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State of the State
Nobody ever accused Michelle Lujan Grisham of running out of ideas for things to do. The new governor pitched her plan to legislators and policymakers yesterday. Democrats were generally thrilled and Republicans appeared wary as they begin the 60-day session. You can find a version of the speech that's been annotated by public media reporters here.
State of the second amendment
One of the things many Republicans were less than thrilled with was a promise by the new governor to increase the applicability of background checks to gun sales in New Mexico. That came amid heightened security at the Roundhouse. Estancia Mayor Nathan Dial wore a pistol on his hip ($) when he went to the Capitol Tuesday. He asked for a copy of the new rules to better understand them, which he got about an hour later. Dial kept his gun and watched the speech via simulcast with about 100 other people who couldn't get a seat in the packed House of Representatives gallery.
Medical cannabis and schools
Actually, in schools is probably more accurate. After a series of stories in the Albuquerque Journal about what life is like for kids who depend on medical cannabis products like CBD oil, but can't use them in schools, Republican state Sen. Candace Gould plans to introduce a bill to allow the practice. Gould's legislation has more than a few qualifiers and safeguards. The new governor supports allowing school staff to administer medical cannabis products.
Waiting for justification
It's been more than a year since a panel of district attorneys began reviewing the Santa Fe police shooting of Anthony Benavidez to determine if officers were justified in killing a man in his 20's who had been living with schizophrenia. The process is a new one for Santa Fe, which used to take shootings to special grand juries—a system that many criticized as biased toward police.
Homeless, now dead, on the streets of Santa Fe
Police say 60-year-old Thomas Williamson died sometime Sunday night on the sidewalk outside the downtown Starbucks coffee shop. Employees there say he was often the first customer in the door when they opened. He'd developed a noticeable cough during the week before his death. Williamson had been living occasionally at the St. Elizabeth's shelter.
Out of the hospital
Joseph Fammartino, who was hit by a Santa Fe city snowplow on Friday evening, is reportedly out of the hospital. Initial concerns that the retired ophthalmologist could lose sight in one of his eyes appear to be assuaged for now. Police are still contemplating a careless driving charge for the city snowplow driver, but apparently not leaving the scene of an accident, which he did twice.
Green dreams
How 'bout some gardening thoughts on this chilly morning, when snow covers the mountains and puffs of breath fill the air as you walk down the street to procure this week's Reporter? David Salman is an expert xeriscaper who aims to demystify the water-wise type of gardening, provide a better yard for you and better options for pollinators like bees. He'll talk about it at 6:30 pm at Christ Lutheran Church. It's free.
Roller coaster
We're all on board the winter 2019 coaster, which is expected to take a pretty major dip as we head into the weekend, then climb up for the beginning of the week and plunge again on Tuesday. Expect highs in the 40s in Northern New Mexico and near 50 for Albuquerque until Friday, when high temperatures drop 10 degrees or more as a storm moves into much of the state. The ride will be even more pronounced in the eastern part of the state.
Thanks for reading! The Word suddenly has the urge to ride an actual roller coaster. Not this weather-related one. Where's the nearest really good coaster?
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