- POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — An anti-poverty coalition is scheduled to hold a virtual march as part of the Poor People's Campaign to highlight the plight of struggling U.S. residents. The Mass Poor People's Assembly & Moral March on Washington is slated for Saturday. Modeled after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s last organizing effort in 1968, the new campaign seeks to bring the issue of poverty to the American consciousness. Organizers say poor coal miners from Kentucky and Apache tribal members from Arizona will speak about their experiences during the live-streamed gathering.
- SPECIAL SESSION-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Legislators are gathering to shore up New Mexico finances for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic struck. The Democrat-led Legislature is scheduled to start a special legislative session on Thursday at noon in a Statehouse that is closed to the public. People can follow deliberations over the internet or by phone. Lawmakers are confronting a 25% estimated revenue decline for the coming budget year. Solvency proposals would diminish but not do away with increased spending on public salaries, education and heath care. First-term Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham also wants legislators to enact policing and mail-in election reforms.
- AMERICA PROTESTS-CONQUISTADOR
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Prosecutors in Albuquerque, New Mexico, say an investigation into a shooting during a protest over a statue of a Spanish conquistador is far from complete, and they are amending charges against a man accused of opening fire after a fight broke out. District Attorney Raúl Torrez said Wednesday it's too soon to pursue a charge related to the shooting because investigators still need to identify witnesses, verify video of the incident and gather more evidence. Prosecutors are instead charging Steven Baca with battery for his interactions with three women and a weapons charge. An attorney for Baca said his client had no choice but to defend himself using force.
- CONGRESS-PUBLIC LANDS-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's two U.S. senators are applauding approval of a bipartisan bill that would double spending on a popular conservation program and devote nearly $2 billion a year to improve and maintain national parks. Democrat Tom Udall described it as landmark legislation that will, for the first time, permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million per year. The fund is fueled by revenues from offshore oil and gas leasing. More than $312 million has been funneled to New Mexico public lands and open spaces since it was established in 1964. Supporters say the program is a boon to the state's outdoor economy.
- SPECIAL SESSION-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham endorsed reforms that allow election regulators to ship absentee ballots to most registered voters and called for greater public disclosure of police disciplinary records. On the eve of a special legislative session, the first-term Democratic governor outlined Wednesday a handful of urgent initiatives that she will consider as the lawmakers focus foremost on rewriting the state budget to fill a yawning financial deficit. At the state Capitol, legislators searched for solutions Wednesday to a $1.7 billion budget deficit for the coming fiscal year. The collapse of the tourism sector and faltering oil prices are hitting public finances especially in New Mexico.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Multiple tribal casinos in New Mexico have reopened despite recommendations from Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to remain closed to limit the spread of COVID-19. Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque, Ohkay Hotel Casino in Ohkay Owingeh and Taos Mountain Casino in Taos all have reopened with coronavirus-related precautions. Tribal casinos are controlled by sovereign nations, so the state cannot prohibit them from reopening. The governor has allowed other businesses to begin reopening in limited capacities, but the number of cases continue to increase. Positive tests surpassed the 10,000 mark Wednesday, and state health officials reported five additional deaths, bringing the total to 452.
- FIREWORKS-JULY FOURTH
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is urging cities and counties across the state to consider banning retail sales of fireworks. An order signed Monday by Lujan Grisham cites drought conditions present in much of the state and says New Mexico municipalities and counties "must do their part to reduce the fire danger." The order also cites fire restrictions put in place by public land management agencies such as the state forester, the National Park Service and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. According to the governor's order, it doesn't affect municipal July Fourth fireworks displays.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation is planning more weekend lockdowns because of coronavirus cases that are increasing off the reservation, most notably in Arizona. Tribal President Jonathan Nez made the announcement Tuesday in a virtual town hall. He cited Arizona, which hit an alarmingly high new daily number of cases, in urging people to stay home. He says a second surge on the reservation would put enormous pressure on its health care system and workers. Residents of the Navajo Nation are still under daily nighttime curfews. Businesses will be closed during the weekend lockdown that starts at sundown Friday and ends at sunrise Monday. Tribal police have been citing people for violating the lockdowns.