- JEFFREY EPSTEIN-SANTA FE INSTITUTE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico scientific research center that received $275,000 in funding over the years from financier Jeffrey Epstein is hoping to donate some of the money.The Albuquerque Journal reported Sunday that Santa Fe Institute officials want to donate $25,000, the equivalent of a contribution Epstein made in 2010.
The institute accepted it at the time despite Epstein pleading guilty two years earlier to soliciting a minor for prostitution.
Spokeswoman Jenna Marshall said last week those funds are spent so the center wants to give the same amount to an appropriate recipient.
The Santa Fe Institute confirmed in July that various foundations tied to Epstein have contributed $250,000 in total.
Epstein killed himself in a New York jail cell last month while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
- ELECTION 2020-TRUMP-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The state of New Mexico doesn't feel like Trump Country.The president's first campaign lost the state by 8 percentage points back in 2016. Last year, Republicans lost a House seat and the governorship.
But the Trump campaign puts New Mexico on the short list of states Trump hopes to flip in 2020.
Political observers say Trump's strength in rural America may not compensate for his failure, so far, to win over Hispanic voters.
A political science professor at the University of New Mexico, Lonna Atkeson, doesn't see Trump going far politically in a state with the highest concentration of Latinos in the U.S.
Trump will arrive in the midst of an oil-production boom that has boosted employment and spurred a state government spending spree.
- TRUMP-NEW MEXICO VISIT
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — A crowd is gathering for President Donald Trump's rally in New Mexico.Hundreds of people showed up early Monday to ensure their place in line ahead of the evening event in Rio Rancho, a suburb of Albuquerque.
Schools and some local government offices were closed in preparation for the president's visit to New Mexico's largest metro area. Law enforcement agencies also warned residents about roads that would be closed as the president's motorcade travels to the rally.
Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull said his city was prepared to keep things as peaceful as possible as protesters vowed to step up acts of civil disobedience and demonstrations.
Thousands of people were expected to attend, and Democrats were planning their own gathering near downtown Albuquerque. Some groups and political candidates purchased billboard space to display their opposition to Trump.
- JEFFREY EPSTEIN-VICTIMS
A group of women who say they were sexually abused by Jeffrey Epstein have suffered a setback in seeking money from the government over a plea deal that spared the financier a lengthy prison term.U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra ruled previously that federal prosecutors in Florida violated a victims' rights law when they failed to inform the women about the 2008 deal.
But the judge said Monday the government doesn't owe them money for it.
The judge also declined to award attorneys' fees to the women and denied their request for FBI records related to the Epstein investigation.
Marra still credited the women with bringing national attention to victims' rights.
Epstein killed himself last month in jail in New York while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
- NEW MEXICO ENERGY FUTURE
ALBUQUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The state's largest electric utility is recalculating costs and benefits associated with the planned closure of a coal-fired power plant in northwest New Mexico.Public Service Company of New Mexico is filing corrected paperwork with state regulators this week after finding a modeling error in the different scenarios for replacing capacity that will be lost with the closure of the San Juan Generating Station in 2022.
The utility has proposed four options. They include various mixes of natural gas, nuclear, renewable resources and battery storage.
New modeling show monthly savings for the average customer would be less — $6.87 instead of $7.11 — if regulators go with the utility's preferred option.
The cost of that plan is about $4.6 billion. It would include natural gas, solar, wind and battery storage.
- UNM-GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Top political aides and a couple local government officials are among those interested in a new high-paying job at the University of New Mexico.The Albuquerque Journal reports the state's flagship school is in the process of hiring its first chief government relations officer. It's a new post created by UNM President Garnett Stokes as part of her effort to reorganize top officials at the school.
The more than two dozen applicants include Santiago Chavez, the Albuquerque mayor's chief of staff, and Keith Gardner, who served as the chief of staff for former Gov. Susana Martinez.
Also on the list are Bernalillo County Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins and Alan Armijo, the director of constituent services at Albuquerque City Hall.
The university has yet to select a finalist for the job.
- ALBUQUERQUE-SHOOTINGS-IDS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities have identified five people, including three teenagers, who were killed in separate shootings on the same night in Albuquerque.The Albuquerque Police Department on Sunday confirmed 16-year-old Victoria Cereceres, 17-year-old Daniel Alexis Baca, 36-year-old Christine Baca and 77-year-old Manuelita Sotelo were fatally shot at a mobile home park.
It has not been confirmed how the four victims are related.
Meanwhile, officers responded 15 minutes earlier to an apartment complex where 17-year-old Noah Tafoya was found dead and three others wounded.
Both incidents occurred Thursday in different parts of the city. No suspects have been identified in either shooting.
Police say they do not appear related. However, the short time span between them has prompted Mayor Keller to say residents are "fed up with the gun violence."
- BODY FOUND-SANTA FE PARK
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Police in Santa Fe are investigating a possible homicide after a dead body was found in a park.They say officers responded to De Vargas Park shortly before noon Sunday.
Police say the dead body of a man was discovered under a bridge spanning the Santa Fe River near the downtown skate plaza at De Vargas Park.
They say the body showed signs of blunt force trauma.
The name of the man isn't immediately known. But police say the victim is believed to be between 20 and 30 years old.
It's unclear if police have any suspects in the case.