Albuquerque news

• UNM students express freedom of speech on giant beach ball

  15-02-2017 23:53 via krqe.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Words were flowing on the University of New Mexico campus Wednesday afternoon.
  Students were given the opportunity to write whatever they wanted on a huge beach ball in the center of campus.
  The group behind it, Young Americans for Liberty, said their goal was for students to take advantage of their rights and get the conversation going.
  “Go ahead and write whatever you like on the free speech ball,” Andres Del Aguila, UNM student, said.
  UNM student S
  
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• Updated: Lawmakers, activists call for release of Seattle ‘dreamer’

  15-02-2017 23:09
  
  SEATTLE — Immigration activists and some U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday called for the immediate release of a Seattle-area man who was detained last week despite his participation in a federal program to protect those brought to the U.S. illegally as children. Lawyers for Daniel Ramirez Medina, 23, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested him […]
  
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• Wife accused in husband’s murder wants statement thrown out

  15-02-2017 22:57 via krqe.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Air Force wife accused of murdering her husband is fighting again to get some incriminating statements thrown out.
  Amy Herrera is charged with the 2012 murder of her husband, Marc Herrera, during a party at their home in the Heights. Herrera says Marc was abusive and forced her to take his gun, put it in his mouth and shoot him. Investigators didn’t buy her story.
  A judge recently ruled that her statement to a friend, saying she wishes she could ki
  
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• Updated: Trump tells retail CEOs people will ‘love’ his tax plan

  15-02-2017 22:38
  
  WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump met Wednesday with the CEOs of large retailers like Target and Best Buy, who have a built-in concern: They’re worried about a possible border tax on imported goods. The president has provided scant details about his own tax overhaul, but said people will “love” his planned tax reforms. He assured […]
  
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• Updated: City police commissioner gets parking ticket, and pays up

  15-02-2017 22:35
  
  In Philadelphia, no one escapes the scrutiny of the parking authority - not even the city's police commissioner. Commissioner Richard…
  
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• NM Senate wants disclosure of ‘dark money’ spending

  15-02-2017 22:06
  
  SANTA FE — Independent “dark money” groups that spend to influence New Mexico’s elections would face new requirements to disclose their donors under a bill adopted by the state Senate on Wednesday. The proposal now moves to the House — where Brian Egolf’s election as speaker has given supporters new hope that it will win […]
  
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• Puzder withdraws nomination for labor secretary

  15-02-2017 21:49 via krqe.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Andrew Puzder says he is withdrawing as President Donald Trump’s nominee for labor secretary.
  The fast food executive says in a statement provided to The Associated Press that he was “honored to have been considered by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Labor and put America’s workers and businesses back on a path to sustainable prosperity.”
  Puzder says “while I won’t be serving in the administration, I fully support the P
  
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• Under Armour CEO responds to Trump criticism with open letter

  15-02-2017 21:40
  
  BALTIMORE — Under Armour founder Kevin Plank responded Wednesday to criticism sparked by his comments last week about President Donald Trump, addressing the company’s hometown of Baltimore to stress personal and brand values such as diversity, equal rights and opportunity. Plank penned an open letter to the city that appeared as a full-page advertisement in […]
  
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• Holly Holm files appeal after UFC 208 loss

  15-02-2017 21:19 via krqe.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Holly Holm has filed an appeal with the New York State Athletic Commission after her loss to Dutch fighter Germaine de Randamie.
  This loss brought Holly’s MMA Record to 10-3, and made de Randamie the first ever Women’s UFC Featherweight Champion. It was an unpopular decision but all three judges scored it in de Randamie’s favor.
  What made the loss more difficult for Holm, is that de Randamie threw and landed punches after the bell twic
  
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• Lowe's to fill 500 more customer support positions at Albuquerque call center

  15-02-2017 21:14
  
  The home improvement store Lowe's announced Wednesday it plans to hire more than 1,700 U.S. employees between now and October to fill new customer support and central production office positions across its three call center operations.
  
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• MMA: Holm files appeal

  15-02-2017 20:39
  
  The Holly Holm camp has filed an appeal with the New York State Athletic Commission, asking that the NYSAC change or set aside the result of the Albuquerque MMA fighter’s controversial loss to Germaine de Randamie Saturday in Brooklyn, N.Y. Twice during the fight, after rounds two and three, de Randamie threw and landed punches […]
  
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• Owner of Farmington bond company convicted of fraud

  15-02-2017 20:23 via krqe.com
  
  FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) – A Farmington jury has convicted a man for extorting money from a woman who secured a bail bond through his company.
  The Daily Times of Farmington reports that Daniel Goldberg Sr. was convicted on Friday of fourth-degree felony fraud and petty misdemeanor fraud. He was charged with fraud after collecting two payments from a woman who did not own money on her bond from a 2014 arrest.
  Goldberg’s attorney said he disagreed with the verdict. He said he plans to fil
  
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• Developers moving forward with New Mexico power grid project

  15-02-2017 20:22 via krqe.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – Developers of what was once a $1.5 billion effort to link the nation’s three major electricity grids through a transmission hub in eastern New Mexico say the project is still moving forward despite the relinquishment of a lease covering thousands of acres of state trust land.
  The State Land Office suggested late Tuesday that the Tres Amigas project had folded.
  Tres Amigas chief financial officer Russell Stidolph says the company isn’t abandoning the pro
  
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• Clovis man accused of shooting officer sentenced for another crime

  15-02-2017 20:20 via krqe.com
  
  CLOVIS, N.M. (KRQE) – A Clovis man accused of shooting a police officer will serve two and half years in prison in another case. A jury found 34-year-old Anthony Baca guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he threatened a homeowner with a knife during a burglary.
  Baca is still awaiting trial for allegedly shooting a Clovis police officer in August. Police say the officer tried to stop Baca on his bike but Baca ran and then shot the officer in the leg.
  Baca also has four ot
  
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• Suspect in armed carjacking expected in court Wednesday

  15-02-2017 20:18 via krqe.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The armed carjacking suspect shot by police is out of the hospital and behind bars.
  Lee BrandenburgAlbuquerque Police Department officers say they tried to arrest 41-year-old Lee Brandenburg on several warrants Friday, but he pulled a gun pointed it at himself and then ran from them.
  They found him outside a state office building on San Antonio near I-25 where they say he tried to pull a woman out of her SUV at gunpoint and even pointed the gun at officers. That
  
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• Judge increases bond for suspect in armed carjacking

  15-02-2017 20:18 via krqe.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – An armed carjacking suspect shot by police Friday appeared before a judge Wednesday.
  Lee BrandenburgAlbuquerque Police Department says it all started when officers tried to arrest 41-year-old Lee Brandenburg on several warrants Friday.
  They caught up to him outside a state office building on San Antonio near I-25 where they say he tried to pull a woman out of her SUV at gunpoint, even pointing the gun at officers. That’s when officers opened fire, shooting
  
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• Convicted cop killer faces parole board after serving nearly 30 years

  15-02-2017 20:17 via krqe.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A convicted cop killer appeared in court Wednesday, to see if he will be set free after nearly 30 years in prison. Back in 1987, Officer John Carrillo and his rookie partner John Messimer responded to a domestic violence call at Merrill Chamberlain’s home in the Northeast Heights.
  Chamberlain invited the officers inside. As the officers searched the home for a woman, Chamberlain opened fire, hitting Carrillo in the chest, killing him.
  Chamberlain, a former
  
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• APD arrests man wanted in fatal shooting at Sahara Motel

  15-02-2017 19:51
  
  Detectives have arrested a man they suspect shot and killed another man during a drug deal at the Sahara Motel earlier this month. Jorge Correa-Reyes, 43, was arrested Wednesday morning after detectives got a tip he was in southeast Albuquerque and searched yard to yard until they found him, according to officer Fred Duran, a […]
  
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• Updated: Yahoo issues new warning of potential email account breach

  15-02-2017 19:48
  
  LONDON — Yahoo is warning users of potentially malicious activity on their accounts between 2015 and 2016, the latest development in the internet company’s investigation of a mega-breach that exposed 1 billion users’ data several years ago. Yahoo confirmed Wednesday that it was notifying users that their accounts had potentially been compromised but declined to […]
  
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• New: Advocates: Immigration busts happening in Cruces

  15-02-2017 19:40
  
  LAS CRUCES — Immigrant advocates say immigration authorities began conducting a sweep of rural areas near the city to arrest undocumented immigrants. It wasn’t clear early Wednesday whether the enforcement actions constituted a “raid” or whether U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were only going after targeted individuals. “We are actually aware that there is ICE activity happening […]
  
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• Updated: Pastafarian colander pic strains legality for Dutch license

  15-02-2017 19:39
  
  A Dutch court has upheld a mayor's refusal to issue a driver's license to a man who submitted a photo…
  
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• Pipeline exec compares Dakota protesters to terrorists

  15-02-2017 18:57 via krqe.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — A top executive at the company building the controversial Dakota Access pipeline is comparing pipeline opponents to terrorists.
  Joey Mahmoud, executive vice president of Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners, says protesters have “assaulted numerous pipeline personnel,” destroyed millions of dollars’ worth of construction equipment and even fired a pistol at law enforcement during months of demonstrations against the 1,200-mile pipeline, which will carry
  
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• Trump slams intel officials, media over Flynn and Russia

  15-02-2017 18:55 via krqe.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump slammed intelligence officials and the media Wednesday over what he called “very, very unfair” treatment of his ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn and for “illegally leaked” information about reported contacts between his campaign advisers and Russian officials.
  Trump’s comments come amid a new swirl of controversy over his ties to Russia. Flynn was forced to resign this week after misleading Vice President
  
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• Bond yields rise, stocks push to records as economy cruises

  15-02-2017 18:51 via krqe.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks and bond yields punched higher Wednesday after more reports showed the U.S. economy continues to strengthen. The encouraging data could push the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates more aggressively from the record lows marked during the Great Recession.
  KEEPING SCORE: The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 8 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,346 as of 2:15 p.m. Eastern time. If it holds the gain, it would be the seventh straight for the index and mark its lon
  
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• Asian stocks mixed on upbeat US data, rate hike expectations

  15-02-2017 18:51 via krqe.com
  
  SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Asian stocks were mixed Thursday as investors took profit amid expectations that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates more aggressively than expected following upbeat U.S. economic data.
  KEEPING SCORE: Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.5 percent to 19,349.97 while South Korea’s Kospi edged down 0.1 percent to 2,081.32. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index gained 0.4 percent to 24,086.18 and Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.2 percent to 3,219.22. Australi
  
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• New Mexico’s only GOP congressman backs Flynn investigation

  15-02-2017 18:37 via krqe.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – New Mexico’s only GOP congressman says he would back a probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn’s pre-inauguration conversations with a Russian ambassador.
  Congressman Steve Pearce spokeswoman Keeley Christensen said Wednesday the Hobbs Republican supports “an investigation to ensure no laws were violated.”
  The comment comes after The Associated Press asked Pearce’s office if he supported calls by Democrats for the Hou
  
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• Updated: Russians remain patient for thaw with US under Trump

  15-02-2017 18:15
  
  MOSCOW — As questions over the Trump administration’s contacts with Russia roil U.S. politics, the Kremlin is taking a decidedly measured approach, carefully weighing what it says to avoid jeopardizing a chance for better relations between Moscow and Washington. This same patience is evident in Russian state media, helping to temper public expectations of the […]
  
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• Updated: Pentagon chief says NATO members must boost defense spending

  15-02-2017 18:15
  
  BRUSSELS — U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday issued a sharp ultimatum to NATO Wednesday, telling allies they must start increasing defense spending by year’s end or the Trump administration will “moderate its commitment” to them. He did not detail what the United States might do if NATO members failed to fall in line. […]
  
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• Updated: Met Opera scraps Bondy’s ‘Tosca,’ replaces it with realistic sets

  15-02-2017 18:07
  
  NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Opera is scrapping Luc Bondy’s maligned production of Puccini’s “Tosca” after just 59 performances, less than one-third the total of its predecessor by Franco Zeffirelli. The Met said Wednesday a new staging by David McVicar will open New Year’s Eve, one of five new productions next season — the company’s […]
  
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• Pope Francis: Native people have rights over their lands

  15-02-2017 17:58 via krqe.com
  
  VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis insisted Wednesday that indigenous groups must give prior consent to any economic activity affecting their ancestral lands, a view that conflicts with the Trump administration, which is pushing to build a $3.8 billion oil pipeline over opposition from American Indians.
  Francis met with representatives of indigenous peoples attending a U.N. agricultural meeting and said the key issue facing them is how to reconcile the right to economic development with prot
  
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• Trump’s budget pick clears initial Senate hurdle

  15-02-2017 17:57 via krqe.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s choice to run the White House budget office Tuesday cleared a routine Senate hurdle. But at least two senior Republicans have voiced doubts about supporting him in Thursday’s confirmation vote.
  Rep. Mick Mulvaney is a tea party congressman from South Carolina who has attracted likely opposition from Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain. McCain says Mulvaney’s record of support for military operations in Afghanistan and t
  
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• Congress blocks rule barring mentally impaired from guns

  15-02-2017 17:57 via krqe.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-led Senate voted Wednesday to block an Obama-era regulation that would prevent an estimated 75,000 people with mental disorders from being able to purchase a firearm. The measure now goes to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it.
  The regulation was crafted as part of President Barack Obama’s efforts to strengthen the federal background check system in the wake of the 2012 massacre of 20 young students and six staff at Sandy Hook Elementar
  
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• NM senators seek probe/info about Russian contacts, White House security protocols

  15-02-2017 17:45
  
  Spurred by reports of questionable White House security measures and contacts with the Russian government, New Mexico’s U.S. senators are asking separately for an official Justice Department investigation and additional information. After National Security Adviser General Michael Flynn resigned Monday, Sen. Tom Udall, a Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called Tuesday for an […]
  
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• Updated: Wal-Mart buys outdoor clothes and gear seller Moosejaw

  15-02-2017 17:09
  
  NEW YORK — Wal-Mart has acquired the outdoor clothing and gear seller Moosejaw for $51 million as it expands its online offerings. The cash deal was announced Wednesday. Wal-Mart says Madison Heights, Michigan-based Moosejaw, which is largely online and sells more than 400 brands, will keep operating its site and stores. Its 350-plus employees will […]
  
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• Officials: CIA chief meets Palestinian leader in West Bank

  15-02-2017 16:29 via krqe.com
  
  RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met secretly with the CIA chief in the West Bank, Palestinian officials said Wednesday, as they expressed concern over the Trump administration’s suggestion that a two-state solution to the conflict with Israel is optional.
  Mike Pompeo and Abbas held talks Tuesday at the Palestinian government compound in the city of Ramallah, the first high-level contacts between the Palestinian leader and administration officials, said
  
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• Religious freedom could top Sessions civil rights priorities

  15-02-2017 16:20 via krqe.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Donald Trump spoke to the National Prayer Breakfast this month, he underscored his vow to defend the religious rights of the conservative Christians who helped propel him to power.
  Now, they expect the Justice Department under new Attorney General Jeff Sessions will reposition itself as a champion of what they see as that religious freedom.
  It would be a welcome change for conservative Christians who say their concerns were marginalized under the Obama admi
  
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• Parents of transgender students appeal to Trump on bathrooms

  15-02-2017 16:19 via krqe.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundreds of parents across the country have called on President Donald Trump to embrace Obama-era protections for transgender students that call for letting them use school bathrooms in accordance with their gender identity.
  In a letter sent to the president by the Human Rights Campaign late Tuesday, more than 780 parents stressed that “all students deserve equal access to a safe, welcoming school and a high quality education no matter who they are.”
  The call
  
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• Updated: Officials: CIA chief meets Palestinian leader in West Bank

  15-02-2017 16:16
  
  RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met secretly with the CIA chief in the West Bank, Palestinian officials said Wednesday, as they expressed concern over the Trump administration’s suggestion that a two-state solution to the conflict with Israel is optional. Mike Pompeo and Abbas held talks Tuesday at the Palestinian government compound in […]
  
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• Chesapeake Energy to boost drilling budget, rig count

  15-02-2017 16:16
  
  OKLAHOMA CITY — Chesapeake Energy Corp. has announced plans to increase its drilling budget and rig count in 2017, saying that confidence is growing in the hard-hit energy market. The Oklahoma City-based company said Tuesday that it would increase its capital expenditures to $1.9 billion to $2.5 billion this year. That’s compared to 2016 numbers […]
  
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• Carli Lloyd signs for English women’s champion Man City

  15-02-2017 16:16
  
  MANCHESTER, England — FIFA player of the year Carli Lloyd is joining English women’s champion Manchester City. After spending her entire career playing for clubs in her homeland, the United States captain signed Wednesday to play for City this spring. The 34-year-old Lloyd is expected to rejoin the Houston Dash of the National Women’s Soccer […]
  
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• Updated: Texas woman, 2 children pulled from rumble left by tornado

  15-02-2017 16:15
  
  VAN VLECK, Texas — Residents of a coastal area southwest of Houston are cleaning up debris after at least six tornadoes left a swath of damaged buildings. Among the homes destroyed was one where a woman inside held tightly to her two young children. Anthony Ovesny told KPRC-TV in Houston that his wife, Ashlie Ovesny, […]
  
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• Updated: Optimism among US homebuilders weakens

  15-02-2017 16:15
  
  U.S. homebuilders are feeling a bit less confident this month, reflecting a dimmer outlook on sales in the months ahead and fewer would-be buyers dropping by builders’ sales offices. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index released Wednesday fell to 65 this month. That’s down two points from a revised reading of […]
  
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• Following Trump order, IRS shifts on health care mandate

  15-02-2017 16:08 via krqe.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS says it’s following President Donald Trump’s executive order on health care by easing enforcement of the unpopular Obama-era requirement for people to have coverage or risk fines.
  Trump directed federal agencies to ease the health law’s rules after he took office.
  An IRS spokesman says the IRS had planned to start rejecting returns this year on which the taxpayer failed to indicate whether or not he had coverage.
  But the IRS says it will keep pro
  
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• Albuquerque Public Schools board eyeing renovations for Jackson Middle School

  15-02-2017 16:05 via krqe.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque Public Schools board members could finally move forward on a proposal to add some extensive renovations to one of its middle schools.
  If approved, nearly $5 million would go towards some major renovations at Jackson Middle School. But it wasn’t that long ago that these improvements were put on hold due to a pending lawsuit filed last year.
  The lawsuit was filed by attorney Robert Pidcock. It pointed to issues stemming from funding for projects t
  
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• Santa Fe gears up for Restaurant Week

  15-02-2017 15:09 via krqe.com
  
  SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – It’s the eighth year the state has showcased the regions remarkable restaurants with a highly anticipated event.
  New Mexico Restaurant Week has helped to boost local restaurant businesses during the slow time of year by having restaurants all over the state offer up their best plates.
  Organizer, Michele Ostrove, joined KRQE’s This Morning team to discuss what the week is all about.
  Restaurants are encouraged to put their “best food forward”
  
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• Wednesday’s Morning Rush Video, 5 Facts: Investigations into Russia continue after Flynn’s exit

  15-02-2017 15:05 via krqe.com
  
  The 5 Facts You Need to Know
  1. President Trump’s administration facing more allegations that top aides were in contact with Russia but this time before election night. The unnamed officials say federal agents are “sifting through” a trove of “intercepted communications” showing “members of the President’s campaign and other Trump associates had repeated contact with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election.” This
  
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• Stand up comedian headlines three local shows

  15-02-2017 15:01 via krqe.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The opportunities to enjoy a good laugh from a live comedian seem to come every once in a while in the Duke City, but one comic is changing that.
  Will Spottedbear is a nation-wide touring stand-up comedian who will be in the Duke City for three shows.
  Spottedbear, along with Show Producer, Kendra Brand, joined KRQE This Morning to talk about their upcoming events.
  Spottedbear recently won the “Funniest person in Minneapolis” and was featured on Outrag
  
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• ABQ 365 details mid-February events

  15-02-2017 15:01 via krqe.com
  
  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Whether you’re a visitor, lived here your entire life, or are somewhere in the middle, you are bound to be looking for something to do.
  This week, there is plenty to keep you busy. Here is a list of upcoming events.
  USA Track and Field Masters will be featuring athletes ranging in ages from 30 to 95 who will be showing off their speed, strength, and endurance at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
  Plus, families can turn dinner into a unique experience
  
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• Business's employees believe recent break-ins are linked

  15-02-2017 14:58
  
  Anger and frustration don't even begin to cover it for many businesses in northeast Albuquerque. Employees at one business believe the man caught on camera Saturday breaking into Labor Max Staffing and destroying the property is the same man police say was shot on Saturday by a different business owner just a few doors down.
  
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• El Paso Electric eyes another rate increase in New Mexico

  15-02-2017 14:42 via krqe.com
  
  LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) – A utility company that serves around 400,000 customers in southern New Mexico is eyeing another rate hike this spring.
  The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that El Paso Electric hasn’t determined how large of an increase it will seek in New Mexico. But El Paso Electric vice president Eddie Gutierrez says it would likely mirror the one submitted this week to the Texas Public Utility Commission.
  That request seeks an overall $42.5 million increase in revenues, or an
  
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