- Costs to fortify New Mexico Statehouse: $700,000 and growing
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Heavy security and fencing that have cordoned off the New Mexico state Capitol and adjacent streets from public access have cost taxpayers at least $700,000 in police overtime, salaries for National Guard troops, equipment rental and other special expenses. The unprecedented security measures were instituted by legislative leaders in the Democratic majority in the aftermath of the storming of the U.S. Capitol amid warnings by the FBI about threats to legislatures. Republican state Sen. William Sharer of Farmington says the security perimeter is an infringement on political speech as the Democratic majority pushes hot-button progressive proposals.
- New Mexico reports 160 more COVID-19 cases and 2 more deaths
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Health officials in New Mexico on Sunday reported 160 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and two more deaths. The latest numbers increasing the state's totals to 188,311 cases and 3,852 known deaths since the pandemic started. Of the additional cases, 45 were reported in Bernalillo County and 29 in Dona Ana County. With the slowing of the coronavirus outbreak, Albuquerque Public Schools will resume in-person learning for five days a week on April 5 although students can continue remote learning for the rest of the school year. New Mexico's largest school district announced its startup date Friday after the state Public Education Department earlier in the week said all schools were expected to reopen classrooms after spring break.
- New Mexico hits stalemate on cannabis legalization
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State legislators are at a stalemate regarding popular efforts to legalize marijuana in New Mexico with less than a week remaining to send a bill the governor. A state Senate panel pulled cannabis discussions off its agenda minutes before a Sunday hearing. Legislators are searching for common ground among advocates for legalization who say the industry would help New Mexico's economic recovery from the pandemic. Divergent views on marijuana taxation, licensing and pardon procedures for past convictions are complicating efforts to bring a final bill to a crucial Senate vote. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has set cannabis legalization as a high priority. Legislators have a March 20 deadline to send bills to the governor.
- Biden, Harris and others to promote relief plan's benefits
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses are opening a cross-country tour this week to highlight the benefits of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan. The road show starts Monday with Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, heading to Las Vegas while first lady Jill Biden visits Burlington, New Jersey. The president plans to stop in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday and he has an appearance with Harris in Atlanta on Friday. Stops at vaccination sites, businesses, schools and more are meant to educate the public about different aspects of the giant American Rescue Plan.
- New Mexico demands more of US when addressing nuclear waste
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Energy Department has rolled out its 2021 priorities for cleaning up tons of toxic waste left behind by decades of bomb-making and nuclear research around the country. Included is a goal of sending 30 shipments from the birthplace of the atomic bomb — Los Alamos National Laboratory — to the federal government's underground waste repository. But some elected officials and watchdog groups say the list is another indication that New Mexico is on the back burner when it comes to cleaning up legacy waste. They also are raising concerns that new waste generated by the lab will need to be cleaned up and could further sideline decontamination efforts.
- FBI offering reward for info about Shiprock man's 2020 death
SHIPROCK, N.M. (AP) — The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information in the death of a Shiprock man last year. Authorities say the body of 30-year-old Isiah Terrell Billy was found in October along Highway 64 near a gas station in Shiprock. The FBI says the cause of death is pending, but is considered suspicious. Albuquerque TV station KRQE reports that the FBI and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety are investigating the case.
- Navajo Nation reports 3 more COVID-19 cases, no new deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Sunday reported three additional cases of COVID-19, but no new deaths. The latest numbers pushed the tribe's pandemic total to 29,948 confirmed cases. The known death toll remained at 1,218. The Navajo Nation is planning a soft reopening Monday with 25% capacity for some businesses under certain restrictions. Tribal President Jonathan Nez said in a statement that health care experts continue to caution everyone about traveling because another surge of the virus could happen. Nez says vaccines continue to be administered across the Navajo Nation and tells tribal members to "continue staying home as much as possible, wear a mask, practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings and crowds, and wash your hands often."
- 1 complaint on New Mexico House speaker still being reviewed
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The State Ethics Commission said in a letter that two of three complaints filed by a retired judge against New Mexico state House Speaker Brian Egolf likely will be dismissed. The letter on Friday signed by Executive Director Jeremy Farris said the third charge — that Egolf failed to communicate a potential conflict of interest — is still under investigation. The two charges that will likely be dismissed are that Egolf used his legislative office for personal gain and that he failed to discharge his legislative duties in an ethical way. Egolf has referred to the complaints as a deliberate distraction and has denied all wrongdoing.