- OBIT-JOE WILSON
Joe Wilson, skeptic on Iraq War intelligence, dies at age 69SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The former ambassador who disputed U.S. intelligence on Iraq that was used to justify going to war has died. Joseph Wilson was 69.
Wilson's ex-wife Valerie Plame confirmed in a text message that Wilson died Friday of organ failure in Santa Fe. She called him a "patriot" with "the heart of a lion."
Wilson traveled to Niger to investigate allegations Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein tried to purchase uranium and later alleged that the administration of President George W. Bush twisted prewar intelligence on Iraq to justify war.
Subsequently, Plame's identity as a CIA operative was leaked in a scandal that led to the conviction of vice presidential aide Scooter B. Libby for lying to investigators and justice obstruction.
President Donald Trump pardoned Libby in 2018.
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This version corrects in the first paragraph that Wilson died, not Plame.
- IMMIGRATION-CHILD DETENTION-THE LATEST
The Latest: Judge to block rules for detained migrant kidsLOS ANGELES (AP) — A U.S. judge says she will block Trump administration rules for the detention of immigrant children, calling them inconsistent with a longstanding agreement that lays out conditions for their custody.
The decision came Friday after a hearing where attorneys for detained immigrant children said the rules would let the U.S. government keep kids locked up indefinitely and in facilities that aren't licensed by the state.
The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Dolly Gee in Los Angeles said the Flores settlement reached in 1997 remains in place and she will issue an injunction blocking the new rules from taking effect.
The longstanding settlement governs the detention conditions for immigrant children caught on the Mexico border.
- PREGNANT MIGRANTS-LAWSUITS
ACLU argues pregnant women wrongly returned to MexicoWASHINGTON (AP) — Civil rights groups are seeking an investigation by Homeland Security's watchdog into the practice of sending pregnant women back over the U.S.-Mexico border to wait out their asylum claims.
The complaint filed Friday with the Homeland Security's inspector general details more than a dozen women who have been returned to Mexico. Some were more than eight months pregnant at the time.
More than 45,000 migrants have been returned to Mexico since January. Lawsuits have been filed challenging the practice, and there have been reports of migrants threatened, kidnapped and robbed by cartels.
The complaint argues that vulnerable populations, like pregnant women, should be excluded. It argues women need special medical care they are not receiving.
The complaint was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and Texas Civil Rights Project.
- SEXUAL ASSAULT-NATIVE AMERICAN ACTIVIST
New Mexico judge releases man after court evidence violationALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A Santa Fe judge has released a Native American man from jail pending trial as a sanction against state prosecutors for violating evidence rules.
Authorities say 43-year-old Redwolf Pope was charged with kidnapping, criminal sexual penetration and voyeurism after accusations that he raped a woman in 2017 and recorded the incident.
A defense attorney says he never received a search warrant affidavit that was used to obtain suspected digital evidence showing Pope having sex with unconscious women.
Prosecutors say the defense was provided with digital photos of the affidavit instead of paper copies.
Pope was held in the Santa Fe County jail since last September and was released on $2,500 unsecured appearance bond.
The judge says sanctions having the case dismissed or digital evidence suppressed would be too strong.
- LAWMAKER-MEMORIAL SERVICES
Flags at half-staff for New Mexico state senatorSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Flags across New Mexico are at half-staff in honor of state Sen. Carlos Cisneros, who died earlier this month of a heart attack.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered flags lowered Friday in recognition of the long-time lawmaker lying in state. The senator's casket, blanketed by a white cloth adorned with the state seal, was in place in the Rotunda for a public viewing.
A funnel service is scheduled Saturday at a church in Santa Fe.
Cisneros had recently announced his bid for re-election to represent a vast district that stretches from the state line with Colorado to the outskirts of Los Alamos, including Taos, Peñasco, Truchas and Pojoaque Pueblo.
Cisneros first won election to the Senate in 1984 and went on to play a leading role in annual budget negotiations.
- OIL ECONOMY-NEW MEXICO
Job growth accelerates in New MexicoSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A vice president and research adviser to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas says job growth in New Mexico is accelerating based largely on construction.
Dallas-branch Federal Reserve Vice President Mine Yucel told a panel of state legislators Friday that job growth for the current year already has eclipsed 2018 growth.
She says the state economy is on track to add 20,000 jobs by year's end and that much of the increase is linked to construction. So far this year, employment has increased 2.6%.
Yucel also noted a growing dependence by New Mexico state government on revenues from the oil industry.
State lawmakers have invested a windfall in tax revenue from the oil industry into road construction, higher public-sector salaries and incentives for the film industry.
- BALLOON FIESTA-SECURITY
Albuquerque steps up security at upcoming Balloon FiestaALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque is stepping up security at its annual Balloon Fiesta, a nine-day event scheduled to begin Oct. 5.
Officials said the event is adding metal detectors at entrances, having more stations for bag checks and involving more law enforcement agencies deploying uniformed officers, tactical teams and plain-clothed officers.
The announcement said the enhanced security would " provide an environment where guests can enjoy the event with greater peace of mind."
The event features liftoffs of hundreds of balloons from Balloon Fiesta Park.
Officials suggested that visitors wanting to clear security checks faster limit how many items they take to the park and carry personal items in see-through containers.
Airspace within a 4-mile (6-kilometer) radius of the park is controlled by a temporary flight restriction issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.
- TEACHER-SEX ABUSE
Mom of 2017 school shooting victim sues over sex abuse claim(Information from: The Daily Times, http://www.daily-times.com)
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — The mother of the teenage girl killed in a 2017 New Mexico high school shooting is suing the school district over allegations a teacher sexually harassed and abused her daughter.
The Farmington Daily Times reports Jamie Lattin, the mother of Casey Marquez, filed a lawsuit last week in state district court against the Aztec Municipal School District Board of Education and Superintendent Kirk Carpenter citing negligent.
Former Aztec High School teacher James Coulter is facing two felony counts of criminal sexual contact with another 17-year-old student.
The lawsuit says Coulter also sent Marquez inappropriate text messages.
Carpenter declined to comment. Board President Roger Collins did not immediately return a phone message.
Students Marquez and Francisco Fernandez were killed in December 2017 after a gunman walked onto campus and started shooting.
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