- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico will allow dine-in restaurants, shopping malls and salons to reopen at limited capacity starting on Monday, June 1, as state health regulators relax restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the changes under a new 30-day public health order, speaking Thursday at an online news conference from the Statehouse. The changes apply to the entire state, including the northwest of the state that accounts for the majority of infections statewide. State health officials reported 108 new confirmed COVID-19 infections and six related deaths. That brings total confirmed infections to 7,364 and 335 known coronavirus deaths.
- HORSE RACING-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico horse racing regulators and horse owners are excited that live racing has resumed. No spectators are allowed, but the races are being streamed by Ruidoso Downs and wagers can be made online. Still, officials are concerned that the bets represent only a fraction of the revenue that usually makes up the handle, and that's putting pressure on track owners. State Racing Commissioner Billy Smith said during a meeting Thursday that the forced closures due to the coronavirus pandemic have been financially painful for the entire industry. Commissioners and others are awaiting word on whether the state will allow casinos and tracks to reopen to the public soon.
- LATE DELIVERY BALLOT FEARS
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Some New Mexico residents have raised concerns about receiving or returning their ballots in time to participate in the June 2 primary election. The Albuquerque Journal reported that election officials throughout the state have heard similar complaints as thousands of new voters turned to absentee balloting to avoid the risk of the coronavirus. Election officials have pushed for absentee voting, adding an extra burden on the mail system. Residents who have not yet received a ballot or have filled out their absentee ballot but have not yet mailed it are recommended to vote or deliver their completed ballot in person.
- SLAIN SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — An airman charged with murder in the death of a 27-year-old Mennonite Sunday school teacher told authorities he was raised in the religion and joined the Air Force to escape a difficult, sheltered and restricted life. Sheriff's records hint at disdain for the Mennonite community by suspect Mark Gooch, who has pleaded not guilty in the death of Sasha Krause. Her body was found in a forest clearing near Flagstaff, Arizona, after she was last seen at a church in New Mexico. Krause was part of a group of conservative Mennonites where women wear head coverings and believe in forgiveness.
- ELECTION 2020-HOUSE-NEW MEXICO
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — GOP voters in New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District will decide next week which Republican will challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small. Oil executive Claire Chase, former state lawmaker Yvette Herrell and Las Cruces businessman Chris Mathys are vying for the GOP nomination. The primary vote Tuesday follows a divisive campaign marred by personal attacks, dark money attack ads and claims by the candidates over who is the most stalwart supporter of President Donald Trump. The candidates have avoided offering bold proposals to tackle issues like poverty in one of the nation's poorest congressional districts.
- AP-US-TRUMP-FOSSIL-FUEL-FIGHTS
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Federal courts have delivered a string of rebukes to the Trump administration over what they found were failures to protect the environment and address climate change. The rulings, the latest on Thursday, have challenged the administration's vociferous promotion of fossil fuel interests and natural resource extraction from public lands. Some of the most far-reaching rulings have come from U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Montana. This month alone he canceled oil and gas leases on several hundred thousand acres and struck down a nationwide permitting program for new oil and gas pipelines. Despite the courtroom setbacks, the U.S. became the world's top oil producer under Trump.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-AIRPLANE STORAGE
ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — The downturn in the commercial air travel industry has turned into a boon for a former military base in New Mexico. The Roswell International Air Center has emerged as a major storage facility for planes that have been grounded by airlines due to age and lack of demand. Planes have arrived from carriers including American Airlines, United Airlines and Frontier Airlines. The Albuquerque Journal reports there are more grounded planes in Roswell now than at any point during the modern history of the former base. The commercial air travel industry has been hard hit as people stayed home to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-PETRIFIED FOREST
HOLBROOK, Ariz. (AP) — Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona is reopening some facilities and areas that have been closed to the public since March 24 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Park officials say a phased approach to increase recreational access and other services will have the park road, trails and wilderness areas reopen Friday. The Painted Desert Visitor Center, the Rainbow Forest Museum, Rainbow Forest Lodge and the Painted Desert Dinner and Gift Shop will reopen in future phases. Meanwhile, a project to repair and replace three bridges and sections of the park road continues with completion of the project's second phase scheduled for late June.