- New Mexico History Museum, monument vandalized in Santa Fe
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A statue honoring a Hispanic priest and World War II veteran has been vandalized, as have the New Mexico History Museum walls. Police say the vandalism took place Monday on the 340th anniversary of the Pueblo Revolt and appears to be connected to protests targeting Spanish colonial monuments in New Mexico. The bronze statue of Fray Angélico Chávez was hit with red paint. The walls of the museum were painted to say "1680 Land Back" in red. New Mexico State Police spokesman Dusty Franciso says the case is under investigation. No arrests have been made.
- New Mexico warns of fake face mask exemption cards
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials are warning residents that fraudulent face mask exemption cards are being distributed to the public. The state Health Department says the cards falsely purport to be issued by the state agency and the U.S. Justice Department. Officials say anyone caught creating or using the cards could face a felony charge. Federal authorities also have issued similar warnings elsewhere that such cards are fake. Face coverings are mandated in New Mexico as part of a public health order aimed at keep the coronavirus in check. Daily case counts in New Mexico have declined since a spike in July.
- School year begins for some New Mexico districts
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The school year is underway at some of New Mexico's largest public school districts as teachers, students and parents deal with remote learning amid the coronavirus pandemic. Albuquerque Public Schools started Wednesday as schools in the district have been distributing technology to students, making virtual home visits, and providing guidance to staff, students and families. The Las Cruces district outlined its protocols for instruction, technology and nutrition services for an all-online start Wednesday. Whether students return to the classroom later in the year will depend on the pace of the pandemic in the state. The state reported an additional 180 COVID-19 cases and two deaths on Wednesday.
- Legislature probes pandemic spending amid partisan clashes
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Leading legislators moved forward Wednesday with an examination of at least $30 million in emergency spending authorized by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham without legislative approval in response to the coronavirus pandemic. A panel of lawmakers authorized contract attorneys to continue efforts to confirm details about sources and destinations of the emergency spending, as lawmakers openly clashed about whether the governor had overstepped her authority and acted appropriately. Republican lawmakers say Lujan Grisham infringed on the Legislature's authority over state spending by signing massive emergency spending orders. Democratic House speaker Brian Egolf accused Republicans of trying to score partisan political points in during an election season.
- New Mexico wants Trump unemployment offer, says no to match
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is saying yes to President Donald Trump's offer to provide a $300 weekly federal supplement to unemployment benefits, though without increasing the state's standard payout as suggested. Workforce Solutions Secretary Bill McCamley on Wednesday said the state has submitted an application to the U.S. government that would provide an additional $300 per week to residents who receive unemployment benefits. If approved, that would bring the maximum weekly benefit to $761. Trump's Aug. 1 executive order called for payments up to $400 each week, suggesting that states pick up 25% of the tab. Balances in New Mexico's unemployment trust and general fund reserve accounts are rapidly dwindling amid economic crisis.
- Native American man seeks further delay of federal execution
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Attorneys for the only Native American on federal death row are asking a judge to delay his execution while they argue the procedures must follow Arizona law. Lezmond Mitchell, who is Navajo, is set to be put to death on Aug. 26 at the federal prison in Indiana where he's being held. A U.S. District Court judge in Arizona heard arguments Wednesday on the request for a delay and says he'll make a decision quickly. The U.S. Justice Department urged the judge to reject the request, calling it untimely, unpersuasive and unjustified. Mitchell was convicted in the 2001 killing of a Navajo woman and her granddaughter on the Navajo reservation.
- New office in New Mexico to focus on Indigenous cold cases
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. officials have opened an office in New Mexico dedicated to investigating cold cases involving Indigenous people who are missing or have been killed. The office in Albuquerque is part of an effort to address violence against Native Americans and Alaska Natives, particularly women and girls. The office is the fourth of seven that are being established across the country as part of the Operation Lady Justice Task Force created via executive order by President Donald Trump in November. Other offices will be located in Arizona, Alaska and Tennessee. The goal is to develop protocols for law enforcement to respond to cases involving missing and slain Indigenous people and to improve data collection.
- New Mexico's largest newspapers combine printing operations
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Albuquerque Journal and the Santa Fe New Mexican are partnering to print both publications at the The New Mexican's production facility in Santa Fe. The state's two largest newspapers made the announcement Tuesday and said discussions about consolidation of the printing operations have been ongoing for years. Officials say the move will increase efficiency. As a result, there will be up to 70 layoffs at the Journal's print facility in Albuquerque. Officials say the change will take effect Oct. 12 and will not affect the size or content of either newspaper. The newsrooms of the two newspapers will remain separate and maintain independent operations.