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Tuesday News Roundup: Dry System To Hit New Mexico, Limiting Storms

National Weather Service

Dry System To Hit New Mexico, Limiting StormsThe Associated Press

New Mexico is getting a reprieve from severe storms and heavy rain thanks to a dry system coming in from the west.

The National Weather Service said Tuesday the potent dry intrusion will limit storm chances for at least a couple of days.

That means the soil will have two days to dry up as more storms move in later in the week.

The dry weather comes after the state was pounded by heavy rains last week and Monday sparking damaging floods.

Forecaster says parts of the state will still see isolated thunderstorms.

State Proposes Work Requirement For Food Stamps - The Associated Press

Gov. Susana Martinez's administration is proposing to re-impose work requirements on low-income New Mexicans to qualify for food stamps.

Starting in October, the state plans to restore a 20-hour-a-week work requirement for childless adults to get food stamps. That was suspended in 2009 because of the national recession.

The administration also proposes a new food stamp requirement for parents of children age 6 and older. Adults would have to search for a job or participate in community service.

Social services advocates say the work-related requirements are a bad idea when New Mexico has been losing jobs.

A Human Services spokesman says the requirements are similar to what's required for other public assistance, including the state's welfare-to-work program.

About 420,000 New Mexicans receive food stamps averaging $265 a month.

Gary King Files Lawsuit Over Campaign Money - The Associated Press

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gary King is asking New Mexico's highest court to resolve a dispute over whether his campaign accepted excessive contributions after the June primary election.

King filed a lawsuit yesterday asking the state Supreme Court to stop Secretary of State Dianna Duran from forcing him to give up $10,900 in contributions.

Duran contends King improperly collected $10,400 from a Taos couple and $500 too much from a Santa Fe retiree after last month's primary. Duran says King must deposit the contributions in a state fund.

Individuals can donate up to $5,200 per election to a statewide candidate but Duran says a candidate can't accept contributions for the primary after the election occurred.

King maintains the contributions were permissible because they are to help retire his primary election debt.

Deputy Shoots Suspect Who Rammed Patrol Car - The Associated Press

Authorities say a Bernalillo County sheriff's deputy fatally shot a suspect who trapped him by repeatedly ramming his vehicle.

Sheriff's officials say the incident Monday evening began when the suspect tried to force a woman into his pickup truck in a gas station parking lot at Gun Club and Coors SW.

Sgt. Aaron Williamson says the victim ran into another woman's car and fled.

Williamson says the suspect rammed the car with his pickup and then tried to run over both women.

The suspect than twice rammed the responding deputy's vehicle.

Authorities say the suspect then got out and was walking toward the deputy when he was shot.

He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Williamson says this was the first fatal shooting this year involving a deputy.

FBI Investigating 4 Charter Schools In Albuquerque - The Associated Press

The top administrator of four Albuquerque charter schools is taking a leave of absence amid an FBI investigation.

Southwest Learning Centers has announced the voluntary leave of Scott Glasrud until the schools' governing councils can meet to consider next steps.

Officials say the councils have no knowledge of wrongdoing by anyone associated with the schools.

The FBI says agents removed boxes last week from Southwest Secondary Learning Center charter school as part of an ongoing investigation.

Members of the schools' governing board say they don't know what the investigation is about, but they're cooperating and have instructed staff to provide all information being requested.

Glasrud is the head administrator of the Southwest Secondary Learning Center, Southwest Intermediate Learning Center, Southwest Primary Learning Center and Southwest Aeronautics, Mathematics and Science Academy.

Agency: Confusion Caused Missed Nuke Dump Checks - The Associated Press

Two U.S. senators say a federal agency charged with reviewing the safety of mines failed to conduct required inspections at the government's troubled underground nuclear waste dump in southeastern New Mexico.

Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich say the Mine Safety and Health Administration put the repository's workers and the surrounding community at risk by not doing the inspections.

The New Mexico Democrats first raised questions about the checks in March, shortly after a fire and separate radiation leak forced the closure of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.

The senators released the agency's response yesterday. The agency says confusion over its authority and unresolved negotiations with the Department of Energy led to inspections being done only periodically.

The agency says it's now inspecting the repository four times a year as required under law.

Rep. Pearce To Tour New Mexico Detention Center - The Associated Press

New Mexico Congressman Steve Pearce is expected to tour a temporary detention center holding immigrant women and children from Central America.

The Republican congressman and the mayors of Artesia and Roswell are scheduled to tour the Federal Law Enforcement and Training Centers facility in Artesia.

Last week Pearce said deportations of immigrants from the detention facility were stopped after two people caught the chicken pox virus.

Around 600 immigrant women and children are being held at the Artesia center.

Meanwhile, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says the agency will no longer be accepting toy donations for children at the Artesia center because the facility is overwhelmed with gifts.

Hunting Season Starts This Month In New Mexico - The Associated Press

Big game hunting begins this month and New Mexico officials say hunters should expect roadblocks by the Game and Fish Department to check for possible wildlife violations.

The agency said bear hunting starts this month in parts of the state, and some antelope hunting also is getting under way. Later there will be hunting on public lands for deer, elk and other game.

The department said its conservation officers may be assisted at roadblocks by other agencies, including state police, sheriff's offices, U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

Officers will collect hunting data, check to see whether hunters have proper licenses and will look for compliance with laws governing off-road vehicles.

People hauling wood from forests also will be asked to show they have the proper permits.

TV Series To Begin Production In New Mexico - The Associated Press

The producers of the television series "The Messengers" have decided to shoot another 12 episodes in Albuquerque.

The New Mexico Film Office says production will last from mid-August through mid-December. The project will employ at least 300 New Mexico crew members as well as background talent.

The pilot for the series was shot in Albuquerque earlier this year.

The show starts with a mysterious object crashing down to earth. A group of seemingly unconnected strangers collapse from the energy pulse, but then awaken to learn that they must prevent the impending Apocalypse.

The show is being produced by CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Entertainment for The CW.