UNM Is Second School To Have Sexual Assault Policies Investigation By DOJ – The Albuquerque Journal
The U.S. Department of Justice’s review of sexual assault policies at the University of New Mexico is just the second such investigation in the nation.
The Albuquerque Journal reports UNM officials say they still don’t have details on the complaints the DOJ says sparked the investigation.
The state’s flagship university had taken steps to improve procedures for responding to sexual assault and sexual harassment allegations even before being notified by the DOJ in December.
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division has said multiple complaints lead to the investigation.
The U. of Montana was the first school to be investigated.
New Funding Basis For New Mexico Unemployment Program Begins - The Associated Press & The ABQ Journal
Some New Mexico employers are feeling the pinch of an overhaul of New Mexico's unemployment insurance program that has taken effect with the new year.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that a change in the program's funding was approved by the Legislature in 2013 but with implementation delayed until 2015.
Employers with higher rates of using unemployment insurance in recent years now are being charged the highest rate. Employers' payments pick up the entire cost of the state's unemployment insurance trust fund.
In the case of one Albuquerque real-estate brokerage and property management company that recently had its first benefits claim in many years, the cost for one quarter of the year has risen from roughly $300 to over $2,900.
Wounded Albuquerque Officer ID'd, Attacker Sought – The Associated Press
Authorities have identified the Albuquerque police officer wounded in a traffic stop shooting as Lou Golson, a 31-year-veteran of the force.
He is listed in stable condition following surgery.
Police on Sunday asked for the public's help in identifying the attacker and released three blurry photos that had been taken by a video camera carried by Golson.
Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden said earlier that the officer was shot around 2:30 a.m. Saturday after a stopped motorist got out of the vehicle and began shooting.
Police say the officer was shot twice but was able to return fire. It's unknown if he hit the gunman, who fled on foot.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has offered a $7,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.
New Mexico Lawmakers File 2nd 'Right-To-Work' Proposal - The Associated Press
A new proposal would bar New Mexico private- and public-sector workers from being required to join unions as a condition for employment.
Three Republican lawmakers announced Monday they have filed a bill that would transform New Mexico's labor laws and make it a "right-to-work" state. The measure goes further than a proposal from Sen. Sander Rue which only would bar private-sector employees from the requirement.
Supporters of the bills say they would spur economic growth and attract businesses to the state.
Opponents say they're attacks on unions and won't create jobs or save the state any money.
Both proposals come as the Republicans will take control of the New Mexico House for the first time in 60 years.
Democrats still control the New Mexico Senate.
Woman Sues Over Use Of Her School Photo On Novelty Flask - The Associated Press & The Santa Fe New Mexican
A New Mexico woman is suing a novelty products maker over a flask that includes her likeness and the phrase, "I'm going to be the most popular girl in rehab."
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports Veronica Vigil alleges in her in federal court that Anne Taintor Inc. obtained and used her high school graduation picture from 1970 without her permission.
The lawsuit says the Brooklyn, New York-based company then defamed Vigil by linking her image to a product that makes light of substance abuse.
Court documents say the Chimayo, New Mexico, resident is an active church member and doesn't consume alcohol or drugs.
The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages.
A spokeswoman for Anne Taintor Inc. said the company does not comment on pending litigation.
US Calls For Improved Ventilation At Troubled Nuclear Dump - The Associated Press
The U.S. Department of Energy says more needs to be done to improve ventilation for workers at the federal government's underground nuclear waste dump in southern New Mexico.
The contractor that operates the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant has already acknowledged that air filters used to remove particles following a radiation leak in February have restricted the airflow in the underground working area.
The plant developed a plan for operating diesel equipment below ground, but Department of Energy assessors have determined that plan isn't enough to ensure safe conditions once the use of diesel equipment resumes.
The contractor, Nuclear Waste Partnership, and the Department of Energy's Carlsbad Field Office say they are seeking a consultant to help evaluate the ventilation needs and make recommendations.
They are also implementing an air-sampling program for diesel particulates and other gases.
New Mexico Regulators Weigh Power Plant Proposal – The Associated Press
State regulators will begin hearing testimony today on a plan that calls for shutting down part of an aging coal-fired power plant in northwestern New Mexico. The San Juan Generating Station provides electricity to more than 2 million people in the Southwest.
The plan aims to curb haze-causing pollution at the plant, but some environmental groups argue it doesn't do enough to wean the state's largest utility off of fossil fuels.
The hearing before the Public Regulation Commission is scheduled to last through Jan. 16.
Environmentalists and other activists are planning to rally outside the hearing. Some want PNM, the utility that operates the plant, to include more renewable energy resources in its plan for replacing the power that will be lost when part of San Juan is shut down.
Senate Leader: Time To Vote On Education Secretary – The Associated Press
The Senate's top-ranking leader says it time for lawmakers to vote up or down on Public Education Secretary-Designate Hanna Skandera.
New Mexico Senate President Pro-tem Mary Kay Papen says the Democratic-controlled chamber has wasted too much time by preventing Skandera's nomination from coming to the floor over the last four years.
The Las Cruces Democrat says Gov. Susana Martinez has a right to appoint her cabinet members and the Senate has the responsibility to vote to approve them or not.
Skandera's nomination has been languishing in the Senate Rule Committee. Some Democrats have questioned her qualifications.
Papen also says she was pleased to hear Martinez, a Republican, calling for bipartisanship in her inaugural address last week.
Papen says the Senate and the GOP-led House could come to agreements on education and mental health reforms.
Navajo Nation Has Spent $1 Million On Detox Center – The Associated Press
Some officials are questioning the Navajo Nation's claim it has spent more than $1 million operating a Gallup detox facility.
The Gallup Independent reports that the Navajo Nation Department of Behavioral Health Services says $1.6 million was spent in the first year of operation of the Gallup Detox Center.
Navajo Nation Council Delegate Edmund Yazzie sponsored the report during a special council session late last month.
State Sen. George Muñoz, a Democrat from Gallup, and Gallup Mayor Jackie McKinney say they have not seen any documentation showing money spent and what it was spent on.
Muñoz says he was told in mid-December that half a million dollars had been spent.
Health Service Administrator Theresa Galvan says the figure was updated to include purchases of new furniture and equipment.
Ex-tourism Boss Ready For New Mexico Child Welfare – The Santa Fe New Mexico, The Associated Press
New Mexico's former tourism chief says she is ready to delve into much less picturesque areas as the new head of the state's child welfare agency.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported Sunday that Monique Jacobson says her desire to improve the quality of life for at-risk children will get her through what is one of the toughest cabinet jobs.
Jacobson's appointment as secretary-designate of the Children, Youth and Families Department was among a round of cabinet changes Gov. Susana Martinez announced last month.
Critics say Jacobson lacks any experience in social work.
Jacobson, who served four years as tourism secretary, says her corporate background makes her qualified.
The agency is in the midst of a massive reform effort aimed at changing the way child abuse and neglect cases are investigated.
