- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Church pews were empty across New Mexico as residents celebrated Easter at home amid a prohibition on public gatherings that was extended this weekend to houses of worship. About 850 logged on to a live Facebook feed Sunday of Easter Mass celebrations at St. Francis Cathedral in the state capital. Santa Fe Archbishop John Wester has been supportive of social distancing directives. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says the state is looking at economic recovery options but is unlikely to reopen the economy before health officials identify a peak in coronavirus infections. New Mexico reported 1,174 coronavirus cases with 20 deaths as of Saturday.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK NAVAJO NATION
The number of coronavirus cases on the nation's largest Native American reservation jumped by 17% Saturday as the Navajo Nation prepared to get new rapid-test kits. The Navajo Nation said in a statement that the number of cases on the 27,000-square-mile (70,000-square-kilometer) reservation that sprawls across Arizona, New Mexico and Utah rose to 698 Saturday, up 101 from the day before. So far, a total of 24 people have died from complications of COVID-19. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer said they have been told that Abbott ID rapid test kits will become available at Navajo Area IHS facilities and tribal health care centers in the next few days.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-SOCIAL DISTANCE POWWOW
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The largest powwows in the country have been canceled and postponed amid the spread of the coronavirus. Tribal members have found a new outlet online with the Social Distance Powwow. They're sharing videos of colorful displays of culture and tradition that are at their essence meant to uplift people during difficult times. The posts have become a nearly daily dose of medicine, songs, dances, well wishes, humor and happy birthdays. The site also hosts a live powwow on the weekend where an emcee patches in drum groups, singers and dancers from across the country.
- NURSING HOME ARBITRATION RULING
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court has ruled against a nursing home agreement requiring residents to settle their most likely claims, setting a precedent for consumers to dispute arbitration agreements. The Albuquerque Journal reported that the ruling stems from a case against multiple defendants, including the Rehabilitation Center of Albuquerque for requiring all legal claims to go to mediation and then move on to arbitration rather than to court. The agreement still allowed the facility to file lawsuits over its most likely claims against patients. The Supreme Court affirmed Monday that there was not enough evidence to show that the one-sidedness of the agreement was justified.
- IMMIGRATION DETENTION WASTE
EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A congressional watchdog says the Border Patrol needlessly spent millions on a little-used immigration detention center in Texas. The adult detention center in Tornillo has been closed since January. A Government Accountability Office report says immigration officials paid $5.3 million for meals that were never needed as part of a fixed contract for 2,500 detainees. The office says the facility never had more than 68 at one time. On average, each detainee had eight guards. The Department of Homeland Security defending the spending, saying that it would have been worse to close the facility too early and force immigrants into inadequate locations.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO-EASTER
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — While it pains him, the head of one of the oldest Catholic dioceses in the United States says this Holy Week will be different for tens of thousands of parishioners in New Mexico. It has to be. There will be no pilgrimages and no crowds packing the pews to celebrate Mass. The Archdiocese of Santa Fe has been pleading with the faithful to heed public health orders and stay home. Despite the rich traditions that culminate with Easter weekend, Archbishop John Wester says the new coronavirus is nothing to play around with. He says: "It doesn't take a day off for Good Friday or Easter Sunday."
- UNEMPLOYMENT-NEW MEXICO
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — Federal numbers show that nearly 73,000 people in New Mexico have lost their jobs over that last three weeks. The U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday 26,606 people in the state applied for unemployment benefits last week compared to a revised record of 27,849 the week before. The ongoing swell in applications in one of the poorest U.S. states represent more evidence that the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the economy. The Labor Department said 6.6 million Americans overall applied for unemployment benefits last week.
- COPPER THEFTS-STREET LIGHTS
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.