Latest Stories

AG looking into Lyons’ contract with developer

By |

At the request of state Rep. Nate Cote, D-Las Cruces, the attorney general’s office is scrutinizing the land commissioner’s agreement to lease thousands of acres on the city’s East Mesa to developer Philip Philippou. Cote has recently sent two letters to Attorney General Gary King requesting that his office look into a number of issues related to Pat Lyons’ December 2006 agreement to lease 3,200 acres to Philippou. Philippou is to develop the land for the state, which will then sell it to the highest bidder, with Philippou’s plan being that he will purchase the land. The relationship between Philippou and Lyons has been under scrutiny for several reasons. Philippou gave more than $20,000 last year to a political action committee that gave most of it to Lyons’ re-election campaign. Continue Reading

Article looks at growth’s impact on infrastructure

By |

As part of its continuing series on growth and development, the Las Cruces Sun-News today examined the impact on roads and other infrastructure. There was nothing surprising in the article, but it was still important to point out the difficulties in extending city services as the city grows. The two biggest challenges are roads and sewer. As a result, many people on the city’s fringes, particularly on the East Mesa, live on dirt roads that are difficult to traverse after rain storms, and they have septic tanks. In general, developers are responsible for initial infrastructure costs when they apply for city development approval. Continue Reading

Deputy U.S. attorney general quits over controversy

By |

Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty is resigning, making him the highest-ranking Bush Administration employee to leave over the U.S. attorney controversy. It was McNulty whose comments really caused the situation surrounding last year’s firing of eight U.S. attorneys, including David Iglesias of New Mexico, to explode when he testified under oath in February that at least one was ousted to make way for a Karl Rove protégé. You can read more about his resignation by clicking here. Continue Reading

Guv connects with young, innovative Google crowd

By |

Gov. Bill Richardson made an impression on employees of Google during a visit to the Internet giant’s facility on Monday. He’s the third presidential candidate to speak to the employees. Richardson used familiar phrases including – you guessed it – “I’m not a rock star,” to get laughs out of the group, according to KGO-TV in San Francisco. He told the group he doesn’t have “gobbles of money – or Googles of money.” He showed his new, funny commercials, but also spoke seriously about Iraq and energy independence. He said the country needs to raise fuel efficiency standards to 40 mpg in four years and 50 mpg in 10 years. Continue Reading

Grisham says she hasn’t picked an office to seek

By |

Michelle Lujan Grisham said she doesn’t yet know what office she’ll try to win, but says we’ll know in the next six to eight weeks. The governor announced today that the health secretary is leaving her job to run for office. “What do you think I should run for? Is there an office in Las Cruces that I should add to the list?” she asked when I asked what office she would seek. Grisham said she is “absolutely” considering running against U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M. next year, or for Albuquerque mayor in 2009. Continue Reading

Richardson to campaign in six states in six days

By |

Gov. Bill Richardson will be all over the nation this week as he raises money and gives speeches. He is in San Francisco and Palo Alto, Calif., today to raise money, and also met this afternoon with employees of Google in Mountain View, Calif. On Tuesday, he’ll attend a fundraiser in Portland, Ore., and on Wednesday, he’ll raise money in Washington, D.C. On Thursday, he’ll give a speech about energy policy to the New America Foundation in the nation’s capital before heading to Shreveport, La., for a fundraiser. On Friday, Richardson will raise money in Omaha, Neb., and give a speech to the Young Democrats of America convention. On Saturday, he returns to what has been his favorite state lately – Iowa – and will spend the day at a number of house parties and other functions. Continue Reading

State health secretary leaving job to run for office

By |

Michelle Lujan Grisham is leaving her job as health secretary is pursue an “opportunity involving elected office,” according to a news release from the governor’s office. The Democrat lives in Albuquerque, so it’s fair to guess that she might be jumping into the race against U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M. A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said Grisham “is deciding that.” “She’s got a lot of different options,” said spokeswoman Deborah Busemeyer. “I think she’s leaving all of her options open.” Since there are no statewide offices open in 2008, it’s hard to believe a cabinet secretary would be dropping such a prestigious job for a run at any office other than U.S. representative or senator. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., is also up for re-election next year, and the Democratic Party has had a hard time finding any known candidate to challenge him. Replacing Grisham on June 11 will be Dr. Alfredo Vigil, CEO for El Centro Family Health, a non-profit primary care organization in Northern New Mexico, according to the news release. Continue Reading

Sheriff probes mysterious donation to Richardson

By |

A state judge in Waco, Texas, wants to know why someone gave $2,300 to the presidential campaign of Gov. Bill Richardson, ostensibly in his name. District Judge Matt Johnson was asked by a friend about a $2,300 donation to Richardson last week, after the local newspaper listed local residents who had given to presidential candidates. Johnson was quick to point out that the newspaper stated the gift was from a Matt Johnston, with a “t,” and wasn’t him, according to an article published Sunday in the Waco Tribune-Herald. But the Republican judge kept getting calls all week, and he became concerned because the judicial code of conduct prohibits judges from publicly endorsing candidates. He wanted people to know he hadn’t given Richardson any money. Continue Reading

Newspaper takes comprehensive look at growth

By |

The Las Cruces Sun-News began on Sunday a five-part series examining the community’s rapid growth. The first two articles have been well-written, and the series appears to be a comprehensive look at the controversial topic. It comes in advance of next week’s vote by the Las Cruces City Council on whether to approve The Vistas at Presidio. On Sunday, the Sun-News ran an article looking at the bigger picture of growth – what’s happening and why, and whether the growth is good. Today, the newspaper examined the question of whether there’s enough water to sustain the city’s expansion. Continue Reading

Richardson cracks jokes, looks tired on Tonight Show

By |

Gov. Bill Richardson appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Friday night looking a bit tired but managing to crack a few jokes that drew laughter. Richardson got a laugh out of Leno when he responded to a question about his heritage. “My mother only spoke Spanish to me. She was Mexican,” Richardson said. “My father, he wouldn’t speak to me, but when he did, he would speak English. Continue Reading

Voters in non-scientific poll not happy with Domenici

By |

The majority of those who voted in last week’s non-scientific poll on this site disapprove of the job Pete Domenici is doing as a U.S. senator. Of 149 voters, 92, or 62 percent, said they disapprove, while 49, or 33 percent, said they approve. Eight, or 5 percent, said they’re not sure whether they approve of the job Domenici is doing. Don’t forget to vote in this week’s poll, located at the top of the right column on this page. Continue Reading

NMSU steps into gray area by letting secret donors help pay salaries of president and basketball coach

By |

By using private money to supplement the salaries of its president and men’s basketball coach, New Mexico State University is stepping into an ethical gray area, and its leaders should tread carefully. On Thursday, the university announced a restructuring of men’s basketball coach Reggie Theus’ contract that increases his annual compensation to $446,000 per year. It’s a $100,000 increase that is donated entirely by the private sector. Theus or his new employer will have to pay about $1 million to buy out the contract if he doesn’t stay for two more years. Then today, the university Board of Regents approved a contract restructuring for President Michael Martin. Continue Reading

State’s higher education secretary quitting post

By |

Higher Education Secretary Beverlee J. McClure is leaving to take the position of president and CEO of the Association of Commerce and Industry. She’ll begin her new job in June, and the governor plans to appoint a search committee to find a replacement. Former New Mexico State University Provost Bill Flores was recently named deputy secretary of higher education, but he’s intent on staying in Las Cruces and may not be interested in the department’s top job in Santa Fe. “New Mexico is fortunate to have someone of Dr. McClure’s stature and experience,” Gov. Bill Richardson said in a news release. “I know that ACI will benefit from Beverlee’s leadership and I look forward to working with her in her new role. Continue Reading

UP Aerospace still searching for rocket

By |

The fact that UP Aerospace officials have been unable to locate the rocket they successfully launched into space on April 28 is gaining national attention. There was international interest in the historic launch from Spaceport America. But the rocket came down in rocky terrain covered in dense vegetation, and the area is not easily accessible. Since then, officials have been working to locate the rocket, and they say they’re within 1,300 feet of finding it. FOX News headlined its article on the topic “James ‘Scotty’ Doohan’s ashes lost in New Mexico mountains,” in reference to the Star Trek actor whose ashes were among those of 200 people that went into space on the rocket. Continue Reading