Signing on
Santa Fe was reluctant to use the word "sanctuary" in a 2017 ordinance that reinforced many of the city's longstanding policies on immigration and the information it shared (or didn't) with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In fact, that law was called a "welcoming city" ordinance. But the governing body voted last night to add its name to the list of groups that have signed on to briefs filed in two major immigration lawsuits currently making their way through the federal court system, as the Trump administration attempts to tie federal funding to immigration enforcement.
Left out
President Trump keeps throwing out numbers for troops he plans to send to the border to "defend" against a caravan of migrants making its way through Mexico toward the US. That number is now potentially 15,000 troops to receive the estimated 3,500 migrants. Meanwhile, New Mexico doesn't appear to be on track to get any of them, as the Pentagon says troops will be stationed in Texas, Arizona and California ($).
Too many meds
While the vast majority of states have improved oversight of psychotropic drugs prescribed to children, New Mexico has not, according to a new report by Searchlight New Mexico. Overprescribing such drugs can have major health impacts on kids both physically and psychologically.
Burque Halloween
Bernalillo County Sheriff's Deputies shot an armed robbery suspect in downtown Albuquerque last night in the midst of Halloween celebrations on Central Avenue. The sheriff says this morning that two armed robberies were reported in the South Valley before the shooting. He also says the suspect tried to carjack a vehicle when deputies shot him. Bernalillo deputies don't wear body cameras.
New plan needed for new plan
An eight-year, $8 million plan to update Santa Fe's core systems is off track. That's according to a consultant hired by the city to review its enterprise resource plan, which will usher in modern software and business practices for virtually every part of the city.
The sixth track
New Mexico's Racing Commission is expected to decide in the coming weeks whether to issue a permit for a sixth racetrack and casino, and if so, who gets it. Groups in Clovis, Lordsburg and Tucumcari have applied, with three submissions in Clovis alone.
Dog shoots hunter
Sonny Gilligan was out in Doña Ana County shooting jackrabbits last week with his three dogs. Somehow, one of the dogs, Charlie, stepped on the trigger of a loaded shotgun and blasted his owner. Gilligan sustained serious injuries, but the 74-year-old is expected to survive and apparently doesn't harbor any ill will toward Charlie ($).
Warmer
Either warmer or less chilly. It's hard to decide. Either way, expect temperatures around 50 in Santa Fe and warmer in the parts of the state that are usually warmer than Santa Fe. Friday will be warmer still. The capital city got about half an inch of rain, with a foot or so of snow in the mountains. Check out the National Weather Service's event map to see totals around the state.
Thanks for reading! The Word apologizes for the delay this morning; MailChimp servers were down. "Oh sure," you say, "blame the monkey. That's what it's there for."
Spread the Word! Forward this and subscribe to our other newsletters at sfreportercom/signup.
Although most sites allow a few free views, the dollar signs ($) indicate links that require a paid subscription to the news source.
