- Trump quietly shuts down asylum at US borders to fight virus
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Trump administration has quietly shut down the nation's asylum system for the first time in decades amid the coronavirus. The U.S. has used an obscure public health law to justify one of its most aggressive border enforcement tactics ever. People seeking refuge in the U.S. are whisked to the nearest border crossing and returned to Mexico without a chance to seek asylum. The government has temporarily swept aside decades-old national and international laws, saying holding people in custody is considered too dangerous. A congressional aide tells The Associated Press that the U.S. has expelled more than 7,000 people in less than two weeks.
- Federal aid assigned to rural New Mexico hospital
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Members of New Mexico's congressional and U.S. Senate delegation say rural hospitals that suspended non-urgent procedures as they brace for a surge in coronavirus patients have begun receiving a temporary financial lifeline from the federal government. Las Cruces-based U.S. Rep Xochitl Torres Small and Sen. Martin Heinrich said in a statement that the Gila Regional Medical Center in Silver City will receive an advance Medicare payment of $6.8 million. A variety of rural hospitals and clinics are being starved of ordinary income as they postpone elective surgeries and procedures to open up beds for COVID-19 patients. The state has registered at least 13 virus-related deaths and nearly 800 infections.
- Wire theft puts Albuquerque street lights out of commission
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Officials in New Mexico's largest city are warning that copper wiring thefts have put some street lights out of commission, resulting in dangerous conditions for pedestrians and drivers. In an effort to discourage would-be thieves, the city of Albuquerque is working with a lighting contractor to reinforce poles and switch out copper wiring for less valuable aluminum. Mayor Tim Keller says the copper thefts can create a safety problem as well as burden taxpayers. In February alone, the city saw $16,000 in copper theft, which accounted for more than one-quarter of all maintenance of street lights.
- New Mexico's senior US senator endorses Joe Biden
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's senior U.S. senator is throwing his support behind Joe Biden in the race for president. Democrat Tom Udall announced his endorsement in a message on social media Wednesday. Udall's post followed news that fellow Sen. Bernie Sanders was ending his presidential bid, leaving Biden as the presumptive Democratic nominee to challenge President Donald Trump in the general election. The New Mexico Democrat said he believes Biden can provide steadfast leadership for New Mexico's working families and the rest of the nation.
- New Mexico state police to crack down as virus cases go up
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police say they will be cracking down on businesses that aren't abiding by the governor's public health orders as new confirmed cases pushed the state's total higher on Wednesday. State health officials say the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases now tops 865, with nearly five dozen patients hospitalized. The cases include two residents and seven employees at a Farmington nursing home. Numerous cases also have been reported at an Albuquerque long-term care facility. On the labor front, the state is offering a one-time stimulus payment for up to 2,000 eligible self-employed New Mexicans affected by the pandemic.
- Cattle conflicts prompt killing of endangered Mexican wolves
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. wildlife managers have drawn the ire of environmentalists for killing four endangered Mexican gray wolves in an effort to get the predators to stop killing cattle in New Mexico. The latest deaths highlight a conflict that has persisted since reintroduction of the wolves began in the southwestern U.S. two decades ago. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the action was taken in March after hazing, diversionary food caches and other non-lethal means failed. Ranchers have seen a record number of cattle kills over the past year, but environmentalists say lethal management of the wolves is undermining the species' recovery.
- Census: New Mexico response rate near bottom among states
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Federal officials say New Mexico ranks near the bottom when it come to the number of people who have responded to the 2020 Census. The latest update shows just over one-third of New Mexican households have replied either online or by phone _ far short of the 46% national response rate. Bernalillo County is slightly ahead of the national rate but other areas are lagging. About 5% of households in Rio Arriba County have responded. The 2020 census will guide the distribution of some $1.5 trillion in federal spending and help determine how many congressional seats each state gets.
- GOP wants mail-in ballots by request only in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Legal battle lines were being drawn Wednesday in a standoff over emergency voting procedures in New Mexico as a Democrat-dominated state Supreme Court weighs alternatives to in-person voting in response to the coronavirus pandemic. With written arguments due Wednesday, Republicans say mail-in absentee ballots should be distributed only to eligible voters who make a request ahead of the June 2 primary. Voting rights experts say remote rural communities could easily be disenfranchised. Across the country, major parties are girding for a state-by-state legal fight over how citizens can safely cast their ballots should the coronavirus outbreak persist through November.