FATAL SHOOTING-ARREST
Lawyer says client fatally shot neighbor in self-defense
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The lawyer for a Las Cruces man arrested in the death of his neighbor says the shooting was in self-defense.
Corban Serna is facing a voluntary manslaughter charge in Saturday's death of 28-year-old Nathan Froseth. Serna was arrested Wednesday and is being held at the Dona Ana County jail.
Serna's attorney, C.J. McElhinney, tells the Las Cruces Sun News that Serna saw Froseth attack a woman before turning on Serna. McElhinney says Serna had warned Froseth that he was armed.
Las Cruces police say Froseth was shot multiple times in his torso. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a local hospital.
Police say Serna left the scene and initially denied being involved in the shooting.
FATAL CAR CRASH
New Mexico State Police: 2 Arizona residents killed in crash
MAXWELL, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police say two Arizona residents have died in a car crash north of Maxwell.
They identified the victims Thursday as 81-year-old Neal Ciocchetti and 70-year-old Christine Ciocchetti, both of Scottsdale.
State Police didn't say how the two were related.
They say the SUV driven by Neal Ciocchetti left the roadway on Interstate 25 last Sunday afternoon for unknown reasons and crashed.
The two victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to State Police, alcohol doesn't appear to be a factor in the crash and seat belts appeared to have been properly utilized.
GILA RIVER FIGHT
New Mexico regulators punt on Gila River plan
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's senior U.S. senator says plans for diverting water from the Gila River are fatally flawed and residents are rightly concerned about the cost of the proposed project.
Democrat Tom Udall made his comments Thursday after a panel of state regulators delayed action on a work plan that details environmental reviews, legal services and other activities needed as part of the project.
It could be September before the Interstate Stream Commission considers the plan again. Commissioners indicated they want to review a draft environmental impact statement prepared for the project.
Officials are facing a deadline this year to have the reviews completed. It would then be up to the U.S. Interior Department to grant approval.
Environmentalists have been fighting the proposal for years, suggesting that millions of dollars would be spent for little return.
ALBUQUERQUE-GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY
Municipal boards, commissions raise transparency questions
(Information from: KRQE-TV, http://www.krqe.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Open government advocates say the city of Albuquerque is shirking some open meeting requirements despite pledges from Mayor Tim Keller and other officials to push for transparency.
The city has 60 boards and commissions that focus on specific things, from golf courses and balloon fiesta park to landmarks and conservation.
They all fall under the Open Meetings Act, but television station KRQE reports one-third of them aren't compliant.
The agenda for the airport advisory committee wasn't posted in time, and the agendas for the arts board were nowhere to be found. The Mayor's Youth Advisory Council also was behind on posting agendas.
Melanie Majors with the New Mexico Foundation of Open Government says the act has certain requirements so the public knows how money is being spent and what officials are doing.
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CONGRESS-BORDER CRISIS
AP Interview: Border official says aid needed to save lives
WASHINGTON (AP) — The acting head of Customs and Border Protection says passing emergency funding is necessary for the health and well-being of migrants crossing the border.
John Sanders tells The Associated Press that Congress must act swiftly. The funding request passed a Senate committee Wednesday with bipartisan support and will be up for a floor vote next week.
Sanders says Border Patrol stations are not meant for long-term care. He says the death of a teenager in custody last month affected him profoundly.
There have been four other deaths in custody since late last year.
Border officials are overwhelmed by a surge in migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. They have opened a tent in Donna, Texas, and are building another in Yuma, Arizona, to help house people.
MINE WASTE SPILL-HEALTH RISKS
EPA: No serious health risk from southwestern Colorado mines
(Information from: Durango Herald, http://www.durangoherald.com)
DURANGO, Colo. (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency says contamination from nearly 50 mining sites in southwestern Colorado doesn't pose a serious risk for human health.
The Durango Herald reports that the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site assessment released Thursday didn't find any risks to people working or hiking, hunting or fishing there. However, it found a risk of exposure to lead or arsenic for children at four camping sites along the Animas River and at three mine sites used as recreational staging areas.
Most of those sites are set to be worked starting this summer.
The agency designated the Superfund site after it inadvertently triggered a spill at the Gold King Mine in August 2015. The spill released 3 million gallons (11.4 million liters) of wastewater, polluting rivers in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
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IMMIGRATION-CHILDREN DETAINED
Lawyers claim dangerous situation at border detention site
EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A legal team that recently interviewed over 60 children at a Border Patrol station in Texas is warning that a dangerous and traumatic situation is unfolding for some 250 infants, children and teens locked up for up to 27 days without adequate food, water and sanitation.
They say kids are caring for each other in the Customs and Border Protection station near El Paso: Three girls, ages 10 to 15, told attorneys they've taken turns keeping watch over a 2-year-old boy.
CBP did not immediately respond to the allegations about the conditions, but has said in recent weeks that it is overwhelmed and needs more money and help from the gridlocked Congress.
The lawyers visited the facility in Clint because they are involved in a legal case that governs detention conditions for migrant children and families.
AGENCY-QUESTIONABLE SPENDING
Pro-Los Alamos group loses federal grant amid spending probe
(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.santafenewmexican.com)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An agency of New Mexico municipalities surrounding Los Alamos National Laboratory has lost $100,000 in federal funds amid a federal investigation into its spending.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities has seen half of its budget evaporate as the U.S. Department of Energy continues to investigate the handling of a five-year grant to the beleaguered organization.
The coalition became embroiled in controversy last year amid revelations of improper travel reimbursements, including for expensive alcohol and Major League Baseball tickets. It also was the subject of a stinging state audit.
Eric Vasquez, the coalition's executive director, says the group has adopted control measures the state auditor recommended and is now ready to resume working with the Department of Energy.
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Lawyer says client fatally shot neighbor in self-defense
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The lawyer for a Las Cruces man arrested in the death of his neighbor says the shooting was in self-defense.
Corban Serna is facing a voluntary manslaughter charge in Saturday's death of 28-year-old Nathan Froseth. Serna was arrested Wednesday and is being held at the Dona Ana County jail.
Serna's attorney, C.J. McElhinney, tells the Las Cruces Sun News that Serna saw Froseth attack a woman before turning on Serna. McElhinney says Serna had warned Froseth that he was armed.
Las Cruces police say Froseth was shot multiple times in his torso. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a local hospital.
Police say Serna left the scene and initially denied being involved in the shooting.
FATAL CAR CRASH
New Mexico State Police: 2 Arizona residents killed in crash
MAXWELL, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police say two Arizona residents have died in a car crash north of Maxwell.
They identified the victims Thursday as 81-year-old Neal Ciocchetti and 70-year-old Christine Ciocchetti, both of Scottsdale.
State Police didn't say how the two were related.
They say the SUV driven by Neal Ciocchetti left the roadway on Interstate 25 last Sunday afternoon for unknown reasons and crashed.
The two victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to State Police, alcohol doesn't appear to be a factor in the crash and seat belts appeared to have been properly utilized.
GILA RIVER FIGHT
New Mexico regulators punt on Gila River plan
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's senior U.S. senator says plans for diverting water from the Gila River are fatally flawed and residents are rightly concerned about the cost of the proposed project.
Democrat Tom Udall made his comments Thursday after a panel of state regulators delayed action on a work plan that details environmental reviews, legal services and other activities needed as part of the project.
It could be September before the Interstate Stream Commission considers the plan again. Commissioners indicated they want to review a draft environmental impact statement prepared for the project.
Officials are facing a deadline this year to have the reviews completed. It would then be up to the U.S. Interior Department to grant approval.
Environmentalists have been fighting the proposal for years, suggesting that millions of dollars would be spent for little return.
ALBUQUERQUE-GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY
Municipal boards, commissions raise transparency questions
(Information from: KRQE-TV, http://www.krqe.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Open government advocates say the city of Albuquerque is shirking some open meeting requirements despite pledges from Mayor Tim Keller and other officials to push for transparency.
The city has 60 boards and commissions that focus on specific things, from golf courses and balloon fiesta park to landmarks and conservation.
They all fall under the Open Meetings Act, but television station KRQE reports one-third of them aren't compliant.
The agenda for the airport advisory committee wasn't posted in time, and the agendas for the arts board were nowhere to be found. The Mayor's Youth Advisory Council also was behind on posting agendas.
Melanie Majors with the New Mexico Foundation of Open Government says the act has certain requirements so the public knows how money is being spent and what officials are doing.
___
CONGRESS-BORDER CRISIS
AP Interview: Border official says aid needed to save lives
WASHINGTON (AP) — The acting head of Customs and Border Protection says passing emergency funding is necessary for the health and well-being of migrants crossing the border.
John Sanders tells The Associated Press that Congress must act swiftly. The funding request passed a Senate committee Wednesday with bipartisan support and will be up for a floor vote next week.
Sanders says Border Patrol stations are not meant for long-term care. He says the death of a teenager in custody last month affected him profoundly.
There have been four other deaths in custody since late last year.
Border officials are overwhelmed by a surge in migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. They have opened a tent in Donna, Texas, and are building another in Yuma, Arizona, to help house people.
MINE WASTE SPILL-HEALTH RISKS
EPA: No serious health risk from southwestern Colorado mines
(Information from: Durango Herald, http://www.durangoherald.com)
DURANGO, Colo. (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency says contamination from nearly 50 mining sites in southwestern Colorado doesn't pose a serious risk for human health.
The Durango Herald reports that the Bonita Peak Mining District Superfund site assessment released Thursday didn't find any risks to people working or hiking, hunting or fishing there. However, it found a risk of exposure to lead or arsenic for children at four camping sites along the Animas River and at three mine sites used as recreational staging areas.
Most of those sites are set to be worked starting this summer.
The agency designated the Superfund site after it inadvertently triggered a spill at the Gold King Mine in August 2015. The spill released 3 million gallons (11.4 million liters) of wastewater, polluting rivers in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
___
IMMIGRATION-CHILDREN DETAINED
Lawyers claim dangerous situation at border detention site
EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A legal team that recently interviewed over 60 children at a Border Patrol station in Texas is warning that a dangerous and traumatic situation is unfolding for some 250 infants, children and teens locked up for up to 27 days without adequate food, water and sanitation.
They say kids are caring for each other in the Customs and Border Protection station near El Paso: Three girls, ages 10 to 15, told attorneys they've taken turns keeping watch over a 2-year-old boy.
CBP did not immediately respond to the allegations about the conditions, but has said in recent weeks that it is overwhelmed and needs more money and help from the gridlocked Congress.
The lawyers visited the facility in Clint because they are involved in a legal case that governs detention conditions for migrant children and families.
AGENCY-QUESTIONABLE SPENDING
Pro-Los Alamos group loses federal grant amid spending probe
(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.santafenewmexican.com)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An agency of New Mexico municipalities surrounding Los Alamos National Laboratory has lost $100,000 in federal funds amid a federal investigation into its spending.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities has seen half of its budget evaporate as the U.S. Department of Energy continues to investigate the handling of a five-year grant to the beleaguered organization.
The coalition became embroiled in controversy last year amid revelations of improper travel reimbursements, including for expensive alcohol and Major League Baseball tickets. It also was the subject of a stinging state audit.
Eric Vasquez, the coalition's executive director, says the group has adopted control measures the state auditor recommended and is now ready to resume working with the Department of Energy.
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