- ARSON FIRES-INVESTIGATION
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The FBI and other authorities in New Mexico are seeking the public's help in finding whoever is responsible for a series of arson fires this week that damaged several buildings in Naschitti on the Navajo Nation.The fires occurred Monday to Wednesday and damaged a church, a convenience store and three vacant houses.
No injuries were reported.
The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and the San Juan County Fire Department are investigating the fires.
- WILDLIFE TRAPPING-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New restrictions on wildlife foot traps and wire snares are being proposed by New Mexico Game and Fish officials amid conflicts arising from trapping traditions, evolving attitudes about animal suffering and outdoor enthusiasts with dogs.The agency that oversees trapping rules and regulations on Thursday suggested a prohibition on traps and snares for public lands on the outskirts of Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces and Taos. It also suggested a half-mile no-trapping buffer at certain hiking trailheads as well as training requirements for trappers.
The proposal initiates a months-long rulemaking process with opportunities for public comment. Rule changes are decided by the New Mexico State Game Commission, appointed by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Trapping regulations holds implications for wildlife and recreation across an estimated 30 percent of New Mexico.
- PRISON-SEXUAL ASSAULT
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Three former inmates of a New Mexico prison say they were repeatedly sexually assaulted by guards and their complaints were met with indifference or retaliation.The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the women recently filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court over assaults that allegedly occurred in a Springer, New Mexico, prison from 2016 to 2018.
According to the lawsuit, the prison guards forced the women to show their body parts and kiss each other.
One woman says her abuser harassed her when she was in solitary confinement by turning the lights on every half hour to wake her up and made derogatory comments about her body.
New Mexico Corrections Department spokesman Ricardo Montoya says the department has not seen the lawsuit.
- NEWBORN DEATH
ALCALDE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the death of a newborn baby found in a trash bag inside a residence in northern New Mexico.According to the State Police, the baby's body was found during a welfare check of a residence in Alcalde where the baby's mother was staying.
Officials say a man had reported Aug. 17 that he returned to his home in La Madera from a trip and found that his unborn child's mother was no longer showing signs of being pregnant and wouldn't disclose the child's location.
No identities were released and officials said their investigation continues.
An autopsy will be conducted to determine cause and manner of death.
Alcalde is 28 miles (46 kilometers) north of Santa Fe. La Madera is 40 miles (65 kilometers) southeast of Santa Fe.
- JEFFREY EPSTEIN
NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed up to 20 staff members at the jail where Jeffrey Epstein killed himself.That's according to a person familiar with the investigation who spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because grand jury proceedings are secret.
The subpoenas suggest authorities may be pursuing criminal charges against employees at New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center, where Epstein took his own life Aug. 10.
Since Epstein's death, there has been mounting evidence that employees at the jail abdicated their responsibility to keep the 66-year-old from killing himself while he awaited trial on charges of sexually abusing teenage girls.
A Justice Department official told the AP last week that several people, including guards, were not cooperating with the investigation.
- BORDER WALL
PHOENIX (AP) — Construction on a 2-mile portion of replacement fencing funded by President Donald Trump's national emergency declaration has begun in southern Arizona, one of several projects that will build hundreds of miles of new and replacement barriers.Crews broke ground on the project Thursday and plan on installing 30-foot (9-meter) steel fencing to replace older barriers next to the official border crossing this week.
The project is funded through the Defense Department. Use of the department's money was previously frozen by lower courts while a lawsuit proceeded. But the U.S. Supreme Court last month cleared the way for the use of about $2.5 billion.
Environmentalists have sued over some of the construction contracts, saying they would damage wildlife habitat.
A border wall was a major milestone of the president's election campaign. Congress this year allocated $1.4 billion, but the president wanted much more.
- BEHAVIORAL HEALTH-SETTLEMENTS
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has reached settlements with two more providers whose Medicaid claims were frozen as part of a shake-up in the state's behavioral health care system.The state agreed Tuesday to pay TeamBuilders Counseling Services more than $1.9 million.
It agreed last month to pay more than $173,000 to Counseling Associates.
Gov. Susana Martinez's administration froze payments to 15 mental health service providers in 2013 after an audit identified $36 million in Medicaid overpayments.
The state attorney general later cleared the providers of any criminal wrongdoing, but 10 filed lawsuits.
Neither the state nor providers admitted to liability or fault under the settlement agreements.
The state Human Services Department says in a statement that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration is working to resolve the remaining cases.