded in the Vietnam War was reunited with one of the two soldiers who saved his life, 51 years after he was shot.
Lyle Davis of Inverness, Florida met up with Chuck Henry for the first time since Henry and another soldier saved Davis' life by taking his ID card and taping it over a hole in Davis' chest. The reunion took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico last April.
Henry tells the Citrus County Chronicle it was heartwarming to see that Davis had survived the attack and gone on to live a rewarding civilian life.
Davis says he was happy to hear for the first time how he was shot during the attack on the Tan Son Nhut Air Base in South Vietnam.