Albuquerque kisses sister
The Duke City has long been Dodgers territory, but local natives Ken Giles (Rio Grande High School) and Alex Bregman (Albuquerque Academy) claimed World Series rings last night as the Houston Astros downed the Los Angeles Dodgers in a surprisingly boring end to an exciting series. Bregman caught the eye of FOX broadcaster Joe Buck, who gushed over the youngster's performance and promise. Alex is the son of notable local attorney Sam Bregman, who has defended former state treasurer Robert Vigil and former APD officer Keith Sandy, among others.
Trump taps new US attorney
Santa Fean John Anderson is the president's pick as the new US attorney for the state. Anderson is a former federal prosecutor who specialized in white-collar crime and was involved in the email theft case against Susana Martinez adviser Jamie Estrada. He currently works at the Santa Fe office of Holland & Hart.
Española schools pay millions to settle sex abuse claims
The Española school district recently settled the second of three lawsuits that claim the district should have known former teacher Gary Gregor had a history of students saying he sexually abused them. The district may be on the hook for millions in the first settlement. Combined, the two agreements will cost the school district and its insurer more than $7.5 million. The attorney for the victims in the second lawsuit says the payments mean "evil does not dissipate with the passage of time." Gregor taught in Santa Fe, and was reprimanded by the state for an abuse claim during that time, but received a "neutral" recommendation when he left.
Making babies
New Mexico's black community is hoping a state study of infant mortality and pregnancy can set an example for the country, but it has a long way to go. The state ordered an examination of those factors back in 2014, but funded prenatal care at only one third of the expected level. What's more, just six mothers participated as the prenatal and black communities try to solve the problem of an infant mortality rate that's twice as high as other racial groups.
Griego trial goes deep
The 16 jurors in the public corruption trial of former state Sen. Phil Griego are getting a crash course in legislative process and real estate transactions, as prosecutors seek to prove Griego used his public office for personal gain. The state says Griego worked behind the scenes to set up the legislation that authorized the sale. His attorneys say the deal was driven by state agency officials. The trial is set to go for another two weeks.
Council candidates drop out, leaving one in District 3
Santa Fean Roman Abeyta will be the new city councilor from the Southside district if he turns in enough qualifying signatures. Jim Williamson and Larry Trujillo have both abandoned their bids for the council seat, leaving Abeyta as the lone candidate. Candidates are finalizing their nominating petitions this week and the city clerk will certify them later this month.
Shhh
An energy company appraisal expert told a legislative committee that the state is missing out on millions in tax revenue because oil and natural gas producers aren't telling the government about equipment that should be on the tax rolls. The missing property means a heavier burden is shouldered by other taxpayers. New Mexico relies on an honor system for energy companies to report everything they have in the field, and the appraiser told lawmakers that system isn't working.
Get writing!
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