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| Here’s Today’s News and Weather for Friday, May 17, 2013
Today's Weather:
Albuquerque Weather p/c High 91
Santa Fe Weather: p/c High 79
Edgewood/Moriarity p/c High 84
Belen/Los Lunas p/c High 90
and Now the news of the day:
>>First Hearing On IRS Scandal Set Today
(Washington, DC) -- The firestorm over the IRS scandal is moving to a congressional hearing today. The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to hear from Steven Miller, the former acting commissioner of the IRS. The federal agency has come under fire for targeting conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status. Obama says he is committed to fixing the problems at the IRS. He again called himself outraged and insisted that he did not know about the problem until it surfaced in media reports.
>>Granbury, Texas Searches For Seven Missing After Tornadoes
(Granbury, TX) -- Seven people are the focus of a grim search after a deadly tornado outbreak in north Texas. Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds is asking for more help to
comb through the rubble of damaged and destroyed homes and businesses. While efforts are continuing to find those still missing, officials have also said it's possible the people in question just haven't checked in with authorities. At least 13 tornadoes ripped through North Texas Wednesday, killing at least six people
>>Feds Lose Track Of Terrorists In Witness Protection
(Washington, DC) -- The U.S. Marshals Service has lost two known or suspected terrorists who participated in the federal witness protection program. A new report from the Justice Department indicates both were given new identities. The inspector general's report also said the department did not definitely know how many suspected terrorists were admitted into the program. The Justice Department issued a follow up statement, noting that a number of steps are already being taken to improve security.
>>Fund For Rescued Cleveland Women Raises Nearly $500,000
(Cleveland, OH) -- A staggering amount of money has come into the fund created to help three once-missing Cleveland women. The Cleveland Foundation says nearly 500-thousand dollars has been raised in the week since the Cleveland Courage Fund was created. Donations have come in from all 50 states and around the world, in support of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight.
>>Hitchhiker Kai Arrested For Murder
(Fresno, CA) -- Fresno, California's most famous hitchhiker, Kai, is under arrest for the murder of a New Jersey man. Caleb "Kai" McGillvary was arrested yesterday at a Greyhound Bus station in Philadelphia. The Internet celebrity known as "Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker" gained fame after pulling a hatchet out of his backpack and using it to stop a man who was attacking a PG&E worker. McGillvary is now accused of killing a man who died from "blunt force trauma."
>>Authorities Fear Cigarette Smuggling Ring Is Tied To Terror
(New York, NY) -- New York authorities fear a cigarette smuggling ring may have ties to terrorist groups. Sixteen Palestinian nationals have been arrested in connection with the alleged cigarette ring. The ring allegedly smuggled millions of dollars of cigarettes out of Virginia and sold them tax-free in New York. NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly says several of the men arrested have links to the "Blind Sheik" Omar Abdel Rahman. He's serving a life sentence for orchestrating the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993.
>>Rallies Planned Against Boy Scout Gay Proposal
(Undated) -- A resolution that would allow gays in the Boy Scouts of America will lead to dozens of protest rallies across the U.S. today. The National Boy Scouts Organization is considering removing the current restrictions on sexual orientation for scouts. Some 14-hundred members will vote on the proposal on May 23rd. Some parents say the rallies are intended to show voting delegates how families feel about the proposal.
>>O.J. Simpson Back In Court
(Las Vegas, NV) -- O.J. Simpson heads back to court today in Nevada as he continues to push for a retrial following a 2008 kidnapping and armed robbery conviction. On the stand yesterday, the former football star admitted he was drunk the night he took back his property in 2007.
O.J. also admitted there was some pushing and shoving the night he left a crowded Las Vegas hotel room after retrieving his sports memorabilia. Still, O.J. insisted he only decided to get his "stuff" back based on advice from his former attorney Yale Galanter who is expected to be called to the stand today.
>>Arias Attorney Looks For Mercy From Jurors
(Phoenix, AZ) -- Convicted murderer Jodi Arias was in an Arizona courtroom yesterday for the penalty phase of her closely-watched trial. Defense attorney Kirk Nurmi did his best to convince jurors to spare Arias the death penalty.
They'll be back in court on Monday. The jury's verdict is binding and will determine whether Arias is executed or spends life in prison. She was convicted last week on first-degree murder charges in the brutal 2008 murder of ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander.
>>Airports, Planes Crowded This Summer, Trade Group Says
(Undated) -- Americans who travel by air can expect crowded airports and crowded flights this summer, according to an airline industry trade group. Airlines for America predicts that nearly 209-million people will fly during the summer months. That's close to 2008's total of 210-million, before the recession throttled air travel. The trade group credits the improving U.S. economy for the uptick it expects in the airline industry's fortunes.
>>Woman Saves Husband From Bear
(Silver Cliff, WI) -- A man is recovering from a bear attack in Wisconsin According to WLUK-TV, his wife saved his life by hitting the bear over the head with a shotgun. Gerre Ninnemann says the bear first went after his dog, then turned on him. His wife grabbed the shotgun and shells from inside the cabin, but didn't know how to load the weapon. After she whacked the animal on the head, he released her husband and the couple ran back inside. A sheriff's deputy later shot and killed the animal.
>>Preakness Stakes Tomorrow
(Baltimore, MD) -- There is just one more day until the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown. The 138th Preakness Stakes is set for 6:20 p.m. Eastern at Pimlico Race Course. Kentucky Derby winner Orb is the morning-line favorite at even-money. Ridden by Joel Rosario, Orb will be break along the rail from post-position one. Mylute is the second choice at 5-to-1, while Departing is next with 6-to-1 odds. The final leg of the Triple Crown takes place June 8th at the Belmont Stakes. Eleven horses in all have won all three legs of the Triple Crown in the same year, with Affirmed being the last in 1978.
>>Inmates Released Early Remain Free
(Santa Fe, NM) -- Some inmates released by mistake will not be returning to prison. Department of Corrections Secretary Gregg Marcantel said 51 prisoners were set free due to sentencing errors. The most violent offenders are back in a cell. KRQE reports other inmates will be handled on a case-by-case basis to see if they have become productive members in the community.
>>Big Jump In Unemployment Insurance Claims
(Albuquerque, NM) -- U.S. Labor Department reveals unemployment insurance claims are skyrocketing. New Mexico has the second-largest jump for the week ending May 4th as claims increased by 15-hundred. MarketWatch figures show the situation is not getting much better, but they aren't getting much worse.
>>New Movie Filming In Albuquerque
(Albuquerque, NM) -- A new science fiction movie is being filmed at Joy Junction. The science fiction drama stars Johnny Depp as a scientist who creates computers that transcend abilities of human brains. More than 80 residents will be hired as crew members. The movie called "Transcendence" also stars Morgan Freeman and Rebecca Hall and debuts next year.
>> Seat belt crackdown planned along famous Route 66
SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico is teaming up with other states as part an effort to get drivers along historic Route 66 to wear their seat belts.
The crackdown begins Friday and will last 24 hours.
The effort started in 2010 with a handful of law enforcement agencies in central Oklahoma. It has now expanded to include highway patrol troopers, state police officers and other agencies in eight states along the famed "Mother Road."
New Mexico State Police Chief Robert Shilling says seat belts are the best way for drivers and passengers to protect themselves.
Federal statistics show motorists are 75 percent less likely to be killed in rollover crashes if they are buckled up.
Other states taking part in the "Get your 'Clicks' on Route 66" mobilization include Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona and California.
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>> Teen accused of bottle bomb
LOS LUNAS — A 17-year-old Los Lunas High School junior has been charged with possession of an explosive device after a plastic water bottle containing a reactive substance exploded in a hallway on Wednesday.
Desi Garcia, director of security and safety at Los Lunas Schools, would not disclose the name of the student.
He said the explosion between noon and 1 p.m. sounded like a firecracker. The bottle was found in a trash can in one of the school’s hallways. A second detonated bottle bomb was found on top of a building later during a search of the school.
Students identified the teenager responsible for the bottle bomb, and when the student was searched, five more bottles were found in his backpack. The student was taken into custody and charged with possession of an explosive device.
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>>State to require water meters
.SANTA FE — Irrigators, municipalities and industry in parts of drought-stricken eastern New Mexico will be required to install meters on their underground wells to measure water use under a plan by the state’s top water manager.
State Engineer Scott Verhines said meters must be installed by January in the Fort Sumner Underground Water Basin, which is within a larger area that relies on surface water from the Pecos River. No meters will be necessary for household wells or small wells supplying water for livestock.
The metering requirement is expected to mostly affect irrigators in the sparsely populated water basin, which covers about 4,900 square miles of portions of DeBaca, Guadalupe, Quay, Chaves, Roosevelt and Torrance counties.
“New Mexico is experiencing our third year in a row of severe to exceptionally severe drought,” Verhines said in a statement. “Naturally, this has placed tremendous pressure on our state, especially our southeastern region. New Mexico must maximize our water supplies. Therefore we are protecting water rights owners from over-diversions and identifying any water waste by metering groundwater wells. In order to protect everyone’s water rights, we need to know exactly how much water is pumped.”
The small communities of Fort Sumner and Vaughn are included in the region.
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>>Groups Urging U.S. Representative To Protect Conscience Rights
(Undated) -- Organizations are encouraging followers to contact their congressmen and encourage them to support a bill protecting the conscience rights for nonprofits and faith-based institutions. CitizenLink reports lawmakers have introduced the Health Care Conscience Rights Act. HCCRA which would provide full exemption on religious or moral grounds from the Obama administration's HHS birth control mandate.
>>Baptist Newspaper May Have Been Targeted For IRS Audit Following Pro-Traditional Family Interview
(Undated) -- "The Biblical Recorder" is the official news journal for Southern Baptists in North Carolina and claims they may have been a target for an IRS audit. Fox News says the the newspaper came to national attention after interviewing Chick-Fil-A's Dan Cathy regarding his support of the traditional family. "Recorder" editor Allan Blume says, quote, "It raised some red flags and made me wonder why we were being targeted for an audit when we have been around since 1833 and have never been audited before."
>>James Dobson Claims "Viewpoint Discrimination" By IRS
(Undated) -- Focus on the Family Founder, James Dobson, has had struggles with the IRS over his new Family Talk Action Corporation. A statement from Dobson's group says Family Talk was created to spread "the Gospel of Jesus Christ" and to speak to "cultural issues that affect the family." The organization's legal counsel experienced a conversation with an IRS agent who reportedly expressed biased positions saying Dobson's ministry sounded like a, quote, "partisan right-wing group." Dobson says, quote, "Christian ministries and others supporting the family must not be silenced or intimidated by the IRS or other branches of the government."
>>Thomas More Society Claims IRS Showed Bias Against Pro Life Groups
(Undated) -- A public policy law group is speaking out about what is described as "blatant bias" by what should be the apolitical IRS. The Thomas More Society says cases they have handled support growing accusations that demonstrates the agency's abuse of pro-life groups. The group points to a case where the IRS withheld approval for tax exempt status for Coalition for Life of Iowa. The Society says in a statement that an IRS agent asked for a letter with the entire board's signatures stating that, under perjury of the law, they do not picket/protest or organize groups to picket or protest outside of Planned Parenthood.
>>Catholic Leader Objects To Cloning Embryos
(Washington, DC) -- The chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops unhappy with news of human cloning breakthrough. According to Catholic News Agency Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston says human cloning for any purposes is not consistent with the moral responsibility to, quote, "treat each member of the human family as a unique gift of God, as a person with his or her own inherent dignity." Cardinal O'Malley responded to news this week that researchers in Oregon succeeded in producing cloned human embryos and obtained their embryonic stem cells.
>>Today In Religious History
352 - Liberius was elected 36th pope of the Early Church. During this time the dispute between Arius and Athanasius was at its height, and after vacillating earlier, Liberius vindicated himself as a champion of Nicene orthodoxy.
1291 - Scottish medieval Franciscan philosopher John Duns Scotus was ordained at the age of 25. He believed in "divine will" rather than "divine intellect," and founded a scholastic system called Scotism. In the Catholic Church he is known as "the Subtle Doctor."
1881 - The Revised Version of the New Testament was first published in England. The Old Testament was completed in 1885. In 1905 the American Standard Version based on the textual foundation of the ERV was published in the U.S.
1947 - The Conservative Baptist Association of America was formally established at Atlantic City, New Jersey, as a breakaway movement from within the American Baptist Convention.
>>Today In History
On this day:
In 1792, the New York Stock Exchange was formed.
In 1846, the saxophone was patented by Antoine Joseph Sax.
In 1875, the first Kentucky Derby was run at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The race was won by Aristides and jockey Oliver Lewis.
In 1883, Buffalo Bill Cody presented the first wild west show in Omaha, Nebraska.
In 1933, Country Music Hall-of-Famer Jimmie Rodgers began recording a series of 24 songs for RCA Victor Records.
In 1938, "Information Please" was presented on the NBC Blue Network.
In 1939, WNBT Television in New York broadcast the first fashion show on television.
In 1954, the United States Supreme Court issued its ruling in the Brown versus the Board of Education of Topeka case. The high court declared that "racially separated educational facilities are inherently unequal."
In 1970, Hank Aaron recorded career hit number three-thousand.
In 1971, the musical "Godspell" opened at New York's Cherry Lane Theatre.
In 1975, NBC Television paid five-million dollars for the rights to show the film "Gone With The Wind" once.
In 1975, Elton John's album "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" was released and was also certified platinum.
In 1980, drummer Peter Criss left the group KISS.
In 1983, the New York Islanders won their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup.
In 1985, Bobby Ewing died for the final time on the season finale of "Dallas." He had died on an earlier episode, but was brought back to life.
In 1987, 37 U.S. sailors were killed when an Iraqi warplane attacked the U.S. Navy frigate Stark.
In 1992, bandleader Lawrence Welk died at the age of 89.
In 1995, Hockey Hall-of-Famer Hector "Toe" Blake died at the age of 82. The legendary coach set a record by leading the Montreal Canadiens to eight Stanley Cup championships in 13 seasons.
In 1995, Jacques Chirac was sworn in as president of France, ending the 14-year tenure of Francois Mitterand.
In 1996, President Clinton signed Megan's Law into effect. The law requires neighborhood notification when a convicted sex offender moves into the area.
In 1997, Sylvester Stallone married model Jennifer Flavin.
In 2000, two former Ku Klux Klansmen were arrested on murder charges in connection to the 1963 Birmingham, Alabama church bombing that killed four black girls. On May 1st 2001, Thomas Blanton was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for his role in the bombing. A year later, in 2002, the second suspect, Bobby Frank Cherry, was also tried and convicted.
In 2004, events were held around the country to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic high court Brown versus Board Of Education decision that ruled against segregated schools.
In 2004, the state of Massachusetts made history by becoming the first state in the country to issue marriage licenses for same-sex marriages.
In 2004, U2 frontman Bono received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Bono was tapped for the honor based on his work as an activist in the fight against AIDS in Africa and the efforts to end Third World debt.
In 2004, entertainer Bill Cosby sparked controversy for deriding low-income blacks for spending money on items like sneakers instead of education. Cosby delivered his remarks during commemorative event marking the 50th Anniversary of the historic Brown vs. Board of Education.
In 2004, Emmy award-winning actor Tony Randall died at the age of 84. Randall was best known for his comic role as Felix Unger in "The Odd Couple." He had been battling a long-term illness. Randall died in his sleep at New York University Medical Center.
In 2005, Kenny Chesney was named Entertainer of the Year at the 40th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. Gretchen Wilson was named Top Female Vocalist and Top New Artist. And Keith Urban won Top Male Vocalist and Album of the Year for "Be Here."
In 2005, character actor and impressionist Frank Gorshin, best known for playing the Riddler on the 1960s "Batman" TV series, died on this date after battling several illnesses. He was 71.
In 2006, former Beatle Paul McCartney and his second wife Heather Mills announced their plans to separate after four years of marriage. In a statement, the 63-year-old McCartney and his 38-year-old wife blamed the split on non-stop media intrusion. The statement went on to describe the break up as "amicable."
In 2006, the controversial movie "The Da Vinci Code" opened the 59th Annual Cannes Film Festival in France. Based on the best-selling book by Dan Brown, the story drew criticism from some church leaders who took issue with the book's suggestion that Jesus Christ wed Mary Magdalene and had descendants.
In 2007, amid controversy and scandal, World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz resigned from the position. Wolfowitz received heavy criticism for giving a salary raise and promotion to his girlfriend, who was also a World Bank employee. A bank panel found that Wolfowitz violated the terms of his contract and engaged in a conflict of interest.
In 2009, demonstrators showed up at President Obama's commencement speech at Notre Dame to protest the President's pro-choice stand on the abortion debate. Several protestors were arrested.
In 2012, five-time Grammy Award winner Donna Summer died on this date at the age of 63. Summer, known as the Queen of Disco, had been battling cancer.
That's the news, I'm Frank Haley, cjf for God's Glory Alone !!!
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