KRQE Newsfeed: New report, Lego theft, Drier and hotter, Psychedelics research, Health alerts

Wednesday’s Top Stories

• Vote shows neighborhood support for Netherwood Park playground
• Federal judge upholds New Mexico’s gun waiting period law
• ‘We are ready’: Ruidoso Municipal Schools prepares for school year amid flash flooding
• Burglary suspect arrested by Albuquerque police
• Bicyclist critically injured in apparent hit-and-run crash in Las Cruces
• Juvenile facing charges for double murder in Otero County
• Salt Lake City expected to be named host of 2034 Winter Olympic Games
• Climate activists glue themselves to a taxiway at Cologne-Bonn Airport

Wednesday’s Five Facts

[1] Legislative Finance Committee reviews solutions to address crime in the state – A new report presented to the Legislative Finance Committee last week shows the crime rate in new Mexico ranks above the national average, saying Albuquerque and Bernalillo County are driving that trend. The report flags drug abuse as a root cause of the crime, saying 65% of incarcerated people in the state have substance abuse disorder and advises lawmakers to prioritize drug treatment programs for defendants. According to the report, the state legislature has appropriated more than $800 million to address crime over the past three years.

[2] Albuquerque police arrest suspected Lego thieves at Uptown Target – Two people are facing charges after police say they tried to steal Lego sets. APD released video showing the suspects, Tehoma Patero and Lucas Chavez at the Uptown Target. Police say they took around $700 worth of Legos and left without paying. Police arrested both suspects shortly after. Police say Patero is a repeat offender, saying he has stolen around $5,000 worth of Lego sets in the last several months.

[3] Storms and haze with warm temperatures – As temperatures rise into the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s across the region, lingering moisture in the air, with the daytime heating, may still lead to some pockets of rainfall, especially in The Gila National Forest and from the mountain ranges of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to The Sacramento Mountains. Burn-scar flash flooding will be possible in the northern mountains. Drier and warmer air will win out for the next couple of days until The Monsoon high pressure starts to creep back closer to the east on Friday,

[4] UNM researching psychedelics as treatment for forms of depression – Researchers at the University of New Mexico are holding studies to see if psychedelics can be used to treat certain mental illnesses. Researchers have two studies looking into psilocybin, found in what is commonly known as magic mushrooms. One study looks into if a compound of psilocybin could quickly treat those suffering from postpartum depression, the second looks into how psilocybin can help with depression. Study participants will be monitored by researchers and evaluated for 54 weeks.

[5] Albuquerque issues health alerts for ozone levels – The city of Albuquerque is continuing to issue health alerts for those with upper respiratory issues. The city says high ozone levels are behind the recent string of health alerts. Wildfire smoke and pollutants from cars add to ozone levels. To sign up for air quality alerts, click this link .

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