Gallup secretary killed in Las Vegas
Lisa Romero-Muniz, who worked at Miyamura High School in the city on New Mexico's western border, was among the 59 confirmed fatalities after a gunman opened fire Sunday night on a country music festival held on the Las Vegas Strip. Romero-Muniz was a mother and grandmother. More than 500 people were injured in the shootings and resulting chaos. There were survivors from New Mexico, too.
Balloon Fiesta ready to launch
New Mexico's biggest annual tourist event will continue undeterred this weekend. Organizers have plans for quick evacuations of the field, which offers spectators the otherworldly perspective of standing among the balloons as they inflate and take off in the morning. Most disruptions at the event, which draws hundreds of thousands, have been due to balloon-related accidents.
Mayor of the Duke City
Albuquerque will elect its next mayor today … or more likely it will start to do that. The city's election laws require the winner to have more than 50 percent of the vote. With seven candidates still in the field, it seems likely there will be a runoff election in a few weeks. Polls show State Auditor Tim Keller leading the field, with County Commissioner Wayne Johnson and attorney Brian Colon among those looking to win a spot in the runoff.
Sandia workers threaten strike
More than 400 metal workers at Sandia National Laboratories voted to authorize a strike if negotiations stall. They haven't yet, but the union has filed a complaint with the feds saying the labs' management violated good-faith negotiating rules by communicating directly with employees instead of negotiating through the union's committee. Sandia denies there was anything wrong with its letter, which mentioned a bonus offered for speedy approval of a new contract.
Drilling down on delays
As oil producers expect to make next year the most productive on record, averaging a predicted 9.9 million barrels a day pumped from underground, they're also saying a federal delay in processing permits to drill is costing governments money. Here in New Mexico, the oil and gas industry group, which is headed by former state Environment Secretary Ryan Flynn, estimates delays cost the cash-strapped state $831,000 every day.
DACA deadline
Immigrant rights organizations are scrambling to help renew work permits for people in the country under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which the Trump administration has sought to end. The deadline for renewals is Friday, and they are typically good for two years.
City pushes low-income housing proposal forward
A city committee approved a measure that will start to rezone city-owned land at the corner of Yucca and Zia roads, just south of Santa Fe High School. The land could then be donated to help the construction of a low-income housing project. The city's rental stock is woefully low, but some councilors worry rushing a project to market could cause problems.
Dunn ends bid for Pearce's seat
State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn has ended his run for Congress. In a surprising move, Dunn backed out of the Republican primary. It's unclear what his future plans are. He recently tangled with the governor over her role—and his—on the State Investment Council.
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