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Latest New Mexico news, sports, business and entertainment at 11:20 a.m. MDT

  • ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — Restrictions limiting person-to-person contact to stop the spread of COVID-19 is hindering Democratic primary challengers seeking to unseat incumbent state lawmakers in New Mexico. Challengers are barred for weeks from campaigning by knocking on doors and shaking hands at public events. Instead, many are moving to aggressive social media pushes, multiple mailers, and virtual town halls. Most Democratic voters in the state's closed primary system tend to be older, and many live in rural areas where broadband internet access and cell service is limited. But candidate Carrie Hamblen says voters are more connected online than ever before. She's seeking to oust Sen. Mary Kay Papen — one of the most powerful Democratic incumbents in the New Mexico Senate.

  • VIRUS OUTBREAK-VIRUS FREE COUNTIES

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — As the coronavirus rages through Europe, and major American cities like New York and Los Angeles, more than a third of counties across the U.S. still have not reported a positive test result for infection across what are predominantly rural areas. A data analysis by The Associated Press shows that 1,297 counties have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 out of 3,142 counties nationwide. Counties with zero positive tests for COVID-19 tend to have older, rural populations with lower incomes where rural health networks might be overwhelmed. The demographics hold major implications as the administration of President Donald Trump develops guidelines to rate counties by risk of virus spread, empowering local officials to revise social distancing orders 

  • VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO

New Mexico has reported a second death related to the coronavirus, a man in his 80s who died Friday in Bernalillo County. The state Department of Health said the man had been hospitalized and had multiple chronic underlying health conditions. The department also  reported 17 additional coronavirus cases statewide, for a total of 208. The department's figures indicate that 17 of the state's 33 counties have at least one case of the virus. The new cases include 11 in Bernalillo County, three in Chaves and one each in Dona Ana, Eddy and San Juan counties. Bernalillo County includes metro Albuquerque and accounts for 92 cases of the statewide total. Other counties in double digits include Santa Fe, San Juan , Dona Ana and Sandoval. 

  • VIRUS OUTBREAK-STIMULUS-TRIBES

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Tribes say their persistent efforts to be included in a massive stimulus bill to respond to the new coronavirus have paid off. Tribes have been lobbying Congress to help address shortfalls in an already underfunded health care system that serves Native Americans. They secured $10 billion in the bill that President Donald Trump signed Friday. Most of it is set aside as a relief fund that will be distributed based on need. More than $1 billion will go to the federal agency that provides primary health care for more than 2 million Native Americans. The Navajo Nation in the U.S. Southwest has been hardest hit by the virus with more than 90 confirmed cases.

  • AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-WHAT'S-ESSENTIAL

The coronavirus pandemic is defining for the globe what's essential and what things we really can't do without, even though we might not need them for survival. Attempting to slow the spread of the virus, authorities in many places are determining what shops and services can remain open. They're also restricting citizens from leaving their homes. Whether it's Asia, Europe, Africa or the United States, there's general agreement on what's essential: Health care workers, law enforcement, utility workers, food production and communications are generally exempt from lockdowns. But some activities reflect a national identity, or the efforts of lobbyists.

  • POLLINATOR LICENSE PLATE

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — For the love of bees, New Mexico is now offering motorists a chance to help the pollinators through the purchase of a special license plate. The state Transportation Department says proceeds from the new plates will help fund planting projects along state roads. The pollinator project also will create educational gardens and reduce mowing and spraying of herbicides along roadways as a way to improve habitat for bees and other pollinators. The plate features the artwork of a student from the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy. It costs $25 for the initial purchase and $15 for yearly renewal.

  • SHERIFF-DRUNK-OBSTRUCTION

ESPAÑOLA, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico sheriff is facing an obstruction charge after police say he showed up drunk to a SWAT standoff and tried to order officers away. A criminal complaint filed Thursday said Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan, in plain clothes, attempted to take over the scene involving a barricaded subject in Española on Saturday. Española's police chief says officers reported Lujan smelled of alcohol and ignored commands to leave the "kill zone" in front of the house of the barricaded subject. Lujan told the Santa Fe New Mexican that the accusations in the criminal complaint are false. 

  • VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO TOURISM

RIO RANCHO, N.M (AP) — New Mexico is canceling its national tourism campaign and is halting related events as coronavirus restrictions have brought tourism in the state to a halt. New Mexico Cabinet Secretary for Tourism Jen Schroer said Friday the state's popular destinations have suffered because of the health-ordered restrictions to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Schroer warned that hotels and tourist hot spots will continue suffering until restrictions are lifted. She says hotels can only operate until to 50% capacity but can house more guests if they include health care workers.