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Morning Word
One year after Dobbs, NM sees more abortions
Changes to abortion laws in other states have increased the number of abortions performed in New Mexico in the year since the US Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. According to state data, there were more than 11,000 reported abortions statewide last year compared with nearly 4,900 abortions reported in 2021. So far this year, almost 5,300 abortions have been reported in the state. As the nation marked one year since the fall of federal abortion protections under Roe v. Wade, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the rollout of a new hotline staffed by registered nurses with the state Department of Health who can help connect those seeking abortion with providers, transportation and other assistance. Lujan Grisham issued a statement a day before the June 24 anniversary of the ruling: “The decision by the United States Supreme Court to overturn a long-standing precedent that protected the rights and the health of women is still deeply disturbing to me. We are seeing the devastating impacts of this decision play out in communities around the country, including in New Mexico where many women are forced to travel to receive care...My message to women is clear: we’ve got your back.” The hotline number is (833) 767-3776.
Forest Service begins suppression on Comanche
The US Forest Service shifted its strategy over the weekend on the Comanche fire, a blaze caused by lightning and first detected June 8 near El Rito. Initially, Carson National Forest crews adopted a “confine and contain strategy” to allow the fire to burn within a designated management plan boundary. But yesterday, crews began active firefighting. “With weather over the next few days forecasted to be less than favorable for the Comanche fire to fulfill its ecological role, fire managers have decided to limit further growth and take suppression actions,” reads a statement from the agency. The fire has burned just over 1,900 acres and firefighters estimate 19% containment as of the latest report. Smoke may be visible in Abiquiú, Taos and Santa Fe. For air quality reports, check out the fire and smoke map here. The National Weather Service says the northwest region of the state is in critical fire weather Monday and issued a fire weather watch for Tuesday.
Stranded hikers rescued in Organ Mountains
Emergency responders helped five stranded hikers in the Organ Mountains on Friday as temperatures climbed to the triple digits near Las Cruces. KTSM in El Paso reports the group of hikers was possibly stranded on the trail to a feature known as the Needle on the western face of the mountain range and at least one member of their party was suffering from heat exhaustion. Hikers often describe the trail as the most difficult in New Mexico, as it climbs 4,490 feet in 4 miles. The Las Cruces Fire Department Technical Rescue Team worked with members of the Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue, the Organ Mountain Technical Rescue Team and the New Mexico State Police for the rescue. Responders said two of the hikers came down on their own, while the team helped three of them descend. Extreme heat in Las Cruces has led the city and county to set up cooling centers to provide refuge.
Supreme Court affirms quadruple murder conviction
The New Mexico Supreme Court has upheld four first-degree murder convictions for Damian Herrera, who was accused of killing his mother, brother and stepfather following an argument at the family’s home in La Madera, north of Española, and also shooting a fourth man at a gas station in Abiquiú in 2017. However, in a ruling issued last week, the court remanded his case back to the First District Court so it could vacate either Herrera’s conviction for resisting, evading or obstructing an officer or his conviction for assault on a police officer because the two misdemeanor convictions violated constitutional double jeopardy protections against multiple punishments for the same offense. The court left in place Herrera’s other convictions for aggravated fleeing from a law enforcement officer, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, attempted disarming of a peace officer, larceny of a firearm and credit card theft. He’s already sentenced to four consecutive terms of life in prison.
Listen up
In the most recent episode of Cline’s Corner, KSFR host Lynn Cline speaks with International Folk Art Market CEO Melissa Mann about the 19th annual market, which is making a big move from Museum Hill to the Railyard Park this year. The three-day market that begins on July 6 features the largest gathering of global artists for the event to date: 168 artists from 52 countries, including six US-born artists. This year’s event also includes a lecture series in conjunction with SITE Santa Fe called Identity is Handmade, consisting of six panels and interactive workshops underscoring the importance of protecting cultural and artistic traditions.
Sunport search
The Albuquerque International Sunport is seeking New Mexico artists to create original works to be displayed in the expanded and remodeled terminal building at the state’s largest airport. The Sunport Reimagined Art Selection Committee will select works that “reflect the Sunport’s unique sense of place,” and aims to “achieve a balance between traditional and contemporary aesthetics, artistic elements and depictions” on view for the 5 million passengers who pass through the airport each year. Media may include, but is not limited to, mosaic, metal, wood, glass and natural/organic materials suitable for indoor display. Apply here; application packages are due by either June 30 or July 14, depending on which project areas an artist is interested in. For more information on materials, budget, deadlines, eligibility or any other questions on the public art project at the Sunport, please contact Sherri Brueggemann, Albuquerque’s Public Art Urban Enhancement Division manager, sbrueggemann@cabq.gov.
Atomic City surge
Next month’s release of Oppenheimer—the latest cinema take on the Manhattan Project from filmmaker Christopher Nolan—has raised the national profile of Los Alamos again. Afar provides an itinerary for “Uncovering Secrets and Spies in ‘Atomic City,’ New Mexico” in its new piece, which recommends stops at the Bradbury Science Museum, the Los Alamos History Museum and the “modest” Manhattan Project National Historical Park, plus options for both guided tours and self-guided tours of some of the significant sites, including Bathtub Row (where the best homes in young Los Alamos were the only ones equipped with that amenity). Food and drinks are not part of the story, but visitors might also consider a cold one at Bathtub Row Brewery Co-Op or a hot one at Chili Works while they’re up the hill.
Warmer than that
The National Weather Service forecasts a sunny day with a high temperatures near 89 and a north wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west 15 to 20 mph in the morning. There’s a chance of isolated sprinkles after 4 pm.
Thanks for reading! The (substitute) Word has been chuckling about the results of this year’s Merman Photo Contest by Montana’s Chippewa Cree Construction Corporation, especially the third-place winner that used Blue Bird flour sacks to construct the merman’s tail.
