- AP-US-VACCINES-NATIONAL-LAB
New Mexico judge denies lab workers' claim in vaccine fightALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge has denied a request by dozens of scientists and others at Los Alamos National Laboratory who sought to block a vaccine mandate. Workers risk being fired if they don't comply with the lab's Friday afternoon deadline. It's possible an appeal could be filed pending more proceedings on the merits of the case. While the vaccination rate among adults in New Mexico hovers below 72%, the rate among lab employees stands at 96%. Still, 114 workers sued, saying the mandate violates their constitutional rights. Attorneys for the lab argued that being vaccinated is a condition of working there. Meanwhile, New Mexico has extended its indoor mask mandate.
- ASYLUM-WAITING IN MEXICO
US plans to reinstate 'Remain in Mexico' policy next monthSAN DIEGO (AP) — The Biden administration says it plans to reinstate a Trump-era border policy next month to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court, complying with a judge's order. It hinges on approval from the Mexican government, which has raised concerns that U.S. officials say they are working to address. According to a court filing late Thursday, Mexico wants cases to generally conclude within six months and ensure that asylum-seekers have timely and accurate information about hearing dates and times. Mexico also wants better access to legal counsel and coordination on when and where asylum-seekers are returned.
- GRADUATION ALLIANCE CONTRACT
New Mexico awards $2M contract for 'academic coaches'SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico education officials are renewing a contract with a Utah-based education company to reduce chronic absenteeism among public school students. The $2 million sole-source contract avoids the competitive bidding process aimed at reducing costs for state services. A survey conducted by the company concluded that its services helped around 16,000 students. But neither the state nor the company has evaluated the success of the program using data on absenteeism or grades. A social worker at Santa Fe Public Schools says the program helps, but can't say by how much because the district hasn't had time to evaluate it.
- REDISTRICTING-NEW MEXICO
Deadline arrives for redistricting advice in New MexicoSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An advisory board on political redistricting is deciding on recommendations to the state Legislature for realigning the boundaries of U.S. House and state legislative seats across New Mexico. Scheduled for Friday afternoon, the recommendations of the Citizens Redistricting Committee are nonbinding. Several states, including New Mexico and Indiana, are using citizen advisory boards to temper political inclinations without taking redistricting powers away from state lawmakers. New Mexico's heavily Latino and Native American population presents unusual challenges in efforts to unite communities of interest and give minority voters a fair shot to elect candidates of their choice.
- MARIJUANA-SMALL BUSINESS LOANS
New Mexico explores public financing for cannabis businessesSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Small-scale marijuana businesses in New Mexico could soon have access to publicly financed loans of up to $250,000 in an effort to promote social and economic fairness. The New Mexico Finance Authority on Thursday proposed a $5 million line of credit to licensed cannabis microbusinesses in a presentation to a panel of state legislators. Lawmakers declined declined to endorse the proposal immediately. Loans would be made available to cannabis "microbusinesses" that can be licensed to cultivate and sell marijuana from up to 200 plants. In legalizing recreational marijuana, New Mexico wants to promote business opportunities for communities that were penalized disproportionately by past criminal enforcement of marijuana laws.
- METOO-FOUR YEARS IN
#MeToo, 4 years in: 'I'd like to think now, we are believed'NEW YORK (AP) — The #MeToo reckoning hits its four-year mark this week, and Charlotte Bennett credits the movement for creating the conditions that emboldened her to come forward with her story of sexual harassment by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. She says, "I'd like to think that now, we are believed." A new poll shows that Bennett is not alone in feeling a shift in attitudes. Just over half of Americans — 54% — say they personally are more likely to speak out if they're a victim of sexual misconduct, according to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. And 58% say they would speak out if they witnessed it.
- AP-US-RACIAL-INJUSTICE-MIT
MIT grapples with early leader's stance on Native AmericansCAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is grappling with the legacy of one of its pivotal presidents who also played a key role in the displacement of Native American tribes. Francis Amasa Walker helped propel the Cambridge college into prominence as its third president. But the former Civil War general also authored "The Indian Question," a treatise on Native Americans that helped cement the country's tribal reservation system. Native Americans students want MIT to rename Walker Memorial, one of the campus' most iconic buildings, as part of their broader push to get the school to atone for its past and do more for Indigenous students.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 64 more COVID-19 cases, 1 more deathWINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Thursday reported 64 more COVID-19 cases and one additional death. The latest numbers pushed the tribe's totals to 34,670 confirmed COVID-19 cases from the virus since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The known death toll now is at 1,464. Tribal officials still are urging people to get vaccinated, wear masks while in public and minimize their travel. All Navajo Nation executive branch employees had to be fully vaccinated against the virus by the end of September or submit to regular testing. The tribe's reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles (70,000 square kilometers) and it covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.