- New Mexico undersheriff, others charged months after brawl
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico undersheriff is facing charges stemming from a brawl at a Valentine's Day dance. The Las Vegas Optic reports San Miguel County Undersheriff Mike Padilla was charged with misdemeanor aggravated battery months after police say there was a fight involving two groups. Four others, including Padilla's wife and son, are also facing misdemeanor charges. Court records show that Padilla was not arrested, but instead issued a summons, a practice that has become more common since the coronavirus outbreak. Padilla's attorney, Marc Grano, says he is still reviewing the case.
- New Mexico cases near 11,000 as vets call for posts to open
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The statewide total of COVID-19 infections in New Mexico is approaching 11,000 as health officials are reporting an additional 156 positive tests. The numbers released Wednesday also show the death toll now stands at 480, including four new deaths related to the coronavirus. The latest cases come as the state eases into the reopening of some segments of the economy, including breweries, restaurants, gyms and salons at limited capacities. However, members of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other organizations have been asking Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to consider allowing veterans' posts to open.
- Navajo Nation President: New Mexico still failing students
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The leader of one of the largest Native American tribes in the U.S. called Wednesday on New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to end efforts to fight a court ruling that orders improvements in education for members of his tribe and other vulnerable groups. The comments from Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez come ahead of a court hearing next week in which Lujan Grisham will ask a state judge to dismiss a consolidated lawsuit representing Native American and Hispanic plaintiffs. Her administration argues that the state has increased funding for education, that future changes will take years, and that they should not be micromanaged by court orders.
- US Energy Department fined $304K over waste documentation
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Energy has been fined $304,000 over missed deadlines in documenting waste shipments at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that the New Mexico Environment Department cited the federal agency, the lab and the lab's contracted operator Triad National Security LLC for eight violations dating back to 2017. The violations involved documentation deadlines missed by a year or more. All occurred under previous lab operator Los Alamos National Security LLC. Triad took over lab management in November 2018. It isn't known whether the nuclear security administration plans to challenge the fine.
- Solar leads options for replacing New Mexico power plant
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Solar panels with the capacity to produce hundreds of megawatts of electricity and back-up battery storage systems would be installed in northwestern New Mexico to replace the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station under one alternative that will be considered by state regulators. Hearing examiners with the Public Regulation Commission issued the recommendations Wednesday in a case that has been fraught with protests, political power struggles and legal battles. The document states that New Mexico's new energy transition law puts more weight on environmental effects than on cost. so some of the options that include more renewable energy could end up costing ratepayers more.
- Fort Defiance man gets prison sentence for fatal stabbing
PHOENIX (AP) — A Fort Defiance man accused of a fatal stabbing has been sentenced to 17 ½ years in federal prison. Prosecutors say 25-year-old Lodi Gene Bitsie II was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Phoenix. He previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the April 2019 stabbing on the Navajo Nation reservation. Prosecutors say Bitsie argued with the victim before punching him and then stabbing him in chest with a large knife. Authorities say the victim died from the stab wounds. The FBI investigated the case because it was on tribal land.
- Navajo Nation honoring police officer who died from COVID-19
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — All flags on the Navajo Nation will be flown at half-staff through Thursday to honor the first officer on the tribal police force to die from the coronavirus in the line of duty. Officer Michael Lee died June 19 at a Phoenix hospital. The 50-year-old Lee served 29 years with the tribal police department, beginning his law enforcement career as a recruit with the Navajo Police Academy in October 1990. He worked his first seven years in Window Rock and the rest of his career in Chinle. Tribal officials say Lee is survived by a wife and children. Lee's funeral is scheduled for Thursday at the Potter's House Christian Center in Chinle.
- Drought plan enacted for 40 Colorado counties by governor
DENVER (AP) — Gov. Jared Polis has ordered a task force to assess initial damage and to recommend mitigation measures for severe drought conditions that are affecting 40 of Colorado's 64 counties. Polis' order follows dwindling mountain snowpack, a warmer-than-average spring and far less precipitation than normal. It also comes as the U.S. Drought Monitor reported this week that extreme drought expanded in northern New Mexico and eastern Colorado. Polis also directed an state agricultural task force to determine the drought's potential crop and cattle damage impact and the possible economic fallout for the state's $8 billion farming industry. A climatologist says the summer promises higher temperatures and low rainfall.