It's Thursday, May 3, 2018.
Trouble for Trujillo
A longtime lobbyist and animal advocate came forward yesterday with allegations that Rep. Carl Trujillo, a Nambé Democrat, propositioned and touched her inappropriately in 2013 and 2014. Laura Bonar says that when she resisted Trujillo's advances, he stopped working on a spay and neuter bill he'd been carrying for her. Trujillo called the accusations "lies of the worst sort" and blamed his primary opponent, Andrea Romero. House Democratic leaders say they'll consult an outside attorney about how to move forward.
Solar and sunshine
A solar power firm that benefited from a Public Regulation Commission vote that went against the recommendation of staff and a hearing examiner is now largely funding the campaigns of two of the PRC commissioners who gave the green light to the project. Thom Cole over at The New Mexican dug into campaign finance records to find Affordable Solar and people who work for the company are donating to Sandy Jones and Lynda Lovejoy's campaigns.
Stand for the second
A national effort in support of the second amendment led to walkouts and rallies across the country yesterday. The idea was advanced by Will Riley, a Carlsbad High School senior ($). There were short rallies in Albuquerque and Santa Fe ($) as well.
APS, PED square off
Albuquerque Public Schools gave the OK to a series of letters it will send the the Public Education Department regarding plans for three long-struggling schools. The school district says it agrees in principle with much of what the state wants changed at the schools, but that the PED's requirements may have a timeline that's too aggressive. The APS board also said the state has been changing criteria as it sees fit while the schools try to meet the state's new requirements.
Being Black in New Mexico
Black families in our state face obstacles many New Mexicans may not even realize exist. Institutional racism in the health care community may lead to much higher infant mortality rates for children born to African American mothers. May Ortega at KUNM looks at the problem.
ABQ shops for APD chief
Mayor Tim Keller says he hopes to have a permanent police chief for Albuquerque by June. Under Keller and interim chief Mike Geier, the city has done an about-face in its relationship with the Department of Justice, earning praise from the feds and an independent monitor brought in to oversee the department's response to DOJ findings of unconstitutional policing. Geier says he'll apply for the job.
Veritas
The leader of Albuquerque's teachers union says she thinks she was targeted by Project Veritas, the right-wing group known for going undercover to try to expose the liberal left. Ellen Bernstein says two men set up a meeting with her, one of them claimed to be a teacher. But Bernstein says the questions the man asked seemed like nothing she'd heard from any of her members. Project Veritas wouldn't comment.
Moisture!
It ain't much, but we'll take it. There's another chance for spot showers today, as New Mexico gets off to a cool start before warming into the 50's and 60's statewide. It should start to warm up into the weekend.
Thanks for reading! The Word tried to stand in the rain, but by the time we parked the car, it was over.
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