Albuquerque news

• Legislation includes ‘Frankenfish’ labeling provisions

  17-12-2015 23:58 via krqe.com
  
  JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski has gotten language into a major spending and tax package that would not allow the sale of genetically modified salmon until federal labeling guidelines are published.
  The language would block the sale of such fish during the current spending year until guidelines are finalized. Since this is a one-year bill, Murkowski told reporters during a teleconference Thursday that similar language may need to be added again next year.
  Murkowski and the
  
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• VA sets national policy for robotic legs for paralyzed vets

  17-12-2015 23:51 via krqe.com
  
  SAN DIEGO (AP) — Paralyzed Army veteran Gene Laureano cried when he first walked again with robotic legs at a New York clinic as part of research sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs. But when the study ended, so did his ability to walk.
  Now he may get the chance to walk everyday: The VA has agreed to pay for the powered exoskeleton for eligible paralyzed veterans with spinal cord injuries — marking the first federal coverage policy for robotic legs in the United States.
  V
  
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• Dona Ana County jail absconder arrested in Sunland Park

  17-12-2015 23:41 via krqe.com
  
  LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) – A Sunland Park man who failed to return to jail after being let out on furlough has been arrested.
  Dona Ana County Sheriff’s officials say 27-year-old Christopher Fuentes was taken into custody Thursday in Sunland Park.
  They say Fuentes is back in jail and being held without bond. He’s now charged with escape from jail and contempt of court.
  Fuentes was released on furlough on Dec. 7.
  According to the conditions of his furlough, he was scheduled to retur
  
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• Updated: Closed ABQ rehab center expands, reopens

  17-12-2015 23:00
  
  A Colorado-based provider of addiction treatment services has big plans for expansion, as the city of Albuquerque — and the rest of the country — try to control an alcohol and drug epidemic. Shadow Mountain Recovery, formerly known as Desert Oasis Recovery, has moved to the Gibson Medical Center at 5400 Gibson SE. The new […]
  
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• Closed ABQ rehab center expands, reopens

  17-12-2015 23:00
  
  A Colorado-based provider of addiction treatment services has big plans for expansion, as the city of Albuquerque — and the rest of the country — try to control an alcohol and drug epidemic. Shadow Mountain Recovery, formerly known as Desert Oasis Recovery, has moved to the Gibson Medical Center at 5400 Gibson SE. The new […]
  
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• Aztec approves business incubator location

  17-12-2015 22:31
  
  AZTEC – The Aztec City Commission this week narrowly approved a lease-purchase agreement for a building that will house a planned business incubator. Commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of the agreement to acquire a building currently owned by the Aztec Presbyterian Church. “The church is really glad that the city’s going to do this,” said […]
  
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• Rodella appeal rejected anew at appeals court

  17-12-2015 22:25
  
  The 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Denver has declined to reconsider the case of former Rio Arriba County Sheriff Tommy Rodella, who is now serving a 10-year prison sentence for a civil rights violation. Roellas was convicted in Albuquerque federal court of using excessive force without probable cause while attempting to arrest 26-year-old […]
  
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• Uncertain future for Smith’s workers in Socorro

  17-12-2015 22:21
  
  SOCORRO — What are the 66 employees going to do once the Smith’s Food and Drug Store here  closes in January? That’s the biggest issue facing Ernest Pargas Jr. and his co-workers. “I’ve got a couple of job offers, one with insurance, one without,” said Pargas, who still really isn’t sure what the future holds. […]
  
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• Updated: Sunland Park disincorporation effort fails

  17-12-2015 22:14
  
  An effort to put the disincorporation of Sunland Park to a public vote has come to an end after organizers say their petition fell 13 signatures short, allegedly due to theft and threats against canvassers. Organizers needed a quarter of registered Sunland Park voters to sign the petition in order to put the city’s disincorporation […]
  
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• Breaking: Sunland Park disincorporation effort fails

  17-12-2015 22:14
  
  An effort to put the disincorporation of Sunland Park to a public vote has come to an end after organizers say their petition fell 13 signatures short, allegedly due to theft and threats against canvassers. Organizers needed a quarter of registered Sunland Park voters to sign the petition in order to put the city’s disincorporation […]
  
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• Another pharmacy robber sentenced

  17-12-2015 22:12
  
  A judge sentenced Valentin Garcia, 23, of Albuquerque to 10 years in prison for his conviction on na ...
  
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• Officer who faced scrutiny for fatal shooting named union VP

  17-12-2015 22:05 via krqe.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE (AP) – An officer whose fatal shooting of an unarmed teen was highlighted in a U.S. Justice Department report has been named as the Albuquerque police union’s vice president.
  The Albuquerque Journal reports that Justin Montgomery shot and killed the unarmed, wounded man who was on his back in 2009.
  A grand jury and Albuquerque Police Department internal affairs found the shooting of 19-year-old Andrew Lopez justified. But the shooting led to a $4 million judgment and was
  
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• VW hires Kenneth Feinberg to handle emission-cheating claims

  17-12-2015 22:01
  
  DETROIT — Volkswagen has hired Kenneth Feinberg to create a program to compensate owners of diesel-powered cars caught up in an emissions-cheating scandal. Feinberg is known for his work in compensating victims of the General Motors ignition switch scandal, the BP Gulf oil spill and other high-profile cases. The German automaker said in a statement […]
  
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• Lobo Women upset Minnesota on the road

  17-12-2015 21:39 via krqe.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – Khadijah Shumpert could not be stopped by Minnesota. The Lobo forward poured in 27 points in a 72 to 53 victory at Minnesota Wednesday. Shumpert shot 10 for 13 from the field and 7 for 7 at the free throw line. She also finished with 8 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals.Cherise Beynon was the only other Lobo to score in double figures. She had 14. The win improved the Lobos record to 7-3 on the season. The Lobos will host New Mexico State Sunday.
  
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• State official who clashed with EPA over mine spill resigns

  17-12-2015 21:26
  
  DENVER — Colorado’s top environmental official is stepping down, months after he clashed with federal authorities over a massive spill of toxic wastewater from an inactive mine in southwest Colorado. Mike King’s resignation was announced Thursday and takes effect Dec. 31. The executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources had led the agency […]
  
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• Up to $328 million for Paris attack victims, families

  17-12-2015 21:25
  
  PARIS — Up to 300 million euros ($328 million) may be set aside for compensating victims of the Nov. 13 Paris attacks and their families, France’s justice minister says. In an interview with Le Parisien newspaper published Thursday, Christine Taubira said a special government fund for terrorism victims has already earmarked 6.7 million euros, as […]
  
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• Ex-US House Speaker Dennis Hastert recovering from stroke

  17-12-2015 21:24
  
  CHICAGO — Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, awaiting sentencing in a hush-money case, had a stroke during the first week of November and has been hospitalized since then, his attorney said Thursday in a statement. Attorney Tom Green said in a statement that Hastert had a stroke, has been treated for sepsis, which is […]
  
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• US poised to lift sanctions on Iran under nuclear deal

  17-12-2015 21:23
  
  WASHINGTON — The United States appears poised to lift at least some sanctions against Iran — possibly as early as January. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a letter Wednesday to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Iran is fulfilling its obligations under the international agreement in what Kerry calls a “transparent” and “verifiable” […]
  
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• Exec who jacked up price of a life-saving drug is arrested

  17-12-2015 20:06 via krqe.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Martin Shkreli, the former hedge fund manager vilified in nearly every corner of America for buying a pharmaceutical company and jacking up the price of a life-saving drug more than fiftyfold, was arrested Thursday on securities fraud charges unrelated to the furor.
  The boyish-looking 32-year-old entrepreneur — an unapologetically aggressive businessman and relentlessly self-promoting figure who has called himself “the world’s most eligible bachelor”
  
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• Santa Fe negotiating with Airbnb over taxes, as business owner files suit against on-line booking giant

  17-12-2015 20:04
  
  City officials say they are negotiating with Airbnb, as Santa Fe considers what to do about a new lodging landscape in “the sharing economy” where possibly millions of dollars of tax revenue from tourism are avoiding the city’s grasp. A recent report to the City Council says that under a potential “voluntary collection agreement,” Airbnb […]
  
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• Obama says no specific, credible terror threat over holidays

  17-12-2015 20:04 via krqe.com
  
  McLEAN, Va. (AP) — President Barack Obama said Thursday that U.S. intelligence and counterterrorism officials have received no specific, credible information suggesting a potential terrorist attack against the United States. He said Americans must be vigilant this holiday season.
  “We cannot give in to fear or change how we live our lives,” Obama said in brief remarks to employees at the National Counterterrorism Center. “We will not be terrorized. We’ve prevailed ov
  
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• Breaking: Former magic shop owner found guilty in child sex abuse case

  17-12-2015 20:03
  
  A jury that heard testimony about the rape of a 7th-grade boy 16 years ago on Thursday convicted Neil Stammer, the man charged with abusing him once at his apartment and again in the back of his Nob Hill juggling and magic shop. Stammer, 48, was convicted of two counts of criminal sexual penetration of […]
  
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• Gallup City Council votes to develop downtown

  17-12-2015 20:02 via krqe.com
  
  GALLUP, N.M. (AP) – The Gallup City Council is moving forward with plans to redevelop downtown in hopes of revitalizing the area.
  The Gallup Independent reports that that council on Tuesday approved the Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan and Arts and Cultural District Plan.
  The plans, which are separate but similar in purpose, detail a series of specific projects as well as funding sources for the project.
  The redevelopment plan outlines some ways to finance the projects such as low inco
  
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• Former magic shop owner found guilty of sexually assaulting children

  17-12-2015 19:49 via krqe.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – A former magic shop owner accused of sexually assaulting children has been found guilty.
  Stammer was extradited back to Albuquerque in 2014 after 14 years on the run.
  He’s accused of raping one boy and molesting another.
  He fled after he posted bond. The FBI caught up with Stammer in Nepal with a fake passport.
  KRQE News 13 will have more on this story in later newscasts.
  
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• Magic shop owner guilty of sexual assault

  17-12-2015 19:38
  
  A former Albuquerque magic shop owner was found guilty of sexually assaulting two children.
  
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• Microsoft opens NY studio to showcase HoloLens headset

  17-12-2015 19:21
  
  NEW YORK — Microsoft is opening a studio in New York to showcase its upcoming HoloLens headset for inserting holograms into real-world settings. At the studio, software developers will see a video and get hands-on demonstrations. One is a game in which you shoot hologram alien robots in front of you. Another shows the technology’s […]
  
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• LifeLock to pay $100 million in largest FTC order enforcement case ever

  17-12-2015 19:14
  
  (c) 2015, The Washington Post. LifeLock, the identity theft protection company, has agreed to pay $100 million to settle charges from the Federal Trade Commission that it failed to properly secure its customers’ information and misrepresented the strength of its security. This is the largest order enforcement case to date to come out of the […]
  
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• Republicans push over $600B in tax cuts through House

  17-12-2015 19:11
  
  WASHINGTON — Republicans have pushed over $600 billion in tax cuts for businesses, investors and families through the House as Congress moves toward completing a year-end budget compromise. Thursday’s House vote was 318-109 for a measure that extended over 50 expiring tax cuts. It made some of them permanent, including tax breaks for businesses that […]
  
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• Letter of apology from Dianna Duran published in New Mexico papers

  17-12-2015 19:04 via krqe.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – Former Secretary of State Dianna Duran has issued a formal public apology to comply with her sentence. The letter has been published in papers around the state.
  In it Duran says in part that she’s sorry for her transgressions and hopes the state of New Mexico will move forward.
  Duran calls her actions quote “not borne out of greed but rather “a result of very tragic personal circumstances which led to some very poor decisions on my part.”
  Duran
  
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• Sharp devaluation of Argentine peso as dollar limits lifted

  17-12-2015 19:03
  
  BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina’s currency sharply devalued against the U.S. dollar on Thursday as the new administration lifted deeply unpopular limits on the buying of foreign currencies, a major change that will expose Latin America’s third largest economy to international market forces in ways not seen in over a decade. The devaluation, widely expected […]
  
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• Macedonia sex workers march against violence

  17-12-2015 18:52
  
  SKOPJE, Macedonia — Dozens of Macedonian prostitutes and human rights activists have held a peaceful march in downtown Skopje to protest violence against sex workers. Demonstrators carried red umbrellas, an international symbol against discrimination targeting sex workers, and three costumed sex workers raised a placard reading: “Stigma kills.” Prostitution in Macedonia is illegal. A recent […]
  
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• Teen, 8-year-old identified as Farmington school threat suspects

  17-12-2015 18:40 via krqe.com
  
  FARMINGTON, N.M. (KRQE) – Police have identified two more suspects, including an 8-year-old girl, in the bomb threats made against schools in the past week.
  Farmington Police say the 8-year-old has been identified as the student responsible for the December 14th and 16th threats against Apache Elementary.
  The other student, a 17-year-old male, has been charged with interference of the educational process for writing a bomb related message on classroom whiteboard. Officials say the message
  
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• Funny robots, crazy hair: Pop culture appeal of ‘Star Wars’

  17-12-2015 18:34
  
  OK, so maybe he was mixing his “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” references. But when President Barack Obama spoke of getting congressional leaders into a “Jedi mind meld” back in 2013, eight years after the last “Star Wars” movie had come out, he was displaying in one small way just how firmly the franchise had […]
  
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• Sepp Blatter faces judgment by FIFA ethics court he created

  17-12-2015 18:29
  
  ZURICH — Sepp Blatter attempted to save his presidency on Thursday at the FIFA ethics committee he helped create and whose authority he does not recognize in his case. The suspended FIFA president had been expected to tell four judges he is innocent of wrongdoing during the hearing at the headquarters of soccer’s governing body, […]
  
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• AP EXPLAINS: The significance of MLB’s trip to Cuba

  17-12-2015 18:29
  
  Hall of Famers Joe Torre and Dave Winfield are leading a delegation from Major League Baseball and its players’ association on a goodwill trip to Cuba that began Monday and ends Thursday. The group includes Cuban-born players Yasiel Puig, Jose Abreu, Alexei Ramirez and Brayan Pena along with Miguel Cabrera, Clayton Kershaw, Nelson Cruz and […]
  
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• Latest on school threats: Details from Houston

  17-12-2015 18:20
  
  MIAMI — The latest news on “less-than-credible” threats sent to school districts around the country Wednesday night. All times local: 12:15 p.m. Houston school district police Chief Robert Mock says nothing unusual has been found following email threats that prompted random searches of schools. Mock says explosives detecting dogs and extra patrols responded after the […]
  
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• US officials defend Iran deal before skeptical senators

  17-12-2015 18:17 via krqe.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — A senior Obama administration official told Congress Thursday that Iran has begun removing thousands of centrifuges and is shipping low-enriched uranium out of the country under the terms of the international nuclear agreement, but his testimony did not allay senators’ fears that Tehran intends to cheat on the deal.
  Stephen Mull, the lead coordinator for implementation of the deal at the State Department, said Iran has begun dismantling its uranium enrichment system
  
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• Catholic Diocese finds Utah ‘bleeding host’ wasn’t a miracle

  17-12-2015 18:17
  
  SALT LAKE CITY — The Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City says a bleeding host reported after a communion wafer turned water red was caused by bread mold, not a miracle. Officials said Wednesday that a scientist found the conclusive natural explanation for the wafer that turned water in an ablution bowl a dark red […]
  
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• Updated: AP Sources: Buyer of rifles used in massacre to be charged

  17-12-2015 18:15
  
  LOS ANGELES — A former security guard who bought the assault rifles used by his friend in the San Bernardino massacre was expected to be charged as early as Thursday, according to two law enforcement officials. The federal charges against Enrique Marquez, 24, were not immediately clear. The officials were not authorized to discuss the […]
  
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• Marking anniversary, Obama says long journey for US, Cuba

  17-12-2015 18:15 via krqe.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says the process of normalizing relations with Cuba will take time, but there’s progress already.
  Obama is marking the one-year anniversary of the announcement by the United States and Cuba of plans to restore relations.
  Obama says both countries have taken important steps in that year to normalize relations. He’s pointing to embassies reopened, freer travel and commerce, and more information flowing in and out of Cuba.
  And the former en
  
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• AP Sources: Buyer of rifles used in massacre to be charged

  17-12-2015 18:15
  
  LOS ANGELES — A former security guard who bought the assault rifles used by his friend in the San Bernardino massacre was expected to be charged as early as Thursday, according to two law enforcement officials. The federal charges against Enrique Marquez, 24, were not immediately clear. The officials were not authorized to discuss the […]
  
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• Amarillo Nativity scene yields $50K check under Jesus figure

  17-12-2015 18:15
  
  AMARILLO, Texas — A Texas nonprofit group benefiting children has received a surprise $50,000 donation left under a baby Jesus figure. Officials with The Children’s Home in Amarillo found the check Wednesday after a caller advised the staff to check the Nativity scene outside the building. A receptionist found an envelope, slipped the infant Jesus […]
  
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• AP EXPLAINS: Why you can’t shut down the Internet

  17-12-2015 17:24
  
  NEW YORK — Donald Trump says the government must work with “brilliant people” in Silicon Valley to keep violent extremists offline, even if it means shutting down parts of the Internet. But what he’s proposing isn’t possible with today’s technology. And even if it were, such a move would likely hurt more than potential attackers, […]
  
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• Trump says he’s been ‘a little bit divisive’ in GOP race

  17-12-2015 17:23
  
  LOS ANGELES — One day after a debate clash with Jeb Bush, Donald Trump said he’s been “a little bit divisive” and wants to see Republicans come together. In an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show Wednesday, the GOP presidential candidate looked relaxed as Kimmel queried him about campaign issues. Trump, who has argued for […]
  
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• Putin says Russia’s ready to improve ties with the US

  17-12-2015 17:23
  
  MOSCOW — Russia and the U.S. agree on a general approach to settling the Syrian crisis, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday, saying that Moscow stands ready to improve ties with Washington. Putin also said that Russia will continue its air campaign in Syria until a political process starts, and lashed out at Turkey for trying […]
  
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• Pope enters 80th year popular as ever _ but with criticism

  17-12-2015 17:22
  
  VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis entered his 80th year on Thursday amid hopes among his critics that it will be his last — at least as pope. While Francis remains enormously popular among most rank-and-file Catholics, a small but vocal group of conservatives who have never much cared for his radical agenda have grown increasingly […]
  
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• Grand Canyon Skywalk nears 1 millionth visitor mark

  17-12-2015 17:22
  
  KINGMAN, Ariz. — The Hualapai Tribe is preparing to welcome Grand Canyon West’s millionth visitor of the year possibly today. The Kingman Daily Miner reports (http://bit.ly/1NrpjDF ) that a big jump in attendance at Grand Canyon Skywalk and other attractions has helped push them toward the seven-figure milestone. This will be the first time Grand […]
  
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• Would you buy a home on your phone?

  17-12-2015 17:03
  
  SAN DIEGO — To close a sale in real estate, opportunity favors a charged phone. Three years ago, real estate agent Jordan Clarke was driving on the interstate when he received a panicked call from clients in Washington, D.C., to say a San Diego-area home had just gone on sale. The countdown had begun. There […]
  
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• The Mortgage Professor: Personal finance expert’s latest book a real eye-opener

  17-12-2015 17:02
  
  I don’t review many books, but I felt impelled to report on personal finance expert Jane Bryant Quinn’s latest, “How to Make Your Money Last,” because as I read it, I found myself saying “I wish I had known this back then,” and “Yes, I should have done it that way. I wonder what my […]
  
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• Tarantula joins the general weirdness at Meow Wolf

  17-12-2015 17:00
  
  Yeah, everyone’s probably seen the giant robot by now, but have you checked out the huge tarantula on the other side of the parking lot at Meow Wolf’s new arts center, location of the House of Eternal Return? (That is, if a giant spider doesn’t scare you away.) The sculpture, “TaranTula,” is a creation by […]
  
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