- FLOODED ARROYO-MISSING PERSON SEARCH
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Crews have recovered the body of an unidentified woman who was swept away by floodwaters in an arroyo in northeast Albuquerque. City fire rescue officials say the body was found at a washout Wednesday afternoon. They say two people _ a man and a woman _ were spotted in the arroyo after heavy rain hit the area Tuesday evening. One person safely got out of the arroyo near Interstate 25 before the search was stopped by darkness and resumed Wednesday morning. Crews had been tied to railings along the arroyo as they searched for any sign of the second missing person coming through the raging water.
- LEGISLATOR-CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities in New Mexico are investigating a longtime state legislator's connections to a company that had contracts to do business with the school district where she worked. Investigators executed search warrants this week at Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton's home and her office at the Albuquerque Public Schools district. It's part of a criminal investigation into alleged racketeering, money laundering, illegal kickbacks and violations of a state law that governs the conduct of state lawmakers. No charges have been filed against Stapleton, a top Democrat in the state House and a member of the chamber's education committees. A call to Stapleton's home went unanswered Wednesday, and she didn't immediately respond to an email.
- Bob Odenkirk collapses on 'Better Call Saul' set
LOS ANGELES (AP) — "Better Call Saul" star Bob Odenkirk has been hospitalized after collapsing on the show's New Mexico set. A person close to Odenkirk not authorized to speak publicly says crew members called an ambulance that took the 58-year-old actor to a hospital, where he remained Tuesday night. It was not immediately clear what caused the collapse, or how long Odenkirk might be hospitalized. "Better Call Saul," the spin-off prequel to "Breaking Bad," has been shooting its sixth and final season, which is set to air on AMC next year. Odenkirk has been nominated for four Emmys for playing the title role.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Tuesday reported 15 new COVID-19 cases and one additional death. The latest numbers brought the total number of COVID-19 cases on the vast reservation to 31,322 since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The number of known deaths now is at 1,373. The Navajo Nation recently relaxed restrictions to allow visitors to travel on the reservation and visit popular attractions like Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley. The reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles and it covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. While cases are down, Navajo leaders are urging residents to continue wearing masks and get vaccinated.
- BANDELIER-WILDFLOWERS
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (AP) — A bountiful wildflower bloom at Bandelier National Monument is drawing some early risers who want to avoid the midday crowds. The visitors center is responding to accommodate them. Starting Sunday, it will open a half-hour earlier at 8:30 a.m. Acting Superintendent Dennis Milligan says that will give staff more time to hand out information on trails and safety. The Southwest has been inundated with rain during the monsoon season, bolstering wildflowers. Monument officials say the massive wildflower bloom should last for several more weeks. They say visitors should feel free to photograph the flowers but don't pick them so others can enjoy the view.
- CRIME-FRUSTRATED FAMILIES
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Families have been devastated by Albuquerque's rash of killings as the city has one of its deadliest years in memory. The tally of homicides for the first seven months of the year is about to eclipse the record of 80 set for all of 2019. Police Chief Harold Medina says the criminal justice system is broken and something needs to change. Other cities around the U.S. also are seeing significant increases this year. Albuquerque officials have been working on changes, but families of victims see few consequences for those who repeatedly commit violent crimes.
- LEGISLATURE-SALARY-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico voters may be asked whether to have the State Ethics Commission review and set salaries for state legislators. State Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto on Monday presented a proposed constitutional amendment to a legislative committee in advance of next year's 30-day legislative session. New Mexico is the only state where lawmakers receive no salary for their work, though taxpayers foot the bill for travel expenses and an allowance for meals and lodging when the Legislature is in session. Many lawmakers also have access to public pension benefits. Ivey-Soto said providing lawmakers with a salary would allow more people to serve in the Legislature.
- SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAWSUITS-SETTLEMENTS
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Two lawsuits that accused an investigator in the state public defender's office of sexual harassment have been settled. The Law Offices of the Public Defender agreed to pay $345,000 to resolve the lawsuits filed in 2019. The Albuquerque Journal reports that neither the office nor the investigator who worked at the Las Cruces location admitted liability as part of the settlements. An attorney for the plaintiffs says her clients are hopeful the culture in the public defender's office will change and others will be spared from similar treatment, including retaliation for reporting harassment.