- Vaccines among last hurdles to open New Mexico classrooms
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — After nearly a year on lockdown, the governor says New Mexico school districts can offer in-person learning starting on Feb. 8 regardless of virus levels in their county. That's a relief for students who miss their friends or fell behind because they didn't have internet or electricity. So what happens now? Teacher unions say members need vaccines and COVID-19 sick leave. Rio Rancho Public Schools struck a deal with the union for 10 days of virus-related leave. They can't use it for quarantine due to out-of-state-travel, though. Vaccine shortages have led to clinics at large public schools getting canceled.
- State relief plans take shape at New Mexico Legislature
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An economic relief package is taking shape at the New Mexico Legislature as a Senate panel endorsed a $600 rebate to low-income workers and a separate bill that would waive licensing fees on liquor stores. Residents of New Mexico who earned up to $31,200 during 2020 would be eligible for the $600 payout or credit against tax liabilities under a bill that also provides a temporary tax break for restaurants as they endure restrictions on indoor dining. A panel of lawmakers unanimously advanced those proposals on Tuesday.
- Work to begin on Route 66 visitor center in New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A construction contract worth nearly $10 million has been awarded to an Albuquerque-based company to build the Route 66 Visitors Center on the western edge of the city along the historic roadway. Bernalillo County commissioners approved the contract with Enterprise Builders on Tuesday. The visitors center is a collaborative effort between the county, the city of Albuquerque and local stakeholders. The project will include a museum, a tap room, office space and outdoor amphitheater. Albuquerque is home to the longest urban stretch of Route 66. One of the first roads in the U.S. highway system, the route spanned eight states.
- Navajo Nation reports 87 new COVID-19 cases, 8 more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation health officials on Tuesday reported 87 new COVID-19 cases and eight more deaths. The latest figures bring the total reported coronavirus cases on the reservation to 27,665 with 985 known deaths. On Monday, the tribe extended its stay-at-home order with a revised nightly curfew to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Navajo Department of Health has identified 53 communities with uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus, down from 75 communities in recent weeks. The Navajo Nation also is lifting weekend lockdowns to allow more vaccination events. The actions in the latest public health emergency order will run through at least Feb. 15. The Navajo Nation extends into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
- New Mexico governor: Schools will reopen in February
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says the state will soon reopen schools to students of all ages. The vast majority of New Mexico students have been consigned to distance learning during the pandemic, which has led to a slowdown in learning and failing grades. The Democratic governor has pushed back the start of in-person learning since August, citing COVID-19 case numbers. The governor said Tuesday in her State of the State address that New Mexico will be ready by Feb. 8 with a plan for in-person learning. It will include middle- and high-school students who until now have not been allowed to participate in any partial in-person programs.
- AP sources: Biden to pause oil and gas sales on public lands
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to announce a wide-ranging moratorium on new oil and gas leasing on U.S. lands and waters, reversing Trump administration policies on energy and the environment. The move follows a 60-day suspension of new drilling permits for U.S. lands and waters announced last week. Biden is also expected to direct officials to conserve 30% of the country's lands and ocean waters in the next 10 years and elevate climate change to a national security priority. He will direct all U.S. agencies to use science and evidence-based decision-making in federal rule-making. That's according to two people familiar with Biden's plan who spoke on condition of anonymity before the announcement.
- New Mexico seeing downward trends for virus metrics
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's weekly average for new confirmed COVID-19 cases is continuing its downward trend, as state health officials reported just over 600 additional cases Tuesday. The death toll increased only slightly as 14 additional people succumbed to the virus. Officials have said they're encouraged by the latest numbers and are hopeful that the federal government will begin distributing more vaccine doses soon. New Mexico's allocation has remained steady, but with current supplies it could be weeks before more people become eligible. So far, more than 90% of the 235,000 doses that have been delivered to New Mexico have been administered.
- Governor seeks new state investments in relief, education
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's governor is urging legislators to approve increased spending on public schools, health care and aid to small businesses in her annual State of the State address. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced new details of her economic relief platform Tuesday and touted state achievements in coronavirus testing. She set a Feb. 8 deadline for allowing school districts to reopen classrooms to students of all ages. The first-term Democrat quoted inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and announced in her own words that "we will stand up, dust ourselves off, and begin again to climb." Lujan Grisham is calling for small business loans and rent subsidies aimed at reviving a battered state economy during aggressive restrictions on business activity and school attendance.