Friday’s Top Stories
Rehab facility in Albuquerque will be built despite concerns
What’s happening around New Mexico July 19-25
Roswell PD releases video of May police shooting
The Enchantment ready for run in TBT
Man wanted for Albuquerque murder arrested in Central Texas
Kirtland Air Force Base offers glimpse into groundwater cleanup efforts
Russia convicts US reporter Evan Gershkovich of espionage, hands down 16-year sentence
Meet Crush, the rare orange lobster diverted from dinner plate to aquarium
Friday’s Five Facts
[1] Lawmakers stop governor’s attempt to pass crime bills in special session – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham says she’s disappointed after the legislative special session ended within hours and none of her crime bills made it to debate. Democratic lawmakers moved to adjourn, saying crime is a priority, but the session wasn’t the way to tackle it. Republican lawmakers applauded the governor for her effort. The legislature did pass one bill, delivering money to Ruidoso and the Mescalero Apache Tribe following wildfires and flooding in the area.
[2] Albuquerque police chief will not be criminally charged for causing crash – APD is formally reprimanding Chief Harold Medina following his crash that seriously injured another driver. Following an internal affairs investigation, APD announced the chief was issued two letters of reprimand. One for failing to safely operate his vehicle and the second for not turning on his lapel camera after the crash. The department says Medina accepted and signed those letters.
[3] Stormier & cooler this weekend – Moisture combining with the slight uptick in above-normal high temperatures in the 80’s and 90’s, will lead to more rain activity as flood watches are in effect through tomorrow morning for portions of The Central Mountains. Storms will initially be slow-moving as they form late this morning around the burn scars of Santa Fe and Ruidoso, but then, a swath of faster-moving storms this afternoon will roar on from the north into most parts of The Rio Grande Valley as the leftover rain activity will eventually make its way into The Pecos River Valley, as well as The Gila National Forest, later this evening
[4] Santa Fe City Councilors pass controversial median safety bill – Santa Fe City Councilors passed a controversial median safety bill on an 8-1 vote. The bill will ban people from sitting, standing, or lying on medians less than three feet wide. Advocacy groups and residents said the bill will impact the rights of unhoused people. The Santa Fe bill goes into effect in February.
[5] Upcoming ABQ BioPark exhibit will let guests into bird habitat – The ABQ BioPark will let guests get a closer, more immersive look at their upcoming Australian lorikeet habitat. Visitors will be allowed into the birds’ home, the same way they are in the butterfly house. They will even be given a cup of nectar to encourage the birds to interact with visitors. The lorikeet exhibit is opening up to the public soon but an exact date has not been set.
