- Navajo Nation surpasses Cherokee to become largest US tribe
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation has by far the largest land mass of any Native American tribe in the country. Now, it's boasting the largest enrolled population, too. The number grew to nearly 400,000 as a result of payments made to individual Navajos for hardships during the pandemic. The tribe now tops the Cherokee Nation's enrollment of 392,000, but a tribal spokeswoman says the Oklahoma tribe also is growing. The U.S. Treasury Department will use tribes' own enrollment figures to pay out a chunk of the $20 billion set aside for them in the latest virus relief funding package. Tribes have until Monday to submit data online.
- Can monthly cash payments cut child poverty by nearly half?
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The expanded Child Tax Credit payments start flowing from the federal government in July to roughly 39 million American households. They are an ambitious attempt to rewrite some of the core rules of the nation's social safety net. The monthly payments of up to $300 per child are a deliberate departure from some of the guiding principles that built the current network of government welfare programs. Proponents predict they could cut nationwide child poverty levels nearly in half. The payments are only supposed to last a year, but architects of the change are openly talking about making them permanent.
- Congressional candidates clash on financial disclosures
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Republican congressional candidate Mark Moores on Tuesday criticized Democratic rival Melanie Stansbury for voting in 2019 for a budget bill in the state Legislature that benefited a one-time client of her consulting practice. Responding to the news release issued Tuesday, a spokeswoman for Stansbury called the criticism a baseless political attack and highlighted Moores' refusal to file a disclosure about his personal finances as a U.S. House candidate. A spokesman for Moores said that this year's delayed federal tax deadlines have stood in the way of the financial disclosure requirement. Four candidates are on the ballot in a special congressional election for a seat previously held by U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
- Navajo Nation reports 18 new COVID-19 cases, 2 more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Tuesday reported 18 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and two more deaths. Tribal health officials say the latest figures pushed the total number of cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago to 30,740 on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The known death toll is now 1,295. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said more than half of the reservation's adult population has been vaccinated. Nez visited vaccination sites in Kayenta and Chinle on Tuesday to offer his support for health care workers and to encourage local residents to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which now is available to individuals who are 12 years of age and older.
- Some New Mexico farms apply for pilot project to save water
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — More than two dozen farms in southern New Mexico have applied for a program that will pay them not to plant their fields as water managers look for new ways to stretch resources in the drought-stricken state. It's the first phase of a multiyear pilot project. Lawmakers approved funding for the effort last year. Climatologists say the lower Rio Grande Valley has received little rain since the start of the year, and there's no extra water in upstream reservoirs. New Mexico and the rest of the southwestern U.S. are dealing with extreme and exceptional drought conditions.
- Santa Fe woman who fatally shot at house party faces trial
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The trial of a Santa Fe woman accused of firing a gun into her neighbor's yard, killing a young man, is set to begin this week. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that 65-year-old Beverly Melendez was found competent to stand trial for one count of second-degree murder. According to prosecutors, Melendez, angry over her neighbor's house party, grabbed a .22-caliber rifle and got up on a stool. She opened fire over a wall separating them. Authorities say one bullet fatally struck 19-year-old Rodrigo Enriquez-Garay in the back. Defense attorneys last month filed a motion asking that Melendez have a second psyche evaluation. The motion was denied.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 7 new COVID-19 cases and no deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Monday reported seven new confirmed COVID-19 cases, but no deaths. Tribal health officials say the latest figures pushed the total number of cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago to 30,722 on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The known death toll remains at 1,293. After four days of no reported coronavirus-related deaths, tribal health officials said there were five deaths Friday and one on both Saturday and Sunday. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez says more than half of the reservation's adult population has been vaccinated, but people still need to stay home as much as possible, wear masks and avoid large gatherings.
- District Attorney Raúl Torrez to run for attorney general
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The district attorney for Albuquerque is seeking the Democratic nomination for state attorney general in the 2022 election. Bernalillo County District Attorney Raúl Torrez on Monday announced his candidacy to become New Mexico's top public prosecutor. Torrez says he's been an aggressive and innovative prosecutor in the midst of a crime crisis in the Albuquerque area, where homicides are being reported this year at a record pace. State Auditor Brian Colón also is seeking the Democratic nomination. The Republican Party says it's in discussions with possible candidates. Hector Balderas is wrapping up his second term as New Mexico's top prosecutor and consumer advocate.