Accused teacher/molester in court

Gregor passed from other states to Santa Fe and Española

Gregor trial begins

The former Santa Fe and Española teacher accused of sexually abusing students began his first criminal court case yesterday, with stirring testimony from a former student who said her principal ignored pleas for help. Gary Gregor faces 13 charges in this trial, which is the start of four such court engagements. His behavior has cost school districts millions of dollars through civil settlements, but he hasn't been prosecuted until now.

Full steam ahead

When legislators passed a bill that would make it much more difficult to access emergency reserve funds, and dedicated a new stream of revenue for it, they expected maybe $15-$20 million to start flowing into it next year. There's likely to be $500 million in the Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund this year, with $135 million more on the way and the potential to easily clear $1 billion in just the first two years. Now, the state is considering whether to pursue a better return on that money.

Criminal justice changes

With firm Democratic control in both legislative houses and an incoming Democratic governor, lawmakers have signaled a willingness to look at criminal justice reform bills they knew wouldn't get signed by Gov. Susana Martinez. At a committee meeting yesterday, they endorsed a bill to ban private employers from requiring job applicants to check a box if they've been convicted of a crime. The committee stopped short of endorsing a ban on contracts with private prisons and a criminal conviction expungement law.

Prosecutors raid Lobo Club

Agents from the Attorney General's Office served a search warrant at the University of New Mexico Lobo Club yesterday, as the investigation into UNM Athletics finances continues to steam forward. The AG wouldn't reveal the target of the raid. A KRQE investigation last year showed Executive Director Cole McKamey charged an $8,0000 golf junket to a university credit card.

Blow out

Meanwhile, in Las Cruces … the news wasn't any better for the Lobos, as the men's basketball team lost by 35 points to the arch rival New Mexico State University Aggies. The defeat was a return by former NMSU coach Paul Weir, who left the school to coach UNM. The Lobos suffered on offense and defense in the 100-65 defeat.

Raptastic

After going viral with a video of him rapping to Uber passengers that's been viewed almost nine million times and noted by the likes of Lil' Wayne, Dylan Montayne is dropping his first album. As many rap artists do these days, explains Steve Terrell at The New Mexican ($), Montayne grew up in Eldorado and graduated with a degree in finance from Notre Dame.

Lost album

One of the best stories in SFR this week is music writer Luke Henley's tale of how local musicians JJ Frank and Jono Manson unearthed an unreleased, lost Carole King album. It starts with a bunch of reel-to-reel tapes in a bargain bin at thrift store.

Moving on

Farmington teen Chevel Shepherd advanced to the final eight contestants on NBC's The Voice reality competition last night. The country crooner sang a Loretta Lynn song to make the cut to the last handful of contestants.

Thanks for reading! The Word promises to never sing "You're Lookin' at Country" to you.

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