Gallup Sun

A 51-year-old man from Zuni has plead guilty to sexual abuse against children after he allegedly touched two girls who were under the age of 9 years old in a sexual manner.

According to publicly available court records, between Sept. 2l, 2000, and Sept. 20, 2001,  Rodney Waikaniwa intentionally touched his first victim with the intent of gratifying his own sexual desire. At the time, the victim was only about 8 years old. Between Jan. 1, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2015, Waikaniwa, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, intentionally touched a second victim with the same sexual intent. At the time, the second victim was approximately 6 years old.

A federal grand jury indicted Waikaniwa on May...

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on March 13 launched a new federal funding dashboard, an online tool that allows users to track and analyze statewide and community projects and services funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021.

"It is incumbent on government at all levels to make sure that every penny of this historic funding is spent on projects that transform New Mexico communities and improve the quality of life for those who live here,” Lujan Grisham said. “This is a tool to illustrate the magnitude of projects being made possible through this funding, but also to make sure the...

A New Mexico State Police Officer was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Interstate 40 during the early morning hours of March 15. The suspect has now been identified Jaremy Smith, and there is a warrant out for his arrest.

Smith is 32 years old and is from Marion, South Carolina.

He is facing charges of first degree murder, armed robbery, shooting from a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence, felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, and criminal damage to property.

Smith is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.  If seen, call the New Mexico State Police at (505) 425-6771 or dial 911.

Zollinger Library at The University of New Mexico-Gallup is now offering free access to an online language learning software for the campus community and their loved ones.

The library recently subscribed to Mango Languages, a service that offers lessons in over 70 world languages. The service is now available to use on a computer or mobile device to all UNM-Gallup students, staff and faculty with UNM credentials. It can also be used by up to five family members.

“The library is always about providing new experiences and ways for people to expand their learning on their own terms,” Zollinger Library Director Markos Chavez said. “This is definitely something people can use to learn...