Local and State News

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• St.

• Policy changes help drive US migrant crossings to new highs

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Complex forces are driving an increase in the number of migrant families and unaccompanied children coming to the U.S. Many say President Joe Biden's positions on immigration, whether real or rumored, have influenced their decisions. About four in 10 border encounters last month were with families and children traveling alone. It comes as policies in the U.S. and Mexico favor them staying in the United States while they seek asylum.

• Today in History 

Today is Friday, April 9, the 99th day of 2021. There are 266 days left in the year. 

• Today's Highlight in History: 

On April 9, 1939, Marian Anderson performed a concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., after the Black singer was denied the use of Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

• Policy changes help drive US migrant crossings to new highs

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Complex forces are driving an increase in the number of migrant families and unaccompanied children coming to the U.S. Many say President Joe Biden's positions on immigration, whether real or rumored, have influenced their decisions. About four in 10 border encounters last month were with families and children traveling alone. It comes as policies in the U.S. and Mexico favor them staying in the United States while they seek asylum.

• AIRPORT BODIES

WOODBURY, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey man facing murder charges in two states has made a court appearance as he awaits a possible indictment. Sean Lannon appeared by videoconference in Gloucester County, New Jersey, where he was charged last month with murder in the beating death of Michael Dabkowski. Lannon also is charged with murder in New Mexico in the slaying of his ex-wife and two of her friends whose decomposed bodies were found in a pickup truck parked at an airport. He is also suspected in the death of a fourth person found dead in the truck.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is making it easier for residents 60 and up to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Health officials announced Thursday that seniors can now schedule appointments to get a shot directly. That gives them a priority for picking dates and locations for their appointments. The move follows a federal report finding New Mexico lagged behind other states in distributing the vaccine to highly vulnerable populations. Younger residents are still expected to respond to first-come, first-served offers for vaccinations through texts and emails.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A longtime Albuquerque resident has been listed as a billionaire on Forbes' annual list of the richest people in the world. The magazine published its latest rundown of global billionaires this week. The Albuquerque Journal reported that Ron Corio is the state's first billionaire. He came to New Mexico in 1979 from New Jersey and launched Array Technologies, Inc. in 1989. The company makes tracking systems for solar arrays that move to follow the sun. Forbes reported Corio is one of 2,755 global billionaires included on the list and one of 724 in the U.S.

• AP-US-HAALAND-NATIONAL-MONUMENTS

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland will visit Utah on Thursday before submitting a review on national monuments in the state. Residents there have both staunchly supported establishing and increasing the size of national monuments, and fiercely rallied against them. Haaland is the latest Interior secretary tasked with making recommendations on where the boundaries lie. Her input comes after President Donald Trump's administration decided to downsize two national monuments in southern Utah.

• Las Vegas Curfew Ends

Las Vegas NM - Las Vegas Mayor Louie Trujillo has issued a proclamation rescinding a curfew that has been in place since May 2020.  The Mayor reports that based on COVID-19 data San Miguel County has achieved green level status and a previous Civil Emergency Proclamation and the curfew is no longer necessary.

• Today in History 

Today is Thursday, April 8, the 98th day of 2021. There are 267 days left in the year. 

• Today's Highlight in History: 

On April 8, 1864, the United States Senate passed, 38-6, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolishing slavery. (The House of Representatives passed it in January 1865; the amendment was ratified and adopted in December 1865.) 

• Interior secretary steps into Utah public lands tug-of-war

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland will visit Utah this week before submitting a review on national monuments in the state. Residents there have both staunchly supported establishing and increasing the size of national monuments, and fiercely rallied against them. Haaland is the latest Interior secretary tasked with making recommendations on where the boundaries lie.

• VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Wednesday reported 16 more confirmed COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths. The latest figures bring the pandemic totals on the tribe's reservation, which includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, increased to 30,198 cases. The known death toll remains at 1,259.

• MORMON CHURCH TEMPLES-FARMINGTON

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced plans to build a new temple in Farmington, New Mexico making it the second temple in the state. Church President Russell Nelson made the announcement Sunday that the new temple in Farmington will be one of 20 newly planned temples being built worldwide and one of nine in the U.S., including locations in Grand Junction, Colorado; Helena, Montana; and Yorba Linda, California.

• VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Tuesday reported three more confirmed COVID-19 cases and one additional death. The latest figures bring the pandemic totals on the tribe's reservation, which includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, increased to 30,182 cases and 1,259 known deaths.

BOYS PREP BASKETBALL

• Today in History 

Today is Wednesday, April 7, the 97th day of 2021. There are 268 days left in the year. 

• Today's Highlight in History: 

On April 7, 1915, jazz singer-songwriter Billie Holiday, also known as "Lady Day," was born in Philadelphia. 

• First confirmed case of COVID-19 variant on Navajo Nation

• WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Tuesday reported three more confirmed COVID-19 cases and one additional death. The latest figures bring the pandemic totals on the tribe's reservation, which includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, increased to 30,182 cases and 1,259 known deaths.

• VIRUS OUTBREAK-INDIGENOUS RESPONSE

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is making her first official trip to her home state to meet with Indigenous leaders. She'll host a roundtable discussion Tuesday in New Mexico with the All Pueblo Council of Governors and other state officials. The agenda includes the coronavirus pandemic and its devastating effects on tribal nations. She'll also highlight the federal government's latest COVID-19 relief package.

• New child support law brings New Mexico into compliance

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A measure signed into law Monday by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham modernizes New Mexico's child support law, bringing the state into compliance with federal regulations and national best practices. State officials say the changes will keep New Mexico from losing out on more than $147 million in federal money.

• Today in History 

Today is Tuesday, April 6, the 96th day of 2021. There are 269 days left in the year. 

• Today's Highlight in History: 

On April 6, 1909, American explorers Robert E. Peary and Matthew A. Henson and four Inuits became the first men to reach the North Pole. 

• New child support law brings New Mexico into compliance

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A measure signed into law Monday by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham modernizes New Mexico's child support law, bringing the state into compliance with federal regulations and national best practices. State officials say the changes will keep New Mexico from losing out on more than $147 million in federal money.

• CAR CRASH-GIRLS KILLED

ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police say a teenage driver and a 12-year-old girl have died in a head-on crash south of Roswell. They say the crash occurred about 2:30 p.m. Sunday on state Highway 2. State Police say their initial investigation indicates an SUV driven by a 33-year-old Roswell man attempted to pass another vehicle and collided with a passenger car.  They say the car caught fire and the 17-year-old female driver and her 12-year-old passenger _ both from Dexter, N.M. _were pronounced dead at the scene.

• VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — All New Mexicans ages 16 or older who wish to be vaccinated against the coronavirus now have a chance to receive their shots. Monday marked the start of expanded eligibility under the state Department of Health's distribution plan. The timeline for getting more shots out to the general public was sped up under a directive by the Biden administration to make all adults in the U.S. eligible by May 1. Still, state health officials said those who were part of the earlier phases will be prioritized.

• Deming police: 2 young sisters allegedly abducted by father

DEMING, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say two young girls in Deming who are sisters are reported missing and an Amber Alert has been issued. Deming police say they believe Jose Luis Lujan abducted his daughters, who are identified as 3-year-old Abri Lujan and 4-year-old Adelina Lujan. Police say Jose Lujan allegedly made threats to injure the children, who were last seen around 2 a.m. Sunday. Meanwhile, New Mexico State Police have canceled an Amber Alert for a missing endangered juvenile.

• Today in History 

Today is Monday, April 5, the 95th day of 2021. There are 270 days left in the year. 

• Today's Highlights in History: 

On April 5, 2010, an explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine near Charleston, West Virginia, killed 29 workers. In a televised rescue, 115 Chinese coal miners were freed after spending eight days trapped in a flooded mine, surviving an accident that had killed 38.

• Deming police: 2 young sisters allegedly abducted by father

DEMING, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say two young girls in Deming who are sisters are reported missing and an Amber Alert has been issued. Deming police say they believe Jose Luis Lujan abducted his daughters, who are identified as 3-year-old Abri Lujan and 4-year-old Adelina Lujan. Police say Jose Lujan allegedly made threats to injure the children, who were last seen around 2 a.m. Sunday. Meanwhile, New Mexico State Police have canceled an Amber Alert for a missing endangered juvenile.

• Today in History 

Today is Easter Sunday, April 4, the 94th day of 2021. There are 271 days left in the year.