- RAINBOW GATHERING-NEW MEXICO
TAOS, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service says extensive cleanup and environmental rehabilitation activities have been conducted following a large, informal gathering attended by thousands of people in a remote area of the Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico. Officials estimate that 5,000 people attended the dispersed camping and recreational event. The event was staged in late June and early July by a group known as the Rainbow Family of Living Light. Officials say the group didn't apply for a use permit for the gathering but worked with the Forest Service after the event to clean up and rehabilitate the site.
- AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-INCENTIVES
Millions of people in the U.S. who haven't gotten the COVID-19 vaccine could soon have a new reason to roll up their sleeves: money in their pockets. President Joe Biden is calling on states and local governments to join those that already are handing out dollars for shots. New York, the nation's biggest city, started doling out $100 awards on Friday. The president and health officials are betting that the financial incentive will spur hesitant people to get the shot just as the contagious and potentially more powerful delta variant sweeps through parts of the country and as the number of daily inoculations falls sharply from its April high.
- EVICTION MORATORIUM-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Tenant protections in New Mexico don't end with the expiration of a federal freeze on evictions July 31. It is unclear when the state Supreme Court will end the New Mexico moratorium on evictions. The state has $284 million in federal funds available for rental and related assistance. At the same time, the flow of money to those in need has been slow, with about $17 million in emergency rental and utility assistance distributed so far. The high cost of rental housing is less of a problem in New Mexico than nationwide.
- LEGISLATOR RESIGNS-CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
SANTE FE, N.M. (AP) — The second-ranking legislator in the New Mexico House of Representatives has resigned amid criminal investigations into her ties to a private contractor for the Albuquerque school district where she also works. Democratic House leaders announced the resignation of Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton on Friday. An investigation is underway into possible racketeering, money laundering, kickbacks and violations of a law governing the conduct of state lawmakers. Stapleton said in her resignation letter that she "unequivocally" denies the allegations but decided she must devote her time and energy to fully defending herself. Democratic House leaders say her resignation is in the best interest of the Legislature and state.
- Bob Odenkirk says he had a small heart attack, will be back
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — "Better Call Saul" star Bob Odenkirk says he "had a small heart attack" but will "be back soon." The 58-year-old actor took to Twitter Friday to make his first public statement since collapsing on the show's New Mexico set three days earlier. Odenkirk says he's going to be OK thanks to the doctors and nurses who knew how to fix his blockage. He says he's going to "take a beat to recover, but will "be back soon." Odenkirk has been nominated for four Emmys for playing the title role on the show that was shooting its sixth and final season.
- RACIAL INJUSTICE-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A broad coalition of Indigenous leaders in New Mexico made new demands for a top state educational official to resign based on undisclosed comments that they view as disparaging toward Native Americans. At a rally and news conference convened by the All Pueblo Council of Governors on Friday, Native American leaders and allied civil rights advocates condemned comments made at least two years ago by Rachel Gudgel. Gudgel is the director of the Legislative Education Study Committee. The committee provides education research and guidance to state legislators. Gudgel apologized this week and acknowledged that the past comments were insensitive, insulting and harmful.
- AP-US-IMMIGRATION-ASYLUM
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Two organizations say they are ending cooperation with the Biden administration to identify the most vulnerable migrants waiting in Mexico to be admitted to the United States to seek asylum. The withdrawals of the International Rescue Committee and HIAS from a consortium of groups helping the government is a blow to an effort that was always intended to be temporary. Advocacy groups were choosing a limited number of migrants for U.S. authorities to exempt from a coronavirus-related ban on migrants seeking asylum at the border. Former President Donald Trump imposed the public health order and Biden has largely kept it in place.
- INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES-NAVAJO MEMBER
PHOENIX (AP) — The chief medical officer for the Navajo Area Health Indian Service based in Arizona has been named to the same position for the national service. Dr. Loretta Christensen is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. She began her career with the Indian Health Service as a general surgeon and has been chief medical of the Navajo Area service since 2014. She previously served as chief medical officer at the Gallup Service Unit in New Mexico and has been the acting IHS chief medical officer since May. IHS Acting Director Elizabeth Fowler announced Christensen's appointment Friday to the service serving 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives.