- Wildlife managers use pup fostering to boost wolf genetics
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A record number of captive-born wolf pups has been placed into the wild as part of an effort by federal and state wildlife managers to boost the genetic diversity among Mexican gray wolves in the Southwestern U.S. The interagency team announced the results of this season's cross-fostering program Thursday. They say the work of integrating the 20 pups into wild wolf packs took place in April and May. A dozen pups were fostered into four packs in eastern Arizona. Eight were spread among three packs in New Mexico. The most recent survey shows there are more than 160 wolves in the wild in the two states.
- Snake interrupts New Mexico elementary school Zoom lesson
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico elementary school teacher on Zoom with students had a lesson interrupted thanks to an uninvited guest: a bullsnake. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports the desert animal surprised Sunrise Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Annette Otero Nuñez during a class May 12 via Zoom from her backyard in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The students _ at home on their computers or mobile devices _ saw Nuñez getting rattled. Nuñez called Las Cruces Animal Control and an officer responded while class was still in session. Animal control officer Juan Valles then gave students a quick lesson on identifying desert snakes. The bullsnake, prevalent in the American Southwest, is not venomous.
- Open space patrols begin around Albuquerque amid fire danger
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Firefighters have started patrolling open space areas around New Mexico's largest metropolitan area as dry conditions intensify and fire danger increases. The patrols by crews with Albuquerque Fire Rescue cover more than 53 square miles that span parts of the mesa west of the city, the foothills on the east side and the Rio Grande Valley. Officials say the patrols will increase later this summer. The latest drought map shows close to 70% of the state is dealing with some form drought, from abnormally dry conditions to extreme drought along the New Mexico-Colorado border.
- Survey: 26% of Navajo Tech students lack Internet, computers
CROWNPOINT, N.M. (AP) — A survey conducted by Navajo Technical University found that around 26% of its students lack access to either the Internet or a computer. The Gallup Independent reports the survey comes as the Crownpoint, New Mexico, school works on expanding its broadband infrastructure. The Federal Communications Commission recently granted temporary access and use of "an unassigned spectrum" to provide more broadband service on the Navajo Nation. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez granted Navajo Technical University special temporary authority on April 17, to test and provide Internet connectivity for 60 days.
- New Mexico will lift many business restrictions on June 1
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico will allow dine-in restaurants, shopping malls and salons to reopen at limited capacity starting on Monday, June 1, as state health regulators relax restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the changes under a new 30-day public health order, speaking Thursday at an online news conference from the Statehouse. The changes apply to the entire state, including the northwest of the state that accounts for the majority of infections statewide. State health officials reported 108 new confirmed COVID-19 infections and six related deaths. That brings total confirmed infections to 7,364 and 335 known coronavirus deaths.
- New Mexico horse track eases into racing amid restrictions
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico horse racing regulators and horse owners are excited that live racing has resumed. No spectators are allowed, but the races are being streamed by Ruidoso Downs and wagers can be made online. Still, officials are concerned that the bets represent only a fraction of the revenue that usually makes up the handle, and that's putting pressure on track owners. State Racing Commissioner Billy Smith said during a meeting Thursday that the forced closures due to the coronavirus pandemic have been financially painful for the entire industry. Commissioners and others are awaiting word on whether the state will allow casinos and tracks to reopen to the public soon.
- New Mexico residents fear late mail ballot delivery
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Some New Mexico residents have raised concerns about receiving or returning their ballots in time to participate in the June 2 primary election. The Albuquerque Journal reported that election officials throughout the state have heard similar complaints as thousands of new voters turned to absentee balloting to avoid the risk of the coronavirus. Election officials have pushed for absentee voting, adding an extra burden on the mail system. Residents who have not yet received a ballot or have filled out their absentee ballot but have not yet mailed it are recommended to vote or deliver their completed ballot in person.
- Man charged in Mennonite woman's death grew up in the faith
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — An airman charged with murder in the death of a 27-year-old Mennonite Sunday school teacher told authorities he was raised in the religion and joined the Air Force to escape a difficult, sheltered and restricted life. Sheriff's records hint at disdain for the Mennonite community by suspect Mark Gooch, who has pleaded not guilty in the death of Sasha Krause. Her body was found in a forest clearing near Flagstaff, Arizona, after she was last seen at a church in New Mexico. Krause was part of a group of conservative Mennonites where women wear head coverings and believe in forgiveness.