Funding fight
New Mexico has been unconstitutionally depriving at-risk students of a quality education, a former state District Court judge ruled late last week. Judge Sarah Singleton's decision means New Mexico has until April to come up with a more equitable way to fund its public schools. The case was brought by a team of nonprofits who argued successfully that the state's funding formula failed to serve Native American students and others who were at the margins of the educational system. The decision portends a big fight ($) in the next legislative session.
Useless law
New Mexico was the first state to pass a civil forfeiture ban in 2015. No longer would law enforcement agencies seize and sell property that belonged to someone who had only been accused of a crime. The state treasurer would get lawfully forfeited money and property, not law enforcement agencies. And the state police would publish a list of all forfeitures on its website by April 1 every year. None of that seems to be happening. Phaedra Haywood at The New Mexican digs in ($).
Duck boat disaster
Six New Mexicans were on board the amphibious vehicle that capsized in a Missouri lake, killing 17 people. The New Mexico family, three kids, two adults and an older woman, all survived, and are keeping a low profile as they make their way home.
Homicide map
While it's true that other types of crime in Albuquerque are down, homicides are up. Last week seemed especially bad, and after setting a high mark for killings last year with 75, the city is already ahead of that pace. Bernalillo County has matched its total from last year with more than five months to go. The crime team over at the Albuquerque Journal has created an interactive map to track where the murders happened and whether they've been solved.
Fairer slopes
UNM cut its men's and women's ski teams from the athletic department last week, promising one more season for all teams (women's diving, men's soccer, women's beach volleyball) that received the budget axe. After helping save his teams once before, Frederik Landstedt isn't climbing that hill again. The well-regarded coach, who nabbed UNM's first national championship in any sport back in 2004, has been hired by the University of Utah.
Fare thee well
Santa Fe has sent 21 governors off on their merry way, along with staff and assorted foreign dignitaries. Their mission: Return home to the states they represent and tell their residents to spend vacation money in Santa Fe. The National Governors Association's summer conference is over. President Trump didn't show, nor did the vice president. So all that security and secrecy was for the governors, who take themselves very seriously. Also, the Kiwanis burned a Zoz … er, Tio Coco. Roads are open around downtown today and the Sheridan bus station should be back to normal.
Read to me
The Institute of American Indian Arts is in the midst of its Summer Readers Gathering, a week-long celebration of students, faculty and guest readers who graciously offer up their own work in a series of free daily readings. At 1 pm, second-year MFA students read their work. At 6 pm, faculty share their writings on the campus that many Santa Feans have never visited.
Woof
That's something the kids say nowadays to indicate a happening of crushing weight or notable prominence. Or something. It's also the sound you make as you burst into flames because Santa Fe isn't supposed to sport high temperatures of 99 degrees. Add in some smoke from nearby fires (that were not caused by spontaneous combustion), and yesterday was gross. Today will see highs in the low 90s for Santa Fe and a few degrees hotter in Albuquerque. Most places that don't typically get triple digits will be spared. It'll cool down even more tomorrow. Oh yeah, and there's a chance of heavy rain.
Thanks for reading! The Word is definitely cold-weather inclined.
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