Morning Word: Border Agents Accused of Racial Profiling

It's Thursday, May 28, 2015

A new report from the American Civil Liberties Union alleges abusive border agent behavior at federal checkpoints in New Mexico.

Lauren Villagran got an advance copy of the report.  Earlier this week, we shared a story about how health insurance customers in New Mexico were in for sticker shock. Now, we’re reading that Blue Cross will seek a 51 percent increase.

Presbyterian Health Plan is only asking for an average increase of 6 percent on its individual plan premiums. New Mexico Health Connections wants a hike of 4 to 5 percent on its individual plans. Blue Cross says it got hit with higher-than-expected costs on its Affordable Care Act plans. Jessica Dryer has more details.  As expected, Public Regulations commissioners have delayed making a decision on the Public Service Company of New Mexico’s power replacement plan. On Wednesday, they voted 4 to 1 to give the power company more time to finalize a coal supply contract. Listen to Rita Daniel's report at KUNM.org. New Energy Economy’s Mariel Nanasi, and other renewable advocates, say PNM missed the deadline and the case should be determined on the record that was built over the past 18 months. Photojournalist Charles Arasim recorded this press conference after the PRC decision. Watch it here.  Meanwhile, a new 1.3 megawatt solar plant is online in Springer, New Mexico. Read it at ABQ Business First.  US Reps. Ben Ray Lujan and Michelle Lujan Grisham, both New Mexico Democrats, say innovation and a bipartisan approach to legislation is the best way to jump-start the state’s economy. Dan Boyd has more.  Something is needed here. Unemployment numbers are inching back up in New Mexico. Read the stats at KRQE.com  Trade and diplomatic relations with Cuba are closer than ever, according to Sen. Tom Udall, D-New Mexico, who visited the island nation on Wednesday.

The Associated Press story is here.  If you haven’t been reading Bryant Furlow and Laura Paskus’ series on teen suicides in Native communities you should. Check them all out at New Mexico In Depth.  There are very few services available to help women transition back into communities after they’re released from state prisons in New Mexico.

Marisa Demarco has the story.  Jeffrey Padilla, a convicted murderer and ex-husband of boxing promoter and gym owner Teresa Tapia, was found guilty of parole violations in state district court yesterday for allowing Tapia to visit him in the hospital and at his apartment despite a no-contact order. However, Judge Angela Jewel said the state did not prove Padilla abused Tapia, who claimed in media outlets that she feared for her life after alleging he beat and bruised her. Padilla will be sentenced on June 24. Rick Wright was in the courtroom. Tapia did not testify in the case. Albuquerque Attorney Ray Twohig, who represents her in a trademark infringement civil suit with Padilla's father, Jerry Sr., sent an email to her ex-husband's criminal attorney, Kari Morrissey, before the hearing on Wednesday and stated she would would not show up to testify in the hearing if Padilla Sr. would agree to a $20,000 civil settlement. Read a copy of Twohig's email offer here. Teachers and administrators in Las Cruces face 3-day furloughs during the next school year. It’s a cost-cutting measure as the district faces a budget deficit.

Read it at the Las Cruces Sun-News.  While they’re out of class, those employees might want to head to Angel Fire. The resort’s mountain bike park is off to a big start this year. Read it at the Sangre de Cristo Chronicle.  The Sangre de Cristo Chronicle and the Raton Comet published their last print editions yesterday. Robin Martin, owner of the Taos News and the Santa Fe New Mexican , said it was not an easy decision.

Read it at the Taos News.  This is good news if you hate getting telemarketing calls on your personal phone: The Federal Communications Commission is taking new steps to block the stem of those automated robo-calls. Read it at ABQ Business First.  The Albuquerque Isotopes have lost four straight games. They will finish their series with New Orleans on Thursday. They will then come back to Albuquerque for an eight-game home stand starting with Omaha on Friday at 7:05 pm.

See more at KRQE.com. 

Santa Fe Reporter