- AMERICA PROTESTS-CONQUISTADOR
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Two public statues of conquistador Juan de Oñate in New Mexico are drawing renewed attention and criticism as memorials erected in honor of Confederate leaders and other historical figures worldwide become a focus of protests. More than 1,500 people have signed a petition calling for the removal of an Oñate statue on the outskirts of Española in northern New Mexico. Activists are calling on Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller to remove another Oñate likeness from a caravan of colonists set in bronze outside a city museum. Oñate arrived in present-day New Mexico in 1598. He is celebrated as a cultural father figure but also reviled for his brutality.
- LEGISLATURE-PUBLIC ACCESS
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Republican legislators and a handful of Democrats are decrying as unconstitutional a plan to close off public access to the New Mexico Statehouse during a special legislative session. Twenty-two legislators on Thursday petitioned the state Supreme Court to prevent the Legislature from the move intended as a precaution against the coronavirus. Webcasts of committee meetings and floor debates would be available under a plan devised this week by a panel of leading House and Senate lawmakers. But a group of mostly Republican legislators says precautions such as physical distancing and face masks would work.
- NAVAJO NATION-HEMP FARMING
SHIPROCK, N.M. (AP) — The Navajo Nation Department of Justice is suing a tribal member over what authorities say is an illegal hemp farming operation in northwestern New Mexico. Attorney General Doreen McPaul said the lawsuit was filed Thursday in tribal court. The complaint names Dineh Benally, Native American Agriculture Co. and Navajo Gold Co. Benally and his businesses are accused of running an industrial hemp operation within the reservation's boundaries and unlawfully issuing tribal land use permits to foreign entities to grow and cultivate hemp on the Navajo Nation. An attorney for Benally said he hasn't seen a copy of the complaint and declined to comment.
- LAS CRUCES POLICE-USE OF FORCE
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Video recently released by authorities in Las Cruces, New Mexico, shows a traffic stop and struggle with police that led to the death of Antonio Valenzuela after he ran from officers in February. Valenzuela was wanted at the time for a parole violation. Officers gave chase after he bolted, and the video shows the struggle that followed as he ignored officers' repeated commands. Valenzuela died after an officer used a chokehold to gain control so he could be handcuffed. The officer was relieved of his duties and is out on bond pending trial on a charge of involuntary manslaughter. City officials plan to discuss use of force policies next week.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-BESIEGED HOSPITAL
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The board of a rural New Mexico hospital that was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic has fired the chief executive. An email sent to staff at Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital in Gallup on Thursday said the CEO's termination was effective immediately and a search would begin soon for a replacement. The hospital came under fire in recent weeks after it laid off nurses in March and then was overwhelmed by the pandemic. Some employees protested inadequate staffing and urged the CEO to resign. He has defended his handling of the pandemic and said decisions on staffing and medical care were not his alone.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's governor says breweries will be allowed to open Friday. It's the latest type of business to be cleared as the state reopens amid the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Thursday that breweries will be limited to half of normal capacity. The governor reported an additional 121 coronavirus cases, bringing the statewide total 9,367. The Health Department on Thursday also reported 10 new deaths, raising the death toll to 420. State officials are still urging residents to stay at home and wear face coverings when out in public.
- AP-US-IMMIGRATION-MISSPENT-MONEY-
PHOENIX (AP) — A new report by a federal watchdog says the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency misspent millions of dollars meant for migrant care during the 2019 surge in border crossings. The report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office was released Thursday. It says that CBP, while dealing with a massive increase in the number of border crossers that year, spent money that Congress allocated for migrant care on things like all-terrain vehicles and its police dog program. The agency said it spent money on lawful items, the violations identified were technical and prompt remedial action will be taken.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation health officials are reporting 125 new coronavirus cases and five new related deaths on the reservation. The death toll is approaching 300 and reservation-wide cases totaled 6,275 as of Wednesday. Tribal officials said preliminary reports from 11 health care facilities indicate nearly 3,000 people have recovered from COVID-19 with more reports pending. Navajo officials are cautioning tribal members about letting up their guard too soon while the pandemic remains a serious threat throughout U.S. In Arizona, health care officials are reporting spikes in new cases and hospitals have been told to prepare for the worst.