Alamogordo man admits guilt in defrauding government

HE TRULY DOESN’T KNOW. THE RHINO DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO THOUGH. SO DESPITE THE RHINO WEIGHING OVER A TON, THE FEARLESS LITTLE DEER REPEATEDLY CHALLENGED IT. WHILE THE RHINO SEEMED TO JUST RESPOND IN A PLAYFUL WAY. SO HE’S LIKE, LET’S. OKAY, LITTLE GUY. IT’S LIKE A LITTLE, LITTLE GAME HERE. RUN OVER THE DEER, SCARED TO WATCH IT, RIGHT? FIRST OF ALL, RHINOS PLAYING WITH SNOW, I GUESS. YEAH, THERE YOU GO. BUT I THINK THAT DEER SO SMALL, THE RHINOS. LIKE THERE’S NO WAY THIS THING CAN HURT ME. THAT’S WHAT BELIEVING IN YOURSELF LOOKS LIKE. ALL RIGHT, TIME FOR A NEW HOUR OF ACTION 7 NEWS MORE IN THE MORNING. COVERAGE. YOU CAN COUNT ON KOAT ACTION SEVEN NEWS MORE IN THE MORNING STARTS RIGHT NOW. NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND IRAN MAY BE ON THE TABLE AMID DEADLY PROTESTS. ARE RACHEL HIRSCHHEIMER IS STANDING BY WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP’S PROPOSALS AS VIOLENCE CONTINUES IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC. AND IF YOU DIDN’T FILL UP YOUR TANK AND SMILING LATELY, THERE’S A GOOD REASON FOR THAT. GUYS. GAS PRICES ARE NOW AT THEIR LOWEST THAT THEY’VE BEEN IN NEARLY FIVE YEARS. WE’RE GOING TO EXPLAIN WHY AND WHAT ANALYSTS EXPECT NEXT. STARTING BUSINESSES HERE. EXPERTS SAY THE KEY ISN’T JUST LAUNCHING, IT’S STAYING READY, ADAPTING AND KNOWING WHEN TO STEP UP. WE’LL BREAK DOWN THE ADVICE COMING FROM TOP ENTREPRENEURS. GOOD MORNING NEW MEXICO. IT IS MONDAY, JANUARY 12TH. I’M ROYALE DA AND I’M PEYTON SPELLACY. LET’S GET YOU RIGHT OVER TO ERIC GREEN. ANOTHER COLD MORNING FOR US. YEAH, THINGS REALLY CHANGED FOLLOWING THAT WINTER STORM. I MEAN, THE COLD THAT SETTLED IN OVER THE WEEKEND. WE REALLY HAVEN’T FELT ANYTHING LIKE THAT SO FAR YET. THIS WINTER SEASON. WE’RE ALMOST DONE WITH IT NOW. WE’RE NOT GOING TO GO BACK AND CHALLENGE RECORDS OR BREAK RECORDS ON A DAILY BASIS LIKE WE WERE DOING, BUT IT’S GOING TO BE ANOTHER ONE OF THESE ABOVE AVERAGE STRETCHES. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU HIT 50 DEGREES IN JANUARY AND THE SUN SHINING, IF YOU GREW UP IN A COLD PLACE? YEAH, IT’S REALLY PRETTY NICE. AND THAT’S WHAT WE’RE IN FOR. IT LOOKS LIKE WE SIT RIGHT NOW AT 26. THE WIND IS CALM, THE SKIES ARE CLEAR. THERE ARE SOME TEENS. WE’RE ALMOST IN THE SINGLE DIGITS IN GALLUP. WE SIT AT TEN RIGHT NOW IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO. WELL, TENNESSEE’S 37 IS THE WARMEST SPOT. LOOKS LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE FREEZING OR BELOW RIGHT NOW. A COLD ONE HERE IN THE SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO. LOOK AT ROSWELL AT 23. IT’S 21 IN HOBBS RIGHT NOW. SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO, SILVER CITY. YOU’RE ALSO DOWN AT 24. A LITTLE BIT OF WIND IN SPOTS. THERE’S AN 18 IN SANTA FE. I DO NOT KNOW IF THAT 30 IN LORDSBURG IS AN ERRONEOUS DATA SPOT, OR IF THAT IS IN FACT REAL. BUT WIND CHILLS RIGHT NOW, AT LEAST IN SANTA FE, THAT WIND HAS BEEN SWITCHED ON. YOU KNOW THAT 15 PLUS RANGE FOR SEVERAL HOURS. IT FEELS LIKE SIX RIGHT NOW IN SANTA FE. LOOK AT THAT SINGLE DIGIT. FEELS LIKE CHILL IN THE AIR AROUND GALLUP AND FARMINGTON. THERE ARE SOME VERY COLD SPOTS OUT THERE GOING TO NEED THE WINTER COATS, MAYBE EVEN A HAT AND GLOVES WILL WORK TO EASE THIS MORNING CHILL. IT’S GOING TO BE SEVERAL HOUR PROCESS, BUT LUNCHTIME NUMBERS CLIMB INTO THE 40S TO ALMOST 50 IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO, AND THAT CLIMB CONTINUES THIS AFTERNOON WITH SUNSHINE. HEY, WE’RE BACK ABOVE 50 IN ALBUQUERQUE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN QUITE A WHILE, AND WE’RE IN THE MID 40S IN SANTA FE, MID 50S AND SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO. AS FAR AS THE WIND TODAY, THE WIND DOESN’T COMPLETELY TAKE THE DAY OFF. WE’RE SLIGHTLY BREEZY IN THE SOUTHWEST, BUT OTHERWISE PRETTY FRIENDLY WIND FORECAST WITH THOSE SUN FILLED SKIES. AND YEAH, THIS AFTERNOON HAS US AROUND 50 IN THE LOWER 50S FOR AT LEAST A FEW HOURS, WHICH IN JANUARY IS SOMETHING YOU CAN’T REALLY COMPLAIN ABOUT, RIGHT? YOU CAN’T. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU ERIC. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ANNOUNCED OVER THE WEEKEND LEADERS OF IRAN CALLED TO NEGOTIATE AS BLOODY PROTESTS CHALLENGING IRAN’S RELIGIOUS RULE CONTINUE. THE DEMONSTRATION STARTED LAST MONTH OVER THE COLLAPSE OF IRAN’S CURRENCY, IN PART DUE TO INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS OVER ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM. RACHEL HIRSCHHEIMER JOINS US LIVE FROM WASHINGTON WITH THE LATEST. GOOD MORNING, RACHEL. PEYTON AND ROYALE, GOOD MORNING TO YOU BOTH. ON SUNDAY, PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD REPORTERS A MEETING WITH IRAN IS BEING SET UP AFTER THE COUNTRY CALLED TO NEGOTIATE. TAKE A LISTEN TO WHAT HE HAD TO SAY. WE MAY MEET WITH THEM. I MEAN, THE MEETING IS BEING SET UP, BUT WE MAY HAVE TO ACT BECAUSE OF WHAT’S HAPPENING. BEFORE THE MEETING. BUT A MEETING IS BEING SET UP. IRAN CALLED. THEY WANT TO NEGOTIATE. THIS MORNING, IRAN’S FOREIGN MINISTER CLAIMED THE SITUATION HAS COME UNDER TOTAL CONTROL AFTER A CRACKDOWN ON NATIONWIDE PROTESTS IN THE COUNTRY. HE ALSO ALLEGED THAT NATIONWIDE PROTESTS IN IRAN TURNED VIOLENT AND BLOODY TO GIVE AN EXCUSE FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP TO INTERVENE, BUT OFFERED NO ACTUAL EVIDENCE FOR HIS CLAIM. NOW, AT LEAST TWO MAJOR NEWS OUTLETS ARE REPORTING PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN GIVEN MILITARY OPTIONS FOR A STRIKE ON IRAN, BUT HADN’T MADE A FINAL DECISION YET. IRAN’S PARLIAMENT SPEAKER SAYS THE U.S. MILITARY AND ISRAEL WOULD BE LEGITIMATE TARGETS. IF AMERICA DOES LAUNCH A STRIKE. NOW, THE U.S. BASED HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST NEWS AGENCY IS REPORTING THAT SO FAR, AT LEAST 544 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN IRAN, INCLUDING 496 PROTESTERS IN WASHINGTON. RACHEL HIRSCHHEIMER. BACK TO YOU, RACHEL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. LET’S GET OUR FIRST CHECK OF TRAFFIC RIGHT NOW TO SEE HOW THE ROADS ARE LOOKING. IF YOU’RE MAKING THAT COMMUTE BETWEEN SANTA FE AND ALBUQUERQUE. NO PROBLEMS ON I-25. BOTH NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND AND EVERYTHING THROUGH HIGHWAY 550 ALONG BERNALILLO IS LOOKING REALLY GOOD. SOUTH OF THE METRO, IT IS THE SAME STORY. LOS LUNAS, NO PROBLEMS GETTING INTO ALBUQUERQUE. HERE’S THOSE LIVE DRIVE TIMES RIGHT NOW. SANTA FE TO ALBUQUERQUE, 40 MINUTES. RIO RANCHO TO PASEO IS AN EIGHT MINUTE DRIVE. AND LOS LUNAS, ALBUQUERQUE THAT WILL TAKE YOU 16 MINUTES. IF YOU’VE NOTICED, CHEAPER GAS AT THE PUMP LATELY, YOU’RE NOT IMAGINING IT. THAT’S RIGHT. IT’S BEEN A NICE SIGHT TO SEE. PRICES ARE NOW AT THEIR LOWEST SINCE MARCH OF 2021, GIVING SOME DRIVERS SOME WELCOME RELIEF. OUR OWN ALYSSA MUNOZ IS LIVE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT’S DRIVING THIS AND WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THE MONTHS AHEAD. HI ALYSSA. HI. GOOD MORNING. WELL, THE NATIONAL AVERAGE HAS DROPPED TO TWO. 73, ACCORDING TO GASBUDDY. NOW THAT’S NEARLY $0.30 LOWER THAN WHAT IT WAS AROUND THIS TIME LAST YEAR. EXPERTS ARE EXPECTING IT TO STAY BELOW $3 A GALLON FOR MUCH OF THE SOUTH AND GULF COAST. HERE IN NEW MEXICO, PRICES HAVE GONE UP AND DOWN IN RECENT WEEKS. THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE IS NOW 2.53. IN ALBUQUERQUE, IT’S $0.01 LESS AND SANTA FE IS 2.45 A GALLON. ANALYSTS SAY SEASONAL DEMAND AND AMPLE FUEL SUPPLIES ARE DRIVING THE OVERALL DROP, THOUGH UNCERTAINTY IN GLOBAL MARKETS, INCLUDING OIL FROM VENEZUELA, COULD AFFECT PRICES IN THE UPCOMING MONTHS. NOW, EXPERTS SAY FOR NOW, PRICES SHOULD STAY LOW, BUT THINGS COULD CHANGE AS OIL PRICES INCREASE. REPORTING LIVE. I’M ALYSSA MUNOZ KOAT ACTION 7 NEWS NEW ON SEVEN. THE TOWN OF MOUNTAIN AIR IS MOURNING THE LOSS OF A MAN WHO HAD BEEN MISSING FOR WEEKS. THE TOWN SAYS ALBERT PENA WAS RECENTLY FOUND DEAD. INVESTIGATORS DETERMINED HIS DEATH WAS A RESULT OF A HOMICIDE. PENA HAD BEEN MISSING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. AUTHORITIES ARE ASKING ANYONE WITH INFORMATION RELATED TO THE CASE TO CONTACT LAW ENFORCEMENT AS THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES. NEW ON SEVEN A HOUSE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN SOUTHWEST ALBUQUERQUE. CREWS WERE CALLED TO THE HOME ON THIRD STREET SOUTH OF COLE, AROUND 830 LAST NIGHT. FIREFIGHTERS FOUND SMOKE COMING FROM A SMALL BUILDING BEHIND THE HOME AND KNOCKED IT DOWN. WITHIN MINUTES. THE FIRE DOWN, THAT IS. NO ONE WAS HURT. INVESTIGATORS ARE NOW WORKING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT STARTED IT. SOME ADVICE FOR ANYONE WHO STARTED A NEW BUSINESS THIS YEAR. EXPERTS SAY THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF. NO ONE CAN COMPETE WITH ME BUT ME IN ALL HONESTY. NOW, HOW DO I BECOME THE BEST VERSION OF MYSELF AS A BUSINESS OWNER? HOW DO I DECIDE THE PLAYERS, THE PRICING, THE STRATEGY, THE CUSTOMERS THAT I’M GOING TO SERVE? YEAH. SO BRADFORD THERE ALSO ENCOURAGES NEW BUSINESS OWNERS TO TREAT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AS A TOOL, NOT A REPLACEMENT AND NOT THE ENEMY EITHER. SHE SAYS CHANGE IS INEVITABLE AND SUCCESS COMES FROM BEING READY TO ADAPT. WHEN VISION AND OPPORTUNITY ALIGN. SHE SAYS IT CAN FEEL LIKE MAGIC, BUT ENTREPRENEURS HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO STEP UP WHEN THAT MOMENT ARRIVES. IT’S CURRENTLY 507 THIS MONDAY MORNING, A HOLIDAY SURPRISE MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR THE SANTA FE ANIMAL SHELTER AND HUMANE SOCIETY. LATER IN OUR SHOW, THE STORY OF AN ANONYMOUS COUPLE WALKING IN WITH A HOLIDAY GIFT. BUT FIRST WE THINKING ABOUT BRINGING A SUIT AGAINST POWELL FOR INCOMPETENCE. FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN JEROME POWELL, UNDER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION THIS MORNING, SPARKING CLAIMS OF POLITICAL PRESSURE AND RATTLING THE MARKETS. WE’RE GOING TO BREAK DOWN WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE ECONOMY. TEN MINUTES AFTER FIVE OR ABOUT TWO HOURS FROM OUR MORNING SUNRISE, HERE’S THE VIEW LOOKING BACK AT ALBUQUERQUE FROM RIO RANCHO, THE SKY OVERHEAD IS CLEAR, BRIGHT LIGHTS TWINKLING AWAY THERE FOR TEN BELOW FREEZING IN SANTA FE RIGHT NOW, DOWN AT 22 DEGREES. BOTH RIO RANCHO AND THE SUNPORT THIS HOUR. CHECKING IN AT 27. WE’LL DROP A COUPLE MORE HERE INTO THE DAYBREAK HOUR. DOWN AT 25 AS WE GET THE KIDS OFF TO SCHOOL, HAVE THOSE WARM WINTER COATS READY TO GO ON. HATS AND GLOVES ARE A GOOD IDEA TOO, ESPECIALLY IF YOU KNOW YOUR KIDS OUTSIDE FOR ANYTHING MORE THAN LIKE FIVE MINUTES. COMING BACK HOME WHILE WE’RE LOSING LAYERS. STILL PROBABLY IN A HOODIE, SWEATSHIRT OR SWEATER. BUT WE DO EXPECT SUNSHINE THIS AFTERNOON. THE TEMPERATURE ABOVE 50 AT 3:00. NOON SEVEN. FEDERAL PROSECUTORS OPENED A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN JEROME POWELL. SO THEY’RE FOCUSING ON HIS TESTIMONY BEFORE THE SENATE ABOUT MULTIBILLION DOLLAR RENOVATIONS OF TWO FEDERAL BUILDINGS. POWELL PUSHED BACK, SAYING THE PROBE IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED AND LINKED TO PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ATTEMPTS TO PRESSURE THE FED TO LOWER INTEREST RATES. THE THREAT OF CRIMINAL CHARGES IS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SETTING INTEREST RATES BASED ON OUR BEST ASSESSMENT OF WHAT WILL SERVE THE PUBLIC, RATHER THAN FOLLOWING THE PREFERENCES OF THE PRESIDENT. STOCK FUTURES FELL OVERNIGHT AS MARKETS REACTED TO THE NEWS. EXPERTS WARN THE INVESTIGATION MAY REFLECT POLITICAL PRESSURE RATHER THAN CONFIRMED WRONGDOING. PRESIDENT TRUMP DENIES ANY INVOLVEMENT. IT’S 512 THIS MONDAY MORNING, JANUARY 12TH. SHOPPING FOR A CAR IN THE NEW YEAR. NEW OR USED. WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW TO AVOID BUYER’S REMORSE AND GET THE BEST SAFETY AND VALUE. BUT FIRST, A WARNING FOR PARENTS FROM CONSUMER REPORTS. SOME POPULAR SQUISHY TOYS CAN BURST OPEN AND IRRITATE KIDS WELL, IT SURE DID GET COLD ON US THIS WEEKEND, BUT TEMPERATURES GENERALLY CREEP BACK UP. I THINK RAIN AND SNOW CHANCES ARE GOING TO TAKE AT LEAST THE BETTER PART OF THE NEXT WEEK OFF, MAYBE EVEN LONGER THAN THAT. WHILE WE DO SEE THE TEMPERATURES JUMP BACK UP HERE WITH HIGH PRESSURE IN CONTROL AND STORM TRACK WELL OFF TO OUR NORTH, I DON’T THINK IT’S GOING TO BE A RECORD CHALLENGING STRETCH LIKE WE WERE DOING WELL ALL THROUGH THE FALL AND THE ENTIRE MONTH OF DECEMBER. BUT WE DO NOT HAVE ANY STORMS COMING OUR WAY ANYTIME SOON. WE MAY GET CLIPPED IN EASTERN NEW MEXICO BY A COLD FRONT INTO WEDNESDAY, BUT TODAY’S WEATHER MAPS DON’T SHOW ANY ACTIVE WEATHER COMING HERE THROUGH NEW MEXICO. WE HAVE HIGHS IN THE 40S AND 50S WARMER SPOTS DOWN SOUTH IN THE MIDDLE 50S. ONLY ABOUT TEN ABOVE THE COOLER SPOTS UP NORTH, AND FARMINGTON ONLY HITS 38 TODAY. BUT EVERYONE ELSE SHOULD AT LEAST BE GOOD FOR 40S. DON’T EXPECT MUCH IN THE WAY OF WIND GUSTS THIS AFTERNOON. NOW TONIGHT IT’S A DIP BACK BELOW FREEZING FOR JUST ABOUT ALL OF US HERE AS SKIES STAY CLEAR. MOSTLY CLEAR. WARMER SPOTS IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO LIKE ALAMOGORDO. AND TEARS. THEY’LL HOLD CLOSE TO FREEZING FOR TUESDAY AFTERNOON. WE’RE A LITTLE WARMER THAN TODAY. LOOK AT SANTA FE BACK AT 50 DEGREES. MID 50S FOR ALBUQUERQUE. COUPLE 60 SHOW UP IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO AND IN FARMINGTON. YOU’RE ACTUALLY GOING TO GET UP ABOVE 40 DEGREES. SHOULD HAVE A SUNNY OR MOSTLY SUNNY SKY. AND WE’RE EXPECTING ANOTHER ROUND OF THOSE LIGHT BREEZES FOR TUESDAY. NOW AS WE HEAD UP OUR WEDNESDAY HERE, IT DOES LOOK LIKE WE COULD POTENTIALLY BE A LITTLE BREEZIER. TEMPERATURES STILL LOOK MILD. HIGHS IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO RIGHT AROUND 50. IT’S ANOTHER ROUND OF THOSE MID 50S FOR ALBUQUERQUE HERE AND IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO IT’S THOSE LOWER 60S. SO YEAH TEMPERATURES SLIGHTLY WARMER THAN WHAT WE WERE RIDING OUT OVER THE WEEKEND. BUT FOR ALBUQUERQUE, RECORD HIGHS THIS TIME OF YEAR ARE IN THE LOW AND MID 60S. SO WE’LL CONTINUE TO STAY WELL BELOW THOSE NUMBERS. WELL HERE YOU GO. NORTHWEST NEW MEXICO IN THE FOUR CORNERS AREA FARMINGTON TO CHILLY SPOT. ONLY AT 38 YOU’RE SURROUNDED BY MIDDLE AND UPPER 40S, THOUGH DURANGO COULD ACTUALLY HIT 50 DEGREES. NOW IN FARMINGTON WE DO KEEP THAT TEMPERATURE UP. LOOKS LIKE BY WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY TO AROUND 50. THEN WE’LL DROP JUST A FEW FOR FRIDAY AND THE UPCOMING WEEKEND. KEEP IT IN THE MIDDLE AND UPPER 40S HERE. SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO 52. TODAY IN SILVER CITY. IT WILL BE MID 50S OFF THE MOUNTAINS. WE DON’T GAIN A LOT OVER THE WEEK AHEAD, BUT WE DO GRADUALLY CREEP INTO THOSE UPPER 50S AND JUST KIND OF HANG OUT IN THAT RANGE. THURSDAY COULD BE THE ONE DAY WHERE WE MAKE A RUN AT 60. HERE’S SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO, HOW ABOUT MID 50S TODAY AND LOWS BACK BELOW FREEZING TONIGHT. WE DO GAIN A FEW TOMORROW INTO THE LOWER 60S. WE KIND OF WAFFLE AROUND JUST A LITTLE BIT. BUT THERE’S THAT WEEK COOLDOWN IN EASTERN NEW MEXICO ON WEDNESDAY FOLLOWED BY MAYBE A MORE SIGNIFICANT ONE FOR FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY. THERE’S A BOUNCE BACK BY SUNDAY. ALSO KIND OF RIDING THAT ROLLER COASTER HERE IN NORTHEAST NEW MEXICO. MID 50S TODAY IN LAS VEGAS. HOW ABOUT A 60 TOMORROW LOWER 50S WEDNESDAY BACK TO 60 THURSDAY. AND THEN ANOTHER DROP FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY. THAT DOES EASE BY THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEKEND. LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE A DRY AND SUNNY WEEK AHEAD THOUGH. HERE’S NORTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO. IT’S UPPER 40S AND LOWER 50S ON THE AFTERNOON THERMOMETER TODAY, AND WE DO HIT 50 IN SANTA FE TOMORROW. WE GO DOWN SLIGHTLY, WEDNESDAY BACK TO 50. THURSDAY UPPER 40S AGAIN FRIDAY SATURDAY. WE DO HAVE A VARIATION IN OUR AFTERNOON HIGHS, BUT IT’S ONLY A SLIGHT UP AND DOWN THERE IN SANTA FE FOR THE ALBUQUERQUE METRO. EXPECT SUNNY SKIES TODAY. A TEMPERATURE BACK ABOVE 50. I THINK 46 WAS OUR SUNDAY HIGH TEMPERATURE. THE AVERAGE HIGHS 48. SO NOTE THOSE LOWS. THEY DO HANG OUT BELOW FREEZING ON A DAILY BASIS, BUT THE AVERAGE LOW IS 26 OR JUST ABOVE THOSE. AND WE WILL KEEP THE AFTERNOON HIGHS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, 5 TO 7 ABOVE AVERAGE. WEDNESDAY COULD BE A DAY WHERE WE CATCH MORE OF A BREEZE, BUT OTHERWISE THIS IS A VERY QUIET STRETCH FOR THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY WITH SUNNY SKIES EVERY DAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU ERIC. IF YOUR KIDS LOVE THOSE SOFT, SQUISHY FIDGET TOYS, YOU’LL WANT TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THEM. A NEW CONSUMER REPORT INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT SOME OF THEM CAN BREAK OPEN, AND WHAT’S INSIDE MAY IRRITATE KIDS SKINS, OR EVEN CAUSE CHEMICAL BURNS. HERE’S COREY HOWARD. THESE BRIGHT, COLORFUL, SQUISHY BALLS ARE OFTEN MARKED AS CALMING SENSORY TOOLS. NOW, HUNDREDS OF ONE STAR REVIEWS ON AMAZON ARE REPORTING THE TOYS POPPED WITHIN AN HOUR OR BROKE WITHIN TWO HOURS OF PLAYING WITH IT. PARENTS HAVE REPORTED THAT THE STICKY GEL FROM THE TOYS HAS LEFT SOME KIDS WITH RED, IRRITATED OR EVEN PEELING SKIN. REPORTS FILED WITH SAFER PRODUCTS.GOV CLAIM CHILDREN SUFFERED SEVERE SKIN IRRITATION AFTER THE SQUISHY TOYS FIRST OPENED. BREAKAGE ALONE IS A CONCERN, BUT WHEN WE SAW REPORTS OF KIDS WITH RED OR PEELING SKIN AND EVEN CHEMICAL BURN LIKE INJURIES, THAT REALLY RAISED SERIOUS QUESTIONS, AND IT MADE US WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT’S INSIDE OF THESE COMPANIES. DON’T HAVE TO LIST THE INGREDIENTS OF WHAT’S INSIDE THESE SQUISHY TOYS. SOME DO, SOME DON’T. THAT’S WHY CONSUMER REPORTS SCIENTISTS TESTED SOME SCIENTISTS BOUGHT EIGHT SQUISHY GEL TOYS, BROKE THEM OPEN AND TESTED THE PH OF THE GEL. INSIDE, SEVEN HAD A NEUTRAL PH. ONE OF THEM, THE NEATO GROOVY GLOB, HAD A PH LEVEL OF TWO, WHICH IS AS ACIDIC AS LEMON JUICE OR VINEGAR. SAFETY EXPERTS SAY THE LEVEL OF ACIDITY COULD POSE A RISK FOR CHEMICAL BURNS. IF ONE OF THESE BREAKS ON YOUR CHILD’S SKIN, WASH IT OFF RIGHT AWAY AND THROW OUT THE TOY. FOR CONSUMER REPORTS, I’M COREY HOWARD. ALL RIGHT, COREY, THANK YOU SO MUCH. NO FIRST BIRTHDAYS TO START OFF THE WEEK. REMEMBER YOU CAN UPLOAD THOSE FIRST BIRTHDAY PHOTOS ALONG WITH THEIR NAME AND HOW TO PRONOUNCE IT. PLEASE TO OUR NEW LOCAL GROUP ON FACEBOOK. ALL RIGHT, TO THE ROADS. NOW TAKING A LOOK HERE AT THE BIG I. EVERYTHING’S LOOKING GOOD IN NOB HILL OLD TOWN. EVERYTHING’S IN THE GREEN FOR YOU. HEADED DOWN TO THE SOUTH VALLEY. EVERYTHING’S ALSO IN THE GREEN. SAME STORY THERE NOW. HEADED UP TO THE NORTH VALLEY FOR A RIVER. CROSSINGS. ALAMEDA. PASEO. MONTANO. THOSE ARE ALL MOVING SMOOTHLY ACROSS THE RIVER. NOW WE’RE TAKING A LOOK AT OUR LIVE DRIVE TIMES. COORS ALAMEDA TO THE BIG I. IT’S GOING TO BE AN 11 MINUTE DRIVE. WE RAMPED IT TO THE BIG I. IF YOU TAKE THE SALE 14 MINUTES AND THEN LASTLY RIO BRAVO IN COURSE OF THE BIG I AN 11 MINUTE DRIVE. IF YOU HEAD OUT THE DOOR RIGHT NOW, HERE’S TODAY’S SUNRISE SELFIE WINNER. CONGRATULATIONS TO ELIAS GONZALEZ. ALWAYS LOVE IT WHEN THE DOGS MAKE THE SUNRISE SELFIE PHOTO. THAT’S REALLY CUTE. TAKE A SELFIE. POSTED TO THE KOAT LOCAL FACEBOOK PAGE WITH THE HASHTAG SUNRISE SELFIE. IT’S 521 THIS MONDAY MORNING AS TEMPERATURES DROP IN ALBUQUERQUE, ADVOCATES ARE RACING TO HELP THE CITY’S GROWING HOMELESS POPULATION. WE’VE ALREADY SURPASSED THE AMOUNT OF TRANSPORTS THAT WE DID IN TOTALITY IN NOVEMBER. THE PROGRAM’S TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE AND THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE, ANTI-ICE PROTESTS ESCALATING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AFTER THAT DEADLY SHOOTING IN MINNESOTA, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S RESPONSE OVER THE WEEKEND, AND WHAT LAWMAKERS ARE THREATENING TO DO THIS WEEK ON CAPITOL HILL. HEY, GOOD MORNING, NEW MEXICO. IT IS 524. THANKS FOR KICKING OFF THIS NEW WEEK WITH US. WE APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR VIEWERS. HERE’S A LIVE LOOK FROM OUR LA FONDA ON THE PLAZA CAMERA OF SANTA FE. LITTLE LEFT OF THAT SNOW THAT WE SAW LAST WEEK. I HEAR IT WAS A GREAT WEEKEND ON THE MOUNTAIN, BUT THIS MORNING THE BIG STORY IS THE COLD. SO LET’S SEND IT OVER TO METEOROLOGIST ERIC GREEN. MCKINLEY IN ON THAT. YEAH, I BELIEVE RIGHT NOW IT IS 22 BELOW FREEZING DEGREES IN SANTA FE, A COLD ONE, AND WE ARE STILL HOLDING ON TO SOME SNOWPACK AND SNOW COVER ACROSS A GOOD CHUNK OF WESTERN AND NORTHERN NEW MEXICO, AND A LITTLE STRIPE OF SNOW UP AND DOWN THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN CHAIN. BENEFICIAL WINTERTIME MOISTURE FROM THAT, YOU KNOW, KIND OF SERIES OF STORM SYSTEMS. LATE LAST WEEK, OUR MONTHLY TOTAL HERE FOR JANUARY IS 0.61. WE’VE GOT A GREAT START ON THE CALENDAR YEAR 2026. WE DID WRAP UP 2025 WITH ABOUT A TWO INCH RAINFALL DEFICIT, AND THAT WAS A STORY FOR MUCH OF CENTRAL, WESTERN AND SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO. SO THAT’S WHY WE ARE HOLDING ON TO THESE PREVAILING LONG TERM DROUGHT CONDITIONS. WE STILL HAVE 3% OF NEW MEXICO IN EXTREME DROUGHT, ABOUT HALF THE STATE IN SEVERE DROUGHT. THAT DOES INCLUDE CENTRAL NEW MEXICO AND ALBUQUERQUE. IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS, WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF EASTERN NEW MEXICO THAT WAS FREE OF ANY KIND OF DROUGHT DESIGNATION OR STATUS, GET RECLASSIFIED AS BEING ABNORMALLY DRY. WELL, WE HAVE HIGH CONFIDENCE THAT THIS WEEK WILL BE MILD, ABOVE AVERAGE AND DRY. AND WE’RE GOING TO LOOK A LITTLE BIT FURTHER INTO THE FUTURE STARTING SATURDAY FOR THE WEEKEND AND INTO THE FIRST HALF OF NEXT WEEK. PRETTY HIGH CONFIDENCE THAT IT WILL NOT ONLY BE CONTINUED DRY, BUT ALSO CONTINUED ABOVE AVERAGE. BUT GETTING PAST WEDNESDAY OF NEXT WEEK FROM THIS WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY TIME PERIOD OF NEXT WEEK. THAT’S WHEN THE NEXT BATCH OF ACTIVE WEATHER COULD ROLL IN, AND WE MAY CATCH SOME PRECIPITATION PRECIPITATION CHANCES. SO WE’RE OFFICIALLY GOING TO CALL NEXT WEEK AN EQUAL CHANCE AT ABOVE AND BELOW AVERAGE PRECIPITATION. HOWEVER, WE HAVE PRETTY HIGH CONFIDENCE THAT TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE TO STAY ABOVE AVERAGE RIGHT ON THROUGH THE END OF NEXT WEEK. HAPPENING TODAY, THE U.S. AIR FORCE THUNDERBIRDS ARE HEADING TO ROSWELL. THE ELITE FLYING TEAM WILL BRING ONE OF ITS JETS TO ROSWELL AIR CENTER AS THEY PREPARE FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, AIR RACES AND AIR SHOW IN SEPTEMBER. THE THUNDERBIRDS ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE AROUND 1030, WITH POSSIBLE FLYOVER AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE LANDING. THE JETS WILL DEPART LATER TODAY. TEAM KOAT WAS AT SKI SANTA FE THIS WEEKEND FOR THE ANNUAL MEDIA SKI CUP. SKI NEW MEXICO PUTS THIS FRIENDLY COMPETITION ON EACH YEAR. IT’S A WAY TO GET ALL THE TV STATIONS TOGETHER AND TO MEET UP WITH THE REPS FROM ALL OF THE SKI RESORTS IN THE STATE, KOAT PLACED THIRD IN THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION. THERE ARE THREE TV STATIONS IN. THAT’S A NICE WAY OF SAYING THAT WE CAME IN LAST, BUT GOOD JOB. FRIENDLY COMPETITION. YES. YEAH, IT WAS REALLY FUN. I HAD A BLAST UP THERE. ALL RIGHT. COMING UP TONIGHT ON KOAT 7 AT SIX, THE NFL WILD CARD ROUND UP WRAPS UP WITH THE AFC MATCHUP BETWEEN THE HOUSTON TEXANS AND PITTSBURGH STEELERS. THIS ALSO MEANS THAT WE WON’T HAVE OUR NEWSCAST AT THIS TIME. BUT THEN DON’T MISS ACTION 7 NEWS AFTER THE GAME WITH DOUG AND SHELLY. WE’LL BE RIGHT BACK. LET’S GO BUD. HURRY UP. COME ON. I’M A BASEBALL DAD. JUST BECAUSE I DIDN’T GO PRO DOESN’T MEAN MY KID WON’T. GIVE ME THAT KID. JUST EVERYONE WATCHING. COACH SAYS IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU WIN OR LOSE THE GAME, BUT THAT’S WHAT LOSERS SAY. SWIVEL THOSE HIPS, RIGHT, AND YOU GOTTA SWING. WHOA! AND IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT INSURANCE, YOU COULD BE PAYING FOR THIS YOURSELF. GET ALLSTATE AND SAVE MONEY AND BE PROTECTED FROM MAYHEM. YEAH, LIKE ME. DULCOLAX. GOOD MORNING. HEY. DULCOLAX. LIQUID GEL WITH LIQUID CORE. RE-ACTIVATES YOUR NATURAL GUT RHYTHM OVERNIGHT FOR RELIEF THAT FEELS AMAZING. DULCOLAX LIQUID GEL. CUTE AN OUTFIT. BUT CAN MY TV WIDER? IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT. TEETH YELLOW WITH TIME A DENTIST REALITY CHECKUP. JUST ONE KIT OF 3D WHITE STRIPS REVEALS YOUR WIDEST SMILE FOR 12 MONTHS. HELLO, I KNOW CREST P&G. IN TODAY’S TECH BYTES, INSTAGRAM SAYS YOUR ACCOUNTS ARE SECURE. THAT FOLLOWED SOME USERS RECEIVING PASSWORD RESET REQUESTS FROM INSTAGRAM, WHICH SAYS IT SYSTEMS WERE NOT BREACHED. BUT AN ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE COMPANY REPORTS THERE WAS A BREACH REVEALING MILLIONS OF USERS SENSITIVE INFORMATION. GAMESTOP IS FACING AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE AS IT REPORTEDLY SHUTS DOWN MORE THAN 400 STORES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. ALSO, LOCATIONS IN CANADA AND EUROPE ARE SAID TO BE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK. DIGITAL ADOPTION IN THE GAMING INDUSTRY HAS THROWN GAMESTOP’S BUSINESS MODEL INTO TURMOIL. WALMART IS EXPANDING ITS DRONE DELIVERY SERVICE TO 150 MORE STORES, INCLUDING LOCATIONS IN LA SAINT LOUIS, CINCINNATI AND MIAMI. CUSTOMERS CAN ACCESS THE SERVICE THROUGH THE WING APP. WALMART EXPECTS 40 MILLION AMERICANS TO BE ABLE TO USE THE DRONE SERVICE BY YEAR’S END. THOSE ARE YOUR TECH BYTES. I’M HANNAH PATEL. COVERAGE YOU CAN COUNT ON. KOAT ACTION SEVEN NEWS MORE IN THE MORNING STARTS RIGHT NOW. ANTI-ICE PROTESTS SPREADING ACROSS THE COUNTRY. DEMONSTRATORS CALLING FOR ANSWERS AFTER A DEADLY SHOOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS. I DON’T CARE WHAT SIDE YOU’RE ON. NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO DIE THAT WAY. SOME LAWMAKERS ARE NOW QUESTIONING THE FEDERAL RESPONSE AND DEMANDING THAT ICE RAIDS STOP. THE VERY COLD NIGHTS WE ARE SEEING ARE MAKING LIFE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE HOMELESS IN ALBUQUERQUE. THE HELP THE CITY IS NOW OFFERING TO THOSE IN NEED, RESHAPING DAILY LIFE IN RURAL NEW MEXICO. THE THOUSANDS OF HOMES AND BUSINESSES THAT WILL SOON BE CONNECTED TO THE BROADBAND INTERNET. GOOD MORNING, NEW MEXICO. IT IS MONDAY, JANUARY 12TH. I’M PEYTON SPELLACY AND I’M ROYALE DA. LET’S GET A CHECK OF OUR KOAT 7 WEATHER FORECAST. ERIC, IT’S REALLY COLD EVEN IN THE METRO, SO I CAN’T EVEN IMAGINE UP NORTH WHAT THEY’RE FEELING. YEAH WE ARE. WE HAVE SOME SINGLE DIGIT WIND CHILLS AROUND THE STATE. I MEAN, IT’S FINALLY A TRUE SHOT OF WINTER, BUT IT’S GOING TO BE VERY SHORT LIVED. TEMPERATURES TRENDING BACK UP ALREADY THIS WEEK. ALREADY BY THIS AFTERNOON, I THINK IT’LL FEEL NOTICEABLY WARMER THAN THOSE WEEKEND DAYS. WE’VE GOT WARMER DAYS AHEAD. I DON’T THINK WE’RE CHALLENGING RECORDS LATER ON THIS WEEK LIKE WE WERE DOING FOR MUCH OF DECEMBER, BUT EVERY DAY WILL BE ABOVE AVERAGE. IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE SITTING RIGHT NOW AT 26. YEAH, WELL BELOW FREEZING HERE IN THE METRO. IT’S 15 IN GALLUP, 13 IN GRANTS. LOOK AT THOSE TEENS UP TOWARDS FARMINGTON AND DURANGO, DOWN AT 16. MORIARTY. AND WE’VE GOT TEN IN TAOS RIGHT NOW. YOU LOOK TO BE THE COLD SPOT ON THE MAP. SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO. WELL, WE FINALLY HAVE EVERYBODY DOWN BELOW FREEZING. THE WARM SPOTS ARE AT 30 FOR BOTH TIERRA OESTE LAS CRUCES. WE’VE BEEN HOLDING ON TO THIS WIND HERE IN SANTA FE. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS A CORRECT OBSERVATION THERE INTO LORDSBURG, BUT THEY HAVE HAD THAT 15 PLUS MILE PER HOUR WIND BEING REPORTED OUT OF SANTA FE AIRPORT. NOW FOR THE PAST FEW HOURS, THE WIND JUST DRAINS RIGHT DOWN IN THAT RIVER VALLEY THERE, AND THAT HITS THE AIRPORT IN SANTA FE. SO THE FEELS LIKE NUMBER IN SANTA FE WHERE THE WINDS ARE SWITCHED ON IS 15. THE FEELS LIKE NUMBER FOR GALLUP AND GRANTS DOWN AT FIVE AND TWO RESPECTIVELY. NEED WINTER COATS ON THIS MORNING? NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT. WHERE WE HEADED MIDDAY? CLIMBING INTO THE 40S TO AROUND 50. IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO, FARMINGTON WILL BE THE ONE SPOT THAT LAGS. I DON’T SEE US CLIMBING OUT OF THE UPPER 30S IN FARMINGTON THIS AFTERNOON. LOOK AT SANTA FE AND TAOS IN THOSE MIDDLE AND UPPER 40S BACK ON THE PLUS SIDE OF 50 IN ALBUQUERQUE. LOTS OF MID-FIFTIES THIS AFTERNOON IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO. SKIES SUNNY OR MOSTLY SUNNY THROUGHOUT, AND I DON’T THINK WE’LL HAVE MUCH IN THE WAY OF WIND GUSTS TO DEAL WITH THIS AFTERNOON. MOST OF US, THOSE WINDS COME IN DELIGHTFULLY LIGHT. WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT OUT THAT BELOW FREEZING CHILL FOR SEVERAL HOURS THIS MORNING. MIDDAY TEMPERATURES JUMPING INTO THE MID 40S AND THIS AFTERNOON HAS US RIGHT AROUND 50 OR IN THE LOWER 50S FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THIS WILL TURN INTO, BY JANUARY STANDARDS, A PRETTY DELIGHTFUL DAY. THANK YOU ERIC. LET’S GET A CHECK OF THE ROADS. WE’RE GOING TO PULL UP THE TRAFFIC MAP. LOT OF GREEN ON THERE. ALWAYS LOVE TO SEE THAT. THAT DRIVE BETWEEN SANTA FE AND ALBUQUERQUE CLEAR IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. AND IF YOU’RE MAKING YOUR WAY THROUGH BERNALILLO SOON, NO PROBLEMS THERE TO TELL YOU ABOUT SOUTH OF THE METRO. IT’S ALSO LOOKING GOOD. SO IF YOU’RE ON THE EAST OF PUEBLO, GOOD MORNING TO YOU BOTH. SKI FARMS, LOS LUNAS. NO ISSUES GETTING INTO ALBUQUERQUE RIGHT NOW. LIVE DRIVE TIME SHOW YOU THE SAME STORY. THIS IS EASTBOUND I-40 THAT WE GOT PULLED UP FOR YOU. ALL OF THAT STRETCH IS LOOKING GREAT. ANTI ICE PROTESTS ARE ESCALATING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AFTER A DEADLY SHOOTING BY AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER IN MINNEAPOLIS. PROTESTS HAVE BROKEN OUT IN MULTIPLE CITIES, INCLUDING HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE, AS DEMONSTRATORS DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY AND CALL FOR ICE TO LEAVE THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION INSISTS THE ICE AGENT ACTED IN SELF-DEFENSE WHEN HE SHOT RENEE GOOD LAST WEEK. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS OFFICER, IN HIS MIND, THOUGHT HIS LIFE WAS IN DANGER, WHICH ALLOWS HIM TO USE LETHAL FORCE. HOW CAN WE TRUST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DO AN OBJECTIVE, UNBIASED INVESTIGATION WHEN AT THE BEGINNING OF THAT INVESTIGATION, THEY HAVE ALREADY ANNOUNCED EXACTLY WHAT THEY THINK HAPPENED? LAWMAKERS IN MINNESOTA INSIST GOOD DID NOT COMMIT ANY OFFENSE AND ARE CALLING FOR TRANSPARENCY IN THE FBI’S INVESTIGATION. SOME DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS ARE THREATENING TO FREEZE ICE FUNDING UNLESS REFORMS ARE ADDED TO THE UPCOMING SPENDING BILL. WE NOW KNOW THE MAN KILLED IN A RECENT SHOOTING INVOLVING ALBUQUERQUE POLICE, COURT DOCUMENTS IDENTIFIED HIM AS 41 YEAR OLD JAMES LITERAL. POLICE SAY OFFICERS SHOT AND KILLED HIM AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO ROB A SHIPPING FACILITY SATURDAY AFTERNOON NEAR CENTRAL AND JUAN TABO. LITERAL HAD AN EXTENSIVE CRIMINAL HISTORY. PRIOR CONVICTIONS INCLUDE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, FELONY BURGLARY AND MULTIPLE ASSAULTS AND DRUG RELATED CHARGES DATING BACK TO 2007. THIS MORNING, AS THE TEMPS DROP, A LOOK AT THE WORK ADVOCATES ARE DOING TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE LIVING IN ALBUQUERQUE STREETS. NOW. ONE AGENCY SAYS THE CITY’S HOMELESS POPULATION IS GROWING AND THE NEED FOR HELP HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER. JOHN RUPOLO HAS MORE. SUNDAY NIGHT IN DOWNTOWN ALBUQUERQUE, IT’S ABOUT 30 DEGREES, AND THESE PEOPLE WILL BE SLEEPING ON THE STREETS. IT’S A SNAPSHOT OF THE CITY’S HOMELESS PROBLEM. WE MET JOEY HOMES. HE SAYS HE’S BEEN HOMELESS FOR SEVEN YEARS. HE’S WITH HIS DOG, ROCKY. EVERYTHING YOU OWN IS IN THIS CART. YES, SIR. HE SAYS HE REFUSES TO GO TO A SHELTER, SO HE SLEEPS OUTSIDE IN A TENT TO TRY AND HELP ALBUQUERQUE COMMUNITY SAFETY STARTED TRANSPORTING THE HOMELESS TO SHELTERS BACK IN NOVEMBER. THEY SAY NUMBERS HAVE INCREASED. WE’VE ALREADY SURPASSED THE AMOUNT OF TRANSPORTS THAT WE DID IN TOTALITY IN NOVEMBER, SO WE’RE SEEING AN INCREASE OF SERVICES AND TRANSPORTS. THE NEW MEXICO COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS SAYS THE CITY’S HOMELESS POPULATION IS RISING, MUCH OF THAT LINKED TO MENTAL ILLNESS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. RIGHT. THANK YOU SIR. THE HOMELESS GETTING FOOD AND CLOTHES FROM THE JOY JUNCTION SHELTER. IT CAN BE DIFFICULT IN THE SENSE THAT IT CAN BE A LITTLE, YOU KNOW, SAD TO SEE PEOPLE IN THE SITUATION ALL THE TIME, BUT WE’VE BEEN DOING IT A WHILE AND EVERYONE’S REALLY COOL ABOUT IT. ACES SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT TO GAIN THE TRUST OF THE HOMELESS SO THEY CAN ACCEPT THE HELP. JOHN ROPPOLO KOAT ACTION SEVEN NEWS. THE SHELTER’S OUTREACH TEAM OPERATES SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, MAKING MULTIPLE STOPS ACROSS THE CITY. THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN CONNECTS PEOPLE WITH ACES FOR TRANSPORTATION TO LOCAL SHELTERS. TULAROSA MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS ARE CANCELED TODAY TO HONOR THE LIFE OF A STUDENT WHO DIED IN LATE DECEMBER. ACCORDING TO A POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THE CLOSURE IS MEANT TO GIVE THE COMMUNITY THE CHANCE TO GO TO THE FUNERAL. THEY WILL ALSO PROVIDE A TIME OF SPACE AND REFLECTION. CLASSES WILL RESUME TOMORROW. HAPPENING TODAY. STATE OFFICIALS ARE CELEBRATING THOUSANDS OF NEW BROADBAND CONNECTIONS IN RURAL PARTS OF VALENCIA AND SOCORRO COUNTIES. IT IS A BIG DAY. THIS IS A CULMINATION OF YEARS OF WORK. THE FUNDING WAS PROVIDED IN 2021. WE WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEPLOY THIS PROGRAM IN 2023, AND WE MADE THE AWARD IN 2024. SO THIS DOESN’T JUST BENEFIT BENEFIT. VALENCIA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. IT’S FOR ALL OF VALENCIA AND SOCORRO COUNTIES. GEOGRAPHY NO LONGER DETERMINES OPPORTUNITY. WE ARE ABLE TO CONNECT EVERYBODY WITH THESE NETWORKS. THAT WAS JEFF LOPEZ WITH THE OFFICE OF BROADBAND EXPANSION. THIS WILL BE THE SIXTH INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT BY THE STATE. LEADERS HOPE IT WILL CONNECT MORE THAN 4000 LOCATIONS IN VALENCIA AND SOCORRO COUNTIES. CURRENTLY, 90% OF NEW MEXICANS HAVE ACCESS TO BROADBAND. THE STATE HOPES BY THE END OF THE YEAR, THAT NUMBER WILL GO UP TO 94%. NEW ON SEVEN SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORY SAYS IT GENERATED A RECORD $5.2 BILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT LAST YEAR, MARKING ITS 17TH STRAIGHT YEAR OF RECORD SPENDING. THE LAST SAYS MOST OF THAT INVESTMENT WENT INTO ITS WORKFORCE AND SMALL BUSINESSES, INCLUDING MORE THAN $1 BILLION SPENT WITH SMALL BUSINESSES. NEARLY HALF OF WHICH ARE BASED HERE IN NEW MEXICO. OFFICIALS ALSO SAY SANDIA PAID ABOUT $144 MILLION IN GROSS RECEIPTS, TAXES AND EXPANDED EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE. CURRENTLY, 537 THIS MONDAY MORNING, THE NEW YEAR HAS SOME PEOPLE SHOPPING FOR A CAR. WHAT EXPERTS SAY YOU NEED TO CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY. A SEVERE FLU SEASON SWEEPING ACROSS THE COUNTRY THIS MORNING. THE LATEST CASE NUMBERS AND WHAT HEALTH OFFICIALS WANT YOU TO DO RIGHNOW. ALL RIGHT. IT IS 540 RIGHT NOW ON OUR MONDAY MORNING. LET’S PUT OUR EYES ON THE CATHEDRAL JUST OFF THE PLAZA IN SANTA FE, SANTA FE. WE’VE MELTED ALL THAT SNOW AND ICE PACK OFF THE ROADS. THERE STILL IS SOME, ESPECIALLY IN THE SHADY SPOTS. WE’RE BELOW FREEZING IN SANTA FE THIS MORNING. IS 22 DEGREES RIGHT NOW. WE’RE ALSO BELOW FREEZING BOTH RIO RANCHO AND AT THE ALBUQUERQUE SUNPORT. CURRENTLY AT 27. WE’LL LOSE A COUPLE MORE DEGREES HERE INTO THE DAYBREAK HOUR. EXPECTING A 25 THIS MORNING AS WE’RE SENDING THE KIDS OFF TO SCHOOL. THEY’LL NEED A WARM WINTER COATS ON, MAYBE HATS AND GLOVES AS WELL. COMING BACK HOME. IT’S A HOODIE, SWEATSHIRT OR SWEATER. AFTERNOON. WE DO EXPECT SUNSHINE AND A TEMPERATURE RIGHT AROUND 50 DEGREES FOR THAT 3:00 PICKUP HOUR. ALBUQUERQUE STUDENT ARTISTS ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A NEW ART EXHIBITION CELEBRATING THE ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL. THE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON MUSEUM WANTS THEM TO FILL UP A BLACK AND WHITE MURAL WITH COLORFUL HOT AIR BALLOONS. STUDENTS IN GRADES K THROUGH 12 WHO LIVE IN ALBUQUERQUE CAN SUBMIT ORIGINAL ARTWORK. THE MUSEUM WILL PICK THEM FOR THE FOR THE EXHIBIT. FOR MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN VISIT THE CITY’S WEBSITE. JUST TWO MORE DAYS TO TAKE PART IN A WINTER TRADITION, YOU CAN HELP PICK THE NAMES FOR THE NEW MEXICO SNOW PLOWS. SO THE QR CODE ON YOUR SCREEN TAKES YOU TO THE VOTING PAGE. SOME STANDOUTS INCLUDE NEW MEXICO’S SNOW BOATS, ISOTOPES PARK, SNOW, OPPENHEIMER, SANTA OF ENCHANTMENT, AND DOWN WITH THE SILKY SLICKNESS. GOT TO GET THAT ONE RIGHT DOWN WITH THE SLICKNESS. OKAY. RIGHT NOW SALT IS PRIME IS IN THE LEAD WITH OVER 1000 VOTES. CHILI CHONGA I LIKE THAT ONE COMING UP IN A CLOSE SECOND. VOTING ENDS ON WEDNESDAY. THE TOP 12 NAMES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AND ASSIGNED TO TRUCKS. ALL RIGHT, TO THE ROADS NOW WITH KANDY CRUZ. GOOD MORNING, KANDY. RIGHT NOW, METRO AREA IS LOOKING PRETTY GOOD. WE DON’T SEE ANY CRASHES TO REPORT OR MAJOR BACKUPS OUT THERE. INTERCHANGE STILL LOOKING GREAT. ALL FOUR DIRECTIONS. COORS IS MOVING UP TO SPEED RIGHT NOW. BOTH NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND LANES. RIO BRAVO THAT’S A STEADY PACE EAST AND WESTBOUND, AND YOUR RIVER CROSSINGS ARE PRETTY CLEAR. WE’RE NOT SEEING BACKUPS ON MONTANO, PASEO OR ALAMEDA FROM THE NEWS RADIO 96 THREE FM TRAFFIC CENTER. THIS IS KANDY CRUZALL RIGHT, 5:4 GOING ON THIS MONDAY MORNING, WE’RE WATCHING A TEMPERATURE INCREASE PLAY OUT THIS WEEK I THINK. AND WE DO NOT HAVE A CHANCE AT RAIN OR SNOW. WHILE WE WILL BE ABOVE AVERAGE ON A DAILY BASIS, I DON’T THINK WE’LL BE CHALLENGING RECORD HIGHS. AND WE HAD THAT BIG DIP IN THE JET STREAM AND THAT COLD PLUNGE FOR THE PAST WEEKEND, BUT WE’VE ESSENTIALLY SHED THAT. AND WITH THE STORM TRACK BACK OFF TO OUR NORTH AND THESE PACIFIC WESTERLIES BECOMING WELL ESTABLISHED, MILD AND DRY SKIES GOING TO BE THE STORY. EVERY DAY THIS WEEK WE ARE MAKING A LITTLE TEMPERATURE PROGRESS OVER YESTERDAY. WE’RE STUCK IN THE 40S IN ALBUQUERQUE YESTERDAY, BACK ABOVE 50 JUST BY ONE MID 40S. SANTA FE, SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO, THOSE WARMEST SPOTS IN THE MID 50S. REALLY NOT A BIG TEMPERATURE SPREAD FROM NORTH TO SOUTH OR EAST TO WEST. DON’T THINK WE’LL HAVE MUCH IN THE WAY OF BREEZES THIS AFTERNOON EITHER. TONIGHT, WITH MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES IT’S A DIP BACK BELOW FREEZING. WILL BE CLOSE TO THOSE 30 DEGREE TEMPERATURES IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO, BUT LOOK AT ALL THE TEENS ACROSS THE WEST AND NORTH AND OUR TRADITIONAL COOL SPOTS. IT’S GOING TO BE ANOTHER NIGHT WHERE WINTER COATS ARE MANDATORY BY THE TIME WE WAKE UP NOW FOR TOMORROW AFTERNOON, WE GAIN ABOUT FIVE DEGREES OVER TODAY’S HIGHS. BACK HITTING 50 IN SANTA FE, 55 FOR ALBUQUERQUE, SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO. A FEW 60S SHOW UP. IT’S A SUNNY OR MOSTLY SUNNY SKY AND PRETTY LIGHT IN THE BREEZE DEPARTMENT TOO. FOR TUESDAY AFTERNOON AS WE EYE UP OUR WEDNESDAY. LITTLE CHANGE. STILL EYEING UP THOSE HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE 40S AND 50S AND 60S IN THE MILDEST SPOTS DOWN SOUTH. WEDNESDAY COULD BE A DAY, THOUGH, WHERE WE CATCH JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A BREEZE. HERE’S THE AVERAGE HIGH AND LOW HERE AS WE GET INTO THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY, 48 AND 26. HIGHS ON A DAILY BASIS, ABOVE AVERAGE BY ALMOST TEN ON THE WARMEST DAYS. THOSE LOWS ALSO ABOVE AVERAGE, BUT ONLY BY A FEW DEGREES. YOU CAN SEE FROM BOOKEND TO BOOKEND. IN THIS SEVEN DAY STRETCH. IT’S A SEVEN DAY STRETCH FULL OF SUN FILLED SKIES. FLU CASES ARE SURGING ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE CDC ESTIMATES MORE THAN 15 MILLION CASES SO FAR THIS SEASON, MAKING THIS THE WORST RESPIRATORY ILLNESS SEASON SINCE 1997. ABOUT 180,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED, AND MORE THAN 7000 PEOPLE HAVE DIED HERE IN NEW MEXICO, FLU ACTIVITY REMAINS VERY HIGH. MOST CASES ARE LINKED TO A SEVERE STRAIN OF THE FLU, KNOWN AS SUBCLADE K. THIS SUBCLADE K, WHICH IS A NEW STRAIN THAT PROBABLY IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT VACCINE, THE FLU VACCINE. PREVENTS SEVERE ILLNESS, PREVENTS HOSPITALIZATIONS, THE CDC SAYS ABOUT 130 MILLION FLU VACCINE DOSES HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED THIS SEASON, COVERING LESS THAN 40% OF THE U.S. POPULATION. HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY GETTING VACCINATED REMAINS YOUR BEST DEFENSE AND CAN HELP PREVENT SERIOUS ILLNESS. IF YOU DO GET SICK. AND THE NEW YEAR MEANS SOME OF YOU MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR A NEW OR USED CAR. AND WE’RE HELPING YOU AVOID ANY BUYER’S REMORSE. ALYSSA MUNOZ IS LIVE FOR US THIS MORNING WITH THE TOP RATED BRANDS FROM CONSUMER REPORTS, PLUS THE RED FLAGS TO SPOT BEFORE SIGNING ANYTHING. HI, ALYSSA. HI. GOOD MORNING GUYS. WELL, A CONSUMER REPORTS EDITOR TELLS ME THAT A NEW CAR IS AVERAGING ABOUT $50,000 RIGHT NOW AND WILL FOR USED CAR. IT’S HALF THAT PRICE. CONSUMER REPORTS LOOKED AT RELIABILITY LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR COSTS AND PUT TOYOTA AND HONDA AT THE TOP. IF YOU WANT SOMETHING FLASHIER BUT ALSO PRACTICAL, LEXUS ALSO GOT A THUMBS UP. NOW, WHATEVER YOU BUY, AIM FOR THE NEWEST SAFETY TECH YOU CAN AFFORD. WHETHER YOU’RE SHOPPING AT BIG DEALERSHIPS, LOCAL LOTS, OR SCROLLING THROUGH FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE, CONSUMER REPORTS SAYS THESE ARE THE MUST HAVES TO KEEP ON YOUR RADAR. THE BEST THING THAT YOU CAN DO IS DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE AND LOOK UP THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WHICH IS THE VIN, IN SOMETHING LIKE CARFAX, MANY DEALERS ARE GOING TO OFFER THAT AS A FREE ADD ON. SO YOU COULD SEE THE HISTORY OF THE VEHICLE. IT’S ALWAYS AS GOOD AS THE INFORMATION PUT IN, BUT AT LEAST YOU’LL SEE IF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. IF THERE WERE ACCIDENTS. SOME RED FLAGS YOU SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR IS IF THERE ARE BIG GAPS IN THE CAR’S HISTORY, IF THERE’S MISMATCHED TIRES, OR EVEN IF THE CAR’S MOVED AROUND A LOT. REPORTING LIVE. I’M MELISSA MUNOZ, KOAT ACTION 7 NEWS A HOLIDAY SURPRISE IS MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR THE SANTA FE ANIMAL SHELTER AND HUMANE SOCIETY. THEY GOT AN UNEXPECTED $100,000 DONATION FROM AN ANONYMOUS COUPLE WHO WALKED IN WITH A CHECK ON CHRISTMAS EVE. THE GIFT WILL HELP COVER THE COST OF CARING FOR ANIMALS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INCLUDING MEDICAL TREATMENTS AND PROGRAMS THAT HELP KEEP PETS WITH THEIR FAMILIES. WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THIS WORK WITHOUT OUR COMMUNITY, AND TIME AND TIME AGAIN, WE ARE SHOCKED THAT PEOPLE SHOW UP AND CARE ABOUT OUR ANIMALS AND THERE ARE NO WORDS THAT CAN DESCRIBE HOW GRATEFUL WE ARE. THE PETS IN THESE VIDEOS ARE JUST THAT SMILE AND THAT LITTLE CHIHUAHUA. OH SO CUTE. WELL, THE DONORS ASKED TO STAY ANONYMOUS, BUT SHELTER LEADERS SAY THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN THEIR FAMILY’S HISTORY. FOR INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED, YOU CAN FIND A LINK ON OUR WEBSITE. HAPPENING TODAY ABQ RIDE’S ROUTE 790 IS BACK ON THE ROAD AFTER A WINTER BREAK. IT CONNECTS THE WEST SIDE TO DOWNTOWN OLD TOWN AND THE UNIVERSITY AREA. ROUTE 790 RUNS HOURLY ON WEEKDAYS FROM ABOUT 6 A.M. TO 7 P.M., STARTING AT THE NORTHWEST TRANSIT CENTER NEAR COTTONWOOD MALL. SCHEDULES AND TRANSIT APP INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT ABQ RIDE.COM. WELL, IT’S 750 OR EXCUSE ME, 550. THIS MONDAY MORNING. A LITTLE PREP CAN GO A LONG WAY DURING A DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENT. OUR UNM HEALTH EXPERT HAS TIPS TO HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME. AND HERE’S RACHEL IN WASHINGTON. NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND IRAN MAY BE ON THE TABLE. I’M RACHEL HIRSCHHEIMER IN WASHINGTON WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP’S PROPOSAL FOR THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC. ALL RIGHT. LET’S GET A CHECK OF TRAFFIC RIGHT NOW WITH KANDY CRUZ. GOOD MORNING. KANDY. RIGHT NOW, THE STREETS REALLY DON’T LOOK TOO BAD AT ALL. WE DON’T HAVE ANY CRASHES TO WORRY ABOUT. SANTA FE TO ALBUQUERQUE ON I-25 RIGHT NOW. STILL SEEING A LOT OF GREEN INDICATORS BOTH NORTH AND SOUTHBOUND LANES. BERNALILLO STILL LOOKS GOOD ON HIGHWAY 550. THAT’S MOVING SMOOTHLY. BOTH DIRECTIONS. 528 PROBLEM FREE AS YOU’RE HEADING INTO THE CITY AND ALBUQUERQUE DOWN TO LOS LUNAS. RIGHT NOW, WE’RE NOT SEEING ANY ISSUES ON I-25 OR ON HIGHWAY 47. FROM THE NEWS RADIO 96.3 FM TRAFFIC CENTER. THIS IS KANDY CRUZ FOR TRAFFIC WATCH 7. ALL RIGHT. KANDY, THANK YOU SO MUCH. HERE ARE THOSE LIVE DRIVE TIMES. SANTA FE TO ALBUQUERQUE, NO PROBLEMS THERE TO TELL YOU ABOUT RIO RANCHO PASEO IS LOOKING GOOD AT EIGHT MINUTES AND LISTENERS TO ALBUQUERQUE. THAT DRI WILL TAKE YOU 17 MINUTES. SIX MINUTES TILL 6:00 HERE. I BELIEVE WE ARE CHECKING IN ON TAOS SKI VALLEY THERE, WHERE WE PICKED UP SOME BIG TIME SNOW LAST WEEKEND. RIGHT INTO THE WEEKEND, PERFECT SKIING CONDITIONS AND YOU KNOW, A LOT OF WESTERN AND NORTHERN NEW MEXICO AND AREAS UP AND DOWN THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN CHAIN STILL HAVE SNOW COVER ON THE GROUND. THE LIGHT SNOW THAT WE PICKED UP IN ALBUQUERQUE, IT WAS BARELY WARM ENOUGH TO MELT, ESPECIALLY ON SATURDAY. BUT SUNDAY WE SAID GOODBYE TO A LOT OF THAT IN THE BACKYARD. THAT STORM SYSTEM BROUGHT OVER A HALF INCH TO THE RAIN GAUGE SUNPORT YEAR TO DATE NOW AND FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY SITS AT 0.61. WE’RE WELL ABOVE AVERAGE NOW FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY. BUT REMEMBER, WE WRAPPED UP 2025 WITH ALMOST A TWO INCH RAINFALL DEFICIT. AND THAT’S THE REASON, AS WE LOOK AT OUR UPDATED DROUGHT MAP, THAT HALF THE STATE BASICALLY ALL OF CENTRAL, WESTERN AND SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO IS STILL CONSIDERED CONSIDERED RATHER TO BE IN SEVERE DROUGHT STATUS. NOW IN EASTERN AND NORTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO, WE HAD THE MAP COMPLETELY CLEAN AND CLEAR OF ANY DROUGHT CLASSIFICATION OR DESIGNATION, BUT THAT AREA HAS BEEN RECLASSIFIED AS BEING ABNORMALLY DRY. WELL, WE THINK RIGHT ON THROUGH THIS SEVEN DAY STRETCH THROUGH THE UPCOMING WEEKEND, IT STAYS ABOVE AVERAGE AND IT DOES STAY DRY. LOOKING A LITTLE FURTHER INTO THE FUTURE, THE WEEKEND IN THE FIRST HALF OF NEXT WEEK, PRETTY HIGH CONFIDENCE THAT IT STAYS NOT ONLY, WELL, DRIER THAN AVERAGE, BUT ALSO TEMPERATURES WILL BE RUNNING WELL ABOVE AVERAGE. NOW, A LITTLE BIT FURTHER INTO THAT STRETCH. YOU KNOW WE GET INTO WEDNESDAY OF NEXT WEEK WITH THIS NEXT MAP AND THEN THIS NEXT MAP INCLUDES THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY. SO SECOND HALF OF NEXT WEEK AND NEXT WEEKEND. AND WE MAY BE EYEING UP SOME MOISTURE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF NEXT WEEK. EQUAL CHANCES AT ABOVE OR BELOW AVERAGE MOISTURE THROUGH THAT STRETCH, BUT RIGHT ON THROUGH THE END OF NEXT WEEK, EVEN THOUGH WE COULD GET SOME MOISTURE SECOND HALF OF NEXT WEEK, TEMPERATURES LIKELY STAY ABOVE AVERAGE ON A DAILY BASIS. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU ERIC. NEW ON SEVEN. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS CALLING ON CREDIT CARD COMPANIES TO CAP INTEREST RATES AT 10% FOR A YEAR. THIS IS TARGETING ONE OF THE MOST PROFITABLE AREAS OF BANKING ACCORDING TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS. BANKS WARNED LOWER RATES COULD REDUCE ACCESS TO CREDIT AND HURT MILLIONS OF BORROWERS. IT’S UNCLEAR HOW THE ADMINISTRATION COULD ENFORCE SUCH A MOVE WITHOUT ANY NEW LAWS. DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS CAN BE DIFFICULT TO GET AND ARE OFTEN PRETTY SHORT. NOW, KOAT UNM HEALTH EXPERT DOCTOR ASH SPEAKS WITH OUR OWN ALIYAH CHAVEZ ABOUT HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF THOSE VISITS. THE FIRST STEP IS TO BE PREPARED BEFORE YOUR VISIT. WRITE DOWN YOUR SYMPTOMS AND YOUR QUESTIONS. PUT YOUR TOP CONCERN FIRST, BUT SHOW THE WHOLE LIST TO YOUR DOCTOR. THIS HELPS US SEE WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT, AND MAKE SURE WE DON’T MISS ANYTHING THAT COULD BE SERIOUS. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE PEOPLE SHOULD DO BEFORE THEY GO TO THE DOCTOR? GET YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION READY AT HOME. WRITE DOWN ALL THE MEDICINES YOU TAKE, INCLUDING OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINES, VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS, BECAUSE SOME CAN CHANGE HOW OTHER MEDICINES WORK. IT ALSO HELPS TO ASK ABOUT FAMILY HISTORY TO YOUR FAMILY, LIKE CANCER, STROKE OR DIABETES. SINCE FAMILY HISTORY HELPS YOUR DOCTOR PLAN THE RIGHT CARE FOR YOU. AND WHAT SHOULD FOLKS DO DURING THE VISIT? GOOD QUESTION. SPEAK UP. ASK QUESTIONS. IF SOMETHING DOESN’T MAKE SENSE, IT’S OKAY TO SAY, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT IN A SIMPLER WAY? OR WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP FOR LONGER OR STRESSFUL VISITS, YOU CAN BRING A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER. THEY CAN HELP, LISTEN, ASK QUESTIONS, AND TAKE NOTES BECAUSE IT’S EASY TO FORGET DETAILS. AND WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE VISIT? BEFORE YOU LEAVE, MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE PLAN. KNOW WHAT TESTS YOU MIGHT NEED, WHAT MEDICINE TO TAKE, AND WHEN TO FOLLOW UP. IF YOU’RE NOT SURE, ASK AGAIN. IT’S BETTER TO LEAVE WITH CLEAR ANSWERS THAN TO FEEL CONFUSED AT HOME. ALSO HELPFUL FOR ALL OF US. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. IT’S BEEN A CELEBRATION OF PLAYOFF FOOTBALL, CAPPED OFF ON OUR SUNDAY WITH THREE NFL WILD CARD GAMES. LOTS TO CHEER ABOUT IN THESE DAYS. YOUR TEAM PICK UP A BIG WIN. WELL, FIRST IT WAS JOSH ALLEN. HE LED THE BILLS TO THEIR FIRST PLAYOFF WIN IN OVER 30 YEARS. THAT WAS A QUARTERBACK SNEAK THAT TOOK HIM TO THE ONE HE SCORED. AFTER THAT IT WAS A 24 OR 27 RATHER TO 24 WIN WITH THAT LATE GAME TOUCHDOWN WITH JOSH ALLEN RUNNING IT IN. SO THAT WAS THE FIRST GAME. THEN WE WATCHED THE 40 NINERS PULL OFF A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT UPSET AT PHILADELPHIA 23 TO 19. THAT’S THE DEFENDING CHAMPIONS THAT WENT DOWN. IT WAS A TRICK PLAY. JUWAN JENNINGS HE THREW THE BALL TO CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY. AND THEN PATRIOTS DEFENSE JUST DOMINATED THE CHARGERS SECURING A 16 TO 3 WIN BEHIND DRAKE MAYS FOURTH QUARTER TOUCHDOWN PASS. IT’S DAY FIVE OF THIS PLAYOFF BONANZA HERE. WE CAP IT OFF WITH THE HOUSTON TEXANS AT THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS. THAT GAME IS GOING TO AIR RIGHT HERE ON KOAT 7. THAT STARTS AT SIX. SO THERE WILL BE NO ACTION SEVEN NEWS AT 6:00 FIVE DAYS IN A ROW. EVERY GAME HAS BEEN REAL CLOSE AND EXCITING FOR THE MOST PART. CAN’T WAIT FOR THIS ONE TONIGHT. A TINY DEER IS MAKING SOME BIG WAVES AT A ZOO IN POLAND. LOOK AT THESE TWO FACE OFF. YEAH, THIS DEER WAS CAUGHT ON CAMERA SPARRING WITH A RHINO IN THE SNOW. IT LOOKS FRIENDLY. SO DESPITE THE RHINO WEIGHING OVER A TON, THE FEARLESS LITTLE DEER REPEATEDLY CHALLENGED IT. WHILE THE RHINO SEEMED TO RESPOND IN A PLAYFUL WAY, THANK GOODNESS THIS WOULD BE A MUCH DIFFERENT VIDEO. THE AGILITY THAT THAT RHINO IS SHOWING OFF, THOUGH, JUMPING AROUND ON THE SNOW. I GUESS I DIDN’T REALIZE THEY WERE THAT AGILE. IT’S ALMOST LIKE HE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH HOW TINY THE DEER IS. AND THE TINY DEER IS LIKE IN MY MIND, I’M HUGE. YEAH. ALL ABOUT CONFIDENCE, BABY. ALL RIGHT. TIME FOR NEW HOUR OF ACTION 7 NEWS. MORE IN THE MORNING. YOU CAN COUNT ON. KOAT. ACTION 7 NEWS MORE IN THE MORNING. STARTS RIGHT NOW. NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND IRAN MAY BE ON THE TABLE AMID DEADLY PROTESTS. ARE RACHEL HIRSCHHEIMER IS STANDING BY WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP’S PROPOSAL. AS VIOLENCE CONTINUES IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC, IF YOU’VE BEEN FILLING UP YOUR TANK LATELY AND SMILING, THERE’S A GOOD REASON GAS PRICES ARE NOW AT THEIR LOWEST IN NEARLY FIVE YEARS. WE’LL EXPLAIN WHY AND WHAT ANALYSTS EXPECT IN THE COMING MONTHS. AND STARTING A BUSINESS THIS YEAR. EXPERTS SAY HE ISN’T JUST LAUNCHING. IT’S STAYING READY, ADAPTING AND KNOWING WHEN TO STEP UP. WE’LL BREAK DOWN THE ADVICE COMING FROM TOP ENTREPRENEURS. GOOD MORNING NEW MEXICO. IT IS MONDAY, JANUARY 12TH. I’M ROYALE DA AND I’M PEYTON SPELLACY. LET’S GET A CHECK OF OUR KOAT 7 WEATHER FORECAST. ERIC. IT’S VERY COLD THIS MORNING, BUT WE COULD GET BACK IN THE AFTERNOON TO KIND OF THOSE ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES. I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER ROUND OF, WELL, MILD WINTER TEMPERATURES. WE’RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT. CHALLENGE THE RECORD ON AN EVERYDAY BASIS LIKE WE DID ALL THROUGH DECEMBER. BUT WE ARE GOING TO TREND BACK UP. I’LL TELL YOU WHAT THIS THIS WEEKEND WAS QUITE THE REALITY CHECK. IT’S LIKE, OH MY GOSH, THIS IS WHAT WINTER FEELS LIKE. COME OUT. THE GLOVES COME OUT, EVERYTHING ICED OVER THERE PRETTY HARD. WE’RE CLIMBING OUT OF THIS COLD TEMPERATURE HOLE, BUT KIND OF A SLOW PROCESS. AND THIS MORNING WE’RE WELL BELOW FREEZING AT 26 RIGHT NOW AT THE SUNPORT. AS WE LOOK AROUND THE WEST AND NORTH. LOOK AT ALL THE SPOTS DOWN TO THE TEENS. IT’S TEN DEGREES RIGHT NOW IN GALLUP, 16 IN MORIARTY. THAT FOUR CORNERS AREA. BOY, LOOK AT THE TENS AND TWELVES FOR GRANTS AND FOR FARMINGTON. IT’S 14 RIGHT NOW IN DURANGO AND SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO. WE’VE BEEN WAFFLING AROUND JUST A LITTLE BIT HERE. SEE IS BACK UP ABOVE FREEZING AT 37. I THINK WE WERE DOWN AT 30 EARLIER THIS MORNING. SILVER CITY IS AT 24. LOOK HOW COLD IT IS IN ROSWELL AND HOBBS THIS MORNING. DOWN AT 21 DEGREES. CERTAINLY COLDER THAN SUNPORT. I DON’T THINK THIS IS A CORRECT OBSERVATION HERE COMING OUT OF LORDSBURG, BUT IN SANTA FE, WE HAVE HAD SUSTAINED WINDS AT 15 PLUS FOR SEVERAL HOURS THIS MORNING. THAT COLD AIR JUST ROLLING OFF THE MOUNTAINS AND DRAINING DOWN THE RIVER VALLEY. AND THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS AT THE AIRPORT IN SANTA FE, THE WIND CHILL. IT FEELS LIKE NUMBERS FIVE RIGHT NOW IN LA CIENEGA, FEELS LIKE FOUR IN GALLUP AND GRANTS SIX IN FARMINGTON IS YOUR WIND CHILL. THERE ARE SOME BITTERLY COLD SPOTS OUT THERE WINTER COATS, HATS AND GLOVES. GOING TO NEED THAT WARM WINTER GEAR AS YOU STEP OUT THE DOOR. WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT A WHILE FOR THAT MORNING WARM-UP TO KICK IN, BUT NO LUNCHTIME TEMPERATURES JUMP INTO THE 40S TO NEAR 50 AROUND THE STATE, AND LATER ON THIS AFTERNOON, ALBUQUERQUE IS ABOVE 50 SANTA FE INTO THE MIDDLE 40S, AND LOTS OF THOSE MILDER MID 50S SHOW UP DOWN SOUTH. IT’S A SUNNY OR MOSTLY SUNNY SKY, AND I THINK THE WIND GUSTS THIS AFTERNOON STAY PRETTY LIGHT AND THEY WILL NOT BE A PROBLEM, SO WE’LL LOSE THE WIND CHILL FACTOR IN SPOTS THIS MORNING WHERE WE HAVE THOSE BREEZES. LOOK AT ALBUQUERQUE’S WINDS. LOTS OF TUBES SHOWING UP THERE JUST WAITING OUT THAT MORNING. WARM UP LATER ON THIS AFTERNOON WITH THE SUNSHINE. WE’RE UP AROUND 50 FOR AT LEAST A FEW HOURS, IT LOOKS LIKE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU ERIC. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ANNOUNCED OVER THE WEEKEND LEADERS OF IRAN CALLED TO NEGOTIATE AS A BLOODY PROTEST CHALLENGING IRAN’S RELIGIOUS RULE. CONTINUE. THE DEMONSTRATIONS STARTED LAST MONTH OVER THE COLLAPSE OF IRAN’S CURRENCY, IN PART DUE TO INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS OVER ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM. RACHEL HIRSCHHEIMER JOINS US FROM WASHINGTON WITH THE LATEST. GOOD MORNING, RACHEL. PEYTON AND ROYALE, GOOD MORNING TO YOU BOTH. ON SUNDAY, PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD REPORTERS THAT A MEETING IS BEING SET UP WITH IRAN AFTER THE COUNTRY CALLED TO NEGOTIATE. TAKE A LISTEN TO WHAT HE HAD TO SAY. WE MAY MEET WITH THEM. I MEAN, IT’S A MEETING IS BEING SET UP, BUT WE MAY HAVE TO ACT BECAUSE OF WHAT’S HAPPENING. BEFORE THE MEETING. BUT A MEETING IS BEING SET UP. IRAN CALLED. THEY WANT TO NEGOTIATE. THIS MORNING, IRAN’S FOREIGN MINISTER CLAIMED THE SITUATION HAS COME UNDER TOTAL CONTROL AFTER A CRACKDOWN ON NATIONWIDE PROTESTS IN THE COUNTRY. HE ALSO ALLEGED THESE NATIONWIDE PROTESTS IN IRAN TURNED VIOLENT AND BLOODY TO GIVE AN EXCUSE FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP TO INTERVENE, BUT OFFERED NO ACTUAL EVIDENCE FOR HIS CLAIM. SO FAR, AT LEAST TWO MAJOR NEWS OUTLETS ARE REPORTING THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN GIVEN MILITARY OPTIONS FOR A STRIKE ON IRAN, BUT HASN’T MADE A FINAL DEAL OR DECISION YET. IRAN’S PARLIAMENT SPEAKER SAYS THE U.S. MILITARY AND ISRAEL WOULD BE LEGITIMATE TARGETS IF AMERICA DOES LAUNCH A STRIKE. NOW, THE U.S. BASED HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST NEWS AGENCY IS REPORTING THAT SO FAR, AT LEAST 544 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN IRAN, INCLUDING 496 PROTESTERS IN WASHINGTON. RACHEL HIRSCHHEIMER KOAT ACTION 7 NEWS RACHEL. THANK YOU. LET’S GET A CHECK OF THE ROADS ONCE AGAIN WITH KANDY CRUZ. GOOD MORNING. KANDY. WELL GOOD MORNING RIGHT NOW. METRO AREA STILL LOOKING GREAT. WE DON’T HAVE ANY ACCIDENTS TO REPORT. THE INTERCHANGE THAT’S STILL UP TO SPEED IN ALL FOUR DIRECTIONS. COORS LOOKS GOOD AS WELL. NO ISSUES NORTH OR SOUTHBOUND. RIO BRAVO, THAT’S STILL MOVING SMOOTHLY. BOTH EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND LANES. AND WE’RE NOT SEEING ANY ISSUES AT THE RIVER CROSSINGS. MONTANO, PASEO AND ALAMEDA PROBLEM FREE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS FROM THE NEWSRADIO 96 THREE FM TRAFFIC CENTER. THIS IS KANDY CRUZ FOR TRAFFIC WATCH SEVEN. ALL RIGHT. KANDY, THANK YOU SO MUCH. HERE ARE THOSE LIVE DRIVE TIMES COORS NOW LIMITED TO THE BIG I THAT WILL RUN YOU ABOUT 12 MINUTES. RIO RANCHO TO THE BIG I PASEO NO PROBLEMS THERE TO TELL YOU ABOUT AND THE SOUTH VALLEY IS RUNNING SMOOTHLY THIS MORNING. SO IF YOU’RE NEAR RIO BRAVO AND COORS THE BIG I, THAT DRIVE WILL ALSO TAKE YOU ABOUT 12 MINUTES. IF YOU’VE NOTICED CHEAPER GAS AT THE PUMP LATELY, YOU’RE NOT IMAGINING IT. IT’S BEEN NICE TO SEE PRICES ARE NOW AT THEIR LOWEST SINCE MARCH OF 2021, GIVING DRIVERS SOME WELCOME RELIEF. ALYSSA MUNOZ IS LIVE FOR US THIS MORNING WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT’S DRIVING THIS AND WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THE MONTHS AHEAD. GOOD MORNING ALYSSA. GOOD MORNING. WILL THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR A GALLON OF GAS HAS DROPPED TO 2.73, ACCORDING TO GASBUDDY. NOW THAT’S NEARLY $0.30 LOWER THAN WHAT IT WAS AROUND THIS TIME LAST YEAR. EXPERTS SAY PRICES ARE EXPECTED TO STAY BELOW $3 FOR MOST OF THE SOUTH AND THE GULF COAST. HERE IN NEW MEXICO, PRICES HAVE GONE UP AND DOWN IN RECENT WEEKS. THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE IS NOW 2.53. IN ALBUQUERQUE IT’S $0.01 LESS, AND IN SANTA FE IT’S 245 A GALLON. ANALYSTS SAY SEASONAL DEMAND AND AMPLE FUEL SUPPLIES ARE DRIVING THE OVERALL DROP, THOUGH UNCERTAINTY IN GLOBAL MARKETS, INCLUDING OIL FROM VENEZUELA, COULD AFFECT PRICES IN THE UPCOMING MONTHS. NOW, EXPERTS SAY THEY ARE EXPECTING PRICES TO STAY LOW, BUT THAT COULD ALWAYS CHANGE IF OIL PRICES GET HIGHER. REPORTING LIVE I’M MELISSA MUNOZ, KOAT ACTION 7 NEWS. NEW ON SEVEN. THE TOWN OF MOUNTAIN AIR IS MOURNING THE LOSS OF A MAN WHO HAD BEEN MISSING FOR WEEKS. THE TOWN SAYS ALBERT PENA WAS RECENTLY FOUND DEAD. INVESTIGATORS DETERMINED HIS DEATH WAS A RESULT OF A HOMICIDE. PENA HAS BEEN MISSING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. AUTHORITIES ARE ASKING ANYONE WITH INFORMATION RELATED TO THE CASE TO CONTACT LAW ENFORCEMENT AS THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES. NEW ON SEVEN A HOUSE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN SOUTHWEST ALBUQUERQUE. CREWS WERE CALLED TO A HOME ON THIRD STREET SOUTH OF COLE AROUND 830 LAST NIGHT. HERE’S A PHOTO. FIREFIGHTERS FOUND SMOKE COMING FROM A SMALL BUILDING BEHIND THE HOUSE AND KNOCKED THE FIRE OUT WITHIN MINUTES. NO ONE WAS HURT. INVESTIGATORS ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT STARTED IT. SOME ADVICE FOR ANYONE WHO STARTED A NEW BUSINESS THIS YEAR. EXPERTS SAY THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF. NO ONE COMPETES WITH ME BUT ME IN ALL HONESTY. NOW, HOW DO I BECOME THE BEST VERSION OF MYSELF AS A BUSINESS OWNER? HOW DO I DECIDE THE PLAYERS, THE PRICING, THE STRATEGY, THE CUSTOMERS THAT I’M GOING TO SERVE? YEAH, BRADFORD RIGHT THERE ALSO ENCOURAGES NEW BUSINESS OWNERS TO TREAT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AS A TOOL, NOT A REPLACEMENT AND NOT THE ENEMY. SHE SAYS CHANGE IS INEVITABLE AND SUCCESS COMES FROM BEING READY TO ADAPT. WHEN VISION AND OPPORTUNITY ALIGN. SHE SAYS IT CAN FEEL LIKE MAGIC, BUT ENTREPRENEURS HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO STEP UP WHEN THAT MOMENT ARRIVES. IT’S CURRENTLY 607 THIS MONDAY MORNING. A HOLIDAY SURPRISE MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR THE SANTA FE ANIMAL SHELTER AND HUMANE SOCIETY. LATER IN OUR SHOW, THE STORY OF AN ANONYMOUS COUPLE WALKING IN WITH A HOLIDAY GIFT. BUT FIRST WE THINKING ABOUT BRINGING A SUIT AGAINST POWELL FOR INCOMPETENCE. FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN JEROME POWELL, UNDER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, SPARKING CLAIMS OF POLITICAL PRESSURE AND RATTLING THE MARKETS. THIS MORNING. WE’RE GOING TO BREAK DOWN WHAT IS IS GOING TO MEAN FOR THE ALL RIGHT. WELL, HERE AT TEN MINUTES AFTER SIX, WE ARE AN HOUR FROM OUR MORNING SUNRISE. THIS IS THE VIEW LOOKING BACK AT ALBUQUERQUE FROM RIO RANCHO. THAT SILHOUETTE OF THE MOUNTAINS IS JUST STARTING TO SHOW UP THIS MORNING. WE ARE WELL BELOW FREEZING, ESPECIALLY UP IN SANTA FE, TEN BELOW FREEZING AT 22. BOTH RIO RANCHO IN THE SUNPORT RIGHT NOW REPORTING A 27, WILL PROBABLY BE DOWN AT 25 AT 730. SO GETTING THE KIDS OFF TO SCHOOL GET THOSE WARM WINTER COATS ON THEM. THEY MAY WANT HATS AND GLOVES TOO, ESPECIALLY IF THEY’RE OUTSIDE FOR ANYTHING MORE THAN LIKE FIVE MINUTES LATER ON THIS AFTERNOON. LOSING SOME LAYERS, BUT STILL PROBABLY IN A HOODIE SWEATSHIRT. THIS IS GOING TO BE A DELIGHTFUL FOR JANUARY AFTERNOON. THAT 3:00 TEMPERATURE AT 51 SHOULD COME WITH LOTS OF SUNSHINE. NEW ON SEVEN. FEDERAL PROSECUTORS OPENED UP A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN JEROME POWELL. SO THEY’RE FOCUSING ON HIS TESTIMONY BEFORE THE SENATE ABOUT MULTIBILLION DOLLAR RENOVATIONS OF TWO FEDERAL BUILDINGS. SO POWELL PUSHED BACK ON THIS, SAYING THE PROBE IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED AND LINKED TO PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ATTEMPTS TO PRESSURE THE FEDS TO LOWER INTEREST RATES. THE THREAT OF CRIMINAL CHARGES IS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SETTING INTEREST RATES BASED ON OUR BEST ASSESSMENT OF WHAT WILL SERVE THE PUBLIC, RATHER THAN FOLLOWING THE PREFERENCES OF THE PRESIDENT. STOCK FUTURES FELL OVERNIGHT AS MARKETS REACTED TO THE NEWS. EXPERTS WARN THE INVESTIGATION MAY REFLECT POLITICAL PRESSURE RATHER THAN CONFIRMED WRONGDOING. AND PRESIDENT TRUMP DENIES ANY INVOLVEMENT. IT’S 611 THIS MONDAY MORNING, JANUARY 12TH. SHOPPING FOR A NEW CAR IN THE NEW YEAR? NEW OR USED. WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW TO AVOID BUYER’S REMORSE AND GET THE BEST SAFETY AND VALUE. BUT FIRST, A WARNING FOR PARENTS FROM CONSUMER REPORTS. SOME POPULAR SQUISHY TOYS CAN BURST OPE AND IRRITATE YOUR WE ARE JUST COMING UP ON 615. TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO CREEP BACK UP THIS WEEK, AND WE DO NOT SEE A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW COMING OUR WAY. WHILE WE WILL BE RUNNING ABOVE AVERAGE ON A DAILY BASIS, I DON’T THINK WE’LL BE THREATENING. RECORD HIGHS WOULD NEED TO BE IN THE LOW TO MID 60S FOR THAT HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE. WELL, THIS SOUTHERN DROP OF THE JET STREAM IS NOW PUSHED OFF TO THE EAST. THAT WAS THE COLD THAT WE WERE RIDING OUT OVER THE WEEKEND. WITH THE STORM TRACK NOW. WELL TO OUR NORTH AND THESE PACIFIC WESTERLIES BECOMING WELL ESTABLISHED, MILD AND DRY SKIES ARE GOING TO SET UP SHOP FOR SEVERAL DAYS NOW, TEMPERATURES NOT WARMING UP ALL AT ONCE. WE STILL MAY NOT HIT 40 TODAY IN FARMINGTON, AND TEMPERATURES IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO WILL BE IN THE 40S. WE’RE BACK ABOVE 50, THOUGH. IN ALBUQUERQUE WE’RE A LITTLE BIT WARMER THAN OUR SUNDAY, BUT JUST A LITTLE BIT. THOSE WARMER SPOTS IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO, THEY’LL BE IN THE MID 50S. NOTE THE AFTERNOON BREEZES. THEY SHOULD COME IN PRETTY LIGHT TODAY. WIND GUSTS ONLY EXPECTED TO BE IN THE SINGLE DIGITS NOW. OVERNIGHT TONIGHT WITH CLEAR SKIES IT IS A DIP BACK BELOW FREEZING. IT’S UPPER 20S TO AROUND 30 IN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO. MID 20S FOR ALBUQUERQUE. LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS BETWEEN LIKE TEN AND 15 DEGREES IN OUR TRADITIONAL COLD SPOTS THERE ACROSS WESTERN AND NORTHERN NEW MEXICO. SO IT’S GOING TO BE ANOTHER DAY WHERE WE START WITH A PRETTY HARSH CHILL ON TUESDAY. AND THEN TUESDAY WE’LL UP THE NUMBERS BY ABOUT FIVE COMPARED TO TODAY, 50 YEAR HIGH IN SANTA FE, MID 50S FOR ALBUQUERQUE, A COUPLE OF 60S CREEPING BACK THERE INTO SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO. IT’S A SUNNY OR MOSTLY SUNNY SKY AND OUR FORECAST WIND SPEEDS ON TUESDAY ALSO COME IN RELATIVELY LIGHT, A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THE BREEZE DEPARTMENT THAN TODAY, BUT WE CAN TOLERATE THOSE NUMBERS IN THE WELL, YOU KNOW, TEN TO MAYBE 15 RANGE IN THE STRONGEST SPOTS. THIS IS WEDNESDAY NOT EYEING UP ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE. IT’S ANOTHER ROUND OF SUNNY AND MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES AND TEMPERATURES RUNNING ABOUT 7 OR 8 DEGREES ABOVE AVERAGE FOR THE TIME OF YEAR. LOWER 60S ACROSS SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO. FOUR CORNERS FORECAST NORTHWEST NEW MEXICO. FARMINGTON. WE MAY NOT HIT 40 DEGREES. YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY MID 40S IN PLACES LIKE DURANGO. COULD EVEN TOUCH 50 DEGREES TONIGHT. IT’S THE DROP BACK INTO THE TEENS. WE GAINED FIVE DEGREES TOMORROW IN ABOUT ANOTHER FIVE. WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY WE ARE KNOCKING ON THE DOOR OF 50 DEGREES AND WE’LL SHAVE JUST A COUPLE DEGREES OFF THOSE HIGHS FOR FRIDAY. IN THE UPCOMING WEEKEND. HERE’S SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO, 52, SILVER CITY, MIDDLE 50S OFF THE MOUNTAINS. WE’LL TURN IT UP FIVE INTO TOMORROW. AND THEN JUST A COUPLE MORE INTO THURSDAY. WE’LL KEEP IT IN THE MIDDLE AND UPPER 50S ON A DAILY BASIS. RIGHT ON THROUGH NEXT WEEKEND. HERE’S SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO, RUIDOSO AT 52, ALAMOGORDO AT 54. AND IT’S GOING TO BE MID 50S FROM ROSWELL CARLSBAD. TONIGHT’S LOWS WILL ONCE AGAIN DROP TO ABOUT 20 DEGREES JUST LIKE THIS MORNING. BUT LOOK AT TOMORROW AFTERNOON. WE’RE IN THE LOW 60S. WE’LL KEEP IT IN THE 60S THROUGH THURSDAY. GRANTED, THERE IS SOME WAFFLING AROUND AND THERE’S GOING TO BE A COLD SURGE HERE THAT HITS EASTERN NEW MEXICO FOR FRIDAY AND THE FIRST PART OF THE WEEKEND. SO WE’RE DOWN TO 53 FRIDAY. AND THEN WE JUMP BACK UP SATURDAY. SUNDAY. NORTHEAST NEW MEXICO ALSO KIND OF RIDING THE ROLLER COASTER A LITTLE BIT. IT’S UPPER 40S LOW TO MID 50S. TODAY WE’RE GOOD FOR A 60. TOMORROW LOWER 50S. THEN ON WEDNESDAY BACK INTO THE LOWER 60S THURSDAY. AND THEN THERE’S THAT FRIDAY DROP TO 45 WITH THE 50S RETURNING BY THE WEEKEND. HERE’S NORTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO. IT’S UPPER 40S, LOWER 50S FOR THE ESPANOLA VALLEY. THOSE NUMBERS SHOULD COME WITH LOTS OF SUNSHINE. TONIGHT’S LOW 23 IN SANTA FE, BUT WE DO HIT 50 TOMORROW AND WE’LL KEEP IT RIGHT AROUND 50, GIVE OR TAKE A FEW DEGREES, RIGHT ON INTO AND THROUGH THE UPCOMING WEEKEND FOR THE ALBUQUERQUE METRO. TODAY’S HIGH AT 51. THAT IS A FEW DEGREES ABOVE AVERAGE AND A FEW DEGREES ABOVE WHERE WE TOPPED OUT YESTERDAY. WE ARE STILL BELOW FREEZING TONIGHT. 4826 THE AVERAGE HIGH AND LOW. NOW OUR MORNING LOWS ARE JUST BARELY ABOVE AVERAGE, BUT OUR AFTERNOON HIGHS, YOU KNOW WE’RE ABOVE AVERAGE BY ALMOST TEN ON SOME OF THE WARMEST DAYS. STAY FOR SOME BREEZES. WEDNESDAY. THIS IS GOING TO BE A PRETTY QUIET SEVEN DAY STRETCH HERE AROUND THE ALBUQUERQUE METRO. THANK YOU ERIC. IF YOUR KIDS LOVE THOSE SOFT, SQUISHY FIDGET TOYS, YOU’LL WANT TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THEM. A NEW CONSUMER REPORTS INVESTIGATION FOUND SOME OF THEM CAN BREAK OPEN. YEAH, AND IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE THAT MAY IRRITATE KIDS SKIN OR EVEN CAUSE CHEMICAL BURNS. HERE’S COREY HOWARD. THESE BRIGHT, COLORFUL, SQUISHY BALLS ARE OFTEN MARKED AS CALMING SENSORY TOOLS. NOW, HUNDREDS OF ONE STAR REVIEWS ON AMAZON ARE REPORTING THE TOYS POPPED WITHIN AN HOUR OR BROKE WITHIN TWO HOURS OF PLAYING WITH IT. PARENTS HAVE REPORTED THAT THE STICKY GEL FROM TOYS HAVE LEFT SOME KIDS WITH RED, IRRITATED OR EVEN PEELING SKIN. REPORTS FILED WITH SAFER PRODUCTS.GOV CLAIM CHILDREN SUFFERED SEVERE SKIN IRRITATION AFTER THE SQUISHY TOYS BURST OPEN. BREAKAGE ALONE IS A CONCERN, BUT WHEN WE SAW REPORTS OF KIDS WITH RED OR PEELING SKIN AND EVEN CHEMICAL BURN INJURIES, THAT REALLY RAISED SERIOUS QUESTIONS, AND IT MADE US WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT’S INSIDE OF THESE COMPANIES. DON’T HAVE TO LIST THE INGREDIENTS OF WHAT’S INSIDE THESE SQUISHY TOYS. SOME DO, SOME DON’T. THAT’S WHY CONSUMER REPORTS SCIENTISTS TESTED SOME SCIENTISTS BOUGHT EIGHT SQUISHY GEL TOYS, BROKE THEM OPEN AND TESTED THE PH OF THE GEL INSIDE. SEVEN HAD A NEUTRAL PH. ONE OF THEM, THE NEATO GROOVY GLOB, HAD A PH LEVEL OF TWO, WHICH IS AS ACIDIC AS LEMON JUICE OR VINEGAR. SAFETY EXPERTS SAY THE LEVEL OF ACIDITY COULD POSE A RISK FOR CHEMICAL BURNS. IF ONE OF THESE BREAKS ON YOUR CHILD’S SKIN, WASH IT OFF RIGHT AWAY AND THROW OUT THE TOY. FOR CONSUMER REPORTS, I’M COREY HOWARD. WELL, NO FIRST BIRTHDAYS TO START OFF THE WEEK, BUT PLEASE REMEMBER TO UPLOAD THOSE FIRST BIRTHDAY PHOTOS ALONG WITH YOUR NAME AND HOW TO PRONOUNCE IT. PLEASE TO OUR ULOCAL GROUP ON FACEBOOK. ALL RIGHT, TO THE ROADS. NOW TAKING A LOOK AT OUR TRAFFIC WATCH 7 MAP. EVERYTHING’S LOOKING GOOD HERE. IF YOU’RE HEADED SOUTHBOUND OR NORTHBOUND FROM SANTA FE, I-25, EVERYTHING’S LOOKING GOOD. IF YOU’RE HEADED DOWN TO THE METRO FOR THE MORNING NOW, HEADED DOWN TO BERNALILLO, 550 EAST TO WEST. 528. NORTH TO SOUTH FOR WESTSIDE DRIVERS. EVERYTHING’S LOOKING GOOD COMING DOWN THE HILL AS WELL. AND THEN LASTLY, TAKING A LOOK AT THESE LITTLE PUEBLO EVERYTHING ON I-25 HIGHWAY 47. EVERYTHING’S LOOKING GOOD. IF YOU’RE COMING FROM LOS LUNAS INTO ALBUQUERQUE NOW TAKING A LIVE LOOK AT OUR DRIVE TIMES. THIS IS EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON I-40 TRESCO VISTA TO THE BIG I. IT’S GOING TO BE AN EIGHT MINUTE DRIVE FOR YOU THIS MORNING. 98 TO THE BIG I, SIX MINUTES. AND THEN IF YOU HEAD OUT THE DOOR RIGHT NOW FROM COORS TO THE BIG I, IT’S GOING TO BE A FOUR MINUTE DRIVE FOR YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, PEYTON. HERE’S TODAY’S SUNRISE SELFIE WINNER. CONGRATULATIONS TO ELIAS GONZALEZ FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A MUG COURTESY OF BLAKE’S LOTABURGER. TAKE A SELFIE AND POST IT TO THE KOAT LOCAL FACEBOOK PAGE WITH THE HASHTAG SUNRISE SELFIE. VERY CUTE. IT’S 621 THIS MONDAY MORNING AS TEMPERATURES DROP IN ALBUQUERQUE, ADVOCATES ARE RACING TO HELP THE CITY’S GROWING HOMELESS POPULATION. WE’VE ALREADY SURPASSED THE AMOUNT OF TRANSPORTS THAT WE DID IN TOTALITY IN NOVEMBER. THE PROGRAM’S TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE IN THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE. ANTI-ICE PROTESTS ESCALATING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AFTER THAT DEADLY SHOOTING IN MINNESOTA, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S RESPONSE, AND WHAT LAWMAKERS ARE THREATENING TO DO THIS WEEK ON CAPITOL HILL. WE HAVE A LIVE IMAGE OF THE RUN HERE AT SKI SANTA FE. AND LOOK AT THIS EPIC ROW OF ICICLES FROM THE SNOW MELT THAT STARTED TO OCCUR OVER THE WEEKEND. BUT BOY, IT STILL LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF FRESH SNOW STILL LEFT ON THE SKI SLOPES FROM THAT FRIDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY ROUND OF ACTIVE PRECIPITATION. AND YOU KNOW, A GOOD CHUNK OF WESTERN AND NORTHERN NEW MEXICO STILL HAS SNOW ON THE GROUND, AND WE’VE GOT SOME SNOWPACK AND SNOW COVER UP AND DOWN THE CENTRAL MOUNTAIN CHAIN. AS WELL AS THIS WEEK. DOES PROGRESS. ANY SNOW OFF THE MOUNTAINS WILL MELT AWAY. IT’S GOING TO BE A COUPLE DAY PROCESS THOUGH, WITH THE LOW SUN ANGLES THAT SNOW IN THE SHADE. IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO MELT THIS TIME OF YEAR, DOESN’T IT? BUT IT’S BEEN BENEFICIAL WINTERTIME MOISTURE HERE SO FAR FOR JANUARY. WITH THAT. YOU KNOW THOSE COUPLE ROUNDS OF PRECIPITATION, THE MONTHLY TOTAL YEARLY TOTAL NOW IS AT 0.61. WE ARE WELL ABOVE AVERAGE TO START THE YEAR. LET’S HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY. REMEMBER, WE WRAPPED UP 2025 WITH ABOUT A TWO INCH RAINFALL DEFICIT. AND THAT’S WHY MUCH OF CENTRAL WESTERN SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO, ABOUT 50% OF THE STATE, IS STILL CONSIDERED TO BE INTO SEVERE DROUGHT. AND IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS WE HAVE SEEN NORTHEAST NEW MEXICO, WHICH WAS COMPLETELY CLEAN AND CLEAR OF ANY KIND OF DROUGHT CLASSIFICATION OR STATUS, BE RECLASSIFIED AS BEING ABNORMALLY DRY. I THINK THROUGH THE END OF THIS WEEK, WE DO STAY DRY, WE DO STAY WARM. LET’S BITE OFF A LITTLE CHUNK OF TIME FURTHER INTO THE FUTURE, STARTING SATURDAY INTO WEDNESDAY OF NEXT WEEK. PRETTY HIGH CONFIDENCE THAT WE DO STAY DRY, BUT TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE TO RUN ABOVE AVERAGE. THAT TAKES US TO THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. LET’S BITE OFF A CHUNK OF TIME A LITTLE FURTHER INTO THE FUTURE, YOU KNOW, GOING BACK TO MONDAY, BUT THROUGH SUNDAY OF NEXT WEEK. SO AFTER WEDNESDAY, AS WE HAVE EQUAL CHANCES AT ABOVE AND BELOW AVERAGE PRECIPITATION, THAT LOOKS LIKE WHEN THE NEXT STORM SYSTEM IS GOING TO ROLL IN SECOND HALF OF NEXT WEEK. BUT EVEN AS THAT DOES PLAY OUT, TEMPERATURES STILL LIKELY STAY ABOVE AVERAGE HAPPENING TODAY. THE U.S. AIR FORCE THUNDERBIRDS ARE HEADING TO ROSWELL, SO THE ELITE FLYING TEAM WILL BRING ONE OF ITS JETS TO THE ROSWELL AIR CENTER AS THEY PREPARE FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, AIR RACES AND AIR SHOW. IN SEPTEMBER. THE THUNDERBIRDS ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE AROUND 1030, WITH POSSIBLE FLYOVER AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE LANDING. THE JET WILL DEPART LATER TODAY. TEAM KOAT WAS AT SKI SANTA FE THIS WEEKEND FOR THE ANNUAL SKI CUP. SKI NEW MEXICO PUTS THIS FRIENDLY COMPETITION ON EACH YEAR. IT WAS A WAY TO GET ALL THE TV STATIONS TOGETHER AND MEET UP WITH REPS FROM ALL OF THE SKI RESORTS IN OUR STATE. KOAT PLACED THIRD IN THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION TEAMS, THOUGH RIGHT NOW THERE’S ONLY THREE STATIONS IN THE STATE, SO WELL, WE CAME IN LAST. HEY, THAT’S OUR EFFORT. STILL GOT A BRONZE. I WASN’T THERE, SO I CAN’T EXPLAIN THIS LOSS. I MISSED. ACTUALLY ANY OF THE POINT MAKING EVENTS BECAUSE I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC FOR THAT MORNING. SO I DIDN’T SEE YOU WENT UP AFTER THE SHOW. YEAH. I DIDN’T SEE ANY OF THE COMPETITIONS OR I DIDN’T SEE THEY KIND OF DO A PRESENTATION. AND THEN THEY QUIZ EACH OF THE STATIONS ON THEIR PRESENTATION. SO IT COULD BE LIKE HOW MUCH SNOW DID YOU MAKE IN THERE? WOW. YEAH. BUT YOU DID MAKE IT TO THE MID MOUNTAIN BAR AND HAD A HOT TODDY. RIGHT. ABSOLUTELY. SO I MET WITH SOME GREAT VIEWERS AND GOT TO MEET LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WATCH KOAT 7, WHICH WAS IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. AND IT’S JUST REALLY COOL TO SEE, YOU KNOW, HEAR FROM PEOPLE ON HOW THEY’RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND WHAT THEY DO IN SANDIA A GOOD WEEKEND TO BE UP THERE. PROBABLY THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR SO FAR. IT WAS SATURDAY. ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. IT WAS A GREAT TIME. EVEN THOUGH WE LOST. WE CAME IN THIRD PLACE, FOCUSED ON THAT COMING UP TONIGHT ON KOAT 7 AT SIX, THE NFL WILD CARD ROUND WRAPS UP WITH THE AFC MATCHUP BETWEEN THE HOUSTON TEXANS AND THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS. THIS ALSO MEANS WE WON’T HAVE OUR NEWSCAST AT THIS TIME. THEN DON’T MISS ACTION 7 NEWS AFTER THE GAME WITH DOUG AND SHELLEY. WE’LL BE RIGHT BACK. DUPIXENT CONTINUOUSLY WORKS TO HELP PREVENT ASTHMA ATTACKS SO GIRLS DAYS ARE BETTER. GAME DAYS ARE BETTER. EVEN MONDAYS ARE BETTER. DUPIXENT IS AN ADD ON TREATMENT FOR SPECIFIC TYPES OF MODERATE TO SEVERE ASTHMA. IT’S NOT FOR SUDDEN BREATHING PROBLEMS. SOME PEOPLE FELT THEIR ASTHMA SYMPTOMS IMPROVE IN AS LITTLE AS THREE DAYS. SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTIONS, INCLUDING SKIN REACTIONS, CAN OCCUR. GET HELP RIGHT AWAY FOR FACE, MOUTH, TONGUE OR THROAT SWELLING, WHEEZING, OR TROUBLE BREATHING. TELL YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY IF SIGNS OF INFLAMED BLOOD VESSELS LIKE RASH, CHEST PAIN, WORSENING SHORTNESS OF BREATH, BROWN OR DARK COLORED URINE, TINGLING OR NUMBNESS IN LIMBS. TELL YOUR DOCTOR IF NEW OR WORSENING SKIN SYMPTOMS, JOINT ACHES AND PAIN, OR A PARASITIC INFECTION. DON’T CHANGE OR STOP OTHER TREATMENTS WITHOUT TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR. DO MORE WITH LESS ASTHMA. ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT DUPIXENT, THE MOST PRESCRIBED BIOLOGIC AND ASTHMA, ALSO APPROVED AS AN ADD ON TREATMENT FOR ADULTS WITH COPD THAT IS NOT WELL CONTROLLED AND WITH A SPECIFIC MARKER OF INFLAMMATION. IN THIS MORNING’S GMA FIRST LOOK, NEW DETAILS ON THE DOCTOR UNDER ARREST IN THE MURDER MYSTERY CASE. THIS CASE IS DEFINITELY DISTURBING. WE WANT TO BRING SOME JUSTICE TO THE FAMILY. COLUMBUS POLICE SAY 39 YEAR OLD MICHAEL DAVID MCKEE SHOT AND KILLED OHIO DENTIST SPENCER AND HIS WIFE MONIQUE. THE COUPLE’S CHILDREN, AGES FOUR AND ONE, ALSO FOUND IN THE HOME BUT UNHARMED. MCKEE WAS MONIQUE TOPES EX-HUSBAND, ACCORDING TO A POLICE AFFIDAVIT. SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE HELPED INVESTIGATORS IDENTIFY MCKEE AFTER THEY SAY IT SHOWED A CAR ARRIVE JUST PRIOR TO THE HOMICIDES AND LEFT SHORTLY AFTER. POLICE SAY THEY SOON FOUND THAT CAR IN ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, OVER 400 MILES AWAY, WITH EVIDENCE LINKING IT BACK TO MCKEE AND COMING UP AT 7 A.M. WE’LL HAVE THE VERY LATEST ON THE CASE AGAINST DOCTOR MICHAEL MCKEE WITH YOUR GMA FIRST LOOK, I’M ALEX PEREZ, ABC NEWS, ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS. COVERAGE YOU CAN COUNT ON KOAT ACTION SEVEN NEWS MORE. IN THE MORNING STARTS RIGHT NOW ANTI-ICE PROTESTS ARE SPREADING ACROSS THE COUNTRY. DEMONSTRATORS CALLING FOR ANSWERS AFTER A DEADLY SHOOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS. I DON’T CARE WHAT SIDE YOU’RE ON, NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO DIE THAT WAY. SOME LAWMAKERS NOW QUESTIONING THE FEDERAL RESPONSE AND DEMANDING ICE RAIDS STOP. THE VERY COLD NIGHTS WE’RE SEEING ARE MAKING LIFE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE HOMELESS IN ALBUQUERQUE. THE HELP THE CITY IS NOW OFFERING TO THOSE IN NEED. AND RESHAPING DAILY LIFE IN RURAL NEW MEXICO. THE THOUSANDS OF HOMES AND BUSINESSES THAT WILL SOON BE CONNECTED TO BROADBAND INTERNET. WELL, GOOD MORNING, NEW MEXICO. WELCOME TO MONDAY, JANUARY 12TH. I’M PEYTON SPELLACY AND I’M ROYALE ROYALE DA. LET’S GET A CHECK OF OUR KOAT 7 WEATHER FORECAST. SO ERIC, IT IS ANOTHER REALLY, REALLY COLD MORNING OUT THERE WAY BELOW FREEZING. I MEAN, THIS WEEKEND WAS A REAL REALITY CHECK AS TO LIKE WHAT WINTER SHOULD REALLY FEEL LIKE. SO AFTER LIKE THREE DAYS OF WINTER, I THINK WE’RE ALL DONE WITH THE WE’VE HAD ENOUGH. WE’RE NOT GOING TO GET BACK INTO THAT PATTERN WHERE WE’RE BREAKING RECORDS ON A DAILY BASIS, LIKE BACK INTO DECEMBER, BUT WE WILL BE RUNNING ABOVE AVERAGE. AND, YOU KNOW, AT THIS POINT IN THIS NEXT SEVEN DAY STRETCH, WE ARE NOT EYEING UP ANY DECENT CHANCE AT RAIN OR MOUNTAIN SNOW. LOOKS LIKE IT’S GOING TO BE A DRY RUN. 26 IS THE NUMBER RIGHT NOW. SKIES ARE JUST STARTING TO BRIGHTEN UP. LOOK AT ALL THE TEENS IN NORTHWEST NEW MEXICO. COLD MORNING AND FARMINGTON AT 16 AND GALLUP AND GRANTS ARE 15 AND 13. WE’VE GOT TEENS IN MORIARTY. IT’S 11 DEGREES RIGHT NOW IN TAOS, SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO. TO YOUR SEATS. KIND OF BEEN WAFFLING AROUND BETWEEN LIKE 30 AND 36 DEGREES. 36 IS THE NUMBER HERE AT 630. LOOK AT SILVER CITY WAY DOWN AT 22. AND IT’S A COLD MORNING IN SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO AS WELL. ROSWELL AND CARLSBAD ARE BOTH SITTING AT 21 DEGREES. WE DO HAVE AN 18 MILE PER HOUR WIND BLOWING IN SANTA FE. OTHERWISE WINDS ARE LIGHT. BUT IN SANTA FE THAT WINDCHILL, THE FEELS LIKE NUMBERS DOWN AT 13. AND THOSE FEELS LIKE NUMBERS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS IN NORTHWEST NEW MEXICO. AS WE’RE EYEING UP SOME BREEZES. HERE’S THE STATEWIDE PLANNER. IT’S GOING TO TAKE A COUPLE FEW HOURS THIS MORNING TO CLIMB BACK UP ABOVE FREEZING. LUNCHTIME NUMBERS, THOUGH, SHOULD BE IN THE LOW TO MID 40S IN CENTRAL AND NORTHERN NEW MEXICO, CLOSER TO 50 DOWN SOUTH WILL CLIMB RIGHT INTO THAT 330 4:00 HOUR HIGHS TODAY. WELL, STILL IN THE 40S IN SANTA FE AND TAOS, BUT WELL ABOVE WHERE WE TOPPED OUT YESTERDAY. ALBUQUERQUE BACK UP ABOVE 50, GRANTED JUST BY ONE OF THOSE WARMER SPOTS DOWN SOUTH IN THE MID 50S. BREEZES THIS AFTERNOON SHOULD COME IN ON THE LIGHTER SIDE, JUST THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE STATE, WITH SOME 10 TO 15 YEARS THAT’S AS STRONG AS THEY GET HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE. OUR WINDS STAY LIGHT JUST WAKING UP THAT MORNING. WARM UP MIDDAY TEMPERATURES IN THE 40S IN THE AFTERNOON, RIGHT AROUND 50 DEGREES FOR SEVERAL HOURS. AND THAT WILL COME WITH SUNSHINE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ERIC, LET’S GET A CHECK OF THE ROADS. ONCE AGAIN. IT’S BEEN SMOOTH SAILING. GREAT WAY TO KICK OFF THE WEEK. EVERYTHING IN AND AROUND THE BIG I IS IN THE GREEN AND LOOKING REALLY GOOD. NO PROBLEMS TO TELL YOU ABOUT IF YOU’RE ON I-25. HEADED TO THE SUNPORT AND EVERYTHING IS LOOKING GOOD IN THE NORTH VALLEY AS WELL. ALL YOUR BRIDGE CROSSINGS ARE IN THE GREEN. LIVE DRIVE TIMES COORS ALAMEDA TO THE BIG I. THAT WILL TAKE YOU 12 MINUTES. RIO RANCHO TO THE BIG I. IF YOU TAKE THE SALES OF 14 MINUTE DRIVE AND RIO BRAVO AND OF COURSE THE BIG I, THAT DRIVE RIGHT NOW WILL TAKE YOU 13 MINUTES. 633 ANTI-ISIS PROTESTS ARE ESCALATING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AFTER A DEADLY SHOOTING BY AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER IN MINNEAPOLIS. PROTESTS HAVE BROKEN OUT IN MULTIPLE CITIES, INCLUDING ALBUQUERQUE, AS DEMONSTRATORS DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY AND CALL FOR ICE TO LEAVE THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION INSISTS THE ICE AGENT ACTED IN SELF-DEFENSE WHEN HE SHOT RENE GOOD LAST WEEK. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS OFFICER, IN HIS MIND, THOUGHT HIS LIFE WAS IN DANGER, WHICH ALLOWS HIM TO USE LETHAL FORCE. HOW CAN WE TRUST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DO AN OBJECTIVE, UNBIASED INVESTIGATION WHEN AT THE BEGINNING OF THAT INVESTIGATION, THEY HAVE ALREADY ANNOUNCED EXACTLY WHAT THEY THINK HAPPENED? LAWMAKERS IN MINNESOTA INSIST GOOD DID NOT COMMIT ANY OFFENSE AND ARE CALLING FOR TRANSPARENCY IN THE FBI’S INVESTIGATION. SOME DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS ARE THREATENING TO FREEZE ICE FUNDING UNLESS REFORMS ARE ADDED TO THE UPCOMING SPENDING BILL. WE NOW KNOW THE MAN KILLED IN A SHOOTING INVOLVING ALBUQUERQUE POLICE. COURT DOCUMENTS IDENTIFIED HIM AS 41 YEAR OLD JAMES LITERAL. POLICE SAY OFFICERS SHOT AND KILLED HIM AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO ROB A SHIPPING FACILITY SATURDAY AFTERNOON NEAR CENTRAL AND JUAN TABO. LITERAL HAD AN EXTENSIVE CRIMINAL HISTORY. PRIOR CONVICTIONS INCLUDE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, FELONY BURGLARY AND MULTIPLE ASSAULT AND DRUG RELATED CHARGES DATING BACK TO 2007. THIS MORNING, AS THOSE TEMPERATURES DROP, A LOOK AT THE WORK ADVOCATES ARE DOING TO HELP THOSE LIVING ON ALBUQUERQUE STREETS. ONE AGENCY SAYS THE CITY’S HOMELESS POPULATION IS GROWING AND THE NEED FOR HELP HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER. JOHN RUPOLO HAS. THE STORY HAS MORE. SUNDAY NIGHT IN DOWNTOWN ALBUQUERQUE, IT’S ABOUT 30 DEGREES, AND THESE PEOPLE WILL BE SLEEPING ON THE STREETS. IT’S A SNAPSHOT OF THE CITY’S HOMELESS PROBLEM. WE MET JOEY HOMES. HE SAYS HE’S BEEN HOMELESS FOR SEVEN YEARS. HE’S WITH HIS DOG, ROCKY. EVERYTHING YOU OWN IS IN THIS CART. YES, SIR. HE SAYS HE REFUSES TO GO TO A SHELTER, SO HE SLEEPS OUTSIDE IN A TENT TO TRY AND HELP ALBUQUERQUE COMMUNITY SAFETY STARTED TRANSPORTING THE HOMELESS TO SHELTERS BACK IN NOVEMBER. THEY SAY NUMBERS HAVE INCREASED. WE’VE ALREADY SURPASSED THE AMOUNT OF TRANSPORTS THAT WE DID IN TOTALITY IN NOVEMBER, SO WE’RE SEEING AN INCREASE OF SERVICES AND TRANSPORTS. THE NEW MEXICO COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS SAYS THE CITY’S HOMELESS POPULATION IS RISING, MUCH OF THAT LINKED TO MENTAL ILLNESS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. OKAY. THANK. THE HOMELESS ARE GETTING FOOD AND CLOTHES FROM THE JOY JUNCTION SHELTER. DIFFICULT IN THE SENSE THAT, YOU KNOW, SAD TO SEE PEOPLE IN THIS SITUATION ALL THE TIME. BUT WE’VE BEEN DOING IT A WHILE AND EVERYONE’S REALLY COOL ABOUT IT. ACES SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT TO GAIN THE TRUST OF THE HOMELESS SO THEY CAN ACCEPT THE HELP. JOHN ROPPOLO KOAT, ACTION SEVEN NEWS. THE SHELTER’S OUTREACH TEAM OPERATES SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, MAKING MULTIPLE STOPS ACROSS THE CITY. THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN CONNECTS PEOPLE WITH ACES FOR TRANSPORTATION TO LOCAL SHELTERS. TULAROSA MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS ARE CANCELED TODAY TO HONOR THE LIFE OF A STUDENT WHO DIED IN LATE DECEMBER. ACCORDING TO A POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THE CLOSURE IS MEANT TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY TIME TO GO TO THE FUNERAL. THEY WILL ALSO PROVIDE A TIME FOR SPACE AND REFLECTION. CLASSES WILL RESUME TOMORROW. HAPPENING TODAY, STATE OFFICIALS CELEBRATING THOUSANDS OF NEW BROADBAND CONNECTIONS IN RURAL PARTS OF VALENCIA AND SOCORRO COUNTIES. IT IS A BIG DAY. THIS IS A CULMINATION OF YEARS OF WORK. THE FUNDING WAS PROVIDED IN 2021. WE WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEPLOY THIS PROGRAM IN 2023, AND WE MADE THE AWARD IN 2024. SO THIS DOESN’T JUST BENEFIT BENEFIT VALENCIA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. IT’S FOR ALL OF THE SOCORRO COUNTY’S GEOGRAPHY NO LONGER DETERMINES OPPORTUNITY. WE ARE ABLE TO CONNECT EVERYBODY WITH THESE NETWORKS. THIS WILL BE THE SIXTH INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT BY THE STATE. LEADERS HOPE IT WILL CONNECT MORE THAN 4000 LOCATIONS IN VALENCIA AND SOCORRO COUNTIES. CURRENTLY, 90% OF NEW MEXICANS HAVE ACCESS TO BROADBAND INTERNET. THE STATE HOPES BY THE END OF THE YEAR, THAT NUMBER WILL GROW TO 94%. 637 THIS MONDAY MORNING, THE NEW YEAR HAS SOME PEOPLE SHOPPING FOR A CAR. WHAT EXPERTS SAY YOU SHOULD CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY. A SEVERE FLU SEASON SWEEPING ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE LATEST CASE NUMBERS AND WHAT HEALTH OFFICIALS WANT YOU TO KNOW RIGHT 20 MINUTES TILL 7:00. WE’RE ABOUT A HALF HOUR FROM OUR MORNING SUNRISE. SO AS WE AT THE CATHEDRAL, JUST OFF THE PLAZA IN SANTA FE, YOU KNOW, THE HORIZON IS JUST STARTING TO BRIGHTEN UP. EVENTUALLY WE’LL TURN THESE TEMPERATURES AROUND. IT SURE IS A COLD START THIS MORNING. WE’RE BELOW FREEZING IN SANTA FE AT 22, RIO RANCHO AT 26 SUNPORT RIGHT NOW SITS AT 27 DEGREES. WILL BE DOWN AT 25 AT 730. SO WE SEND THE KIDS OFF TO SCHOOL WITH THE WINTER COATS ON. PROBABLY WANT A HAT, GLOVES TO COMING BACK HOME. WE’LL LOSE SOME OF THOSE OUTER LAYERS, BUT STILL PROBABLY NEED TO BE IN A SWEATER OR HOODIE SWEATSHIRT. PRETTY PLEASANT AFTERNOON THOUGH. BY JANUARY STANDARDS WITH SUNSHINE AND THAT 3:00 TEMPERATURE ABOVE 50 DEGREES. ALBUQUERQUE STUDENT ARTISTS ARE BEING INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A NEW ART EXHIBITION CELEBRATING ROUTE 66 CENTENNIAL. THE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON MUSEUM WANTS THEM TO FILL A BLACK AND WHITE MURAL WITH COLORFUL HOT AIR BALLOONS. STUDENTS IN GRADES K THROUGH 12 WHO LIVE IN ALBUQUERQUE CAN SUBMIT ORIGINAL WORK. THE MUSEUM WILL PICK THEM UP FOR THE EXHIBIT, AND FOR MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN VISIT THE CITY’S WEBSITE. JUST TWO MORE DAYS TO TAKE PART IN A WINTER TRADITION, YOU CAN HELP PICK THE NAMES FOR NEW MEXICO’S SNOW PLOWS. THE QR CODE ON YOUR SCREEN TAKES YOU TO THE VOTING PAGE. SOME STANDOUTS INCLUDE NEW MEXICO’S SNOW BOWS, ICE, SNOW TOPES SNOW, OPPENHEIMER, SAND OF ENCHANTMENT, AND DOWN WITH THE SLICKNESS. RIGHT NOW, SALT THOMAS PRIME IS IN THE LEAD WITH OVER 1000 VOTES. I REALLY LIKE THAT. YEAH, I LIKE THAT ONE TOO. I’M KIND OF LIKING THIS ONE. IT’S CHILI CHONGA THAT’S IN A CLOSE SECOND. OKAY, OKAY. VOTING ENDS ON WEDNESDAY. GET ON THERE. VOTE ERIC THERE YOU GO. OUT TO EAT. YEAH. THE TOP 12 NAMES WILL BE ANNOUNCED AND THEN ASSIGNED TO SNOW PLOWS. ALL RIGHT. TO THE ROADS. NOW CHECKING OUT YOUR MONDAY MORNING COMMUTE. EVERYTHING IN THE BIG EYES. LOOKING GOOD. NOW AS WE HEAD UP NORTH TO SANTA FE. EVERYTHING NORTH AND SOUTHBOUND ON I-25 IS IN THE GREEN. NO MAJOR SLOWDOWNS OR ANYTHING TO REPORT THIS MORNING. THIS IS BERNALILLO, 550 EAST TO WEST, 528 NORTH TO SOUTH. FOUR WESTSIDE DRIVERS AND THOSE WHO ARE IN RIO RANCHO. EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD FOR YOU AS WELL. AND THEN LASTLY, THIS IS A LOOK AT LOS LUNAS. EVERYTHING ON I-25. IF YOU’RE HEADING INTO THE METRO THIS MORNING IS ALL IN THE GREEN FORWE ARE CLOSING IN ON OUR MORN SUNRISE HERE AS WE EYE UP DOWNTOWN ALBUQUERQUE. OUR WEATHER HEADLINES FOR THE WEEK AHEAD HAVE TEMPERATURES CREEPING BACK UP AFTER THE DEEP FREEZE THIS WEEKEND. RAIN AND SNOW CHANCES THEY’RE GOING TO TAKE THIS WEEK OFF AND WELL, PROBABLY THE FIRST HALF OF NEXT WEEK. MAYBE THE SECOND HALF OF NEXT WEEK IS WHEN THE NEXT BATCH OF ACTIVE WEATHER WILL ROLL IN. YOU KNOW, WE’RE GOING TO HAVE SOME ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES HERE AS THIS BIG DIP IN THE JET STREAM HAS NOW PUSHED OFF TO OUR EAST. THAT WAS THE WEEKEND. COOL DOWN WITH THE STORM TRACK AND THE JET STREAM. WELL TO OUR NORTH AND ORIENTED ALMOST STRAIGHT WEST TO EAST. THOSE PACIFIC WESTERLIES. THEY ALMOST ALWAYS RESULT IN MILD AND DRY SKIES FOR US HERE IN THE SOUTHWEST. AND YOU KNOW, NOT LIKE WE’RE TALKING ABOUT BIG NUMBERS TODAY, BUT HIGHS IN THE 40S AND 50S, CERTAINLY WELL ABOVE THOSE WEEKEND NUMBERS. AND WE’RE ACTUALLY BACK ABOVE AVERAGE BY A COUPLE DEGREES. PAIRED WITH THOSE FOR JANUARY. ACCEPTABLE TEMPERATURES WILL BE VERY LIGHT BREEZES. SO IT’S GOING TO BE A PRETTY NICE AFTERNOON. THEN TONIGHT SKIES CLEAR TO DIP BACK BELOW FREEZING JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE. AND WE’LL HAVE NUMBERS DOWN AROUND TEN DEGREES IN THE COLDEST SPOTS IN WESTERN AND NORTHERN NEW MEXICO. SO WE’LL BE RIDING OUT A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT CHILL ON TUESDAY MORNING. THEN TUESDAY AFTERNOON GETTING ABOUT FIVE DEGREES ON TOP OF TODAY’S HIGHS. SO IT IS A STEP MILDER TOMORROW. SANTA FE HITTING 50 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WHILE. ALBUQUERQUE AT 55. LOOK AT THOSE LOWER 60S CREEPING BACK INTO SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO. WE’VE GOT A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A BREEZE IN OUR TUESDAY AFTERNOON FORECAST, BUT STILL PRETTY FRIENDLY NUMBERS SHOWING UP THERE WITH THE STRONGEST SPOTS ONLY IN THE 10 TO 15 RANGE. THIS IS OUR WEDNESDAY, PRETTY SIMILAR TO TUESDAY. IT’S THE DRY AND SUNNY OR MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES AND HIGH TEMPERATURES FOR MOST OF US IN THE 50S, WITH SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO SEEING SOME LOWER 60S. HERE’S THE SEVEN DAY FORECAST. THE AVERAGE HIGH IS 48 NOW. RECORDS THIS TIME OF YEAR LOW AND MID 60S. DON’T SEE US BEING GOOD FOR ANY RECORD CHALLENGING HIGHS, BUT IT’S ABOVE AVERAGE NUMBERS ON A DAILY BASIS. WARMER STAYS IN THE MID 50S. WEDNESDAY SLIGHTLY BREEZY, BUT THE BULK OF THIS SEVEN DAY STRETCH AHEAD LOOKS TO BE PRETTY QUIET. ALL RIGHT THANK YOU ERIC A NEW TRIAL DATE IS NOW SET FOR ONE OF THE FORMER NMSU BASKETBALL PLAYERS ACCUSED IN A HAZING SCANDAL. DESHAUN WATSON IS SCHEDULED TO GO ON TRIAL MAY 4TH TO THE EIGHTH IN LAS CRUCES. HE. DOCTOR BRADLEY AND KIM AIKEN JUNIOR WERE FIRST CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE COUNTS, INCLUDING SEXUAL ASSAULT DURING THE 2022 2023 BASKETBALL SEASON. BRADLEY AND AIKEN TOOK PLEA DEALS IN 2024. FLU CASES ARE SURGING ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE CDC ESTIMATES MORE THAN 15 MILLION CASES SO FAR THIS SEASON, MAKING IT THE WORST RESPIRATORY ILLNESS SEASON SINCE 1997. ABOUT 180,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED, AND MORE THAN 7000 PEOPLE HAVE DIED HERE IN NEW MEXICO, FLU ACTIVITY REMAINS VERY HIGH. MOST MOST CASES ARE LINKED TO A SEVERE STRAIN OF THE FLU, KNOWN AS SUBCLADE K. THIS SUBCLADE K, WHICH IS A NEW STRAIN THAT PROBABLY IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT VACCINE, THE FLU VACCINE. PREVENTS SEVERE ILLNESS, PREVENTS HOSPITALIZATIONS, THE CDC SAYS ABOUT 130 MILLION FLU VACCINE DOSES HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED THIS SEASON, COVERING LESS THAN 40% OF THE U.S. POPULATION. HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY GETTING VACCINATED REMAINS YOUR BEST DEFENSE AND CAN HELP PREVENT SERIOUS ILLNESS. IF YOU DO GET SICK. HAPPENING TODAY, A CHANCE FOR YOU TO HELP SHARE THE FUTURE OF BEHAVIORAL AND SHAPE THE FUTURE OF BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN OUR STATE. THE NEW MEXICO ALLIANCE OF HEALTH COUNCILS IS HOSTING A VIRTUAL LISTENING SESSION THIS WEEK FOR REGION ONE. THIS INCLUDES SANTA FE, RIO ARRIBA, AND LOS ALAMOS COUNTIES. THE SESSIONS ARE REQUIRED UNDER A SENATE BILL AND WILL HELP SET REGIONAL PRIORITIES FOR BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. THOSE INTERESTED CAN REGISTER AT UNM HEALTH COUNCILS. DOT. HAPPENING TODAY. YOU MIGHT SEE SMOKE IN THE AIR AS CARSON NATIONAL FOREST CREWS PLAN TO RESTART PRESCRIBED PILE BURNING, SO CREWS ARE EVALUATING SITES NEAR CULP AND PEAK ABOVE TAOS CANYON NEAR PENASCO, WHERE PILES FROM HUNDREDS OF ACRES OF FORESTS THINNING ARE READY TO BURN. THE PROJECT AIMS TO REDUCE WILDFIRE RISK, AND THE BURNS WILL DEPEND ON WEATHER CONDITIONS. OF COURSE, THE NEW YEAR MEANS YOU MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR A NEW OR USED CAR. YES, AND WE’RE TRYING TO HELP OUR VIEWERS THIS MORNING AVOID BUYER’S REMORSE. SO ALYSSA MUNOZ IS LIVE WITH THE TOP RATED BRANDS FROM CONSUMER REPORTS, PLUS THE RED FLAGS TO SPOT BEFORE SIGNING ANYTHING. HI, ALYSSA. HI, GUYS. WELL, A CONSUMER REPORTS EDITOR TELLS ME THAT A NEW CAR IS AVERAGING ABOUT $50,000. AND WHILE A USED CAR IS ABOUT HALF THAT PRICE, CONSUMER REPORTS LOOKED AT RELIABILITY, LONG TERM MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR COSTS, WHICH PUT TOYOTA, MAZDA AND HONDA AT THE TOP. IF YOU WANT SOMETHING MORE FLASHY BUT ALSO PRACTICAL, LEXUS GOT A THUMBS UP. SO WHATEVER YOU BUY, AIM FOR THE NEWEST SAFETY TECH YOU CAN AFFORD. WHETHER YOU’RE SHOPPING AT DEALERSHIPS, LOCAL LOTS, OR SCROLLING FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE, CONSUMER REPORTS SAYS THESE ARE THE MUST HAVES TO KEEP ON YOUR RADAR. THE BEST THING THAT YOU CAN DO IS DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE AND LOOK UP THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WHICH IS THE VIN, IN SOMETHING LIKE CARFAX, MANY DEALERS ARE GOING TO OFFER THAT AS A FREE ADD ON. SO YOU CAN SEE THE HISTORY OF THE VEHICLE. IT’S ALWAYS AS GOOD AS THE INFORMATION PUT IN, BUT AT LEAST YOU’LL SEE IF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. IF THERE WERE ACCIDENTS. NOW SOME RED FLAGS YOU SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR IS IF THERE ARE BIG GAPS IN THE CAR’S HISTORY. IF THE CAR’S MOVED AROUND A LOT, OR EVEN IF THERE MISMATCHED TIRES. REPORTING LIVE. I’M MELISSA MUNOZ KOAT ACTION 7 NEWS. HOLIDAY SURPRISES MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR THE SANTA FE ANIMAL SHELTER AND HUMANE SOCIETY. THEY GOT AN UNEXPECTED $100,000 DONATION FROM AN ANONYMOUS COUPLE WHO WALKED IN WITH A CHECK ON CHRISTMAS EVE. THE GIFT WILL HELP COVER THE COST OF CARING FOR ANIMALS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INCLUDING MEDICAL TREATMENT AND PROGRAMS THAT HELP KEEP PETS WITH THEIR FAMILIES. WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THIS WORK WITHOUT OUR COMMUNITY, AND TIME AND TIME AGAIN, WE ARE SHOCKED THAT PEOPLE SHOW UP AND CARE ABOUT OUR ANIMALS AND THERE ARE NO WORDS THAT CAN DESCRIBE HOW GRATEFUL WE ARE EVERY TIME THEY SHOW THE VIDEOS OF THE LITTLE CROOKED SMILE, YEAH, WELL, THE DONORS ASKED TO STAY ANONYMOUS, BUT SHELTER LEADERS SAY THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN THEIR FAMILY’S HISTORY. FOR INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED, YOU CAN FIND THIS LINK ON OUR WEBSITE. ALL YEAR WE’RE CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF HISTORIC ROUTE 66. NEXT WEEK, WE’RE KICKING OFF THINGS WITH A SPECIAL PROGRAM. YEAH, IT’S GOING TO BE A GOOD ONE. HERE’S DOUG FERNANDEZ WITH A PREVIEW. 2448 MILES, EIGHT STATES, ONE NAME. ROUTE 66 HAS ITS ORIGINS CENTURIES AGO. FROM ANCIENT ANIMAL TRAILS TO THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS HIGHWAYS. IT’S A ROAD OF DREAMS. IT’S A ROAD OF DETERMINATION, FUELING THE GREATEST MANPOWER MOBILIZATION IN HISTORY. IT WAS A MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE, EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS. JOIN US AS WE GO BEYOND THE PAVEMENT TO EXPLORE HISTORY OF WAR, RACISM, FREEDOM, AND THE ULTIMATE AMERICAN ROAD TRIP. IT MADE OUR COMMUNITIES WHAT THEY WERE AND WHAT THEY ARE TODAY. YOU CAN WATCH OUR SPECIAL PROGRAM, CELEBRATE NEW MEXICO, 100 YEARS OF ROUTE 66. THAT’S TOMORROW AT 630 RIGHT HERE ON KOAT. LET’S TAKE ANOTHER LIVE LOOK OUTSIDE. THIS IS THE VIEW UP THERE IN SANTA FE. IT IS REALLY, REALLY COLD IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO. WE HAVE A WARMER AFTERNOON AHEAD. BACK TO ERIC. WITH YOUR SEVEN DAY FORECAST STARTING TO TURN IT AROUND AFTER THAT WEEKEND. DEEP FREEZE NOW. HIGH TEMPERATURES IN NORTHWEST NEW MEXICO. THIS IS THE COLDEST CORNER OF THE STATE. WILL BE STRUGGLING TO TOUCH 40 IN FARMINGTON THIS AFTERNOON. WE DO EXPECT MID 40S FOR GALLUP AND GRANTS AND NUMBERS A LITTLE CLOSER TO 50 THERE IN CORTEZ AND DURANGO. THE ATMOSPHERE ACTUALLY WARMS FROM THE TOP DOWN. SO LOWER ELEVATION SPOTS KIND OF RESISTING TODAY’S WARM UP, BUT IN THE UPPER ELEVATIONS WILL BE GOOD FOR ABOUT TEN EXTRA DEGREES. FARMINGTON’S LOW TONIGHT 18 TOMORROW HAS US AT 43 BY WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. THERE WE ARE, VERY CLOSE TO 50 DEGREES, TURNING THEM DOWN SLIGHTLY FOR THE UPCOMING WEEKEND. SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO 52, SILVER CITY MID-FIFTIES. OFF THE MOUNTAINS. WE DO GAIN FIVE DEGREES TOMORROW AND WE’LL KEEP IT IN THE UPPER 50S FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK. 59 ON WEDNESDAY. THAT LOOKS TO BE COMING ON THURSDAY. HERE’S SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO, LOW AND MID 50S FROM RUIDOSO TO ALAMOGORDO OVER TOWARDS ROSWELL AND CARLSBAD. NOW WE ARE WAKING UP TO TEMPERATURES AROUND 20 DEGREES THIS MORNING, AND LOWS TONIGHT WILL BE BACK DOWN AROUND 20 IN ROSWELL. TOMORROW HAS US AT 63. THURSDAY HAS US AT 67. THERE IS AN EASTERN NEW MEXICO, A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY. COOL DOWN THAT WE WILL BE RIDING OUT FRIDAY AT 53. NORTHEAST NEW MEXICO, UPPER 40S, LOW AND MID 50S WITH A 60 IN THE FORECAST FOR TOMORROW. WILL DIP BRIEFLY WEDNESDAY. GET BACK TO 60 THURSDAY. AND THEN THERE’S THAT MORE SIGNIFICANT DROP INTO THE UPCOMING WEEKEND FRIDAY AT 45 SATURDAY AND SUNDAY THOUGH, CLIMBING BACK TO THOSE 50S. NORTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO EXPECT A SUN FILLED SKY AND AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES TO CLIMB INTO THE UPPER 40S LOWER 50S. IN THE ESPANOLA VALLEY TOMORROW WE’VE GOT YOU AT 50. IN SANTA FE, WE’LL KIND OF WAFFLE RIGHT AROUND 50 DEGREES, GIVE OR TAKE A FEW, RIGHT ON THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK AS SKIES STAY QUIET AND DRY FOR US. ALL RIGHT. THANKS SO MUCH, ERIC. AND THIS MORNING’S TOP STORIES. ANTI-ICE PROTESTS ESCALATING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AFTER THAT DEADLY SHOOTING IN MINNESOTA. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S RESPONSE AND WHAT LAWMAKERS ARE THREATENING TO DO. GAS PRICES NOW AT THEIR LOWEST IN NEARLY FIVE YEARS. WE’RE GOING TO EXPLAIN WHY IT’S HAPPENING AND WHAT ANALYSTS EXPECT IN THE COMING WEEKSAS YOU ARE SEVEN BIG THINGS WE’RE FOLLOWING FOR YOU TODAY. IT’S LOOKING TO BE A FROSTY MORNING BEFORE A MILDER AFTERNOON. HERE’S ERIC WITH YOUR KOAT 7 WEATHER FORECAST. YEAH, YOU KNOW, OUT THE DOOR THIS MORNING YOU’LL BE SCRAPING THE WINDSHIELD AND DOING IT WITH TEMPERATURES WELL BELOW FREEZING. IT’S 23 RIGHT NOW IN SANTA FE. RIO RANCHO IN THE SUNPORT ARE SITTING RIGHT NOW AT 27. WE’RE JUST A COUPLE MINUTES AWAY FROM OUR MORNING SUNRISE. WE MAY HAVE JUST UPDATED DOWN AT 26. YEAH, BELOW FREEZING FOR AT LEAST A FEW HOURS THIS MORNING. ONLY A 37 AT TEN MIDDAY WILL BE RACING THROUGH THE 40S IN THE AFTERNOON. DOES HAVE US AROUND 50 FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THAT COMES WITH LIGHT WINDS AND SUNSHINE. REALLY NOT A BAD AFTERNOON BY MIDDLE OF JANUARY STANDARDS. I MEAN, WE ARE IN THE DEAD OF WINTER RIGHT NOW. DON’T FORGET ABOUT THAT HOUR. OKAY. THANK YOU. ERIC, IN THIS MORNING’S TOP STORIES, ANTI ICE PROTESTS ARE ESCALATING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AFTER THAT DEADLY SHOOTING BY AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER IN MINNEAPOLIS. PROTESTS HAVE BROKEN OUT IN MULTIPLE CITIES, INCLUDING ALBUQUERQUE. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION INSISTS THE ICE AGENT ACTED IN SELF-DEFENSE. LAWMAKERS IN MINNESOTA INSIST GOODE DIDN’T COMMIT ANY OFFENSE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SHOT. SOME DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS ARE THREATENING TO FREEZE ICE FUNDING UNLESS REFORMS ARE ADDED TO THE UPCOMING SPENDING BILL. PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS IRAN HAS REACHED OUT TO NEGOTIATE AS DEADLY PROTESTS CONTINUE TO ROCK THE COUNTRY. DEMONSTRATIONS ERUPTED LAST NIGHT AFTER IRAN’S CURRENCY COLLAPSED, FUELED IN PART BY NATIONAL SANCTIONS. INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS TIED TO NUCLEAR PROGRAMS. NOW, IRAN’S GOVERNMENT CLAIMS THE UNREST IS NOW UNDER CONTROL, WHILE WARNING THE U.S. AND ISRAEL WOULD BE TARGETS IF AMERICA LAUNCHES A STRIKE. GAS PRICES, NOW AT THEIR LOWEST SINCE MARCH OF 2021, GIVING DRIVERS SOME WELCOME RELIEF. THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR A GALLON OF GAS HAS DROPPED TO $2.73, ACCORDING TO TRIPLE A, DOWN NEARLY $0.30 FROM THIS TIME LAST YEAR. THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE IS NOW 2.53. IN ALBUQUERQUE, IT’S $0.01 LESS. AND SANTA FE IS 2.45. GAP. THOUSANDS OF HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN VALENCIA AND SOCORRO COUNTIES NOW HAVE BROADBAND ACCESS. LEADERS SAY IT WILL CONNECT MORE THAN 4000 LOCATIONS, INCLUDING STUDENTS AT VALENCIA HIGH SCHOOL. CURRENTLY, 90% OF NEW MEXICANS HAVE BROADBAND INTERNET. THE STATE HOPES TO RAISE THAT TO 94% BY THE END OF THE YEAR. IT’S JUST ABOUT 7 A.M. LET’S CHECK THE ROADS REAL QUICK HERE. I THINK THAT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH YOUR MORNING DRIVE IS GOING TO BE LETTING YOUR CAR WARM UP FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND SCRAPING THAT WINDSHIELD. THE ROADS ARE QUIET RIGHT NOW. NO UNUSUAL DELAYS, NO ACCIDENTS TO TELL YOU ABOUT. OKAY. THANKS, ERIC. REMEMBER, WHEN WE’RE NOT ON AIR, YOU CAN GET OUR MOST RECENT NEWSCAST ANYTIME O

Alamogordo man admits guilt in defrauding government

Scott A. Shapiro got more than $650K in COVID-19 pandemic loans from the government and financial institutions.

Updated: 6:49 PM MST Jan 12, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

An Alamogordo man faces up to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding the federal government of more than half a million dollars, said a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.In 2020 and 2021, Scott A. Shapiro got more than $650,000 in COVID-19 pandemic loans from the government and financial institutions by submitting fraudulent Payroll Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications to the Small Business Administration, court documents said.In court, Shapiro admitted giving false information to the SBA and lenders about the companies’ origins, number of employees, expenses, and revenues; he falsified IRS forms, payroll records, bank statements, and New Mexico Secretary of State filings with his applications; and also admitted using the money for personal expenses and debts, and that he laundered money by buying residential properties in Alamogordo and Ruidoso. Spiro pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud, three counts of making false statements to a financial institution, and two counts of money laundering. The investigation was done by agents of the Internal Revenue Service, assisted by the Social Security Administration.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

An Alamogordo man faces up to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding the federal government of more than half a million dollars, said a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.

In 2020 and 2021, Scott A. Shapiro got more than $650,000 in COVID-19 pandemic loans from the government and financial institutions by submitting fraudulent Payroll Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications to the Small Business Administration, court documents said.

In court, Shapiro admitted giving false information to the SBA and lenders about the companies’ origins, number of employees, expenses, and revenues; he falsified IRS forms, payroll records, bank statements, and New Mexico Secretary of State filings with his applications; and also admitted using the money for personal expenses and debts, and that he laundered money by buying residential properties in Alamogordo and Ruidoso.

Spiro pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud, three counts of making false statements to a financial institution, and two counts of money laundering. The investigation was done by agents of the Internal Revenue Service, assisted by the Social Security Administration.