Can the woodcutters cut wood?

How much wood?

Stemming from a lawsuit filed this month by WildEarth Guardians against the US Fish and Wildlife Service over its alleged failure to protect the Mexican spotted owl, a federal judge in Arizona has ruled that all "timber management activities" (that includes timber sales and firewood permits, forest thinning and restoration operations, and prescribed burns) must be temporarily suspended in Carson, Cibola, Gila, Lincoln and Santa Fe national forests. Folks are not happy about this, as many people depend on those firewood permits ($ TNM) to heat their homes in winter, or on the money they make selling cords. Presumably taking this concern into consideration, however, plaintiff WildEarth Guardians asked the court to modify the tree-cutting ban to exclude firewood permits for personal use. It's unclear when a decision will be made.

Spawn more Gretas

Is your kid inspired by Greta Thunberg to actually try and make a difference for the planet when it comes to climate? You're locally in luck. Local organization Climate Advocates Voces Unidas is days away from closing registration for the Climate Innovation Challenge, a semester-long program that has kids come up with ways to protect the things in their surroundings and lifestyle that are most important to them. Then, they will shoot and produce a video project highlighting the threat and their solutions. Then, in January, judges will choose which student films will be screened at the state Legislative session.

You’ve done it again

The City of Santa Fe faces more than $180,000 in fines for seven safety violations that caused the death of a city worker in April, two of which are repeat violations. The Environment Department cited the city for failure to properly train employees in electrical safe work practices and failing to de-energize circuits, both listed as serious repeat violations.

Terrero mine opposition gains ally

The governor has added her voice to the crowd opposing a new mine in the Pecos wilderness. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a letter that renewed mining efforts present "unacceptable risks to an area still recovering from damages inflicted by previous mining activities," and called on the Forest Service to conduct a full environmental impact statement.

Come over here

Your Friday long-read is all about Santa Fe's theater scene, and the kind of strong community that can arise from even the most divided factions when everyone gets over themselves and prioritizes art and community. Three local companies are mounting each piece of playwright Quiara Alegria Hudes' Elliot Trilogy; the first opened last night, the next opens next week, and the third the week after that, so read about the whole process and marvel at the magical things that happen when everyone starts to get along. Then get your tickets.

Stick ’em up

Santa Fe has seen two bank robberies in one week, and the Albuquerque Journal has a picture of one of the culprits. First, a man robbed the Wells Fargo at the DeVargas Center on Guadalupe Street, then someone did the Wells Fargo on Cordova Road. It is still unclear whether the same man committed both crimes.

Let him go

In a sanction against prosecutors, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer has released a man accused of videotaping himself assaulting unconscious women. Judge Sommer says that prosecutors withheld evidence ($ TNM) photographs of search warrants provided the court by prosecutors were not sufficient, and released Redwolf Pope on a $25,000 unsecured appearance bond.

Get ready

Today looks cooler with a few showers here and there, and winds will pick up over the weekend. Saturday and Sunday look temperate and sunny, so get outside and enjoy what could be an utterly perfect fall weekend.

Thanks for reading! The Word wants to clarify a piece in yesterday's newsletter: New Mexico Political Report first reported that there was PFAS contamination found at White Sands Missile Range. Very early in the morning, the Word relayed you this info, but by the time some of you read the article, NMPR had changed course and corrected the article to say there was actually no PFAS contamination found. Thanks to readers who noticed the inconsistency.