- New Mexico prison chief says private jails needed, for now
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is sticking with its approach to contracting with privately operated prisons — and possibly phasing them out as time and money allow. State Corrections Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero on Thursday spoke out in opposition to a bill that would make it unlawful for the state and local governments to contract with private prisons across New Mexico. The bill from Democratic legislators including Rep. Angelica Rubio of Las Cruces would cut loose three private prison operators that oversee four New Mexico facilities — and nearly half of state inmates. The proposal responds to calls for more accountability in the criminal justice system. Tafoya Lucero says the proposal is impractical.
- Indian education funding at stake in New Mexico legislature
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Indian education advocates in the New Mexico legislature are proposing $153 million in education funding as part of the so-called "tribal remedy framework." Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has suggested around $15 million. Despite the gap, Legislators serving large tribal constituents say the administration is starting to embrace tribal remedies and address problems in the education system highlighted in recent lawsuits. State courts have found current funding structures to be deficient and discriminatory, harming Native American, Hispanic, and low-income students. A recent ruling in federal court against state education funding practices was met with a change of tone by state officials.
- New Mexico community solar proposal clears first hurdle
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A proposal that would allow community solar programs to be established in New Mexico has cleared its first legislative hurdle despite questions from some lawmakers and concerns among investor-owned utilities. The bill cleared the Senate Conservation Committee on a party-line vote Thursday. Democrats said it would complement state mandates for generating electricity from renewable resources by expanding access to solar energy for businesses and residents who are unable to put up their own solar panels. Republican lawmakers said there are still uncertainties about the costs for utility customers. Some lawmakers also said the bill should include a preference for New Mexico-based solar providers.
- Downward trend of COVID-19 cases continues in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials have reported an additional 678 confirmed COVID-19 infections, bringing the statewide total since the pandemic began to nearly 172,000 cases. The latest figures include 20 inmates at three of the state's prisons. Overall, confirmed cases and related deaths have been trending downward along with hospitalizations. Meanwhile, vaccinations are underway for the oldest New Mexicans as well as those who have pre-existing conditions that put them at higher risk. More than 86% of the 276,850 doses that have been shipped to New Mexico have been administered. More than 530,000 residents have registered to receive the vaccine.
- Man sentenced in $400,000 nationwide postal stamp scam
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A man has been sentenced in Florida to six years and six months in federal prison for a $400,000 nationwide postal stamp scam. Court records show that 49-year-old Edward Morgan was sentenced Wednesday in Tampa federal court. He pleaded guilty in September 2019 to theft of government funds. As part of his sentence, Morgan must repay $405,935.76, the proceeds of the theft. From November 2016 until his May 2019 arrest in New Mexico, prosecutors say Morgan used fictitious checks to purchase stamps at hundreds of U.S. Post Office locations in Florida and other states. Prosecutors said Morgan resold the stamps to unsuspecting third parties, usually businesses or stamp traders.
- Navajo Nation reports 11 COVID-19 deaths, reaches 1,000 mark
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation health officials on Thursday reported 11 more COVID-19 deaths to reach the 1,000 mark since the pandemic began. They also reported 59 new coronavirus cases to bring the total reported cases on the reservation to 27,987. 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.
- Albuquerque police: Triple shooting leaves 2 dead, 1 injured
Albuquerque police say no immediate arrest has been made in a triple shooting that left two people dead and a third person wounded. No identities were released but police said two women were killed and a man wounded in the Wednesday night incident at an apartment complex in northeast Albuquerque. The wounded man was reported to be hospitalized in stable condition. No additional information was released.
- Navajo Nation reports error in hardship assistance checks
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — The Navajo Nation says about 120,000 checks have been issued to tribal members who applied for hardship assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic. The tribal controller's office says the total includes 370 checks that were duplicated because of a printer server failure. Controller Pearline Kirk says office personnel are planning to contact applicants affected by the error with more information. Staff also will void duplicate checks that haven't been processed. The hardship assistance program is paid for by a portion of the $714 million the Navajo Nation received from a federal coronavirus relief bill.