To The Border

Mayors make road trip while Trump tries to pivot policy

Road trip

Mayor Alan Webber is at the border with Mexico today as part of an effort by the US Conference of Mayors to protest the Trump administration's zero-tolerance policy, which the president altered Wednesday ($) to stop the separation of children from their parents. Yesterday, Webber sent a letter to US Sen. Tom Udall. He joined Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller to express dismay over the separation practice. "It seems that this administration's policy is to be as heartless as possible as often as possible," the mayors wrote. Tripp Stelnicki at the New Mex runs down more details of Webber's journey ($).

Young gun

Staying down south, the Republican nominee for Steve Pearce's seat in Congress is Yvette Herrell. The state representative won after a hard-fought primary against parts of Susana Martinez' political machine. The governor recently threw shade at Herrell, saying there were questions about how she could effectively represent the district. The Republican Congressional Committee disagrees, and named Herrell one of its "Young Guns" for 2018. As the Albuquerque Journal's Michael Coleman explains, that puts her in line for increased campaign support. Democrats have made a similar designation for their nominee, Xochitl Torres Small.

Cop secret?

A year ago, SFR highlighted the secrecy with which Santa Fe police protect the results of internal affairs investigations. If a citizen complains about an officer's conduct, there's little chance they'll ever find out if the department agreed with them. The story pointed out the secrecy policy cuts the same way for officers. Now, one of them is suing the department, claiming it violated public records law by not releasing its findings ($).

Going to Market Street

The Albertsons in the De Vargas Center is about to get spruced up. SFR has learned that the company that owns the grocery store chain plans to turn it into a higher-end Market Street store. The new iteration of the Albertsons will feature prepared meals, body care and supplements advisers and people to carry groceries to your car. It also makes just about every grocery store in town north of Cordova kind of bougie.

Family of girl killed in crosswalk plans to sue

Justine Almuina was 12 years old in March when she was hit and killed by the driver of an SUV. Almuina was in the crosswalk in front of Cleveland Middle School in Albuquerque. Her mother plans to sue both the city and Albuquerque Public Schools, alleging obvious improvements to the safety of pedestrians—often students—were never made.

Plastic phase-out

Albuquerque's Downtown Growers' Market plans to start doing away with plastic next month. The popular open-air market is encouraging shoppers to bring their own bags and utensils. Organizers say vendors came up with the idea. They'll try to replace typically plastic items with compostable ones where they can.

Burn … something a lot like him!

The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe finally confirmed it's burning a version of Zozobra ($) for the National Governors Association conference in July. The group was hired by the governors but prohibited from saying why, allegedly for security purposes. It'll be at the Fort Marcy ballpark and technically will be a Tio Coco, or Uncle Boogeyman. The public isn't invited, but Vice President Mike Pence is. And you know how much he digs the burning of pagan puppets.

Maybe monsoons

As we officially cruise into summer, New Mexico is staying true to form and getting hot. Don't expect anything but highs in the 80s and 90s for the next few days. There may be good news on the horizon for parched people, thirsty gardens and bone-dry forests. The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center says there's a better-than-average chance of New Mexico's monsoons starting in earnest next month.

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