- Navajo Nation reports 13 more COVID-19 cases, 1 more death
WINDOW 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.
- Officials: New Mexico to receive about $9B from relief bill
ALBUQUERQUE, 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 gain momentum in New Mexico
SANTA 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.
- New Mexico Senate passes early juvenile parole bill
SANTA 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.
- New Mexico ban on traps and wildlife poisons clears Senate
SANTA 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.
- Man charged in NJ slaying, questioned in 4 New Mexico deaths
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A man considered a person of interest in the deaths of his ex-wife and three other people in New Mexico has been charged with a separate killing in New Jersey. Authorities in Gloucester County say they have charged 47-year-old Sean Lannon with murder, robbery and other offenses in the death of 66-year-old Michael Dabkowski in Dabkowski's East Greenwich home on Monday. Lannon was arrested in St. Louis on Wednesday morning. He is a person of interest in the deaths of his ex-wife and three men whose bodies were found last week in a vehicle at the Albuquerque International Sunport airport garage. It was not clear on Wednesday if Lannon had an attorney.
- Unsalaried New Mexico lawmakers may ask voters for paycheck
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Voters would decide whether to provide salaries to New Mexico lawmakers who are paid only for expenses and travel under a proposed constitutional amendment. The House voted 44-24 on Tuesday to endorse the amendment and send it to the Democratic-led Senate. Republicans were unified in opposition. Support from a majority of senators would send the amendment to a statewide vote. Proponents say salaries might rein in conflicts of interest as legislators juggle outside work and Statehouse duties and could attract a more diverse pool of political candidates. Opponents say it would forever change the frontier character of New Mexico's part-time Legislature.
- US reports surge of kids at SW border, a challenge for Biden
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of migrant children and families seeking to cross the southwest border of the U.S. has surged to levels not seen since before the pandemic. That's presenting a challenge for President Joe Biden as he works to undo the restrictive immigration policies of his predecessor. Statistics released Wednesday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection show the number of children and families increasing by more than 100% between January and February. The number of kids crossing by themselves has risen 60% to more than 9,400, forcing the government to look for new places to hold them temporarily amid the pandemic.