- Families, advocates mark day of awareness for Native victims
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — From the nation's capitol to Indigenous communities across the American Southwest, top government officials, family members and advocates are gathering as part of a call to action to address the ongoing problem of violence against Indigenous women and children. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is expected to commemorate the day Wednesday as a caravan of female motorcyclists take to the streets in Phoenix, New Mexico's task force presents its latest findings, and advocates use social media to raise awareness. The first Native American to lead a U.S. cabinet agency, Haaland called May 5 an unfortunate tradition and said she feels "we are ready to solve this crisis."
- 60 years since 1st American in space: Tourists lining up
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Sixty years after Alan Shepard became the first American in space, everyday people are on the verge of following in his cosmic footsteps. Jeff Bezos is using Wednesday's anniversary to open ticket sales for his Blue Origin company. Elon Musk's SpaceX will use its newly returned capsule to launch a billionaire in September, along with a pair of contest winners and a hospital worker. Shepard rocketed from Cape Canaveral on May 5, 1961. To date, 579 people have flown in space. That number is expected to soar with upcoming tourist flights.
- Navajo Nation reports 12 new COVID-19 cases and 1 more death
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Tuesday reported 12 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and one additional death. Tribal health officials say the total number of cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago now is 30,543 on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah with 1,282 known deaths. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said more than half of the reservation's adult population has been vaccinated, but people still need to stay home as much as possible, wear masks and avoid large gatherings.
- New Mexico urges registration of younger teens for vaccine
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Department of Health is urging parents to register children ages 12-15 for eventual access to coronavirus vaccines when shots are approved for lower age groups. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged 12 and older next week, setting up shots for many before the beginning of the next school year. Health Department spokesman David Morgan says the agency encourages parents to register children right away with the state's vaccination website to help ensure access later. The latest state data shows more than 45% of residents 16 and older are fully vaccinated.
- Candidates clash in New Mexico congressional election debate
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A special congressional election is underway for an Albuquerque-based seat that has been dominated by Democrats since 2009. Early voting by absentee ballot began Tuesday as major party candidates clashed in their first public debate. Six candidates are vying for the 1st Congressional District post to succeed Deb Haaland after her departure from Congress to lead the Interior Department. Democratic state Rep. Melanie Stansbury and Republican state Sen. Mark Moores are at the forefront of the contest that includes a Libertarian contender and an experienced independent. Republican Party leaders believe they have a rare opportunity to flip the district with the possibility of low turnout.
- New Mexico oil and gas royalties set highest monthly record
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has set a record for the highest monthly royalty earnings from oil and gas leases. The State Land Office says the nearly $110 million that was earned in April was more than any month in state history. Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard said Tuesday that the revenue boon will benefit public schools, hospitals and other state programs that are funded by drilling, development and other activities on state trust land. The previous record for royalty earnings was nearly $109 million in February 2020. That record was set before a global price war and pandemic market forces disrupted the oil industry.
- New Mexico senator to file lawsuit over ethics complaint
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A senator in New Mexico has filed a tort claim notice against New Mexico Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins in response to an ethics complaint that was filed against the senator after he requested public records related to the state's coronavirus pandemic response and federal spending. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that Democratic state Sen. Jacob Candelaria filed the notice of intent to sue Monday to expose the alleged retaliation he faced after filing public records requests with the governor's office last year. Nora Meyers Sackett, a spokeswoman for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, says no retaliation occurred.
- Monitor's report finds Albuquerque Police Department lacking
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A federal monitor's latest report says the Albuquerque Police Department is making some progress on use of force but falling short in other ways. KRQE reports that monitor James Ginger's report said that years into reform efforts there are still too many instances of officers using unnecessary force and that the department apparently lacks "an appetite for taking serious approaches to control excessive or unwarranted uses of force. Police Chief Harold Medina said the department does take use of force seriously but faces a backlog of old cases that makes it difficult to review some matters promptly.