- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Data from the New Mexico Health Department shows COVID-19 infections among health care workers in the state have spiked as intensive care units remain full and nurses and first responders call for more protective equipment. The data shows 492 workers were diagnosed in May, marking a 219% increase from the 154 workers who had tested positive for the coronavirus the month before. Human Services Secretary David Scrase tells the Albuquerque Journal that the increase was expected. The largest increase came in Bernalillo County _ home to three of the state's COVID-19 hub hospitals. San Juan and McKinley counties also had surges.
- FORREST FENN-TREASURE FOUND
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A bronze chest filled with gold, jewels, and other valuables worth more than $1 million and hidden a decade ago somewhere in the Rocky Mountain wilderness has been found. Famed art and antiquities collector Forrest Fenn says he hid the treasure as a way to tempt people to get into the wilderness and give them a chance to launch an old-fashioned adventure and expedition for riches. He posted clues online and in a poem that was published in his autobiography "The Thrill of the Chase." The 89-year-old told the Santa Fe New Mexican on Sunday that a treasure hunter located the chest a few days ago and sent him a photo for confirmation.
- AMERICA PROTESTS-SMALL TOWNS
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Public outrage over the death of George Floyd is spilling over into small town America. Rallies have surfaced in places such as Norfolk, Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa, drawing hundreds of people in communities that are mostly white. Experts who study race relations say the protests illustrate the degree to which the movement demanding social justice has spread, fueled by social media and persistent but less visible racism experienced by minorities in smaller cities. The gatherings have been largely peaceful although some turned to violence and vandalism.
- POLICE SHOOTING-GALLUP
GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say two people were killed when their pickup collided head-on with a big rig while driving the wrong way on Interstate 40 after being chased by police, The A New Mexico State Police statement said the pickup sped away from a motel where Gallup police went Friday night in response to a report of two males brandishing a gun. The statement said police chased the truck on eastbound Interstate 40 but halted their pursuit when the pickup began traveling eastbound in westbound lanes. According to the statement, both people in the pickup were killed in the head-on collision. Nobody in the big rig was injured. No identities were released.
- ELECTION 2020-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Alexis Johnson of Santa Fe has won the Republican primary nomination in New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. Johnson emerged victorious Saturday in the three-way primary amid a surge in absentee balloting that took several days to tally in the district's most populous county. Johnson will compete in the general election against Santa Fe-based attorney Teresa Leger Fernandez to succeed U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan as he runs for U.S. Senate. Sen. Tom Udall is retiring. Democrats have monopolized the 3rd District seat since its creation in 1982 with the exception of one special election.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation's gambling operation had hoped to reopen its casinos in mid-June but they'll stay closed until at least early July because of the coronavirus outbreak. Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise officials said Friday that closures ordered to help curb spread of the outbreak will continue due to a recent order by tribal President Jonathan Nez that continues closures of tribal government operations through July 5. The tribe's sprawling reservation includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah and its casinos are located near Flagstaff, Arizona, and Farmington, Gallup and Shiprock, New Mexico.
- CHILDHOOD DISPARITIES-NEW MEXICO
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — A new report says New Mexico has the highest child food insecurity rate in the country. The report by the Save the Children advocacy group released Tuesday also says New Mexico has one of the nation's highest childhood violent death rates. Only Alaska and South Dakota, which are two other states with sizable Native American populations, had a higher rate. A senior vice president with the group says the findings should serve as a wake-up call for political leaders to battle poverty in states like New Mexico. The report examined 2,600 counties using federal data from 2018 and earlier.
- LAS CRUCES-POLICE CUSTODY DEATH
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Prosecutors in southern New Mexico say a Las Cruces police officer is facing a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the death of a man who led police on a chase. District Attorney Mark D'Antonio announced Friday that his office was charging Officer Christopher Smelser. Police Chief Patrick Gallagher said it would be in the best interest of the department and the community to relieve Smelser of his duties. The chief cited the Feb. 29 death of Antonio Valenzuela, who had a parole violation warrant against him when he ran from officers following a traffic stop. Police say Valenzuela was combative and Smelser used a neck restraint to gain control.