- LEGISLATURE-HAIR DISCRIMINATION
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A bill to protect New Mexico residents from discrimination stemming from hairstyles or religious coverings is gaining traction in the state Legislature. It cleared the House Education Committee on Wednesday. If approved and signed by the governor, New Mexico would become the eighth state to protect students and workers from discrimination against hairstyles and head coverings that express a person's religious, cultural or racial identity. Black and Native American women told lawmakers stories of institutions treating them differently because of their hairstyles. Across the country, workers have been pressured to cut or chemically alter their hair to satisfy employer grooming codes.
- OIL AND GAS-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Local officials and residents in New Mexico's oil patches are anxious as the Biden administration takes aim at the oil and natural gas industry with a series of new executive orders. But the state's two U.S. senators support the actions, saying it's time to rethink the nation's energy policies and move toward what Democrat Martin Heinrich described as a zero-pollution economy. Freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell says the president's actions are hasty and could have dire consequences given the industry's effect on New Mexico's bottom line. National industry officials echoed those concerns Wednesday, noting that America's appetite for energy is only going to increase as the economy recovers.
- SNOW LEOPARD-DEAD
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A zoo in Albuquerque has announced that its longtime resident snow leopard named Azeo has died. The ABQ BioPark Zoo says the 19-year-old snow leopard was found dead in his outdoor exhibit space Thursday after spending more than 15 years at the zoo. Results from a necropsy are pending. Snow leopards usually live up to 12 years in the wild and up to 15 years in captivity. Park officials say most snow leopards are elusive and solitary but that Azeo was gentle with the female leopards and interacted with zoo employees. Azeo came to New Mexico from the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Canada.
- SCHOOL REOPENING HURDLES
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — After nearly a year on lockdown, the governor says New Mexico school districts can offer in-person learning starting on Feb. 8 regardless of virus levels in their county. That's a relief for students who miss their friends or fell behind because they didn't have internet or electricity. So what happens now? Teacher unions say members need vaccines and COVID-19 sick leave. Rio Rancho Public Schools struck a deal with the union for 10 days of virus-related leave. They can't use it for quarantine due to out-of-state-travel, though. Vaccine shortages have led to clinics at large public schools getting canceled.
- ROUTE 66-VISITOR CENTER
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A construction contract worth nearly $10 million has been awarded to an Albuquerque-based company to build the Route 66 Visitors Center on the western edge of the city along the historic roadway. Bernalillo County commissioners approved the contract with Enterprise Builders on Tuesday. The visitors center is a collaborative effort between the county, the city of Albuquerque and local stakeholders. The project will include a museum, a tap room, office space and outdoor amphitheater. Albuquerque is home to the longest urban stretch of Route 66. One of the first roads in the U.S. highway system, the route spanned eight states.
- SOUTHWEST WEATHER
Crews used a helicopter and a tracked vehicle to rescue a total of five people in two incidents in areas blanketed by snow from a major storm. The National Guard said a helicopter on Tuesday hoisted up three climbers who were stranded in rugged terrain in the Sedona area. .The Navajo County Sheriff's office said crews from several agencies used a track vehicle to rescue two Phoenix-area men with four dogs after their vehicle got stuck on a forest road at Black Canyon Lake near Heber-Overgaard. That rescue began Monday night and ended early Tuesday. Major highways closed by the storm reopened Tuesday.
- LEGISLATURE-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An economic relief package is taking shape at the New Mexico Legislature as a Senate panel endorsed a $600 rebate to low-income workers and a separate bill that would waive licensing fees on liquor stores. Residents of New Mexico who earned up to $31,200 during 2020 would be eligible for the $600 payout or credit against tax liabilities under a bill that also provides a temporary tax break for restaurants as they endure restrictions on indoor dining. A panel of lawmakers unanimously advanced those proposals on Tuesday.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation health officials on Tuesday reported 87 new COVID-19 cases and eight more deaths. The latest figures bring the total reported coronavirus cases on the reservation to 27,665 with 985 known deaths. On Monday, the tribe extended its stay-at-home order with a revised nightly curfew to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Navajo Department of Health has identified 53 communities with uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus, down from 75 communities in recent weeks. The Navajo Nation also is lifting weekend lockdowns to allow more vaccination events. The actions in the latest public health emergency order will run through at least Feb. 15. The Navajo Nation extends into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.