- State Democrats roll out same-day voter registration program
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Democrat-backed efforts to expand voter access in New Mexico are coming to fruition with the delayed rollout of same-day voter registration. The first trial run took place in a low-turnout special congressional election June 1, allowing people to register at early voting centers in the final weeks of balloting, including Election Day. In all, 2,012 residents seized on the opportunity to register in the final four weeks of the election. Previously, voter registration was cut off 28 days before any election. Late-registering voters flocked primarily to the Democratic Party, which accounted for 53% of of all registrations in the final weeks — and 50% on Election Day. About 32% of late registrations aligned with the Republican Party.
- New Mexico governor urges limits on fireworks amid drought
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is urging cities and counties across New Mexico to consider banning the sale of fireworks ahead of the July Fourth holiday. She pointed Monday to the persistent drought that has blanketed much of the state and the fire restrictions already in place on national forest lands. While state statutes prevent the governor from imposing a statewide ban on fireworks, the governor's office is encouraging municipalities to take action to limit fire danger. Restrictions are in place across Doña Ana County for the next month, and Rio Rancho and Farmington have warned residents to be careful over the holiday.
- Military veteran runs for New Mexico governor as Republican
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Investment adviser and West Point graduate Greg Zanetti of Albuquerque says he'll seek the Republican nomination for governor of New Mexico in next year's election. In a news release Monday, Zanetti says he wants to "restore some dignity" to the governor's office." Zanetti says he wants to work with local officials to reduce crime rates and improve schools, though he didn't provide detailed proposals. Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is running for reelection in 2022. Democrats control every statewide office and hold majorities in the state House and Senate.
- Poverty pilot program sends millions to poorest schools
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico education officials are sending $15 million to the schools where parents make the least money. The Public Education Department used tax records to measure each school and give assign it a "Family Income Index" score. It's based on the percentage of students who come from households with low or very low incomes. That means annual incomes of around $34,000 for a family of four. Awards to schools range from around $500 to $1,500 per student. The money is intended to help schools offset the academic effects of poverty by providing extra tutoring, counseling and other services.
- New Mexico banks on cash incentives to meet vaccine goal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico residents who get vaccinated against COVID-19 will now be eligible for a $100 incentive. The New Mexico Department of Health has announced the reward for anyone who gets the second dose or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine by Thursday. State health officials are trying to reach a goal of having 60% of residents age 16 and up fully vaccinated this week. The latest data from the state puts vaccinations at about 58%. The incentive is on top of the state's "Vax 2 the Max" program, where vaccinated residents can win prizes from a pool totaling $10 million. The rewards include a $5 million grand prize.
- Thinner Mints: Girl Scouts have millions of unsold cookies
The Girl Scouts have an unusual problem this year: 15 million boxes of unsold cookies. The 109-year-old organization says the coronavirus shut down in-person sales at cookie booths. The Girl Scouts usually make around $800 million each year selling 200 million boxes of cookies. It won't say how many cookie boxes were sold this year. But 15 million boxes remain at local councils or at the two bakers authorized to make them. Those councils and bakers are trying to sell or donate boxes that are left.
- Panic attacks highlight stress at shelters for migrant kids
A federal volunteer at the Biden administration's largest shelter for unaccompanied immigrant children says paramedics were called regularly during the two weeks she worked there. She says panic attacks would occur often after some of the children were taken away to be reunited with their families, dashing the hopes of those left behind. The conditions described by the volunteer mirrored accounts by immigration lawyers who recently visited Fort Bliss Army Base in El Paso, Texas. They highlight the stress of children who cross the U.S.-Mexico border alone and find themselves held at unlicensed mass-scale facilities. The government says it has made improvements to speed reunifications and keep the children safe.
- Navajo Nation finds 11 new COVID-19 cases, 6 deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation has reported 11 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths this weekend. Tribal health officials issued a breakdown of the latest virus stats Sunday, which saw only two new cases but no deaths. There were nine new cases and six deaths on Saturday. This brings the number of deaths on the Navajo Nation to 1,340.There have been 30,914 virus cases as of Friday. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez says residents must remain vigilant and not act like the pandemic is already over. More than half of residents on the reservation that stretches into New Mexico, Arizona and Utah eligible to get vaccinated are fully vaccinated.