Friday’s Five Facts
[2] Mayor calls for accountability after DEA allowed fentanyl on ABQ streets – Hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills were distributed in New Mexico, all monitored under the DEA’s watch. An investigation by the Associated Press revealed DEA agents allowed large shipments of fentanyl within the state, instead of seizing the drugs, in an effort to build cases against higher-ranked members of the drug trade. Mayor Tim Keller’s office sent a letter requesting that the U.S. DOJ and the DEA review their policies and evaluate the risks to the public that the operation posed. This comes after Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham called on state Attorney General Raúl Torrez to investigate the operation and prosecute DEA agents if they broke federal laws.
[3] Storms today with hot weather and fire threat – Another round of thunderstorms is expected Friday afternoon, with many of the same areas seeing storms again. A few could become strong to severe, producing damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and small hail. Most of the storms will wind down late Friday night. The weather changes quickly this weekend as hotter, drier, and windier conditions return statewide.
[4] Former NM state Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton facing 2 more federal fraud charges – The former state lawmaker accused of swindling millions from APS is facing more federal charges. According to federal documents filed this week, prosecutors added two more “fraud and false statement” charges, saying Williams Stapleton filed false tax returns to the IRS. That brings the number of federal charges against her to 37. She’s also facing state charges in the case…