- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NATIVE AMERICAN MOMS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — State officials say the findings of a recent survey at a women's hospital in New Mexico are in the process of being referred to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights after allegations of racial profiling were raised. The survey at Lovelace Women's Hospital in Albuquerque was completed last week. While the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has yet to finalize the report, state health officials say initial findings identified noncompliance. The hospital denies that extra scrutiny was given to pregnant Native American patients amid the coronavirus pandemic. Some tribal communities in the Southwest have been hit hard by the virus.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-REOPENING SCHOOLS
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's Public Education Department is outlining a path for how schools will reopen this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic. Under a plan made public Tuesday, the state is requiring schools to open at 50% capacity. Students will alternate between time in the classroom and continuing with online lessons at home. Based on regional testing data, schools could be forced to close or allowed to fully open. Regardless of infection numbers, children and staff will be required to wear masks and large gatherings like pep rallies are to be avoided. Officials say the goal is to move into a full school schedule as soon as safely possible.
- POLICE SHOOTING-GALLUP
GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say one of two people killed in a head-on wrong-way crash on Interstate 40 near Gallup following a police chase was a wanted man from northwestern New Mexico. According to the New Mexico State Police, 25-year-old Gerard John of Brimhall and 21-year-old Ray Lee Jim of Wingate were killed early on June 6 when their pickup collided with a tractor-trailer rig after being chased by police who had ended their pursuit before the crash occurred. State Police said pending warrants for John alleged armed robbery and other crimes.
- RESTAURANT-RACIST VANDALISM
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Vandals damaged the interior furnishings of of an Indian restaurant in downtown Santa Fe and spray-painted racist comments on walls and art objects in the building. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the cost of the damage Monday to the India Palace was estimated at $100,000. The damage included smashing a buffet and overturning tables and chairs. Cameron Brown, an associate of the restaurant owner and his son, said the comments included "white supremacist stuff."
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO-MASKS
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is under a state order for residents and travelers to wear masks in public places, but visitors to Santa Fe continue to stroll through downtown with uncovered faces. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported city and tourism officials plan to post signs by this weekend encouraging the use of masks to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The City Council already approved a measure requiring everyone 15 and older to wear a mask in most public settings, with repeat offenders facing a $50 fine. Health officials on Tuesday reported 147 new cases, bringing the statewide total to nearly 10,840.
- SECURITY SCUFFLE-MAN ARRESTED
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A Las Cruces man has been arrested and accused of throwing rocks at a hospital security officer and attempting to disarm a policewoman. Authorities say 26-year-old Sergio Sotelo is jailed without bond on suspicion of battery on a peace officer plus resisting, evading or obstructing a police officer. Las Cruces police were dispatched to a home about 8 p.m. Sunday where Sotelo was reportedly acting violent and throwing items. Officers took Sotelo into protective custody and transported him to a hospital for evaluation. Hospital staff later called 911 for help, saying Sotelo was throwing rocks at security personnel. A police officer responded and Sotelo allegedly tried to disarm the officer by grabbing her stun gun before he was arrested.
- SLAIN SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The brother of an Air Force airman charged in the death of a Sunday school teacher has pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempting to hinder prosecution. Samuel Gooch entered the plea Monday in Coconino County Superior Court. Authorities say he flew to Arizona from Wisconsin last month to pick up what he thought was the rifle used in the killing. His younger brother, Mark Gooch, has pleaded not guilty in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Sasha Krause. She had been living in a Mennonite community in northwestern New Mexico when she disappeared in mid-January. Her body was found in the forest outside Flagstaff.
- AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-BALLOON-FIESTA
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — There will be no hot air balloons lifting off this fall as part of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This would have marked the 49th year for the annual event. It usually draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and ballooning teams from around the world for nine days in October. It also contributes millions of dollars to the economy. The fiesta's board of directors had considered numerous options for trying to make the spectacle happen but instead decided to put off this year's gathering until October 2021. They made the announcement Monday, citing the safety of the pilots, spectators, sponsors, staff and volunteers.