Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — The Navajo Nation reports 20 more cases of the coronavirus on its reservation and a rural Arizona county is no longer among the few without cases of the disease. Navajo tribal officials announced Wednesday night that that the number of cases on the reservation has risen to 69, up from 49, including 43 in Navajo County in rural northeastern Arizona. The tribe reported 14 other cases elsewhere in northeastern Arizona and 12 in northwestern New Mexico. The tribe did not report any cases in the portion of the reservation in southeastern Utah.

SILVER CITY, N.M. (AP) — Forest Service officials say the threat of wildfires is rising in southwestern New Mexico. Gila National Forest officials on Thursday cited strong winds, low humidity and the recent discovery of an abandoned campfire for a decision by fire managers to raise the forest's fire danger level to moderate, up from low. Forest officials said campers and other visitors should practice fire safety.

• VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's has its first coronavirus death. Health officials said Wednesday the man in his late 70s was hospitalized in Artesia on Sunday and died the same day. The state Health Department said he had multiple underlying health issues and his condition deteriorated rapidly. Infections have climbed to 112 in the state, with schools shut down and a stay-at-home order in effect. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says the death marks a tragic day and urged residents to take precautions to limit the spread of the virus.

• Today in History

Today is Thursday, March 26, the 86th day of 2020. There are 280 days left in the year.

• Today's Highlight in History:

On March 26, 1945, during World War II, Iwo Jima was fully secured by U.S. forces following a final, desperate attack by Japanese soldiers.

• New Mexico marks 1st virus death, tries to stretch supplies

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's has its first coronavirus death. Health officials said Wednesday the man in his late 70s was hospitalized in Artesia on Sunday and died the same day. The state Health Department said he had multiple underlying health issues and his condition deteriorated rapidly. Infections have climbed to 112 in the state, with schools shut down and a stay-at-home order in effect. Gov.

• VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Health officials are confirming New Mexico's first death related to the coronavirus in a patient who died earlier in the week and later tested positive for the virus. Health officials say the man in his late 70s was hospitalized in Artesia on Sunday and died the same day. The state Health Department said Wednesday that he had multiple underlying conditions. Confirmed infections have climbed past 100 with schools shut down and a stay-at-home order in effect. Gov.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The University of New Mexico is postponing ts spring commencement due to the coronavirus pandemic.  The university said President Garnett Stokes will seek student input as he considers when to reschedule the commencement that had been scheduled for May 16 and how it will be conducted. Stokes said the decision to postponement is regrettable and that he knows its a memorable part of graduates' university experience.  The university is holding classes remotely and Stokes said the faculty is working on how grading will be conducted for the current term. 

• Today in History

Today is Wednesday, March 25, the 85th day of 2020. There are 281 days left in the year.

• Today's Highlight in History:

On March 25, 1931, in the so-called "Scottsboro Boys" case, nine young black men were taken off a train in Alabama, accused of raping two white women; after years of convictions, death sentences and imprisonment, the nine were eventually vindicated.

• New Mexico rep faces heat for plugging Texas cafe amid virus

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero, who has been dogged by allegations that she doesn't live in the state, is facing criticism for promoting a Texas cafe during coronavirus restrictions. The Albuquerque Democrat recently plugged on her personal Facebook page the El Paso-based Desert Moon Cafe and its menu. She also has publicized the cafe's move to curbside delivery in the Texas city. 

• LOST RIDERS-FATALITY-TREASURE HUNT

DENVER (AP) — Two snowmobile riders from Colorado were searching for an elusive treasure when they became stranded and one died in a Utah park. The Denver Post said the pair set out from the Denver area March 17 to search for Forrest Fenn's treasure. The eccentric New Mexico antiquities dealer had said he hid the bounty rumored to be worth around $2 million somewhere in the Rocky Mountains.

• VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's State Investment Council has approved the creation of a $100 million business recovery fund to help medium-sized companies meet payroll obligations and avoid layoffs amid economic turmoil of the coronavirus pandemic. The council overseen by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham controls a $23 billion portfolio of investments that support public education. On Tuesday, it voted unanimously to channel assets from the state's Severance Tax Permanent Fund to provide emergency recovery loans.

• VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced new restrictions aimed at fighting the spread of the new coronavirus. She said Monday the state will order most "nonessential businesses" to close or work from home. Positive tests for the coronavirus rose to 83, with nine hospitalizations. The new restrictions require residents to limit gatherings to five people or fewer. The action follows a series of emergency public health orders that have closed down the state''s indoor shopping malls, gyms and movie theaters.

Today in History 

• Today is Tuesday, March 24, the 84th day of 2020. There are 282 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

• On March 24, 1989, the supertanker Exxon Valdez (vahl-DEEZ') ran aground on a reef in Alaska's Prince William Sound and began leaking an estimated 11 million gallons of crude oil.

On this date:

• VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced new restrictions aimed at fighting the spread of the novel coronavirus. She said Monday the state will order all "non-essential businesses" to close on Tuesday and require "100 percent" of the state's non-essential workforce to work from home. The announcement came as state officials said New Mexico now had 18 new coronavirus cases bringing the state's total to 83. The new restrictions ask residents to now limit gatherings to five people or less.

• AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-IMMIGRATION-

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Trump administration official says illegal border crossings have dropped by half as the strictest U.S.-Mexico border policies yet went into place amid the coronavirus pandemic, despite confusion about how it was all working. Anyone caught crossing the border illegally is to be immediately returned back to Mexico or Canada, according to the new restrictions based on an order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Friday. According Mark Morgan, the acting head of U.S.

• AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-IMMIGRATION-

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Trump administration official says illegal border crossings have dropped by half as the strictest U.S.-Mexico border policies yet went into place amid the coronavirus pandemic, despite confusion about how it was all working. Anyone caught crossing the border illegally is to be immediately returned back to Mexico or Canada, according to the new restrictions based on an order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Friday. According Mark Morgan, the acting head of U.S.

Today in History

• Today is Monday, March 23, the 83rd day of 2020. There are 283 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

• On March 23, 1933, the German Reichstag adopted the Enabling Act, which effectively granted Adolf Hitler dictatorial powers.

On this date:

• PECOS RIVER FIGHT

Ranchers, potash company in fight over Pecos River rightsCARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Ranchers in a southeastern New Mexico community and a potash company are locking in fight over water rights connected to the Pecos River. The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports the Denver-based Intrepid Potash recently claimed ownership of about 35,000 acre feet of water rights along the Pecos, with 19,000 identified for consumption. Ranchers in a rural area south of Carlsbad said that move could completely drain the Pecos.

Today in History

• Today is Sunday, March 22, the 82nd day of 2020. There are 284 days left in the year.

Today's Highlights in History:

• On March 22, 1894, hockey's first Stanley Cup championship game was played; home team Montreal defeated Ottawa, 3-1.

On this date:In 1765, the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act to raise money from the American colonies, which fiercely resisted the tax. (The Stamp Act was repealed a year later.)

Latest New Mexico news, sports, business and entertainment at 1:20 a.m. MDT

• AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-TRIBES

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Native American tribes across the country are pressing the federal government for more resources to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. In the meantime, tribal leaders are suspending travel off reservations, closing casinos and hotels, instituting curfews in some places and strongly urging their citizens to protect the elderly. Tribes recently were included in a federal funding package for epidemiology, infection control, education and other things. But tribes say the $40 million is not enough.

• ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO-MAIL-IN VOTING

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico election regulators are encouraging registered voters to request mail-in ballots ahead of the state's June 2 primary election in light of a public health emergency concerning the coronavirus. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver on Friday announced that absentee ballots can be requested through an online portal. New Mexico has "no fault" absentee balloting in which mail-in ballots can be requested for any reason. Primary election absentee ballots are sent out to voters starting on May 5.

• Today is Saturday, March 21, the 81st day of 2020. There are 285 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History: 

• On March 21, 1685, composer Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany.

On this date:

• VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexicans will have extra time to file and pay their taxes as the state looks to ease the economic hardships brought on by the coronavirus. The number of infections statewide increased Friday to at least 43 with positive tests in the Gallup and Las Cruces areas. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has put limits on public gatherings as restaurants have moved to pick-up or delivery service only and casinos have closed. Prosecutors also are seeking more protections in courtrooms.

• VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO

New Mexico delays tax filing deadlines as virus cases climbSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexicans will have extra time to file and pay their taxes as the state looks to ease the economic hardships brought on by the coronavirus. The number of infections statewide increased Friday to at least 43 with positive tests in the Gallup and Las Cruces areas. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has put limits on public gatherings as restaurants have moved to pick-up or delivery service only and casinos have closed.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexicans will have extra time to file and pay their taxes as the state looks to ease the economic hardships brought on by the coronavirus. Officials said Friday that state and federal tax returns will now be due July 15 — 90 days later than the usual deadline. The state also is pushing back the corporate tax deadline. With at least 35 confirmed cases in the state, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has put limits on public gatherings as restaurants have moved to pick-up or delivery service only and casinos have closed.

• VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Another member of Congress from New Mexico is going in self-quarantine after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus. U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, D-Las Cruces, announced Thursday she will go into isolation out of an abundance of caution, though she is not exhibiting any symptoms. Earlier this week, Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-Santa Fe, announced he would self-quarantine after a brief interaction with an individual who later tested positive.

• AP-US-VOTING-RIGHTS-SELMA-ONLINE

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — A new online project seeks to bring the lessons of the U.S. civil rights movement to students. The Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University unveiled Selma Online this month​. It's a free, online teaching platform that aims to transform how the civil rights movement is taught in middle and high schools. It​ uses footage from the 2014 movie "Selma" about the beating of peaceful demonstrators in Alabama and attempts to show students how events in 1965 shaped voting rights.

• Selma Online offers free civil rights lessons amid virus

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — A new online project seeks to bring the lessons of the U.S. civil rights movement to students. The Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University unveiled Selma Online this month​. It's a free, online teaching platform that aims to transform how the civil rights movement is taught in middle and high schools.

• Today in History

Today is Friday, March 20, the 80th day of 2020. There are 286 days left in the year.

• Today's Highlight in History:

On March 20, 1854, the Republican Party of the United States was founded by slavery opponents at a schoolhouse in Ripon (RIH'-puhn), Wisconsin.