- New Mexico financial trustees weigh social responsibility
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Custodians of New Mexico's two multibillion-dollar financial trusts that underwrite public education and infrastructure spending are weighing whether to give greater weight to issues of social responsibility and sustainability in investment decisions. The State Investment Council on Tuesday kicked off deliberations about its investment strategies and a possible policy change that could give greater consideration to a host of environmental, societal and governance concerns, from climate change to issues of racial injustice. The conversation takes place as giant asset managers such as BlackRock have placed greater emphasis on the risks and rewards of environmental, social and governance issues, often challenging the direction of company executives.
- Medical marijuana producers seek tax refund worth millions
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A major business in New Mexico's burgeoning market for marijuana wants the state to refund millions of dollars in taxes that were levied in recent years on sales of medical marijuana but not against most prescription medications. Integrated cannabis provider Ultra Health said Tuesday that it has asked the state Supreme Court for the opportunity to provide arguments in a legal dispute between another medical marijuana company and the state Taxation and Revenue Department. New Mexico lawmakers and cannabis regulators made clear this year that limited personal supplies of medical cannabis will be available tax-free starting June 29.
- Navajo Nation reports 5 new COVID-19 cases and 1 more death
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Tuesday reported five new cases of COVID-19 and one additional death. Tribal health officials say the sprawling reservation that stretches into New Mexico, Arizona and Utah has seen 30,972 known cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The known death toll now stands at 1,347. The tribe had reported no cases and no deaths on Monday. Last Friday, the Navajo Department of Health lifted the tribe's stay-at-home order, easing restrictions to allow in-person meetings and ceremonies of 25 people or fewer and drive-thru gatherings of up to 100 vehicles. Face masks are required by everyone on the Navajo Nation, whether or not they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Israel approves demolition of Palestinian home after attack
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's Supreme Court has upheld the decision to destroy the family home of an alleged Palestinian attacker. It rejected a petition by his estranged wife, who lives in the home with three of their children and says she knew nothing about the attack. The case drew attention to Israel's policy of demolishing the family homes of attackers after they have been killed or arrested. Israeli officials say the demolitions deter future attacks, while rights groups view it as a form of collective punishment. The family are all U.S. citizens. The State Department has not commented on the case but has urged a halt to punitive home demolitions.
- US to review Native American boarding schools' dark history
U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is launching an inquiry into her agency's past oversight of the federal government's boarding school program for Native American children. Haaland told tribal leaders from across the nation during a virtual address Tuesday that the investigation will focus on compiling and reviewing decades of records to better understand the loss of life at the schools while they were in operation. She says the process will be long and difficult and won't undo the legacy of pain that has resulted. The recent discovery of children's remains buried at the site of what was once Canada's largest Indigenous residential school has magnified interest in that legacy both in Canada and the United States.
- 4 people win $250K apiece in New Mexico vaccine sweepstakes
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State health officials say four people have each won $250,000 prizes as part of the New Mexico vaccine sweepstakes. They were the first four winners of Vax 2 the Max Sweepstakes. The $10 million cash sweepstakes is funded by federal stimulus and intended to incentivize COVID-19 vaccinations. Four vaccinated New Mexicans _ one from each public health region of the state _ are each confirmed winners of $250,000 as drawn at random Friday by the New Mexico Lottery. Non-winning entries will be carried over to each successive $1 million drawing. Four more $1 million Friday drawings, with four regional $250,000 winners each, will occur throughout the summer. A grand prize drawing of $5 million is scheduled for early August.
- New Mexico school district to discuss transgender athletics
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) — School board members in southern New Mexico are planning to discuss a proposed resolution that could restrict participation in sports by transgender athletes. The Alamogordo school board has scheduled a work session Saturday that will include time for the public to comment on the matter. The district's superintendent has argued that the practice of allowing transgender girls to compete in girls' sports impedes the opportunities for biological female student athletes. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico is taking issue with the proposal. The organization sent a letter to the school board Tuesday, saying such a policy would violate state and federal law.
- Trial against Rio Arriba County sheriff to move to Santa Fe
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A trial of Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan will take place in Santa Fe. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports a judge granted prosecutors' motion Monday to move out of Rio Arriba County. The judge cited the need for a bigger space and the limited number of potential jurors. Prosecutors had argued that jurors would be intimidated by the sheriff. The 60-year-old sheriff is awaiting trial on three misdemeanor counts of resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. He is accused of showing up drunk at the home of a former Española city councilor last year and trying to take over the serving of a search warrant.