- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 15 new COVID-19 cases and 1 more deathWINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Tuesday reported 15 new COVID-19 cases and one additional death. The latest numbers brought the total number of COVID-19 cases on the vast reservation to 31,322 since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The number of known deaths now is at 1,373. The Navajo Nation recently relaxed restrictions to allow visitors to travel on the reservation and visit popular attractions like Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley. The reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles and it covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. While cases are down, Navajo leaders are urging residents to continue wearing masks and get vaccinated.
- BANDELIER-WILDFLOWERS
Bandelier boasts bountiful wildflower bloom, thanks to rainLOS ALAMOS, N.M. (AP) — A bountiful wildflower bloom at Bandelier National Monument is drawing some early risers who want to avoid the midday crowds. The visitors center is responding to accommodate them. Starting Sunday, it will open a half-hour earlier at 8:30 a.m. Acting Superintendent Dennis Milligan says that will give staff more time to hand out information on trails and safety. The Southwest has been inundated with rain during the monsoon season, bolstering wildflowers. Monument officials say the massive wildflower bloom should last for several more weeks. They say visitors should feel free to photograph the flowers but don't pick them so others can enjoy the view.
- CRIME-FRUSTRATED FAMILIES
Albuquerque homicides leave families heartbroken, frustratedALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Families have been devastated by Albuquerque's rash of killings as the city has one of its deadliest years in memory. The tally of homicides for the first seven months of the year is about to eclipse the record of 80 set for all of 2019. Police Chief Harold Medina says the criminal justice system is broken and something needs to change. Other cities around the U.S. also are seeing significant increases this year. Albuquerque officials have been working on changes, but families of victims see few consequences for those who repeatedly commit violent crimes.
- LEGISLATURE-SALARY-NEW MEXICO
Proposal would have commission set salaries for legislatorsSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico voters may be asked whether to have the State Ethics Commission review and set salaries for state legislators. State Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto on Monday presented a proposed constitutional amendment to a legislative committee in advance of next year's 30-day legislative session. New Mexico is the only state where lawmakers receive no salary for their work, though taxpayers foot the bill for travel expenses and an allowance for meals and lodging when the Legislature is in session. Many lawmakers also have access to public pension benefits. Ivey-Soto said providing lawmakers with a salary would allow more people to serve in the Legislature.
- SEXUAL HARASSMENT LAWSUITS-SETTLEMENTS
Public defender's office settles sexual harassment claimsSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Two lawsuits that accused an investigator in the state public defender's office of sexual harassment have been settled. The Law Offices of the Public Defender agreed to pay $345,000 to resolve the lawsuits filed in 2019. The Albuquerque Journal reports that neither the office nor the investigator who worked at the Las Cruces location admitted liability as part of the settlements. An attorney for the plaintiffs says her clients are hopeful the culture in the public defender's office will change and others will be spared from similar treatment, including retaliation for reporting harassment.
- WILD HORSES-ADOPTION PROTECTIONS
US vows to improve protections for wild horse adoptionsRENO, Nev. (AP) — U.S. officials who are trying to adopt out wild horses captured on public land say they are tightening protections to guard against the illegal resale of animals for slaughter. Advocates say the government needs to do more, including ending incentive payments for adoptions. The Bureau of Land Management said in announcing the changes that the agency is committed to the health and safety of adopted wild horses and burros. It says it intends to begin making additional inspections after adoptions, improve screening of potential adopters and other measures. The bureau says an estimated 86,000 wild horses and burros living in 10 Western states is three times as many as public lands can sustain. Advocates dispute that.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation: No COVID-related deaths, 7th time in 9 daysWINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Monday reported eight new COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths. It marked the seventh time in nine days that no coronavirus-related deaths were reported by tribal health officials. The latest numbers brought the total number of COVID-19 cases on the vast reservation to 31,305 since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The number of known deaths remained at 1,372. The Navajo Nation recently relaxed restrictions to allow visitors to travel on the reservation and visit popular attractions like Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley. The reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles and it covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS
New Mexico releases plans for masking, vaccines in schoolsSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico officials are updating masking and vaccine guidance for schools this fall. Masks are still required for elementary school students, who are too young to receive any COVID-19 vaccine. The new rules allow middle and high schools to let vaccinated students ditch masks if they track who's fully vaccinated. Less than half of the state's children aged 12-17 have gotten their shots. Schools will still report COVID-19 cases to the state and test a portion of their unvaccinated staff under the new guidance. School vaccine drives are underway. New Mexico health officials on Monday reported 632 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases and three additional deaths, pushing the state totals to more than 209,000 cases and 4,400 deaths.