Leaders of minority farm and ranching groups say the U.S. Department of Agriculture hasn't done enough to address discrimination and civil rights violations that have affected Latinos and women. They will discuss the issue during a news conference today as the National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association kicks off its annual meeting in Albuquerque. Groups representing black and Native American farmers and ranchers also are expected to attend. The Latino association pointed to a 2013 federal review that showed the U.S. Forest Service in New Mexico and Colorado wasn't complying with several civil rights requirements. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has said addressing civil rights is part of a broader effort toward cultural transformation within the agency, but critics say that transformation has yet to happen.
The New Mexico State Fair’s attendance this year bested last year’s numbers. Fair officials say preliminary figures show attendance topped 460-thousand people during its 11-day run that last from September tenth through September 20th. That's an increase of more than two-thousand over last year's attendance when the fair lasted 12 days. Fair manager Dan Mourning says promotional efforts, the reputation of the fair and a new midway operator added to the success. Reithoffer Shows Incorporated began a multi-year contract this year to operate the carnival. Fair officials say they're expecting a 10 percent increase in revenue from the carnival this year.
The New Mexico House Special Investigatory Committee that’s probing charges against Secretary of State Dianna Duran has hired a lawyer. The panel announcing Tuesday that it has retained former federal prosecutor Robert Gorence. In 2001, the high-profile Albuquerque lawyer served as special counsel in the state impeachment case of a public regulation commissioner who later resigned. Duran has been accused of funneling campaign contributions into personal bank accounts and later withdrawing large sums of money while frequenting casinos around the state. She has pleaded not guilty to state charges. Committee co-chairs Representative Zachary Cook and Representative Gail Chasey said in a statement they were confidence Gorence will do an outstanding job with the panel.
The lawyer handling appeal of imprisoned former Rio Arriba County Sheriff Tommy Rodella, maintains Rodella was wrongfully convicted of rights violations because the driver in question wasn’t seriously injured. Attorney John Cline told the Denver-based 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday that improper jury instructions created an unfair trial. Rodella was sentenced in January to 10 years in prison for abusing the motorist in a bizarre, off-duty traffic stop in March 2014. Prosecutors said Rodella held the driver at gunpoint in a fit of road rage because he had cut him off in traffic. The motorist, Michael Tafoya, told jurors he feared for his life. Cline says the traffic stop was legal because Tafoya was driving carelessly.
Three New Mexico schools will be honored at a November ceremony in the nation's capital after being named National Blue Ribbon Schools. The U.S. Department of Education announced the awards Tuesday to more than 300 schools. Those include Newcomb Elementary School in northwestern New Mexico, Mora High School and Melrose Elementary School. The schools in Mora and Melrose were selected for closing achievement gaps. The Washington, D.C., ceremony is scheduled November eight and ninth.
Dozens of concerned parents, children and staff from an Albuquerque day care being investigated over allegations of child mistreatment have called on state officials for answers in the case. KOAT-TV reports the group held a protest at the state Children, Youth and Families Department office Monday. A CYFD employee told protesters that details of the open investigation cannot yet be released. Eastern Child Development Center was shut down Friday after reports surfaced of a video appearing to show an employee mistreating a child. The employee was fired, but CYFD Secretary Monique Jacobson says there are more videos of the same woman that are being investigated. While an investigation is ongoing, state officials are working to find alternate day care options for about 300 kids.
The Federal Aviation Administration will monitor the Balloon Fiesta again to make sure drones are kept out. KOAT-TV reports officials are continuing to ban recreational drones within the three miles of the event's airspace radius. Balloon Fiesta spokesman Tom Garrity said a couple of people pushed the envelope last year. Those individuals were contacted and spoken to, and Garrity said the unauthorized drones were taken out of event airspace. An FAA spokesman said he was unaware of any citations or penalties issued last year. He said education has been the main focus.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly sunny skies today through tomorrow with high temps both days 82. Tonight, Mostly clear with the overnight low, 56.