- Police: 2 dead after shootings in northeast Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police in Albuquerque say two people are dead after a shooting in the city's northeast area. They say the shooting occurred about 10 p.m. Saturday. Responding officers reported finding a man dead on the scene near an Interstate 40 overpass and another person wounded. The wounded person was taken to a hospital and later died. No information was immediately released about the two victims. Police say homicide detectives were conducting interviews Sunday and canvassing the area. Investigators say it's unclear what led to the shooting and there was no word on any suspects in the fatal shootings.
- Navajo Nation reports 132 new COVID-19 cases, 12 more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation health officials have reported 132 new COVID-19 cases and 12 more deaths. The latest figures released Saturday night bring the total reported coronavirus cases on the reservation to 27,109 with 966 known deaths. The tribe is extending its stay-at-home order with a revised nightly curfew to limit the spread of COVID-19 and lifting weekend lockdowns to allow more vaccination events. The actions in the Navajo Nation's latest public health emergency order will take effect Monday and run through at least Feb. 15. The daily curfew will run daily from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tribal officials said nearly 228,000 people on the vast reservation have been tested for COVID-19 and almost 14,000 have recovered. The Navajo Nation extends into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
- School bill challenges New Mexico virus restrictions
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A bipartisan bill being introduced in the New Mexico Legislature would allow local school boards to reopen classrooms closed by the governor's emergency health orders. The proposal follows the start of vaccine distribution to some teachers and growing pressure from parents to reopen schools and resume high school sports. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham would likely veto the bill. She has allowed for limited in-person learning for younger students and those with disabilities, but they cover only a fraction of students in the state. Earlier this week, the administration teased a loosening of restrictions that could undercut support for the bill.
- 2 in 5 Americans live where COVID-19 strains hospital ICUs
U.S. hospital intensive care units in many parts of the country are straining to handle record numbers of COVID-19 patients. These hospital units take care of the sickest of the sick. Some are running out of space and supplies, while scrambling to pay the soaring rates of temporary traveling nurses. Hundreds of ICUs are struggling at the same time, with many clustered in the South and West. An Associated Press analysis shows that since November, the share of U.S. hospitals nearing the breaking point has doubled. More than 40% of Americans live in areas running out of ICU beds. Experts say sustained surges can jeopardize the quality of care in ICUs.
- New Mexico reports nearly 860 new virus cases, 38 deaths
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico on Saturday reported 859 additional COVID-19 cases and 38 more deaths, increasing the state's pandemic totals to 168,579 cases and 3,115 deaths. Bernalillo County had the most additional cases with 184, followed by 83 in San Juan County, 74 in Dona Ana County and 53 in McKinley County. Most of the additional deaths involved older New Mexicans, but they also included several people in their 20s and 30s. The number of infections is thought to be far higher than reported because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
- New Mexico deputies equipped with body camera technology
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Deputies with the Bernalillo County sheriff's department are now equipped with body cameras. Sheriff Manuel Gonzales unveiled on Friday the device that all 310 deputies will now be wearing after a newly approved state law requiring law enforcement to have body cameras. Bernalillo County, which includes Albuquerque, has agreed to a more than $3 million, five-year contract for the BodyWorn camera by Utility, Inc. The contract covers two cameras in each vehicle, Wi-Fi hotspots for the cruisers, uniform tailoring to hold the devices and a holster that will automatically activate the cameras when a gun is drawn.
- Carlsbad eyes converting university branch into college
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Carlsbad's school board is voicing support for a proposal to convert the New Mexico State University branch campus into an independent community college. The Carlsbad Current-Argues reports the board voted unanimously Tuesday for a pro-conversion resolution. Mayor Dale Janway last year created a city task force that studied several possible approaches and ultimately presented the state with a report recommending conversion. Carlsbad officials say their community wants increased flexibility regarding curriculum to meet needs of local employers. Creating an independent community college would require approval by the state Legislature. NMSU officials contend Carlsbad is best served through a university campus.
- Biden's pause on oil cause for big concern in New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — President Joe Biden's 60-day moratorium on new oil and natural gas leases and drilling permits is prompting widespread concerns in New Mexico, where spending on education and other government programs hinges on the industry's success. About half of production in the state happens on federal land and amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties each year. Republicans and some community leaders say any moves to make permanent the suspension would be economically devastating. Congressional members from other western states also have concerns, saying the ripple effects of the moratorium will hurt small businesses already struggling because of the pandemic.