KRQE Newsfeed: Quantum tech, Gallup floods, Isolated storms, Elephant Butte water levels, Drive-in m

[00:00:00]It is coming up on 6:47, time for the morning rush. Residents in Gallup are cleaning up in the aftermath of floods that left entire streets covered.

[00:00:08]Officials say that the flooding started shortly after noon yesterday and did not recede until around 4:00 in the afternoon. Aside from the floods, Mayor Mark D. Chisholm says that lightning sparked a fire at a local business. The Gallup Police Department says there have been no reports of any injuries as a result of the flooding.

[00:00:25]The body of a kidnapped northern New Mexico woman has now been identified earlier this month. State police responded to a shooting in Rio Chiquito, that is east of Chimayo. A male victim told officers that two men took off in his car with his girlfriend Jeanette Salazar still inside. Later that day, Danny Trujillo and Marcos Romero were arrested. A few days later, Salazar's body was found in Cordova. Investigators are working to determine her cause of death.

[00:00:52]New this morning, an Albuque- Albuquerque man may spend the rest of his life behind bars. This comes after being convicted of sexually abusing a young girl. According to the Bernalillo County District Attorney, 44-year-old Arturo Zamora abused the girl from the time that she was 12 years old until she was 15. This week, Zamora was convicted by a jury and could be sentenced up to 174 years in prison. Ryan.

[00:01:14]>> And taking a look at one of the later looks of Durango, some clouds over some of the higher mountain peaks of the San Juan Mountains. Durango is 60° right now, 93% humidity. A flash flood watch is in effect. That thunderstorm threat is migrating to the northwest later today with a better chance of flash flooding for west northwest areas today even for some ahead.

[00:01:37]>> The Santa Fe Police Department is now sharing video right there of the moments that they say an Oklahoma man shot at two officers. Police say that Monday nights they responded to the Motel 6 on Cerrillos Road where the officers found bullet holes in the hotel room door and they had to kick it down. It's also when they say 21-year-old Reese Jensen shot at two of the officers. Police say after hours of refusing to come out, they forced their way in and Jensen was arrested.

[00:02:06]The state continues investing millions for developing quantum computing. There are now 12 quantum facilities in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, and Socorro. Last year, the legislature created the research, development, and deployment fund. That was with $150 million in grants to support the quantum technology.

[00:02:24]Applications for that funding opened last week, and we have a link to that at alwayson.krqe.com.

[00:02:32]Low water levels at Elephant Butte are giving crews a chance to clear up and clean up some decades worth of trash.

[00:02:38]Debris removal began a few weeks ago as crews looked to clear sediment from boat ramps and started finding much more as the water levels had dropped about 36 feet since Memorial Day. The park has since brought in a general contractor to help clear out the waste. Ryan.

[00:02:53]>> And today's forecast, a high temperature in Albuquerque right around 92-93.

[00:02:57]Storms are possible Storms are possible.

[00:03:00]Cloudier later today with some of those storm clouds building. And with the heat, it will be a bit humid, so feeling a bit what I call muggy and a little bit breezy from time to time.

[00:03:11]>> One of Albuquerque's most popular bike routes is getting some new lighting. The city is in the process of installing 42 solar lights along Silver Avenue between Yale and Girard. City leaders say that the lights aren't just about visibility.

[00:03:24]They're also about using solar charged lights that are designed to be more sustainable. The city expects that project to take about eight weeks to finish.

[00:03:34]Well, officials in Sierra County, they're now saying no to new data center development. Yesterday, the county commission voted unanimously to implement an 18-month data center moratorium. Santa Fe and Socorro counties, they have already already made similar moves earlier this year. This comes as work continues on the massive project Jupiter facility in Doña Ana County. Some lawmakers are now also supporting a statewide moratorium.

[00:04:00]>> Happening this evening, Bernalillo County is going to be hosting another drive-in movie at Balloon Fiesta Park.

[00:04:05]It is part of their Summer of Non-Violence Campaign. They will have a free screening of the popular 90s rom-com Clueless, starring Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd. Attendees will be able to enjoy the movie with snacks from food trucks on site. Gates open tonight at 6:00 and the movie starts at 8:00. Ryan.

[00:04:25]>> And taking a look at traffic right now, we do notice some build-up beginning to [music] start to become more prevalent around the Big I. Taking a look right now at the Big I, slowdowns becoming more apparent as traffic is not up to speed, below speed limits, but at least it's somewhat moving along. More updates throughout the morning.

[00:04:46]>> A unique raccoon was spotted in a Seattle neighborhood is now drawing millions of views online as he goes viral. Nicknamed Jimothy by the neighbors, he appears to be suffering from a birth defect called short spine syndrome, but from the video, he appears to be healthy. Jimothy is quickly becoming a fan favorite across the internet and around Seattle.

[00:05:07]>> Now it's time for the five facts. At number five, happening this evening, Bernalillo County will host another drive-in movie at Balloon Fiesta Park.

[00:05:14]It's part of their Summer of Non-Violence Campaign.They'll have a free screening of the popular 90s rom-com Clueless, starring Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd. Attendees will be able to enjoy the movie with snacks from the food trucks on site. Gates open tonight at 6:00 and the movie starts at 8:00.

[00:05:32]>> At number four, low water levels at Elephant Butte, they're giving crews at the park a chance to clear up decades worth of junk and trash. Debris removal began a few weeks ago as crews looked to clear sediment from boat ramps and started finding much more. Water levels have dropped 36 feet since Memorial Day.

[00:05:48]New Mexico State Representative Rebecca Dow says the trash and low water levels are devastating. The park has since brought in a general contractor to help clear out the waste.

[00:05:58]>> And at number three, watching out for some thunderstorms this afternoon. Brief bouts of heavy rain, some some small hail, gusty winds, frequent lightning with the storms. They'll be moving more from a southeast-northwest trajectory, just like yesterday, a little bit more uh to uh east-to-west trajectory compared to what we've seen. And we're going to be experiencing some hotter weather, drier air, especially tomorrow.

[00:06:20]>> And at number two, residents in Gallup, they are cleaning up in the aftermath of floods that left entire streets covered.

[00:06:26]Officials say that the flooding started shortly after noon yesterday and did not recede until around 4:00 in the afternoon. Well, aside from the floods, Mayor Mark D. Powell says that lightning even sparked a fire at a local business called Tanner's Indian Arts. That was off of Third Street and West Coal Avenue. The owner of a local tea business also says that the storm took out their outdoor stand, leaving the staff scrambling. Gallup Police Department says there have been no injuries reported as a result of the flooding.

[00:06:51]And at number one, for the past few years, New Mexico's government has been investing in millions statewide to lay the groundwork for developing quantum technology.

[00:06:59]But many are asking, "How much progress have we made?" The state's economic development department says there are now 12 quantum facilities throughout Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, and Socorro. Last week, the state awarded $1.2 million to support six early-stage companies in the state. Last year, the legislature created research, development, and deployment fund with $150 million in grants to support quantum companies.