Complaint States Spaceport America CEO Abused Authority On Money - Las Cruces Sun-News, Associated Press
A whistleblower complaint says the CEO of New Mexico's commercial spacecraft launch facility pressured the former chief financial officer to circumvent internal financial controls and accounting protocol.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports the complaint obtained through a public records request says Spaceport America CEO Dan Hicks also tried to monitor the CFO's communications with state Economic Development Director Alicia Keyes.
The four-page complaint was submitted in June by Zach De Gregorio, who has since resigned as CFO.
Keyes said in July that Hicks was placed on leave pending an investigation, but did not provide further details.
Hicks declined to comment on the complaint, due to the pending investigation. De Gregorio did not immediately return a phone message.
Spaceport America, constructed with $220 million in public funding, is located in Sierra County near Upham, New Mexico. Its major tenant is Virgin Galactic, which aims to begin launching space flights for commercial passengers from New Mexico this year.
The spaceport maintains administrative offices on the campus of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces.
Auditor Contends Albuquerque Council's Trip Cost City $4K Too Much - Albuquerque Journal, KOAT-TV, Associated Press
New Mexico's state auditor says the city of Albuquerque should ask a councilor to repay $4,000 for a trip to three East Coast cities.
The Albuquerque Journal reports State Auditor Brian Colón said his review of a 14-day trip City Councilor Klarissa Peña took in 2019
found extra costs that violate city policies on reimbursements.
The review came after Peña traveled last year with family to Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington to attend a conference for city council presidents.
Records show Peña billed the city $3,290 for train tickets and another $2,082 for hotels.
Peña told KOAT-TV she took a train because she's afraid of planes.
She also took her husband and two grandchildren and defended the move since she said the family rarely travels.
In a statement, Peña said she is committed to repaying the city and wants the city to look into its travel policies.
Priest Shortage Forcing Jesuits To Leave New Mexico – Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
A shortage of Jesuit priests is forcing the storied Society of Jesus Catholic order to abandon New Mexico after more than 160 years.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the St. Louis, Missouri-based Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province is pulling out the last remaining four Jesuit priests next year.
Rev. Warren Broussard, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church and Parish in Albuquerque will be the last to depart next June 30. Broussard says the Jesuits are just stretched too thin to continue ministering to all the places that they've been ministering.
The Jesuit Order was founded in the early 1500s by Ignatius Loyola.
Jesuits first came to New Mexico in 1858, where they ministered to parishioners at San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church, in what is now Old Town.
Pope Francis is the Roman Catholic Church's first Jesuit pope.
Jesuits are known for their strong commitment to social justice and intellectual rigor. In the U.S., Jesuit priests have been active in movements around immigrant race and racial equality.
Prosecutor Wants To Try Juvenile As Adult In Athlete's Death – Associated Press
A Santa Fe-based district attorney says his office will seek adult criminal sanctions against a 16-year-old defendant in the killing of a standout high school basketball player.
District Attorney Marco Serna said Monday that his office will file an open count of murder in children's court and then request to move the case to state district court to pursue adult sanctions.
Fedonta "J.B." White was shot in the predawn hours Saturday at a social gathering on the northern outskirts of Santa Fe. A 16-year-old linked to the killing was being held at a juvenile detention center.
The Associated Press generally does not identify juveniles who are accused of crimes.
White, a 6-foot-8 forward for the Santa Fe High School Demons averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds in the 2019-20 season, as his team reached the state quarterfinals. He was scheduled to graduate early and play basketball on a scholarship for the University of New Mexico.
Hundreds of friends and acquaintances gathered Sunday on Santa Fe's downtown plaza for a vigil, lighting candles at a makeshift memorial. Others stayed away as a precaution against any potential violence.
Serna said an initial detention hearing will take place in juvenile court. Prosecutors then plan to file a notice seeking adult sanctions and a preliminary hearing in state district court.
Standout New Mexico Prep Basketball Player Fatally Shot - Associated Press
A 16-year-old has been arrested after a standout high school basketball player was fatally shot in northern New Mexico.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office says the teen has been charged in the death of FeDonta "J.B." White, who was killed early Saturday.
White and the 16-year-old had gotten into a fight before the boy shot him, authorities said. The suspect fled and was arrested with the help of Santa Fe police.
The Associated Press generally does not identify juveniles who are accused of crimes. Authorities said the teen is being held at a juvenile detention center.
White had planned to attend the University of New Mexico this year on an athletic scholarship. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds last season with the Santa Fe High School Demons.
The school's principal tells the Santa Fe New Mexican that White was an incredible young man who was ready to fulfill his dream in college. Lobo basketball coach Paul Weir released a statement Sunday recalling scouting the young Santa Fe player and calling White’s playing career a joy to watch.
State Surpasses 21,000 COVID-19 Cases Over Weekend - KUNM, Associated Press
New Mexico surpassed 21,000 COVID-19 cases over the weekend, but a technical glitch resulted in only a partial number of cases being reported Monday.
As a result the daily cases were just 117, much lower than they have been recently. The total as of Monday was 21,130 cases.
There was also one death, bringing the total to 655.
De Baca County is the only county in New Mexico without a confirmed case. Lea, McKinley and Luna counties were leading the state in number of cases per capita over the past two weeks according to an Associated Press analysis of data collected by Johns Hopkins University.
The 7-day rolling average of daily infections has increased over the past two weeks by 11%, according to the AP analysis.
New Mexico Reports 226 More Coronavirus Cases, State Total Surpasses 21,000 - KUNM, Associated Press
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in New Mexico increased Sunday by 226. State health officials also reported three additional deaths related to the virus.
The deaths include residents of Chaves, McKinley and Rio Arriba Counties.
The state has seen 654 deaths due to the coronavirus since the pandemic began.
De Baca County is the only county in New Mexico without a confirmed case. Lea, McKinley and Luna counties were leading the state in number of cases per capita over the past two weeks according to an Associated Press analysis of data collected by Johns Hopkins University.
In all, New Mexico has recorded 21,016 positive coronavirus cases.
The 7-day rolling average of daily infections has increased over the past two weeks by 11%, according to the AP analysis.
Navajo Nation Reports 35 More COVID-19 Cases, 1 Death – Associated Press
Navajo Nation health officials have reported 35 more cases of COVID-19 and one additional death.
Late Friday, lawmakers on the Navajo Nation approved a massive spending bill to respond to the coronavirus pandemic that includes money for water projects, power lines, broadband and casino employees who have been laid off.
The Navajo Nation Council passed the nearly $651 million in spending after discussing it for more than 28 hours in a special session over three days.
The money comes from the Navajo Nation's share of $8 billion in federal coronavirus relief funding that was set aside for tribes.
That brings the total number of people infected to 9,103 and the known death toll to 461 as of Sunday night. Tribal health officials said 81,665 people have been tested for the coronavirus and 6,736 have recovered.
The vast majority of people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 recover. For some people it causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.
But for some people who contract the virus, especially those who are older or have underlying health conditions, it can cause more severe illness and death.
Navajo Nation Reports 13 More COVID-19 Cases, 4 More Deaths - Associated Press
Navajo Nation health officials have reported 13 more cases of COVID-19 and four additional deaths.
That brings the total number of people infected to 9,068 and the known death toll to 450 as of Saturday night.
Tribal health officials say 81,460 people have been tested for the coronavirus and 6,697 have recovered.
Late Friday, lawmakers on the Navajo Nation approved a massive spending bill to respond to the coronavirus pandemic that includes money for water projects, power lines, broadband and casino employees who have been laid off.
The Navajo Nation Council passed the nearly $651 million in spending after discussing it for more than 28 hours in a special session over three days.
Judge Bars Cowboys For Trump Leader From Son Over Posts - By Russell Contreras Associated Press
A New Mexico judge has barred the leader of the group Cowboys for Trump from seeing his son following social media posts and refusing to abide by COVID-19 mask requirements.
District Judge Mary Rosner ruled last month that Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin can only see his son on Facetime calls after he ignored orders to remove social media photos of his son at Cowboys for Trump events.
His ex-wife, Kourtnie Griffin, says the posts have generated online threats. The judge says Griffin also has defied health orders to put a mask on his son at public events.
Griffin told The Associated Press he's had to make sacrifices for his beliefs and didn't think it was fair that the court will keep his son away from him.