Thursday’s Top Stories
More buses coming to Albuquerque streets after ABQ Ride adopts new in-house testing
ACS discusses response to gun violence with APD, U.S. Attorney’s Office
What else is happening in Albuquerque during Balloon Fiesta?
Ruidoso Taco Bell employee accused of pulling gun on coworker
New Nob Hill winery damaged by vehicle
Tony Snell joins new G League team
Shoppers are panic-buying toilet paper amid port strike
Thursday’s Five Facts
[1] NMDOJ says Snapchat ignored reports of sextortion, according to new lawsuit – A newly unredacted complaint filed by New Mexico’s Attorney General states that a popular social media app knew that young users were being exposed to dangers on the platform. According to the complaint, internal communications show Snapchat employees discussed 10,000 reports of sextortion a month. The lawsuit cites one account which received 75 separate reports against it for inappropriate conduct, and is still active. The suit also claims the platform facilitates child exploitation and trafficking, as well as the illegal sale of guns and drugs to minors.
[2] ACLU suing former officers, APD over DWI corruption scheme – APD is facing a new lawsuit surrounding the DWI dismissal scandal. The lawsuit filed by the ACLU accuses APD Police Chief Harold Medina, Defense Attorney Thomas Clear III and his Paralegal Rick Mendez of racketeering, extortion and civil rights violations stemming from how a former DWI officer handled the arrest of Carlos Smith. While he tested below the legal limit, Smith was still booked and charged with DWI. Smith says Officer Montano later called him to connect him to defense attorney Thomas Clear III’s office. The public corruption scheme is also under investigation by the FBI. But so far, no one has faced any criminal charges.
[3] Record temperatures around New Mexico – A high pressure system to the west will allow for even more-widespread record high temperatures today. Very clear skies with relatively chilly mornings and very warm afternoons will continue all the way through Balloon Fiesta Weekend with only a couple of very weak cold fronts kicking up winds a little bit from time to time.
[4] Unser Boulevard project will widen roads – The city of Rio Rancho says plans are in the works to improve a busy roadway. The construction project will cover nearly two miles of Unser Blvd near Cherry St., north of Paseo Del Volcan. In addition to widening the lanes, the city plans on extending sidewalks and adding bike lanes. The project is still in the design phase. Construction is scheduled to begin next spring.
[5] 14 acres of the Albuquerque Bosque to close for restoration project – The Bosque south of Rio Bravo will close off to the public next week for a multi-million dollar restoration project. Crews say they need to get invasive species out to help get native habitats and species thriving again. First, fencing will go up to block the area; then, people will start to see a lot of plants being removed and replaced with native species. The nearby Chris Chavez Trail will remain open. The $8.6 million dollar project is set to be finished by June.
