Wednesday’s Top Stories
- Migrants held by smugglers escape after APD responds to wrong home
- Outgoing Bernalillo County Clerk reflects on her time in office
- City of Albuquerque using thousands of taxpayer dollars to trap, kill pigeons
- UNM offensive line using their own NIL money to buy turkeys for Thanksgiving giveaway
- Albuquerque man charged for fatal shooting in San Miguel County
- Father, young children killed in crash in Sandoval County, Rio Rancho Police say
- US will allow Ukraine to use antipersonnel land mines against Russian forces
Wednesday’s Five Facts
[1] DNA evidence leads to trial for 1994 rape case in Albuquerque – The trial for a man accused of a rape in 1994 is scheduled to continue Wednesday. Contreras, 56, pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and kidnapping. Contreras was taken into custody in 2022 after a rape kit from 1994 was processed and matched his DNA. The prosecution contends that the crime scene wasn’t contaminated and that the victim, who passed away in 2013, described what happened to her to the two women who found her that day. Contreras’ lawyer claims policies were not followed and the state can not prove Contreras committed the crime.
[2] Western New Mexico University under scrutiny for spending – An audit of Western New Mexico University is revealing wasteful spending and improper use of public funds. State auditor Joseph Maestas says the university violated its policy when it spend $214,000 on “excessive or extravagant” travel and lodging from July 2018 to June of last year. The audit also uncovered $149,000 of noncompliant procurement and credit card spending. That includes the purchase of high end furnishings for the president’s residence. The University’s Regent President says they addressed the issue by revising policies to align with state guidelines and regulations.
[3] From very cold to warmer & drier weather – Temperatures will start to be on the rebound later today. With mostly sunny skies throughout the day, temperatures will rise slightly more than yesterday for most north-central areas, but it will be a tad cooler than yesterday afternoon in southern areas. Temperatures will continue to rebound later this week and into the weekend.
[4] ABQ opening second center for bicycle safety education program – The city-owned Esperanza Bicycle Safety Education Center is having its grand opening for its second shop. The new shop will be called the McKinley Center and located near San Mateo and Comanche. The Esperanza Center has helped more than 20,000 people repair their bikes. The program is funded by the Parks and Recreation department and public donations.
[5] NM filmmakers highlight the struggles of Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire victims – More than two years after the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire ripped through northern New Mexico, a local film crew is working to showcase the struggle of the fire’s victims. The film will show what the community has gone through during the fire and the aftermath. A 45-minute cut of the movie will air in Taos for a special screening on Friday. The filmmakers said they hope to have the film complete by the third anniversary of the fires.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
