- Navajo Nation reports 153 new virus cases, four more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Officials on the Navajo Nation say they're seeing improvement in the number of cases reported daily on the reservation. But they're concerned about the impact of holiday gatherings not yet reflected in the latest numbers. They're urging people to celebrate the new year with only the people in their immediate household. Health officials on Tuesday reported 153 new cases of the coronavirus and four more deaths. The figures bring the total number of cases on the reservation that extends into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah to 22,526. The death toll is 781.
- US Park Service says New Mexico tasing case is under review
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The National Park Service says it's investigating an incident in which a visitor was tased by a ranger at Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico. Darrell House was stopped by the ranger for walking off trail in a closed area. Video taken by House shows the ranger asking for his identification and House declining. He insisted he hadn't done anything wrong. In his post, House says the use of force was uncalled for. House identified himself as Navajo and Oneida and said he goes to the monument to pray. Regional park officials say the case has been referred to the agency's internal affairs unit for review.
- 2 Albuquerque churches fined $5K for virus safety violations
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Two Albuquerque churches have been fined for violating New Mexico's COVID-19 public health order. Both venues held Christmas gatherings. The state Health Department fined Legacy Church and Calvary Church $5,000 each on Monday after photos and video showed violations of mandates that call for capacity limits, mask wearing and social distancing. Legacy Church officials accused the state of trampling on their constitutional rights. Calvary Church's pastor said they urged people to follow guidelines and blocked every other row to practice social distancing. New Mexico health officials on Tuesday reported an additional 1,221 confirmed infections, bringing the statewide total to nearly 140,000.
- Audit reveals mishandled city funds in Las Cruces
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — An audit released by the Office of the New Mexico State Auditor has revealed more than $1.8 million in mishandled or misused city funds related to the Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau and various city-sponsored events. The audit made public Tuesday also identified what officials described as serious conflicts of interest. The investigation spanned nearly a year and included a review of millions of pages of documentation. Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima said the findings already have resulted in changes. The auditor's office said the report has been referred to the state attorney general's office for further review.
- New year brings new oversight of vaping, student debt
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — With the start of the new year, New Mexico authorities will be increasing oversight of tobacco and e-cigarette businesses to prevent child access. The state is taking a more assertive approach to the regulation of tobacco products by requiring licenses for the sale, distribution or manufacture of all tobacco products. The changes come as a new statewide minimum wage also takes effect Friday. New Mexico's minimum wage is increasing to $10.50 a hour, up from $9. And a new consumer protection law takes aim at the student debt crisis with financial disclosure requirements for private colleges and universities.
- New Mexico forecasters warn of winter storms, slick roads
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque say two winter storms will be bearing down on New Mexico this week. The first is expected to bring widespread precipitation through Tuesday evening. The Sacramento Mountains in southern New Mexico and the adjacent highlands will see gusts during the day before a backdoor cold front moves in and crosses the plains. Well below normal temperatures are expected in the storm's wake. The next round will hit Thursday night with some high elevation snow showers possible for northern New Mexico.
- Another set of human remains found in rural Colorado IDed
CONEJOS, Colo. (AP) — Authorities have identified a second set of human remains found near a rural town in southern Colorado. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation announced Tuesday the remains are those of 34-year-old Shayla Hammel, of Saguache. In early December, the CBI said another set of remains found in the area were those of 37-year-old Myron Martinez, of Del Norte. Searches in November uncovered the remains of three people on two properties near Alamosa. Investigators haven't identified the remains of the third person. Authorities arrested 26-year-old Adre Baroz on Nov. 19, and he is being held on unrelated charges. Baroz's warrant remains sealed.
- AG: Records related to government contract work are public
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico attorney general's office says autopsy reports done by the state for a tribal entity or the federal government are subject to open record laws because the work is carried out in part using state funds and resources. The written opinion was issued earlier this month. It stemmed from a request from the Rio Grande Sun newspaper for autopsy reports done by the state Office of the Medical Investigator under contract for the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The newspaper filed a complaint with the attorney general's office in 2019 after being denied the records.