Thursday's Top Stories Officials, advocates speak on new SNAP work requirements 2 dead, multiple injured after crash in Sandoval County Sandhill cranes return to New Mexico Appeals court upholds Fabian Gonzales’ conviction Parking fees to be implemented at Santa Fe Regional Airport Bernalillo County Fire Rescue receives new truck Bear that attacked luxury car was actually man in costume, insurance investigators say Thursday's Five Facts [1] Privacy concerns raised on use of license plate reader technology in New Mexico - Law enforcement utilize automatic license plate readers to help combat crime. The ACLU-NM says data is being stored too long and are asking lawmakers for statewide regulations. BCSO says it has policies in place to prevent misuse. Both BCSO and ACLU say the technology can save lives and are hoping lawmakers can help them find a middle ground [2] Man at the center of deadly ABQ movie theater shooting pleads no contest - A man accused of fatally shooting someone at an Albuquerque theater is awaiting sentencing after taking a plea deal. In June 2023, then 19-year-old Enrique Padilla and 52-year-old Michael Tenorio got into a disagreement over reserved seats at the Century Rio 24 Theater. Padilla pleaded no contest to second degree murder with a firearm enhancement and tampering with evidence. Under the plea deal he faces up to 20 years in prison. [3] Warmer temperatures widespread through New Mexico - Clear skies will ensue for most of the day and as temperatures will rise, southwesterly winds will pick up a little bit more. Out in front of our next storm system this weekend, the next couple of days will be warmer, drier, and windier, then some precipitation will ensue later Saturday into early Monday with temperatures dropping, setting the stage for a possible quick-hitting storm system by the middle of next week. [4] New Mexico’s largest school district continues to see teacher vacancies - Albuquerque Public Schools says there were more than 200 teacher vacancies as of September 9th. New Mexico State University’s recent educator vacancy report highlighted a 38% increase in vacancies among special education teachers and a 24% increase in vacancies among elementary school teachers. The district says it's working on solutions by pushing to expand the teacher residency programs at New Mexico's community colleges and universities. [5] Otter population making comeback in New Mexico - The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish says in the early 1900's most of the state's native river otters were lost because of unregulated trapping and habitat loss. Thanks to restoration efforts, the population grew from 33 to 100 river otters statewide in 2018. The department recently released nine otters from Louisiana, hoping they will bring genetic diversity to the current population.