- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — School districts in New Mexico are preparing their plans for resuming classes in the fall amid the coronavirus pandemic. In Las Cruces, district officials are reminding parents that all school-age children must be up to date on immunizations or have the proper exemption from the state Health Department. The Carlsbad school district is hopeful the overall lower number of COVID-19 positive cases in the community could mean a normal school year for students. There have been fewer than 80 cases in Eddy County. Overall, New Mexico has reported nearly 12,000 cases since the outbreak began.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation health officials are reporting 63 additional cases of coronavirus with no new deaths. That puts the total of positive COVID-19 cases on the reservation at 7,532 as of Monday. The total number of deaths remains at 363. Navajo President Jonathan Nez says it's a challenge for the tribe to try to prevent the spread of the virus when surrounding areas are experiencing surges. The Navajo Nation is in northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico and southeastern Utah. Reports from a dozen health care facilities on and near the Navajo Nation indicate more than 5,080 people have recovered. More than 54,700 people have been tested so far.
- BUTCHERED PONY
CORRALES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico authorities are investigating after a horse was found stabbed in the chest and partially butchered in his stall in Corrales. Inspectors with the state Livestock Board say the Welsh pony named Rocky had flesh cut from his body and removed from the scene. Investigators are looking for witnesses and any video footage that was taken between 10 p.m. on June 24 and 7 a.m. the next morning. Livestock Board Deputy Director Shawn Davis called it a brutal and senseless crime, saying whoever did this is a danger to the community. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered.
- EDUCATION LAWSUIT-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge has rejected a motion by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to dismiss a landmark education lawsuit that was filed against the state. The Democratic governor had argued that her administration was on its way to addressing the ruling and that the case should be dismissed. The 2018 ruling that New Mexico failed to provide children with sufficient education as required by the state constitution has brought racial and socioeconomic inequity to the forefront in a state where per-student spending and educational achievement hover near the bottom of national rankings.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Mexico is approaching 12,000. State health officials on Monday reported an additional 173 cases, bringing the statewide total since the outbreak began to 11,982. Bernalillo and Doña Ana counties, which are the state's most populous, accounted for nearly half the additional cases reported Monday. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham warned last week that she was pausing plans for another phase of economic reopening because the numbers were trending up. She blamed lax personal behaviors and urged people to stay at home, avoid gatherings and to wear masks when out in public.
- SPECIAL SESSION-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed a measure that would temporarily forgive tax-interest penalties during the coronavirus pandemic. The bill signed Monday also will boost temporary state payments to cities hit hard by the economic downturn. The measure was passed during the recent special legislative session. For New Mexicans unable to pay their taxes on time, the bill temporarily waives interest and penalties on late payments. State officials say taxpayers must still file their tax returns in a timely manner, but payments may follow at later date. New payment deadlines have been set for April 2021.
- ENDANGERED WOLVES-DEATHS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Wildlife managers are investigating the deaths of two Mexican gray wolves found in May in New Mexico. The team that oversees recovery of the endangered species in New Mexico and Arizona has documented a dozen mortalities among the wild population over the first five months of this year. Environmentalists have also raised concerns that the leader of a different pack was killed for preying on livestock. They say that alpha male was the 21st wolf shot by the government since reintroduction began in 1998. Environmentalists also say it was the fifth shot by federal employees this year.
- HOMICIDE-ALBUQUERQUE PARTY
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police say officers stopped two suspicious vehicles leaving the scene of a fatal shooting on the southeast side of town early Monday and have interviewed several people at the residence as they continue to investigate. Police say they found one man dead after they responded to a call at about 3 a.m. at a residence on Tomatillo Lane. A neighbor reported he heard people arguing before gunshots rang out. Investigators are treating it as a homicide but they haven't released any other details. The victim's name is being withheld. He was shot in the back yard of the residence.