Thursday’s Top Stories
VIDEO: Convicted teen murderer turns himself in; explains why he escaped jail
VIDEO: Suspected shoplifter points gun at Albuquerque grocery store employee
CJ Noland is ready to be a great fit for UNM basketball
Replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial to be unveiled in Angel Fire
Isotopes players hit the dance floor ahead of Country Night at the ballpark
Santa Fe City Council approves plans for the display of controversial statues
Climate protesters tackled on field, arrested at Congressional Baseball Game
Fistfight erupts in Italian Parliament as tensions rise over expanding regional autonomy
Thursday’s Five Facts
[1] NTSB: ‘Poor maintenance’ contributed to BCSO helicopter crash – The NTSB says poor maintenance contributed to a 2022 BCSO helicopter crash that killed four first responders. The report names a number of factors that contributed to the crash, raising questions about whether or not the helicopter should have been in the air. In July of 2022 BCSO Metro 2 helicopter was returning from helping fight wildfires in Las Vegas. The report says the crash was likely caused by the engine losing power because of poor maintenance of the starter generator.
[2] Following a SWAT-caused fire in ABQ, owners of the home sue the city and county – In 2022 a SWAT team fired tear gas canisters into an Albuquerque home, igniting a fire which killed 15-year-old Brett Rosenau. The family who owned the home is suing the city and Bernalillo county. The ACLU says the actions of BCSO and APD resulting in the family receiving no compensation as they continue to pay for a mortgage on a home they can’t live in. The city paid Brett Rosenau’s family $750,000 to settle their lawsuit with the city.
[3] Record heat Thursday, before rain and cool down Friday – Temperatures will hit near-record and record highs today all across New Mexico, reaching the 90s and 100s. Skies will stay sunny through midday, but clouds, showers and storms will build over the mountains this afternoon and evening. Clouds will increase across the state tonight, and rain will move in to western NM by Friday morning. Showers and storms are expected on Friday, with the most active weather during the afternoon and evening.
[4] Suspected vandal of La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs indicted in federal court – A man has been indicted for vandalizing a monument southwest of Santa Fe. In 2022 two vandalism incidents caught the attention of the public and surrounding pueblos when the La Cieneguilla petroglyphs were spray painted. Now, Jesse Foster is indicted for defacing the site. Foster faces three counts of damage to archeological resources over $500. He pleaded not guilty and has been released pending trial.
[5] Thousands attend WNMU’s annual ‘¡Fiesta Latina!’ event – Western New Mexico University held its 7th annual ¡Fiesta Latina! cultural event. The festival featured an artisan mercado featuring handmade work from 50 traditional artists. WNMU says there was also a fashion show, arts and crafts, mariachi, flamenco, and a documentary viewing. This year’s fiesta drew over 5,000 visitors.
