- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 6 new COVID-19 cases, but no deathsWINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Monday reported six new COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths. The latest numbers brought the total number of coronavirus-related cases on the vast reservation to 31,201 since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The number of known deaths remained at 1,366 for the second consecutive day. The Navajo Nation recently relaxed restrictions to allow visitors to travel on the reservation and visit popular attractions like Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley. The 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. While cases are down, Navajo leaders are urging residents to continue wearing masks and get vaccinated.
- NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL-SUMMER SESSION
Navajo Nation revives horse ride for new council sessionWINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation Council is commencing its summer session with a return to tradition. The Farmington Daily Times reports tribal officials marked the beginning of the session Monday with a horse ride to the council chamber in Window Rock, Arizona. The horse ride was canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The ride's participants typically would travel to various chapters before arriving at the session. Delegates say more than two dozen others made the ride. Still, some delegates chose to attend the session by telephone. The reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles and it covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO FILM
New Mexico marks record year of spending by film industrySANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Despite the coronavirus pandemic that led to a shutdown for months in film production, the show did go on in New Mexico. The New Mexico Film Office announced Monday that 2021 broke records in the state with film and TV productions spending roughly $623 million. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham touted the numbers. She says continued investment in the industry is needed to boost economic recovery and attract more outside spending. The industry employs about 9,000 residents in New Mexico. Netflix and NBCUniversal both have production hubs in the state.
- GAS STATIONS-DRUNKEN DRIVING LIABILITY
New Mexico is 2nd state to make gas stations liable for DUISANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court says gas stations have a legal obligation not to sell fuel to drivers who are believed to be intoxicated. The court issued a divided decision Monday that could have far-reaching effects on businesses and that only one other state applies so strictly. The decision resolves a question of state law about the potential liability of a retailer that sold gasoline to an intoxicated driver in 2011 who later got into a fatal crash. The decision notes that only Tennessee also applies the law in such a way to create a "duty of care" for businesses to not supply fuel to drunken drivers because of the risk of driving while intoxicated.
OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING
Las Vegas, NM officers shoot and kill armed suspect
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — Police in Las Vegas, New Mexico, are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting. The Las Vegas authorities say officers were responding Saturday night to a domestic call when they encountered 30-year-old Jeffery Scott walking out of the home. According to investigators, Scott had a gun and pointed it at the officers and fired several rounds. Two officers returned fire. Scott fled on foot but officers found him a short time later dead from a gunshot wound. Police say no officers were wounded by the gunfire. The incident remains under investigation. The officers' names will not be released until interviews with them have been completed.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 30 new COVID-19 cases, 2 more deathsWINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation has reported 30 new COVID-19 cases and two more deaths. Navajo Department of Health officials said 17 of the cases were from Saturday with the other 13 reported Sunday. They say the two deaths were reported Saturday. The latest numbers brought the total number of coronavirus-related deaths of the vast reservation to 1,366 since the pandemic began more than a year ago. Health officials said the total number of cases would be announced Monday. It stood at 31,160 cases as of Friday. The reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles and it covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
- MAN FOUND DEAD IN POLICE CAR
Man in hospital gown found dead inside New Mexico police carALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police in Albuquerque are investigating the death of a man seen dressed in a hospital gown whose body was later found in a campus police car. Albuquerque TV station KOB reports that surveillance video Saturday showed the man wandering over to the University of New Mexico campus before getting into the back of the patrol car. Authorities say the man was found dead about 10 hours later in the vehicle that was parked outside UNM police headquarters. The UNM Hospital is affiliated with the university and is located just north of the school's main campus. The name of the dead man hasn't been released yet. The Office of Medical Investigator said the death wasn't suspicious and the man likely died from dehydration, heat, and/or lack of oxygen.
- INTERIOR-LAND DONATION
New Mexico wilderness area grows with large donationALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is visiting her home state this weekend to celebrate what marks the largest wilderness land donation in the agency's history. The donation from the Trust for Public Land increases the size of the Sabinoso Wilderness in northeastern New Mexico by nearly 50%. Haaland said Saturday that the expansion of the area will mean more public access for outdoor recreation as the Biden administration looks to conserve more land by 2030. The donation includes 15 square miles of rugged canyons, mesas covered by pinon and juniper woodlands, pockets of ponderosa pine trees and sections of grassland.