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August 26 First News: N.M. Law Enforcement Received Military Gear Worth $10+ Million (Listen)

Records show a U.S. Defense Department program which loans local law enforcement agencies surplus military gear has sent more than ten-million dollars’ worth of weapons, helicopters and armored vehicles to New Mexico. Documents obtained by public records requests show the Defense Department's "1033 program" has sent Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to small agencies like Clovis police and New Mexico State University Police. Meanwhile, larger agencies like the Albuquerque Police Department have received weapons, utility trucks and mine-resistant vehicles. The federal program is one of many under review by the White House in the aftermath of the police response to unrest in Ferguson, Missouri. Law enforcement agencies in New Mexico said the extra military gear helps them in crisis situations. But critics say the equipment is contributing to the unnecessary militarization of local police.

A new state financial forecast estimates revenue growth nearing five-percent for the fiscal year that begins next July. The estimate means substantially more money will be available in the next budget year for spending increases on state government programs, public education and to offset potential tax cuts. New Mexico Finance Secretary, Tom Clifford: *****082514-Clifford-2 :15***** Clifford presenting the revenue numbers this morning at the Legislative Finance Committee’s meeting in Las Vegas. If the Legislature and governor agree to put all $285 million into programs and services, it would represent a nearly five-percent increase in spending in the 2016 fiscal year, which begins next July.

Santa Fe Police say the motorcyclist killed in Saturday’s crash on Cerrillos Road at Camino Carlos Rey was 22-year old Josiah Sandoval. Police say Sandoval died after hitting a Chevy Cobalt in the crash that occurred around 10am Saturday. The driver of the Cobalt was not cited in the crash. Police say witnesses had reported Sandoval speeding and driving erratically just prior to the crash.

The first personal injury lawsuit tied to the underground truck fire at the WIPP site has been filed.  KSFR's Dave Marash has the story. *****RUNS:  00:49*****

TEXT:  It's been more than 6 months since William Utter, a waste handler at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), was caught underground when a 30 year old salt hauling truck caught fire.  He is still being treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries.  Utter and his family have filed suit  in the New Mexico District Court in Santa Fe against the current and former contractors at the nuclear waste storage site.  Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety says, Utter's complaint relies upon the facts uncovered during the internal Department of Energy (DOE) investigation which found that the underground mine fire was entirely preventable and that the DOE and its WIPP contractors had created dangerous conditions for the workers.  For KSFR news, I'm Dave Marash.

A survey commissioned by New Mexico's health insurance exchange has found that a campaign to publicize the online marketplace for buying coverage is having little success so far. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the survey of uninsured New Mexicans found that three of five don't even know what an insurance exchange is. The survey also found that respondents had little memory of television advertising to encourage visits to the exchange's website and that few had heard of events where insurance shoppers could consult exchange representatives. The exchange awarded a Milwaukee advertising and marketing firm a contract worth close to eight-and-a-half million dollars last September and a new six-million dollar pact in July. Exchange board marketing committee chairman Martin Hickey says the survey is designed to help the firm better target its work.

More heavy rain is expected to strike New Mexico this week. The National Weather Service says up to two inches of rain could hit the central and western parts of the state through Wednesday. Southwestern New Mexico is expected to get the heaviest amount of rain and is an area still struggling with extreme and severe drought. Last month, heavy rains brought flooding to towns in eastern New Mexico and Albuquerque. The National Weather Service says last month was the fourth wettest July on record for New Mexico.

Santa Fe Weather: Mostly cloudy today with showers and thunderstorms likely. Today’s high, 70. Tonight: Cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely with a low down to 56. The chance of precipitation today and tonight is 70-percent—some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Tomorrow: Partly sunny with a high near 76 and a 20-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms.