Governor Susana Martinez on Monday signed a gaming compact with Native American leaders that allows tribal casinos to operate for another 22 years if the federal government approves it. Leaders from the Pueblo of Acoma, the Pueblo of Jemez, the Jicarilla Apache Nation, the Mescalero Apache Tribe and the Navajo Nation gathered at the governor's office Monday for the announcement. The compact will now go to the U-S Department of Interior for final approval. The negotiations between the state and tribal leaders have been ongoing for three years. Under the compact, the tribes will provide regular reports to the state about their gaming activities so the state can work with tribes to resolve any problems. State regulators will also have better access to information to ensure compliance with the compact terms, according to Martinez's office.
New Mexico horse racing regulators are going to allow trainers to pick among a wider variety of labs for testing to challenge allegations of drugging of horses. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the Racing Commission approved a list of 11 certified labs that trainers can use. That's an increase from only three labs previously approved. New Mexico Horsemen's Association president Larry Nichols had told the commission during its meeting last week that costs for lab testing were soaring due to both increased testing and to higher prices charged by the three approved labs. Nichols said allowing more labs to conduct the tests should spur competition and lower costs.
Apparently, there’s more trouble for the trouble-plagued Albuquerque Police Department. Now,
KOB-TV’s sources say two Albuquerque Police Department officers face an investigation and possible criminal charges stemming from the beating of a person. New Mexico State Police confirmed Monday it is investigation allegations of excessive force by two APD officers, stemming from an incident that happened last month. APD Chief Gorden Eden released a statement on the department's Facebook and YouTubepages saying possible misconduct and excessive use of force allegations were levied against officers by a department employee.
Eden said the department notified the Department of Justice, US Attorney's Office and FBI of the allegations and asked New Mexico State Police to determine if there will be criminal charges brought forth. An APD spokesperson told KOB the two officers are currently on paid administrative leave.
A bill that would have extended New Mexico’s Solar Tax Credit, which expires at the end of next year, died by “pocket veto,” as Governor Martinez didn’t act on it. Sanders Moore of Environment New Mexico is disappointed with the lack of action. Moore says the bill was a win-win for New Mexico: *****Moore-1 :17 ***** Sanders Moore, State Director of Environment New Mexico.
A tribute to Taos beat generation poet Peter Rabbit was performed last Friday at Taos Mesa Brewing. There was jazz improvisation, spoken word and memories of Rabbit as Ann MacNaughton and former members of Luminous Animal and Taos Poetry Circus performed in a presentation by the Taos Bebop Society. MacNaughton read a poem by Peter Rabbit called “Self-Portrait,” which was written late in Rabbit’s life. *****BeeBop :29***** Peter Rabbit died two years ago and MacNaughton is seeking funding and assistance to digitally archive those Poetry Circus performances and bouts and make them accessible online.
An expected wetter-than-normal spring and possible more active summer monsoons have some fire managers hoping for a calm fire season in New Mexico this year. The Albuquerque Journal report the predictions of less wind than usual also have fire managers hopeful that the state can avoid large wildfires but they say those conditions can change rapidly. Last year's monsoons and some moisture late this winter resulted in more grasses than have been seen in New Mexico since 2009. That has some fire planners expecting fewer mountain forest fires but more lowland grass fires. Already this year, more than 150 fires have burned about 10,000 acres of state-owned and private land. Three weeks ago, a fire in the Gila National Forest burned 25 acres six miles north of Mimbres.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly sunny today with the high reaching 65. Tonight, Partly cloudy with the overnight low down to 33. Tomorrow: Mostly sunny and breezy with gusts up to 35 miles an hour… tomorrow’s high, 59.