- LOS ALAMOS-PIT PRODUCTION
County commission wants Los Alamos lab to conduct study
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The Santa Fe County Commission wants Los Alamos National Laboratory to conduct a site-wide environmental review of the potential effects that could come from production of the plutonium cores used in the nation's nuclear arsenal. The commission on Tuesday approved a resolution outlining its wishes. The lab plans to increase production to 30 cores per year by 2026. The last site-wide review at the northern New Mexico lab was done 13 years ago. Santa Fe Commissioner Anna Hansen said it's unconscionable that the nuclear agency and the U.S. Energy Department are ignoring the demands of elected officials and the public for a new analysis.
- HOME BURGLARIES-SUSPECTS ARRESTED
2 arrested in more than 80 metro Albuquerque home robberies
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police in Albuquerque say two suspects have been arrested for allegedly being involved in more than home 80 burglaries. They say 18-year-old Jesse Mascareno-Haidle and a 17-year-old boy were arrested Friday after police launched a detailed investigation into dozens of home invasions in the metro Albuquerque area. The teen's name is not being released because he's a juvenile. Police say the two suspects are accused of several home burglaries and stealing vehicles from many of the residences. Police believe the suspects may have also burglarized six locations in Los Lunas.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 135 new COVID-19 cases, 3 more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation health officials have reported 135 new COVID-19 cases and three more deaths. The latest numbers released Saturday night raised the totals to 28,717 cases and 1,014 known deaths since the pandemic began. The tribe has 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.
- ELECTRIC BUSES-ALBUQUERQUE
Albuquerque to test electric passenger bus on city route
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — City officials in New Mexico have welcomed back electric buses after failed attempts in years past with the Albuquerque Rapid Transit. Transit Department Director Danny Holcomb said on Friday that the electric bus service will begin operations on Saturday on a single route. Holcomb said multiple routes will be added to test how the vehicle's battery life will be affected. Holcomb said the 40-foot bus can carry 37 passengers and is expected to run up to 175 miles a day in one charge. The leased bus will serve as a test, as the city anticipates purchasing five before the end of the year. Each bus will cost about $925,000.
- CAPITOL BREACH-COWBOYS FOR TRUMP
Cowboys for Trump leader refuses virus test in jail
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The jailed leader of Cowboys for Trump has been held in solitary isolation for two weeks as he refused to take a coronavirus test. U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui on Friday said Couy Griffin also ejected offers to speak with an attorney regarding his arrest in connection with the Jan. 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol. Griffin has been jailed and charged by federal prosecutors with entering the Capitol grounds. He was arrested Jan. 17 as he returned to Washington. Griffin has said he wasn't involved in violence at the Capitol and never went inside the building as he waded among throngs of Trump supporters on an outer balcony.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico reports 752 additional COVID-19 cases, 17 deaths
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico on Saturday reported 752 additional known COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths, increasing the state's pandemic totals to 173,539 cases and 3,265 deaths. Nearly all the additional deaths involved people in their 70s, 80s and 90s. In another development, Santa Fe's school superintendent announced Saturday that schools will reopen in a voluntary hybrid model on Feb. 22. That's two weeks after when state officials have said New Mexico school districts and charter schools can reopen. Superintendent Veronica Garcia said the Feb. 22 date provides time to inspect schools and for teachers to set up their classrooms while giving families and staff at least two weeks notice as promised.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRIBAL HOSPITAL
New Mexico tribe sues US over hospital closure amid pandemic
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico Indigenous tribe is suing the U.S. government, claiming federal health officials have violated the law by ending emergency and in-patient medical care at a hospital on tribal lands. Acoma Pueblo Gov. Brian Vallo said during a briefing Friday that the tribe's pleas have fallen on deaf ears and that the lack of emergency health care services could not have come at a worse time as COVID-19 continues to take a toll on his community. Acoma is asking a federal judge to overturn a decision by the Indian Health Service to shutter the facility. The agency argues that it hasn't violated the law.
- TRAIN DERAILMENT-CHARGESS
Man faces federal charges in New Mexico train derailment
VADO, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico man is facing federal charges for allegedly derailing a freight train. Federal prosecutors say Luis Angel Rodriguez made an initial court appearance Friday. The 27-year-old La Mesa man will remain in custody pending a preliminary hearing. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney. Authorities say Rodriguez in the early morning hours of Dec. 2 allegedly placed railroad ties on the track near Vado. That caused two Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway locomotives and 12 empty rail cars to derail, resulting in millions of dollars in damage. The conductor and engineer also were injured.