- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation to allow 'soft reopening' of some businessesWINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation officials cited a declining number of new COVID-19 cases and other improving conditions as they announced a new public health order that will allow some businesses to reopen under certain restrictions. However, officials said a separate new health order will keep the daily curfew for residents of the tribe's reservation from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. in effect. Both orders will take effect Monday. Officials cited testing availability, hospital capacity and contact tracing in addition to the decrease in new cases as factors in the transition to a status allowing some businesses to reopen under restrictions that include capacity limits.
- LAS CRUCES-CRASH INCIDENT
Injured man taken to hospital after incident in Las CrucesLAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — An injured man was transported to a hospital Thursday following an incident that a police spokesman said reportedly involved a crash and gunfire in downtown Las Cruces. Circumstances of the incident weren't immediately clear but police spokesman Dan Trujillo told The Associated Press that it apparently started with a domestic relations matter of some sort. The nature of the man's injuries and his condition weren't immediately released, but a police statement said the incident would be investigated by a task force with investigators from multiple law enforcement agencies. The statement said a police officer "suffered relatively minor injuries during the incident,: It occurred near an intersection in a commercial area.
BIDEN VS OIL
As climate fight shifts to oil, Biden faces a formidable foe
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — President Joe Biden's bid to tackle climate change is running straight through the heart of the U.S. oil and gas industry. It's a much bigger, more influential foe than Democrats faced when they took on the coal industry during the Obama years. Coal dominated U.S. power generation for decades. Fast forward to 2021 — and oil and gas production have eclipsed coal to become the biggest source of greenhouse emissions from public lands and waters. That's made government fuel sales from federal reserves an irresistible target for Biden as his administration tries to rein in climate change.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
Officials: New Mexico to receive about $9B from relief billALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Democratic members of the state's congressional delegation say New Mexico can expect to receive around $9 billion from the pandemic relief package approved by Congress. They say the funding will go toward everything from direct payments for individuals to investments in broadband, debt relief for farmers and expanding the child tax credit. They say tribal communities and public schools will see over $1 billion each, while the state and local governments will share in about $2 billion. Lujan Grisham said the package will address the state's systemic poverty issues by creating universal benefits and lifelong assistance.
- POLICING REFORMS-NEW MEXICO
Policing reforms gain momentum in New MexicoSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Lawmakers have advanced a bill toward a final Senate vote to eliminate police immunity from prosecution in state courts on civil rights violations ranging from racial discrimination to illegal search and seizure and freedom of speech violations. On a 5-4 vote Wednesday, a Senate committee endorsed the proposed New Mexico Civil Rights Act that also would apply to allegations against local government and public schools. The bill builds on recommendations from a commission chartered last year amid nationwide protests over police brutality and racial injustice. Separately, the New Mexico House endorsed a bill to overhaul how police officers are certified and disciplined.
- LEGISLATURE-NEW MEXICO-JUVENILES-PAROLE
New Mexico Senate passes early juvenile parole billSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico state Senate is advancing a bill that would allow minors who commit serious crimes to be eligible for parole earlier than criminals sentenced as adults. The bill would enshrine Supreme Court rulings that have found life sentences without parole violates the constitutional rights of adolescents, including for crimes such as murder. If passed, the New Mexico bill would allow juvenile offenders to have a parole hearing within 15 years of their initial sentence. The bill would apply to youth aged 14-17 convicted of serious crimes including murder. If passed, it could affect around 90 inmates in the state.
- LEGISLATURE-NEW MEXICO TRAPPING
New Mexico ban on traps and wildlife poisons clears SenateSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico measure that would prohibit traps, snares and wildlife poisons from being used on public land has passed the Senate. The legislation cleared the chamber late Tuesday despite four Democrats from rural areas breaking with their party and voting against it. It must still get through the House before lawmakers adjourn in less than two weeks. Environmentalists and animal advocacy groups say New Mexico needs to join neighboring states to ban what they described as cruel and outdated practices. Rural residents and wildlife conservation officers say trapping is still an important tool for managing wildlife and protecting livestock.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 13 more COVID-19 cases, 1 more deathWINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Wednesday reported 13 additional COVID-19 cases and one more death from the virus as a downward trend in infections and hospitalizations continues. The latest numbers pushed the tribe's totals to 29,900 confirmed cases and 1,205 known deaths since the pandemic began a year ago. The Navajo Department of Health identified eight communities with uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 on Tuesday. That compares with 75 communities having an uncontrolled spread of the virus in January. A daily curfew from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. and a mask mandate remain in effect for residents of the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah to prevent the spread of COVID-19.