- ALBUQUERQUE POLICE-FATAL SHOOTING
Suspect fatally shot by police in Albuquerque street ID'edALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police have identified a man shot and killed by officers after they say he charged at them with a weapon in the middle of a busy street. Authorities said Sunday that 40-year-old Claude Trivino, of Hernandez, was the suspect fatally shot in a confrontation in northeast Albuquerque. Officers responded Saturday to a man who was walking in traffic, forcing cars to drive around him. Interim Police Chief Harold Medina said authorities tried using a stun gun on Trivino, who ignored commands to leave the street. Video footage by a witness shows a man throwing an object at officers before he was shot.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 27 new COVID-19 cases, 2 more deathsWINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation officials have reported 27 new confirmed COVID-19 cases with two additional deaths. The latest numbers released Sunday bring the total number of cases on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah to 29,535 since the pandemic began. There have been 1,144 reported deaths that were related to COVID-19. Tribal President Jonathan Nez said even those who have been fully vaccinated need to continue taking precautions to avoid spreading the virus. The tribe has a nightly curfew in place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. to limit the spread of the virus.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico reports 320 new COVID-19 cases, 14 more deathsSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Health officials in New Mexico on Sunday reported 320 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 14 more deaths. The latest numbers increased the state's pandemic totals to 182,789 cases and 3,624 known deaths. Four counties accounted for over half the additional cases. Bernalillo County had 101 cases, Dona Ana 44, Sandoval 23 and Valencia 22. Dona Ana County had three of the 18 new deaths with Bernalillo, Lea and San Juan each having two deaths. 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.
- DRY NEW MEXICO
Drought-stricken West holds out for more than just dry snowBERNALILLO, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is getting some much needed snow but don't count on it to end the drought. Every square mile of the arid state is dealing with some level of dryness, with more than half locked in the worst category — exceptional drought. And much of the West is no better off, with parts of Arizona, Utah and Nevada among the hardest hit. The latest storms to cross New Mexico came with frigid temperatures. Experts say the colder the air, the less moisture in the snow. That means less water to recharge the soil and less that will find its way into rivers and reservoirs this spring.
- ALBUQUERQUE POLICE-FATAL SHOOTING
Albuquerque police fatally shoot man who charged at officersALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police say officers have fatally shot a man who charged at them on a street in northeast Albuquerque. Interim Police Chief Harold Medina says the man was walking in the middle of the street and forcing vehicles to drive around him. Police say officers unsuccessfully tried to use a stun gun on the man who ignored their commands to get off the street. Albuquerque TV station KOB reports that video footage taken by a witness shows the man throwing an object toward officers before being shot. The man was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. His name hasn't been released yet.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 48 new COVID-19 cases, 4 more deathsWINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation officials have reported 48 new confirmed COVID-19 cases with four additional deaths. The latest numbers released Saturday night bring the total number of cases on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah to 29,509 since the pandemic began. There have been 1,142 reported deaths that were related to COVID-19. The tribe has a nightly curfew in place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. to limit the spread of the virus. Tribal health officials said nearly 16,000 people have recovered from COVID-19 on the reservation and more than 242,000 tests have been administered.
- AP-US-HAALAND-INTERIOR-DEPARTMENT
Tribes have high hopes as Haaland confirmation hearing nearsFLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Deb Haaland has stood with fellow tribal members in protesting an oil pipeline, advocating for protecting cultural landmarks and criticizing destruction of Native American sites near the U.S.-Mexico border. Native Americans have reason to believe the two-term U.S. congresswoman will push forward on long-simmering issues in Indian Country if she's confirmed as secretary of the Interior Department. The agency has broad oversight of tribal affairs and energy development. She would be the first Native American to lead the department or any other Cabinet agency. A confirmation hearing is scheduled Tuesday.
- GOVERNOR TAXPAYER FUNDED EXPENSES
New Mexico governor used fund to buy groceries, dry cleaningSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says she regrets discretionary spending of taxpayer money that included $6,500 on groceries and alcohol. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that the Democratic governor over a six-month period in 2020 spent almost $13,500 from a taxpayer-funded expense account. The account is for spending on functions, events or other items that promote the state. Lukan Grisham's spokesperson said some of groceries were used to feed the governor's cabinet and staff at long meetings. Lujan Grisham said Friday she didn't want New Mexicans to feel she didn't take their hardship seriously.