- Navajo Nation reports 152 new COVID-19 cases, 4 more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation health officials on Wednesday reported 152 new COVID-19 cases and four more deaths. The latest figures bring the total reported coronavirus cases on the reservation to 27,887 with 989 known deaths. On Monday, the tribe extended its stay-at-home order with a revised nightly curfew to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Navajo Department of Health has identified 53 communities with uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus, down from 75 communities in recent weeks. The Navajo Nation also is lifting weekend lockdowns to allow more vaccination events. The actions in the latest public health emergency order will run through at least Feb. 15. The Navajo Nation extends into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
- Officials: Most New Mexico counties see virus improvements
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials say almost all of the state's 33 counties have shown improvements over the last two weeks when it comes to reducing daily case totals and test positivity rates. New data released Wednesday shows seven counties have improved to the yellow category while sparsely populated Harding County remains green. The rest of the counties — including those that span New Mexico's most populated areas — remain in the red zone due to higher risks. However, state officials say more than two-thirds of the counties are on the cusp of reaching the metrics required for yellow classification. Overall, daily COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations have been trending downward.
- Cowboys for Trump leader seeks release from Washington jail
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Attorneys for jailed Cowboys for Trump leader Couy Griffin urged a federal judge Wednesday to release the New Mexico county commissioner and gun rights advocate as he awaits trial in Washington in connection with the siege on the U.S. Capitol. Federal prosecutors want Griffin, a resident of Tularosa, held without bail on charges that he knowingly entered the Capitol grounds with the intent to disrupt government business. They have called for a hearing to show there is a serious risk that Griffin would flee and poses a danger, noting a history of threatening comments, racial invective, access to firearms and vows that Joe Biden would never be president.
- Vaccines among last hurdles to open New Mexico classrooms
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — After nearly a year on lockdown, the governor says New Mexico school districts can offer in-person learning starting on Feb. 8 regardless of virus levels in their county. That's a relief for students who miss their friends or fell behind because they didn't have internet or electricity. So what happens now? Teacher unions say members need vaccines and COVID-19 sick leave. Rio Rancho Public Schools struck a deal with the union for 10 days of virus-related leave. They can't use it for quarantine due to out-of-state-travel, though. Vaccine shortages have led to clinics at large public schools getting canceled.
- New Mexico lawmakers consider hair discrimination bill
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A bill to protect New Mexico residents from discrimination stemming from hairstyles or religious coverings is gaining traction in the state Legislature. It cleared the House Education Committee on Wednesday. If approved and signed by the governor, New Mexico would become the eighth state to protect students and workers from discrimination against hairstyles and head coverings that express a person's religious, cultural or racial identity. Black and Native American women told lawmakers stories of institutions treating them differently because of their hairstyles. Across the country, workers have been pressured to cut or chemically alter their hair to satisfy employer grooming codes.
- State relief plans take shape at New Mexico Legislature
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An economic relief package is taking shape at the New Mexico Legislature as a Senate panel endorsed a $600 rebate to low-income workers and a separate bill that would waive licensing fees on liquor stores. Residents of New Mexico who earned up to $31,200 during 2020 would be eligible for the $600 payout or credit against tax liabilities under a bill that also provides a temporary tax break for restaurants as they endure restrictions on indoor dining. A panel of lawmakers unanimously advanced those proposals on Tuesday.
- New Mexico senators, advocates back Biden oil and gas plans
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Local officials and residents in New Mexico's oil patches are anxious as the Biden administration takes aim at the oil and natural gas industry with a series of new executive orders. But the state's two U.S. senators support the actions, saying it's time to rethink the nation's energy policies and move toward what Democrat Martin Heinrich described as a zero-pollution economy. Freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell says the president's actions are hasty and could have dire consequences given the industry's effect on New Mexico's bottom line. National industry officials echoed those concerns Wednesday, noting that America's appetite for energy is only going to increase as the economy recovers.
- Beloved, older snow leopard dies at Albuquerque zoo
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A zoo in Albuquerque has announced that its longtime resident snow leopard named Azeo has died. The ABQ BioPark Zoo says the 19-year-old snow leopard was found dead in his outdoor exhibit space Thursday after spending more than 15 years at the zoo. Results from a necropsy are pending. Snow leopards usually live up to 12 years in the wild and up to 15 years in captivity. Park officials say most snow leopards are elusive and solitary but that Azeo was gentle with the female leopards and interacted with zoo employees. Azeo came to New Mexico from the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Canada.