
Not quick enough
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has dismissed her education secretary ($ TNM), implying that programs and initiatives were not being implemented fast enough. Karen Trujillo has been on the job since January, and neither has offered more details about the situation since an announcement late last night.
Okay, enough of that
The Albuquerque Police Department has seen its fair share of headlines in the last few years, but a recent one that kept popping up all over the state was that its aggressive moves to recruit already-certified cops with competitive pay was siphoning officers away from other cities. Mayor Tim Keller has announced now that the department's overt initiative to poach officers from other cities will come to an end, however.
Alcaldesa is in some agua caliente
Las Vegas, New Mexico, mayor Tonita Gurule-Giron could be in more trouble than before, it seems. In addition to refusing to allow Las Vegas City Council to hear motions to dismiss her, KOB 4 reports that she is now also facing an investigation for voter fraud.
Trujillo says he’s done
Former state Rep. Carl Trujillo has withdrawn a defamation lawsuit against a lobbyist who accused him of sexual misconduct. Trujillo says it is because he doesn't want to be tangled up in the controversy any more; Laura Bonar, the lobbyist, meanwhile, has claimed that the suit violated a New Mexico law against unwarranted retaliatory litigation.
Encinias likely found
You may remember that in May, a Pecos man named Brian Encinias jumped into the Pecos River to avoid police; he was never found. His family has discovered a body that they say is his ($ TNM), and while police confirm that there is a recovery effort in the area, they would not confirm that the body is Encinias'.
Atta boy, Rodrigo
A dog specially trained here in Santa Fe by Assistance Dogs of the West is now a victim helper at the district attorney's office of Otero and Lincoln counties. "Rodrigo will be able to accompany victims to pre-trial witness interviews and court proceeding where he will sit with them and comfort them as they testify," KOAT reports. SFR would like to report that he is a Very Good Boy.
Brick ‘n’ mortar controversy
A Rio Arriba County government building has been named after longtime political fixture Emilio Naranjo, and not everyone is happy about it ($ TNM). Naranjo was convicted of perjury, though the charge was later overturned; however, many still claim that he framed folks for political gain during his reign as sheriff. Retired state District Judge Art Encinias said (probably with a smirk): "I'm not surprised. … Lots of buildings are named for scoundrels."
Cool it down
The 10-day forecast makes it look like monsoon season will be in full swing this week, with chances of evening thunderstorms every day. The Word is totally okay with this situation, as long as it doesn't impact too much SFR's Best of Santa Fe Party at the Railyard on Friday eve. (Then again, it's rained on us nearly every year, and it hasn't stopped us and a few thousand of our closest friends from having the best time ever.)
Thanks for reading! The Word's got a brand-new pair of roller skates, and you've got a brand-new key.