The conservation group, “Juntos New Mexico” is holding events in Albuquerque and Santa Fe today as it submits about six-thousand petition signatures to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. The group, which is affiliated with the non-profit Conservation Voters New Mexico, is calling for the PRC to adopt clean energy standards. Juntos Director, Vicente Garcia: *****092414-Garcia-1 :30***** Garcia calls the signature-gathering effort “significant” as he says the PRC has an opportunity to replace power from non-closed coal-fired plants in the four corners region with clean energy sources.
Federal prosecutors have rested their case against Rio Arriba County Sheriff Tommy Rodella. Rodella had been indicted for roughing up a motorist during a heated traffic stop. Prosecutors called their final witnesses Wednesday in a trial involving Rodella, who authorities say injured a 26-year-old motorist in a March road rage fit. Rodella is standing trial on federal charges of deprivation of rights and brandishing a firearm. He has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers says that Rodella did nothing wrong and it was the motorist who was driving recklessly and nearly struck the lawman with his car. Defense attorneys say they plan on calling in experts to prove Rodella did not hurt the driver as prosecutors claim.
A legislative report faults state government for doing a poor job of providing mental health and substance abuse services to needy New Mexicans. A new Legislative Finance Committee report says New Mexico doesn't know whether more than 200 million dollars for behavioral health services for adults is going for effective programs. The report estimates only 11 percent of state spending is for programs that are proven effective based on research. New Mexico has high rates of suicide and deaths from drug overdose and alcohol abuse. Human Services spokesman Matt Kennicott said in a statement there was a 30 percent increase in the number of people receiving behavioral health services in the last budget year. He said the state supports the use of "evidence-based practices" as recommended by the legislative report.
A New Mexico company that markets diagnostic tests for lupus and other autoimmune rheumatoid diseases has filed for an initial public offering. The Albuquerque Journal reports that Exagen Diagnostics Inc. recently filed its registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Exagen President and CEO Ron Rocca says the Albuquerque company has to wait for about three weeks and then officials will visit with bankers and investors.Exagen uses software to identify key genomic biomarkers to diagnose and treat disease. It released its first lupus test in January 2012. Launched in 2002, the company has raised about $40 million in venture capital, including about six-million dollars from Sun Mountain Capital in Santa Fe.
If you’re transporting drugs in a rental car, it’s probably best not to forget your stash. But an Albuquerque man is in custody for allegedly leaving nearly 140 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of a returned rental. Albuquerque police say 40-year-old David Ung is being held on a ten-thousand dollar bond on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to distribute. The Albuquerque Journal reports that Ung refused to talk to police after he was arrested Tuesday without an attorney. Police say 139 pounds of high-grade marijuana packed in several black trash bags were found in Ung's rental car. Airport police say Ung had dropped off a car, but returned saying he left a bag inside the vehicle. By the time he returned, police had already found the marijuana packaged in 124 individual heat-sealed clear bags.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly sunny today and tomorrow with highs in the mid-to-upper 70s and a 20-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms. Tonight: partly cloudy with the overnight low, 54 and a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms.