Monday’s Top Stories
- Man dead after shooting involving NMSP and Raton police
- Someone on Lime E-scooter breaks in and steals from local pizzeria
- Fish in San Miguel County dying off at alarming rate due to warm temperatures
- Whistleblower lawsuit puts New Mexico’s universal child care program under scrutiny
- Highways in Mora County damaged by severe storm
- City councilor working to help find solution in clash over Lofts at Albuquerque High courtyard gates
Monday’s Five Facts
[1] Federal trial nears for former NM lawmaker accused of stealing money intended for schools – After years of investigations and court hearings, one of New Mexico’s biggest public corruption cases is finally headed to trial. Monday, Sheryl Williams Stapleton is expected to stand trial on allegations that she and her co-defendant, Joseph Johnson, carried out a fraud scheme spanning eight years. Investigators found that Williams Stapleton used Johnson’s education software company, Robotics Management Learning Systems, to divert nearly $2.5 million intended for APS learning programs, while skimming over a million dollars for her own personal benefit, like a home remodeling project, her family’s restaurant, cars, and lavish vacations. Williams Stapleton is facing 37 total federal charges in addition to the 27 charges she’s facing in state court.
[2] Las Vegas to implement plan to better use stormwater following flooding – The City of Las Vegas has come up with an Urban Forestry Management Plan, which is a set of green stormwater infrastructure designs to help mitigate flooding concerns following the Hermit Peak Calf Canyon Fire. The designs will consist of curb cuts, swails, and other green stormwater infrastructure around flood-prone areas. They’re focusing on main roadways around the city, and parks. The idea is to slow the water and build infrastructure to help it seep into the ground, and grow trees and other plants.
[3] Strong isolated storms and hot weather remains – Conditions will continue on Monday as even hotter temperatures move in with more spotty to isolated thunderstorms. Temperatures across many locations will climb to near record-breaking territory through the afternoon hours. By Tuesday, little change is expected, with above-average temperatures continuing across much of the state and another round of afternoon and evening thunderstorms…