Latest news with #RaulTorrez
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
NM Attorney General: NMSU making ‘remarkable progress' vs. hazing
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The New Mexico Department of Justice said New Mexico State University has made 'remarkable progress' in implementing reforms and addressing concerns after a hazing scandal rocked the men's basketball program back in the 2022-23 season. The state Department of Justice issued an update on Tuesday, May 20. Back in December of 2024, the state Department of Justice issued a comprehensive report about what it calls 'a troubling hazing incident involving the university's men's basketball team.' The report identified seven areas of concern and provided 35 concrete recommendations aimed at improving campus safety, accountability and compliance with federal law. State Attorney General Raul Torrez said that 'NMSU has taken swift and decisive action, completing nearly two-thirds of the 35 recommendations outlined by our office and making substantial progress on the rest.' Here is Torrez's complete statement: 'I want to commend New Mexico State University and its new administration for their valiant efforts to confront and eliminate hazing on campus. In response to our report, 'Title IX and Hazing on Campus: Lessons Learned from New Mexico State University,' NMSU has taken swift and decisive action, completing nearly two-thirds of the 35 recommendations outlined by our office and making substantial progress on the rest. I encourage every university in New Mexico to review this report and adopt similar reforms to foster safer, more supportive environments for their students.' NMSU President Valerio Ferme, who took the helm of the school this year, said: 'We want to thank the Attorney General's Office for its support in helping us understand these challenges. There's still work to be done to ensure our campuses are places where everyone, especially students, can safely pursue their educational and professional goals. We have an incredibly devoted group of leaders who are committed to making us better, and we will continue to dedicate time and resources to address hazing and harassment to the best of our abilities.' The hazing scandal led to the firing of men's basketball coach Greg Heiar. Former NMSU basketball player Deshawndre Washington is facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting teammates and student managers during 2022-23 season. As we previously reported, his trial was scheduled to happen in April but was delayed. Two other players — Kim Aiken Jr. and Doctor Bradley — accepted plea deals. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
KRQE Newsfeed: Baby in dumpster, CYFD investigation, Warming up, Graduation rates, Love in the clouds
'Housing Forward Fund' to bring over 1,000 affordable housing units to Albuquerque Alleged Venezuelan gang member arrested at Doña County judge's home 1 dead after Rail Runner collides with vehicle in Los Lunas Former top 100 recruit commits to Lobos Portales police investigate shooting that injured juvenile New Mexico Highlands University sues FEMA over HPCC Fire compensation Istanbul earthquake measuring 6.2 leaves buildings, residents shaken: 'It threw us around' [1] APD: Newborn baby found dead in a dumpster – APD says officers were called out around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday after people digging through a dumpster found a dead newborn baby, partially wrapped in a blanket. APD says the individuals immediately alerted a security guard in the area. Police are not sharing details of the gender of the newborn or ow long the baby may have been in the dumpster. Police believe whoever the mother is may need medical attention. They are urging anyone with information to come forward. [2] New Mexico Attorney General launches investigation into CYFD – New Mexico's Attorney General is now investigating CYFD with the goal being to provide a blueprint of the issues that have plagued the agency and how to fix them. Raul Torrez said the agency is not being transparent about incidents that have left children under state supervision injured or dead. Torrez said the investigation will seek detailed records of events leading up to deaths or injury of children under CYFD supervision. The results will go to the newly created office of the child advocate, to provide a blueprint of the issues that have plagued the agency. [3 ]Warmer than normal with storms in far-East New Mexico – Isolated storms will be possible in eastern New Mexico through Saturday. High temperatures will stay above average all week long. Temperatures will also continue to stay well-above average for this time of year through the weekend. Westerly winds will increase across the state beginning Friday, bringing potentially even warmer temperatures by Saturday afternoon. Windier weather Sunday will likely bring a high fire danger across the state. A cold front will cool highs back down to around average again early next week. [4] Graduation rate increases for Albuquerque Public Schools – APS says they're seeing more students earn their caps and gowns than in years past. APS says the class of 2024 had a nearly 76% graduation rate, up from roughly 72% the previous year. They say increasing attendance and an early warning system to let students know about low grades have helped improve student success. The district's graduation rate is still below the 87% national average. [5] Balloon Fiesta showcased in new Hallmark movie – Albuquerque native Lisa Hepner knew her home state had everything needed to make a great film. So Hepner got to work writing and completing 'Love in the Clouds.' The storyline revolves around an out of town news reporter who comes to cover Balloon Fiesta and meets and falls for a hot air balloon pilot. Most of the filming took place at Balloon Fiesta Park. Love in the Clouds premieres on Hallmark on May 10. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NM Supreme Court grants stay to consider juror issue in Lunsford case
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The New Mexico Supreme Court granted a stay on Tuesday, April 1, to consider a petition from state Attorney General Raul Torrez for a writ of mandamus to protect a juror who served in the Brad Lunsford trial earlier this year in Las Cruces. In February, former Las Cruces Police officer Lunsford was convicted of voluntary manslaughter with a firearm enhancement for the Aug. 2, 2022, shooting death of Presley Eze. Following his conviction, Lunsford retained new counsel and filed a series of post-trial motions. In one of those motions, the defendant claimed that they had discovered new evidence of bias from the jury foreperson. The Attorney General's Office said the defense motion, while not naming the juror, made it easy to identify them and subject them to a social media campaign of harassment. According to court documents obtained by KTSM, Lunsford's wife and 'other interested parties' began a social media campaign against the juror, accusing them of 'disgusting and blatant bias,' being a Black Lives Matter activist and lying to 'infiltrate' the jury. Lunsford has been released from jail while some of the defense motions, including this one, are resolved. The state AG's Office said it has filed several motions to protect the juror, who has been subpoenaed to testify during a public hearing. Tuesday's Supreme Court ruling comes after the New Mexico Department of Justice filed an amended petition to 'seek emergency relief to prevent further juror intimidation and safeguard the integrity of the judicial process,' the state AG's Office said. 'America's jury system demands that officers of the court maintain their commitment to a fair and equal application of the law, without regard to a citizen's political beliefs,' Attorney General Raul Torrez said. 'Parties to a criminal case are afforded, as they were in this case, the opportunity to probe potential jurors for any potential bias and to strike a juror for cause based upon the record. What is not allowed is an ideological witch hunt to discredit a juror's service because a party does not like a verdict. That's what's happening in this case, and we appreciate the Supreme Court's order to stay the underlying proceeding in order to protect the rule of law and ensure that no citizen who has fulfilled their civic responsibility is unfairly smeared because of their constitutionally protected beliefs.' The Supreme Court's order halts further District Court proceedings related to the juror who served in the Lunsford trial, the AG's Office said. That includes an April 4 hearing where Lunsford was scheduled to appear, the NM Attorney General's Office said. We will continue to follow this case both on air and online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
KRQE Newsfeed: Very strong winds, Citizen complaints, Stream access case, Lobos win, Claim deadline
More speed cameras to be installed in Bernalillo County What's happening around New Mexico March 14-20 Former Golden Pride employee pleads no contest to killing coworker Protestors demonstrate outside Tesla dealership in Bernalillo NM lawmakers look to strengthen regulations on hemp products NMDOT conducting inspections on Big I bridges American Airlines Boeing 737 catches fire at Denver airport [1] Storm system with strong winds, dust and cold air moves into New Mexico – A powerful storm brings high winds through Friday evening with possible wind damage, blowing dust, and high fire danger. A line heavy snow is also possible in western New Mexico. This line of rain and snow will move east across the western half of the state and eventually into the Rio Grande Valley. Westerly winds could gust as high as 80 mph early Friday afternoon across eastern New Mexico. Up to 55 mph gusts are likely elsewhere across the state. [2] Law Enforcement Certification Board considers proposal to suspend citizen complaints – The state board that licenses police officers is weighing whether or not it will continue to accept citizen complaints. Currently, citizens can file complaints against officers to the state's Law Enforcement Certification Board. One board member spoke in favor of the change, saying the policy opens the door for anyone to file a complaint for any small gripe. Former officer and now attorney Thomas Grover says that hasn't happened while the policy has been in place. [3] NM district court rules in favor of state in stream access lawsuit – New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez is declaring victory in a case over public access to New Mexico's streams and waterways. In August of last year, the state filed a lawsuit against two San Miguel County landowners, accusing them of obstructing streams and having signs falsely claiming access was restricted. New Mexico's Fourth Judicial District Court ruled in favor of the state in that case. The permanent injunction from the district court prevents the landowners from building fences, putting up signs or interfering with public access to waterways in any way. [4] Lobos defeat San Jose State in MW tournament – New Mexico won its opening game of the Mountain West conference tournament against San Jose State 63-52 on Thursday afternoon. UNM got a game-high 25 points from Donovan Dent and a double-double from Nelly Junior Joseph. The Lobos move on to play Boise State with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday. [5] Less than 24 hours remain for Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire victims to file claims – Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon Fire victims have less than 24 hours to submit their compensation claims to FEMA. Those impacted by the 2022 fire and flooding that have not yet filed a claim must submit a notice of loss by 6 p.m. Friday night. After the deadline passes, it will no longer be possible to request compensation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Mexico AG says DOGE is ‘destabilizing the American system'
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez joins The Weekend to break down the efforts of state Attorneys General to meet with workers impacted by budget cuts on behalf of Musk's DOGE.
