- Albuquerque protest turns violent, shots fired, fires set
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A protest along the historic Route 66 into downtown Albuquerque has turned violent after fires set and officers say they were fired upon. Albuquerque police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said officers reported shots fired at them in front of the historic Kimo Theater early Monday following a largely peaceful demonstration. He says there was damage to several properties in the area, including broken windows and some looting. Before the chaos, hundreds took part in a march protesting the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. Protesters in New Mexico's largest city held signs, wore masks and chanted, "Say his name: George Floyd" and "Hands up, don't shoot."
- Primaries become test run for campaigning during coronavirus
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Tuesday's primary elections in eight states are both significant elections and big tests of campaigning during the age of coronavirus. Both major political parties have been revamping their operations to adjust to politics during lockdowns. Some campaigns have gotten volunteers to hand-write letters to try to turn out supporters. Others are shifting money into television budgets, figuring an electorate largely stuck at home is binge-watching. Many have shifted their resources to back an ad hoc tech support model, assembling seasoned advisers who can talk nervous voters step-by-step through the process of requesting absentee ballots.
- Legendary DJs use shows to ease virus exile among Latinos
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — Two legendary DJs are using their shows that are popular among Latinos to help bridge the isolation felt with the coronavirus and anxieties around national unrest. Art Laboe of Southern California and José Massó in Boston allow listeners to send dedications and messages to family across the country and in prison amid the separation caused by COVID-19. The 94-old-year Laboe is staying insulated in his Palm Springs, California home while still hosting his syndicated oldies show where loved ones of inmates call and dedicate songs. The 69-year-old Massó and hosted of WBUR's "Con Salsa" ilive-streams a version of his show on Facebook and is asking fans across the globe to communicate with each other.
- WASHINGTON (AP) —
Whether Joe Biden will win Tuesday's eight primaries isn't in doubt. But will it be enough to formally clinch the Democratic presidential nomination? The former vice president needs to win 89% of all delegates at stake to do so. Biden is the last candidate standing. But supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders keep urging voters to cast ballots for him so he can amass delegates and have a greater influence on the party policy platform at the Democratic National Convention. Biden has met the 89% threshold in only two contests since Super Tuesday: Mississippi and Nebraska. Votes will be cast in Indiana, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota and the District of Columbia.
- Advocates question investigations used to target wolves
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — An ongoing analysis by an environmental group is raising questions about investigations into livestock kills by Mexican gray wolves. The results of the investigations are used to compensate ranchers and target problem wolves in Arizona and New Mexico. The Idaho-based group Western Watersheds Project has documented significant oddities, errors or conflicting details in more than two-thirds of the 117 investigations it reviewed from 2019. The group's deputy director tells the Arizona Daily Star that numerous cases were confirmed wolf kills based just on "logical leaps" and what she described as a stunning lack of evidence.
- Fire at Albuquerque assisted living facility displaces 13
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Albuquerque fire department says 13 residents of an assisted living facility were displaced by a fire in one apartment Saturday morning. The department says firefighters were able to put out the fire without it extending into other areas of La Vida Llena. According to the department, one person was transported for injuries related to possible smoke inhalation and no firefighters were injured. No additional information was released.
- University of the Southwest waives cost for grad programs
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — A southeastern New Mexico college has announced it will allow all of the school's recent undergraduate to begin master's degree programs tuition-free. The Hobbs News-Sun reports the University of the Southwest said last month the tuition-free experiment will start this summer. University President Quint Thurman says he and other administrators made the decision after exploring what the school could do to assist recent graduates when the job market is challenging. Eligible students must have completed their bachelor's degrees in 2020 at the private Christian university.
- New Mexico's populous county sees jump in Illegal dumping
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Officials in New Mexico's most populous county are reporting a rise in illegal dumping amid the COVID-19 pandemic. KRQE-TV reports that Bernalillo County officials believe the uptick in illegal dumping is a result of people cleaning out their homes during the stay-at-home order and failing to make trips to authorized dump sites. County officials say they have received double the number of calls for service connected to dumping from this time last year. The county reports having to pick up tires, mattresses, home appliances, cars and other big items.