- ALBUQUERQUE-TRIPLE HOMICIDE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police say they are searching for a man who was seen running from a hospital parking lot after three people were found inside a vehicle with gunshot wounds. Officers responded to the hospital at about 3 p.m. Wednesday and found two of the people dead inside the vehicle. The other person died despite the efforts of paramedics. No identities were released. Police say it's unclear where the victims were shot before they were driven to the hospital. Police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos say the man who was seen running away is considered a person of interest.
- AP-US-IMMIGRATION-BORDER-ENCOUNTERS
LA JOYA, Texas (AP) — While asylum-seeking families and children dominate public attention, single adults represent a growing number of encounters with U.S. border agents. They made up nearly two of every three Border Patrol encounters in April. They are less likely to surrender to authorities than families and children, making them less visible. Single adults drove border encounters to the highest level in more than 20 years. But the figures aren't directly comparable because so many are quickly expelled from the country under federal pandemic-related powers. April was also the second-busiest month on record for unaccompanied children encountered at the border, following March's all-time high.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-PROMS
BOSTON (AP) — A year after the pandemic canceled most proms, school districts around the country are considering whether they can once again hold the formal dance for seniors. Striking a balance between safety and fun, districts are requiring masks and booking outdoor venues like baseball stadiums or setting up tents. Some are requiring a negative test while others are encouraging attendees to get vaccinated. Still, there are plenty of districts that concluded proms remain too risky. School districts in Miami and El Paso cancelled their proms. In response, some parents and students are forging ahead anyways and organizing their own dances.
- AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-STREET-RACING
Across America, illegal drag racing has surged in popularity since the coronavirus pandemic began. Officials have reported a dangerous uptick in the activity from Oregon and New Mexico, to New York and Georgia. People have been killed. The roar of engines and traffic tie-ups have become huge annoyances. Police and elected leaders are trying to fight back. A sports psychologist who participates in legal drag racing believes shutdowns associated with the pandemic contributed to the increase by emptying normally clogged highways and streets. She also says those with a passion for fast cars had more time to modify them and show them off.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Wednesday reported 20 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths for the third consecutive day. Tribal health officials say the latest figures pushed the total number of cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago to 30,662 on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The known death toll remains at 1,285. Several health care facilities on the Navajo Nation will begin offering the Pfizer vaccine for adolescents ages 12 to 15 as early as Thursday, while others will begin on Friday and Saturday.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A year after holding only drive-thru graduations, the school district for New Mexico's second most populous city has scheduled in-person graduation ceremonies at the district's soccer stadium for its six high schools. Las Cruces Public Schools scheduled ceremonies for the various schools on May 21 and May 22. New Mexico State University also has two in-person ceremonies planned this weekend. Social distancing and mask-wearing will be required. And as the pace of vaccination slows, state officials also announced that vaccines would be available at New Mexico United home games in Albuquerque starting this weekend.
- POLICE SHOOTING-FARMINGTON
Farmington, N.M. (AP) — Farmington police say four officers responding to reports of a person firing a gun downtown shot and wounded a man who pointed a gun at one officer. Police on Monday released a video statement on the Sunday incident but did not release the identity of the man who was shot and then hospitalized or specify his injuries. According to police, the initial reports of gunfire prompted them to order people in the area to shelter in place. No officers were injured. The San Juan County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident.
- OIL AND GAS-RARE PLANTS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is planning to take a closer look at two rare plants found only in northwestern New Mexico to see if they warrant protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. Environmentalists are pointing to the small cactus and the flowering herb as more reasons oil and gas development should be limited in the San Juan Basin. They say federal land managers aren't doing enough to preserve the plants. The fight over drilling in the region has been ongoing for decades, with the driving force being protection of areas beyond Chaco Culture National Historical Park that are considered significant to Native American tribes.