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onday's Morning Word. It was a big weekend for breaking news. The Albuquerque Police Department said it has been investigating 2nd Judicial District Attorney Kari Brandenburg for more than a year. She could face serious criminal charges. The New Mexico Environment Department issued a huge fine against the Waste Isolation Project following a radioactive leak there in February. The state's Grand Old Party has elected a new chairwoman and the Democratic Senate caucus picked a new majority whip. We've got you covered. Here's the latest.
Probable Cause
Police in Albuquerque have spent the last year quietly investigating 2nd Judicial District Attorney Kari Brandenburg for allegedly intimidating witnesses and bribery to help her son avoid prosecution for burglary. Reporter Mike Gallagher broke the story on Sunday. He reports detectives have forwarded their case file to the New Mexico Attorney General's office. Brandenburg plans a news conference to discuss the matter this morning. Read more at the Albuquerque Journal .
Hot Potato
Political blogger Joe Monahan's legal beagles are reacting to the Brandenburg investigation and questioning the timing of the probe that has been turned over to the New Mexico Attorney General's Office. Monahan's asking tough questions and wants to know if APD should have turned the case over to a special investigator to avoid a potential conflict of interest.
Fined
The New Mexico Environment Department spent nine months investigating the radioactive leak inside the Waste Isolation Pilot Project in Carlsbad. On Saturday they levied a record high civil penalty - $54 million.WIPP Reaction
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall doesn't want WIPP's team and others responsible for putting employees lives at risk to get annual performance bonuses.The health and safety of New Mexicans will always be our priority and we have to hold federal agencies accountable for safe operations in the state of New Mexico. The federal Department of Energy is a strong partner with us, and we will continue to work with them closely to ensure their success in our state.
Read Udall's statement at the Los Alamos Daily Post.
Unity
Republicans picked Debbie Weh Maestas to chair their state party on Saturday. Maestas, the daughter of former chair and US Senate candidate Allen Weh, is the first woman elected to the position in 10 years. Political reporter Steve Terrell says Maestas will focus on building party unity and improving the R's social media strategy.Read more at the Santa Fe New Mexican.
'Healing'
Democrats may also be served by a woman chair in the next election cycle. Deb Haaland, who lost her bid to become the first Native American woman elected New Mexico Lieutenant Governor in November, announced on Saturday that she'll seek the top leadership post. She says a lot of healing and party reunification needs to be done before the 2016 elections.
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Commitment
Freshman state Sen. Michael Padilla, D-Albuquerque, beat out Sens Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces and Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque on Saturday for Majority Whip on Saturday. Milan Simonich reports Sen. Michael Sanchez, D-Belen, was re-elected Majority Leader; Sen. Jacob Candelaria keeps his post as Caucus Chair.
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DOJ investigation
The University of New Mexico has been added to a list of 100 schools to be investigated by Department of Justice for the way it handles sexual assault and harassment cases.
Read more at the
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Befuddled
Teachers around New Mexico are gearing up for the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers exams. They worry students will be "befuddled" by the online computer test interface.
Inadequate
New Mexico Attorney General Gary King is suing one of the country's largest nursing home centers for not having enough staff to adequately care for patients.
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'Swimming'
Walt Disney Studios has agreed to dub Finding Nemo in the Navajo language. It's the second major film to be translated since Star Wars was dubbed in 2013.
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Santa Fe Reporter