- Albuquerque police hire in old excessive force case promoted
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The head of Albuquerque police's Real-Time Crime Center, whose hiring in 2018 generated anger because of his role in an excessive force lawsuit in New Jersey decades ago, has been promoted. City records show that Leonard Nerbetski was recently promoted from his civilian status to police commander while he oversees a unit that includes dispatchers and crime analysts. Albuquerque police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos says the department changed Nerbetski's job to a sworn position because of the combination of managing crime data and field investigation functions. In 1999, an Associated Press report named Nerbetski as one of two officers accused of roughing up two law students, both women of color.
- New Mexico official inks leases for Western Spirit wind farm
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has signed a series of leases with the developer of a proposed wind farm that is expected to generate at least $16 million in revenue for public schools and other trust land beneficiaries. The State Land Office announced the approval of the five leases with Pattern Renewables on Thursday. The company was the winning bidder in a February public auction for the right to develop nearly 26 square miles in Torrance County and Lincoln counties. The wind farm will be able to generate enough to power for more than 15,000 homes annually. The project will connect to the planned Western Spirit transmission line.
- New Mexico officials issue warning ahead of near record heat
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials are warning residents and visitors of the potential for heat-related illnesses as forecasters predict more near record temperatures. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque reports that Friday will be another hot day with a few communities likely to hit triple digits. Toasty temperatures are anticipated to last through the weekend. Data analysis from the state's public health tracking program has found that even though temperatures in the upper 80s may not seem high, that's the level historically at which half of the cases of people requiring treatment for heat-related illness in New Mexico have sought medical help.
- Police: New Mexico man stole from same bar twice in 3 days
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — A northwestern New Mexico man is facing charges after police say he burglarized the same bar twice within three days and stole alcohol both times. And police say he fell asleep on a couch in one of the cases. The Farmington Daily Times reports Tyrone John was arrested last week following two reported burglaries at the B Lounge inside the Brentwood Inn and Garden Motel in Farmington. John was first arrested May 26 after police arrived and found the bar's window broken. Police say officers found John sleeping on a bar's couch. He is facing charges of non-residential burglary and criminal damage to property.
- COVID-19 races through prison facilities in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Coronavirus infections continue to sweep through state and federal prison populations in New Mexico as health officials report 218 new positive tests for COVID-19 statewide. The New Mexico Department of Health on Thursday confirmed 110 virus infections among inmates overseen by state and federal authorities at facilities in Otero County. That raises total confirmed COVID-19 infections among inmates at detention facilities in Otero County to 455. There were eight new deaths related to the coronavirus across the state. At least 383 people have died from COVID-19 statewide. New Mexico has confirmed 8,353 infections from the pandemic through testing.
- New Mexico governor to appoint racial justice czar
SANTA FE, New Mexico (AP) — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is looking for policy fixes to prevent police violence in the wake of anti-racism and police reform protests that have swept across the nation and dotted her state. She's naming a racial justice czar and a panel to research solutions ahead of the 2021 legislative session, which could range from deescalation training for State Police to a ban on chokeholds and shooting moving vehicles. An emergency session starting in mid-June will focus squarely on the state's budget fallout from the COVID-19 crisis.
- Navajo Nation keeps closings, curfews; weekend lockdowns end
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation is extending its closure of tribal government facilities and continuing its overnight curfews while pausing weekend lockdowns imposed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Tribal health officials reported 128 additional cases of COVID-19 and seven additional deaths, increasing the total number of cases to 5,661 with 259 deaths, as of Wednesday. Tribal President Jonathan Nez signed an order extending the closure of tribal government offices and entities to July 5.. Officials say a separate health emergency order will be issued to continue the daily curfew that runs from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and to pause the 57-hour weekend lockdowns.
- Report highlights voting inequities in tribal communities
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Native American voting rights advocates are cautioning against states moving to mail-in ballots without opportunities for tribal members to vote safely in person. The Native American Rights Fund released a wide-ranging report on voting rights Thursday. In it, the group outlined the challenges that could arise as states move to rely more heavily on mail-in ballots. The report says online voter registration could be hampered by spotty or no internet service on reservations, ballots will be delivered to Post Office boxes that rarely are checked and turnout may be low because of a general reluctance to vote by mail.