Report Details Solitary Confinement In New Mexico – Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press
The first-ever quarterly report from the New Mexico Corrections Department on its use of solitary confinement shows about 4% of inmates are held alone in a cell for at least 22 hours a day.
The report shows the top reason inmates were held in solitary during the past three months was because they were awaiting court hearings.
The second most common reason was that they were awaiting transfer to another facility.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that while some of these inmates spent just a day or two in isolation, many spent weeks or even months awaiting their next hearing or a transfer.
The report was mandated by legislation approved earlier this year that restricts the use of solitary confinement for pregnant, juvenile and mentally ill inmates.
New Mexico Utility Touts Energy Efficiency, Job Creation – Associated Press
Executives with New Mexico's largest electric utility are touting energy efficiency, pointing to a recent report from a clean energy group that shows more than a quarter of energy sector jobs in the state are related to improving efficiency.
Statistics compiled by the energy industry group E4TheFuture indicate New Mexico led all states with an 11.5% increase in energy efficiency jobs in 2018. Nevada followed with growth of just over 8%.
The group predicts the sector will show more growth by the end of 2019.
Most of these jobs are in the construction industry and involve the design and installation of improved heating and cooling systems.
PNM Resources, the parent company of Public Service Co. of New Mexico, says the report solidifies that the energy workforce is woven throughout New Mexico's economy.
University Of New Mexico Law Student Sues School Over Dust – KRQE-TV, Associated Press
A University of New Mexico law student is suing the school and a construction company for kicking up dust.
KRQE-TV reports Zacary Wilson-Fetrow this month filed a lawsuit in Albuquerque District Court over public nuisance and negligence in connection with construction around the law school.
Wilson-Fetrow says dust from construction caused a terrible rash and respiratory problems. He says students were never given prior warning about construction.
Wilson-Fetrow is seeking around $400,000 in damages.
The University of New Mexico declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Wilson-Fetrow is representing himself.
New Mexico Officer Seen In Video Roughing Girl, 11, Resigns – Associated Press
A northwestern New Mexico police officer shown on a lapel video roughing up an 11-year-old middle school girl has resigned.
Farmington police announced Sunday that officer Zachary Christensen stepped down after an internal use-of-force investigation was launched following the Aug. 27 episode.
The lapel video shows Christensen throwing the 6th-grade student on the ground after accusing her of taking more pints of milk than allowed from the cafeteria. The video also shows school employees pleading with Christensen not to use excessive force.
Farmington Police Chief Steven Hebbe says the use of force did not comply with department standards.
The case has been referred to the New Mexico State Police for possible criminal charges.
It was not known of Christensen had an attorney. No phone number for Christensen was listed.
Kansas Couple Killed In New Mexico Plane Crash – Associated Press
Authorities say a Kansas couple has been killed in a plane crash in New Mexico.
Fire officials in the town of Angel Fire said in a Facebook post that the plane went down Sunday morning in a field between a restaurant and hardware store. Fire officials identified the victims as 65-year-old Richard Schenk and Anne Schenk, of Great Bend.
The post described Richard Schenk as an experienced commercial-rated pilot. He was chief executive officer of Community Bank of the Midwest in Great Bend.
The cause of the crash hasn't been determined. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
Angel Fire is about 20 miles east of Taos.
Meow Wolf CEO Announces He Would Step Down – Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press
The CEO of a New Mexico-based startup company for immersive art installations known as Meow Wolf is stepping down
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports 36-year-old CEO Vince Kadlubek announced Friday he was stepping down but would remain on the company's payroll as an executive adviser to the leadership team.
He described the move as a new phase in his career.
Kadlubek hinted in a website post the move might be temporary. He says he plans to take time to recharge and hone his skills as a leader and collaborator "in hopeful preparation for returning as CEO in the future."
Meow Wolf rose to prominence with an interactive exhibit in a converted Santa Fe bowling alley that combines psychedelic design work with narrative storytelling.
California Won't Approve Sale Of Berkshire Hathaway Insurer – Associated Press
California regulators say they won't approve the sale of one of Berkshire Hathaway's smaller insurance companies, and they may revoke its state license if the deal goes forward.
The California Department of Insurance said Monday that Applied Underwriters failed to get approval to move its California Insurance Co. subsidiary's headquarters to New Mexico beforehand.
And California hadn't completed its review of the Applied Underwriters sale when the company applied to change the California Insurance Co.'s domicile to New Mexico.
Applied Underwriters didn't respond immediately to questions about the deal Monday.
Berkshire and Applied Underwriters said last week that the $920 million sale to company founder Steve Menzies was completed Oct. 10 after Texas regulators approved it.
Man Shot, Killed By Albuquerque Police Had BB Gun - Associated Press
Albuquerque police video shows a 57-year-old man who was shot and killed by officers in August was lying on the ground at a bus stop as officers initially approached him.
In video released Friday, officers ordered Roger Shafer to lie on his stomach and keep his hands from his waistband where he appeared to have a handgun. Instead, he lifted himself onto a bench to take a seat and placed his hand on his waist.
Police say one officer initially shot a rubber bullet at Shafer, then three officers fired their weapons at him. Shafer's weapon turned out to be a BB gun. He died at the scene.
Police say officers went to the bus stop in response to reports that a man was pointing a gun at passing vehicles.
Albuquerque Police Probe Fatal Shooting Tied To Robbery - Associated Press
Police in Albuquerque are investigating a robbery that's believed to be tied to an overnight fatal shooting.
Police say 21-year-old Cayla Campos had been playing Pokémon Go with her boyfriend Friday night near Bianchetti Park when she and others saw a robbery of people seated in another vehicle. When Campos tried to leave the scene, police say multiple shots were fired into her vehicle.
Campos crashed into a nearby residence after she was struck in the back of the head.
Police say Campos was taken to a hospital, where she later died.
Authorities say they're still looking for the shooter. Police say they are seeking the public's help to identify suspects and victims of the robbery at the park, which involved a silver four-door sedan and a red car.
New Chairman Brings Tribal Perspective To Business Group - Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
Mike Canfield is the first tribal member to serve as board chairman for a business advocacy group that covers New Mexico's largest metropolitan area.
Canfield is a member of Laguna Pueblo and will lead the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.
Canfield previously led an ambitious effort to reshape the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center as CEO of Indian Pueblos Marketing. He also headed the Laguna Industries manufacturing operation.
He tells the Albuquerque Journal that as the chamber's board chairman, he wants to give a voice to a perspective that hasn't always been well represented in Albuquerque's business community.
Canfield took over in July. His focus has been on helping businesses as well as working with chamber staff on city-wide issues.
Proposal Seeks To Modernize Campgrounds At National Parks - By Felicia Fonseca Associated Press
Food trucks. Wi-Fi. Hot showers.
Those campground upgrades could be coming to a national park near you.
The Interior Department is reviewing recommendations to modernize campgrounds at national parks. The recommendations posted online last week come from an advisory committee created under former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke that has been looking at ways for private businesses to operate on public lands.
The vice chairman of the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee, Derrick Crandall, said many campgrounds don't meet visitors' expectations. Allowing the private sector to run them would free up park staff for interpretation, safety needs or other visitor services, he said.
Redesigning some campgrounds, and adding running water, tent and cabin rentals, food trucks, extended family sites and Wi-Fi at select parks also could boost revenue and encourage more people to stay overnight, the committee said.