Taos judge explains decision

Here’s why

In an eight-page order, state District Court Judge Sarah Backus wrote that while prosecutors provided evidence that was "troubling," they didn't focus on the child abuse charges that were the only items she could rule on when considering whether to allow release until trial. Backus has been criticized and threatened since her Monday decision.

Tipped off

Abdur-Rashid Al-Amin was the Islamic counselor in Georgia who helped tip off authorities that something was amiss at the Amalia compound. Al-Amin got a Facebook message from one of the women at the compound saying she and others were starving and needed $400. Four days later, the FBI and deputies raided the compound. Speaking of, it's now been razed.

Supergroup

Almost 20 community groups around Santa Fe ranging from home builders to hospitals, homeless coaltions to community foundations are backing a new housing action coalition. The organization's director tells SFR it's out to end what it calls an "advocacy gap" and provide a more consistent voice for housing reform and development.

APS spends on investigators

Two Albuquerque Public Schools employees are suing the district after they discovered they were being surveilled at work. They argue recordings of them at their desks violate federal law, but the district claims it's well within its right to monitor public employees. Over the past two years, APS has spent some $56,000 on private investigators.

Judge orders Han’s death ‘undetermined’

Santa Fe state District Court Judge David Thomson has ordered the Office of the Medical Investigator to change the manner of death on attorney Mary Han's autopsy from suicide to "undetermined." Acting on a motion filed in connection to a 2017 lawsuit by Han's family, Thomson ruled that the Albuquerque police investigation of Han's death was so sloppy that it couldn't conclusively say she took her own life.

Trail safety  

As Santa Fe gets ready to open another improvement to the Acequia Trail (the one that runs through the new tunnel under St. Francis Drive), the city is pushing back ($) against claims that the trail is unsafe. A woman recently reported being knocked unconscious and raped on the trail near where two new bridges have been built.

Taking a dive

An anonymous donor has pledged a quarter of a million dollars over the next five years to keep the University of New Mexico's women's diving and club programs above water. UNM regents are reconsidering their decision to cut the program and several others at a meeting tomorrow. The meeting itself is being held because the school violated the Open Meetings Act when regents made their initial vote. It's unclear if their view on cutting sports programs has changed since the controversial decision.

Cold comfort

A warm summer and low stream flows have made this a tough season to fish … and a tough season on fish. In this week's Enthusiast, SFR explores the impact of storms on fishing and fishing guides, with tips on the best time to wet your line for both fishing and the fish themselves.

Thanks for reading! The Word is revving up for the weekend by napping and eating extra string cheese.

Spread the Word! Forward this and subscribe to our other newsletters at sfreportercom/signup.

Although most sites allow a few free views, the dollar signs ($) are links that require a paid subscription to the news source.