- JURY TRIALS-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico courts are scheduled to resume jury trials in February 2021 after a hiatus in response to surging coronavirus infections. The Administrative Office of the Courts announced the order Monday. The suspension of jury trials in November did not apply to grand juries that decide whether evidence warrants charges of criminal conduct. In a news release, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael E. Vigil said the state judiciary relies on an emergency response team to monitor pandemic risks. State courts have remained open throughout the pandemic as judges use video and telephone conferencing to carry out civil and criminal legal proceedings.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-UTAH SCHOOLS
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A dozen parents have filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Salt Lake City School District after it refused to open schools and relied on remote learning., The parents are claiming the decision represented what they called a historic deprivation of rights. The Deseret News reports that the lawsuit filed Monday claims the district's decision stripped about 21,000 students of rights to a free and open public education under the state Constitution. The Salt Lake City Board of Education voted earlier this year to conduct school only by remote learning. It became the only Utah school district to do so in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
- OIL AND GAS-FRESH WATER
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico State Land Office is halting the practice of selling fresh water from state trust lands for use in oil and gas development. Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard detailed the shift in policy in a letter issued Tuesday. She sent the letter to companies that hold easements that grant access to trust land for pumping fresh water. Under the change, existing easements will not be renewed once they expire and no new easements will be issued. The agency says the policy is aimed at encouraging the industry to use recycled or produced water given the scarcity of fresh resources in New Mexico.
- EDUCATION LAWSUIT TECHNOLOGY
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Lawyers representing Native American students say New Mexico is violating a 2018 court order in a landmark education case as attempts to boost internet access and provide learning devices are falling short. The case covers 80% of the state's students, including Native Americans and those who are low-income or disabled. Lawyers representing the students say educational opportunities would not have been as inadequate had the state complied with the court order and ensured access to technology for all students. In a motion filed Tuesday, they asked a court to compel the state to provide laptops and internet to students who still lack them.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The new state health chief says the arrival of vaccines in New Mexico marks a turning point and she's hopeful for a brighter day as people get vaccinated over the coming months. Still, health Secretary Tracie Collins said Tuesday that while vaccination will prevent COVID-19 infection, there is more that needs to be learned about how effective inoculations will be in stemming transmission of the virus. She says that means residents still need to wear masks, maintain social distancing, wash their hands often and keep up with other COVID-safe practices. Tuesday marked Collins' second day at the helm of the state Health Department.
- BIDEN TRANSITION-UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State University Chancellor Dan Arvizu has been chosen as part of the transition team for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. The Las Cruces Sun-News reported that Arvizu was approached to help the U.S. Department of Energy in the transition from the outgoing Trump administration to the Biden administration. He is also expected to review the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Arvizu said in his most recent university system-wide email that it is a volunteer position and is not associated with his university position.
- LEGISLATURE-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Leading legislators in New Mexico say the next regular legislative session in early 2021 is likely to take place in a hybrid of in person and online. Democratic Senate majority leaders Peter Wirth of Santa Fe said Monday that a "huge piece" of the next session likely will be conducted online through video conferencing as a precaution against pandemic dangers. He noted that many local governments are conducting public business entirely online. The Democratic House speaker indicated that online committee hearings are likely and that the House will limit the number of bills that can be introduced by each member to five to streamline proceedings.
- POLICE SHOOTING-NEW MEXICO
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say an armed man was fatally shot by law enforcement officers from three different agencies during a barricade situation stemming from an incident of domestic violence in the Farmington area on Monday. The State Police said at least one San Juan County sheriff's deputy and officers from Farmington Police Department and the State Police shot a passenger in a parked SUV when he pointed a gun at the driver. No identities were released. Authorities had stopped the vehicle which was sought in connection with a reported beating of a woman by her husband, who was armed, the State Police said.