What you don’t know can hurt you

Lead the way 

When New Mexico Political Report tried to talk to the former governor's administration about lead testing in New Mexico, they were met with no helpful response. Now, however, it appears Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's team will be more willing to discuss the current hot-button health topic for American kids. Laura Paskus reports on the lead-related issues in New Mexico; truth is, we can't really know how much of a problem lead poisoning is here, because woefully few children are being tested. Heidi Krapfl of the Epidemiology and Response Division at the New Mexico Department of Health discusses what needs to happen next.

Wrongful death

Pacifica Senior Living in Santa Fe is facing a wrongful death lawsuit ($) regarding the alleged months-long neglect of Julian Gaul, 83, nearly one year ago; the man fell multiple times, and during care for his injuries, it became clear he had not been properly bathed in months. He eventually succumbed to injuries related to two falls in two days. The lawsuit is the second of its kind against Pacifica in as many years. The facility's director declined to discuss either case with The New Mexican, emailing: "I have only [been] the executive director for 11 months. … I wasn't there, so I have no comment on it."

Ed bill round-up

HB 434, which would halt any new charter school creation until 2022 so that the state could take some time to analyze their efficacy, passed the House Education Committee and now goes to House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee. A Senate committee has advanced a bill to create an entire governmental department for early childhood education; it now has a few more committees to clear. In addition to some proposed amendments, one Republican lawmaker also griped, "I hate the name" of the Early Childhood Education and Care Department. "It's too long."

God-given right

In our print edition yesterday, SFR reported about various views on gun laws held by folks at the Los Alamos Gun Show. Yesterday, a concept mentioned in the story made the news again: Valencia, San Juan, Eddy and Lincoln counties have declared themselves Second Amendment sanctuary counties, protecting residents' right to wield firearms in the same way that some cities protect human immigrants. Quay, Curry, Union and Socorro counties have similar declarations, and Sandoval County is expected to hear a similar proposal tonight.

DA has egg on face

An man charged with aggravated assault was released from jail in Bernalillo County when, earlier this year, a woman who said she was the victim in his case came in and demanded the charges dropped and Freddie Trujillo released. One problem: The woman was lying. But Trujillo was still released. KOB reports that a person is not required to show their ID in these types of situations.

Happy hour just got happier

Parking meters in the Guadalupe District in Santa Fe (think the Jean Cocteau, Bee Hive Kid's Books and Café Sonder) now charge users for one hour less than other meters around the city, in an attempt to boost evening shopping hours. In a trial period lasting through June 30, you can quit paying your meter at 5 pm instead of 6 pm, so that post-work lava lamp at Cowgirl will be even sweeter.

Okay, Chief

Amtrak is planning an overhaul and reorganization of some of its train routes, concentrating more on short routes in fast-growing areas of the country. But devotees of its storied long-distance historical lines through desolate areas fear this will take resources and riders away from favorites like the Southwest Chief, which famously runs through New Mexico. Changes in Amtrak's management of its national network require approval from Congress, so it's not a done deal, but railfans are nonetheless in a tizzy.

Just kidding!

We told you yesterday that snow was coming today. Turns out we lied, but not on purpose. We'd never do that to you, friends. Now weather forecasters say snow will actually come later tonight and into tomorrow, primarily pummeling the western part of the state, and it's predicted to impact us through Saturday. So maybe hunker down with Netflix on Friday night instead of hitting the town.

Thanks for reading! The Word is currently sitting in a motel in Raton, New Mexico, where it is 16 degrees. (Outside, not inside.) Which is chilly. We can't lie.