- SEXUAL MISCONDUCT-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico ex-lawmaker drops lawsuit against accuser(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.santafenewmexican.com)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A former New Mexico state lawmaker who was defeated in a primary after a lobbyist accused him of sexual harassment has dropped a defamation lawsuit against his accuser.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports former state Rep. Carl Trujillo announced Tuesday on Facebook that he decided to drop the lawsuit because it was exposing him and his family to "financial and emotional damage."
Trujillo says he received "implicit and explicit threats" in response to his defamation lawsuit. However, he didn't give examples of any threats.
Trujillo lost his state House seat to Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, in the Democratic primary last year.
A legislative investigative subcommittee in July 2018 found probable cause for two of his accuser's accusations.
The case was dropped after the accuser declined to testify under oath.
___
- ROBBERY-CHARGED TO GOD
Police: Woman orders food, tells server 'this one's on God'LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico woman is facing charges after police say she ordered food from a Sonic and told a server, "This one's on God," before fleeing.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports 30-year-old Delila Hernandez was arrested Monday in a felony robbery case.
Police say Hernandez rode her bicycle to a Sonic in Las Cruces and ordered a meal. When the server asked for payment, she allegedly told him, "This one's on God."
Police say the server told her, "That's not how this works," but gave her the meal after she came toward him.
Police later found Hernandez at a nearby park.
It was not known if Hernandez had an attorney.
Authorities say her charges may be reduced.
- VETERANS-HEALTH CARE-NEW MEXICO
Report lists VA mental health care issues in New MexicoALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A federal review shows several factors have resulted in limited access and delays in mental health care for veterans in New Mexico.
A report by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General shows staffing shortages, hiring delays and training among the problems.
The report issued this week stems from an inspection done in March 2018 that was prompted by an anonymous complaint received the previous year.
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall says the VA must take immediate action to address the staffing shortages and recruitment issues that are leading to wait times that he described as unacceptable.
In 2014, the discovery of secret waiting lists at VA facilities around the U.S. resulted in a nationwide scandal and legislation aimed at giving veterans the option of seeking private-sector care.
- AIR FORCE-CONTAMINATION
New Mexico AG 'frustrated' with response to contaminationALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Top New Mexico officials want the U.S. Air Force to immediately begin defining the boundaries of plumes of contamination at two bases and provide alternate water supplies to affected residents.
Attorney General Hector Balderas and the state environment department are seeking a preliminary injunction in federal court to require regular groundwater and surface water sampling as the case proceeds.
The state sued in April, saying the federal government has a responsibility to clean up toxic chemicals left behind by past military firefighting activities.
The contamination is linked to chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.
The Air Force has argued its response to PFAS contamination in New Mexico and elsewhere has been aggressive. Officials have said they've been working to identify and implement long-term solutions to prevent exposure.
- PUBLIC EDUCATION-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico aims to have new ed chief before schools startsSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is conducting a nationwide search for a new public education chief, and officials with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration said Wednesday they're optimistic they will find a candidate before the start of the school year.
The search was announced Monday when Lujan Grisham abruptly fired Public Education Secretary Karen Trujillo. She was picked for the job just months earlier by the first-year governor.
Lujan Grisham expressed dissatisfaction with progress on sweeping reforms.
Trujillo says she was blindsided and disappointed that the governor's office didn't really give her a reason.
The dismissal is reverberating through the department, with chief of staff Daniel Manzano submitting his resignation Tuesday. State lawmakers also have voiced concerns.
The shake-up comes as the administration deals with court-ordered mandates and a push to roll out extended learning times for students.
- NEW MEXICO ENERGY FUTURE
Groups seek to intervene in New Mexico power plant caseALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — County commissioners in northwestern New Mexico and a water utility that serves the state's largest metro area want to intervene in a regulatory case over the upcoming closure of the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station.
San Juan County Commissioners and the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority filed their requests with the Public Regulation Commission this week.
The regulatory panel is considering Public Service Co. of New Mexico's plans for shutting down the power plant and financing the move through bonds that will be paid off by utility customers.
Options for replacing the lost capacity also will be weighed.
The case marks the first test for how the state's new Energy Transition Act will be applied.
San Juan County commissioners are concerned about how the closure will affect the region's job market and tax revenues.
- KOCH BROTHERS-SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Koch-funded group hosting school supply give-away eventsALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A group funded by the powerful Koch network is hosting a school supply give-away in 10 cities with more 6,500 backpacks.
The LIBRE Institute is scheduled Thursday to begin its school supply campaign in Aurora, Colorado, and will then travel to the New Mexico cities of Roswell and Española.
The campaign is an annual effort aimed at talking to parents about charter schools, education savings accounts and online tutoring options.
A school supply give-away event in Albuquerque is planned for Aug. 4.
The LIBRE Institute in recent years has held forums around President Donald Trump's tax reforms and other conservative policies but has been vocal on pushing immigration reforms.
- ROSWELL FIREFIGHTER DEATH-FLAGS
State flags to be lowered in honor of firefighter who diedSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered state flags be lowered to half-staff on Friday in honor of a Roswell firefighter who has died from injuries suffered in the line of duty.
Authorities say 46-year-old Jeff Stroble died Sunday.
He was injured in a June 5 explosion that occurred while members of the Roswell Fire Department were preparing for the city's annual Fourth of July fireworks display.
Stroble was a 17-year veteran of the department.
Under the governor's executive order issued Wednesday, flags will fly at half-staff from sundown Thursday through sundown Friday.