- CIVIL RIGHTS PROPOSAL
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A proposed New Mexico Civil Rights Act that would allow legal claims to be filed in state court over alleged infringements on free speech, freedom of religion and other constitutional rights is getting mixed reviews. Some members of the state's nine-member Civil Rights Commission are predicting that the proposed law would increase local governments' insurance costs and lead to law enforcement officers leaving New Mexico. The measure had its first vetting before a legislative panel earlier this week. It's expected to generate a contentious debate during the 60-day legislative session that begins in January.
- AP-US-NATIVE-AMERICANS-DATA
PHOENIX (AP) — The lack of visibility of Native Americans in exit poll data on network television hit a nerve in Indian Country in the days following the election. Some Natives responded with an outcry while others turned to humor to address what many describe as a longstanding problem. Native Americans make up less than 2% of the U.S. population and often are listed as "other" or denoted with an asterisk in datasets. Even when surveyed, the results can be considered statistically insignificant because the sample size isn't large enough or the margin of error is too great to accurately reflect the population.
- ENERGY REVENUE DECLINE
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Payments to western U.S. states have plummeted for oil, natural gas and coal extracted by private companies from U.S. lands. The revenue drop comes after low crude prices and the pandemic idled drilling in many areas in 2020. Federal data shows payments to states for drilling on public lands and in U.S. waters were down by $630 million, or about 26%, in this fiscal year. New Mexico and Wyoming took the biggest fiscal hits. Companies pay the U.S government for the right to drill for fossil fuels on public lands and in U.S. waters. The money is split with the states where drilling occurs.
- AP-US-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-FAILING-GRADES
The first report cards of the new school year are arriving with a lot more Fs than usual, and it's not just parents who are getting distressed. School districts from coast to coast have reported the number of students failing classes has risen by as many as two or three times — a sign of the struggles many students are having with distance learning, particularly English language learners, those with disabilities and other disadvantaged students. Educators see a number of factors at play: Students learning from home skip assignments — or school altogether. Internet access is limited or inconsistent, making it difficult to complete and upload assignments.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico on Saturday reported 1,925 additional known COVID-19 cases and 32 more deaths. Those figures increase the statewide totals since the pandemic's start to 106,856 known cases and 1,738 deaths. According to the state's coronavirus dashboard, the number of current COVID-19-related hospitalizations dropped to 925 from 934. New Mexico is dealing with a surge in COVID-19 cases and related deaths and hospitalizations. Health officials have been warning that cases could go up in weeks following family gatherings over the Thanksgiving holiday. The number of infections is thought to be far higher than reported because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
- OUTSIDE INVESTIGATORS-POLICE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The city of Albuquerque and the Department of Justice are inching closer to an agreement to bring in outside investigators to probe police misconduct. The special counsel for the Department of Justice's civil rights division, Paul Killebrew, said Friday that his office is in the process of negotiating with the city to file the measures in January. The efforts come after a scathing report was released by an independent police monitor of the city police department which said law enforcement was failing to police itself.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has extended a stay-at-home order through Dec. 28 to try to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The extension takes effect Monday and includes weekend lockdowns. The Navajo Nation has had some of the most restrictive measures aimed at COVID-19 anywhere in the country, and most of those have been in place since March. They include a mask mandate. Residents are required to stay home unless they must report to work, or need to get food, medication or essential supplies. Businesses have limited hours. Nez has urged residents not to leave the reservation or to gather with families.
- POLICE SHOOTING-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Activists are trying to bring attention to the case of a young Black man who was shot by New Mexico state police while on a road trip from Indiana to Arizona. Rodney Applewhite was on his way to Phoenix to visit family for Thanksgiving when he was shot following a police pursuit and altercation in which authorities say he grabbed an officer's gun and tried to unholster it while being taken into custody. Activists rallied Friday in New Mexico, Arizona and Indiana. They renewed calls for police reforms. Authorities also provided more details about what led to the deadly encounter, describing a string of erratic behavior.