KRQE Newsfeed: Special session, Title IX changes, Flood risk, Bosque cleanup, Balloon Fiesta art

Thursday’s Top Stories

• Damage to Taos fire hydrants causes 270K gallons of water loss
• Bernalillo County Sheriff announces new ‘Metro Unit’ to fight crime in Albuquerque
• BernCo DA, state public defender’s office talk about juvenile justice system
• City of Albuquerque rolling out fixes to problem intersections
• KRQE Investigation prompts Gov. Lujan Grisham to work on CYFD policies
• UFC champ Jon Jones pleads not guilty to 2 misdemeanors
• These are America’s top hotels according to J.D. Power; the new trend they are seeing
• Paris police are sealing off the Seine River ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony

Thursday’s Five Facts

[1] Special session focused on public safety in New Mexico begins on Thursday – Lawmakers are heading back to the roundhouse for the legislative special session focused on crime and public safety. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham originally proposes five crime fighting bills to address criminal competency, mental health treatment standards, crime reporting, pedestrian safety and gun violence. Wednesday she added two more, dealing with updating the racketeering act and fentanyl overdoses.

[2] UNM officials discuss new Title IX guidelines – Changes to Title IX guidelines are set to take effect next month. Title IX is a federal law passed in 1972 that protects people from sex-based discrimination. The university’s jurisdiction has expanded mandated reporting of sexual discrimination and misconduct on campus. Now, the new guidelines will clarify the language and definitions used around sexual harassment and misconduct. The U.S. Department of Education passed the changes in April. The changes will take effect August 1.

[3] Rain likely with lower temperatures – Moisture combining with the slightly above-normal high temperatures this afternoon in the 80’s and 90’s for most, will lead to more rain activity as flood watches are in effect through tomorrow morning for much of The Central Mountains. Storms will initially be slow-moving as they form later this morning around the burn scars of Santa Fe and Ruidoso, but then, a swath of faster-moving storms this afternoon will roar on through from the north into many parts of The Rio Grande Valley as the leftover rain activity will eventually make its way into The Pecos River Valley, as well as The Gila National Forest, later this evening.

[4] Crews clean up illegal encampments near the Bosque in Valencia County – Crews in Los Lunas are working to clean up illegal camp sites along the Rio Grande. The Rio Grande Conservancy District says they have spent 300 hours in the last two weeks cleanup up the Bosque near the Route 66 overpass in Los Lunas. They have filled up a trailer more than 15 times with items like sofas, mattresses, tarps, tents, shopping carts, and other trash left over from illegal campsites. 35 notices have been given for people to move out of the area, law enforcement has yet to issue any citations.

[5] Official 2024 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta poster released – The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has released the Official Balloon Fiesta Serigraph Poster for 2024. Designed by Albuquerque artist Jake Gushard, the poster depicts a fantasy balloon glow full of hot air balloons lighting up the night sky and highlighting the Duke City’s landscape. The poster will be available for purchase online, at the Balloon Fiesta gift shop or on the field throughout the event.

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