- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Wednesday reported six new cases of COVID-19 and two additional deaths. Tribal health officials had previously reported three cases with no deaths for three consecutive days. The latest numbers pushed the totals on the sprawling reservation that stretches into New Mexico, Arizona and Utah to 31,004 cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began more than a year ago and 1,354 known deaths. Tribal officials said last week that the first case of the Delta variant has been identified on the reservation. The variant has become prevalent in the U.S. over the past few weeks and has been detected in many states, including the Four Corners states.
- POLICING REFORM-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Efforts among a handful of states to hold police accountable for brutality and misconduct are expanding as New Mexico opens the door to civil rights lawsuits in state courts against government agencies. Starting Thursday, the New Mexico Civil Rights Act removes immunity provisions that shield government agencies from financial liability related to misconduct, though individual officials won't pay for damages. As the law takes effect, local police agencies are bracing for an onslaught of lawsuits that can carry awards for damages of up to $2 million per event. Human rights advocates foresee advances in protections for vulnerable populations, including children at foster homes and prison inmates.
- NEW MEXICO FLOODING
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — One person was found dead in a vehicle driven into floodwaters that covered a closed road in Carlsbad after heavy rain drenched southeastern New Mexico. The New Mexico State Police was investigating the Tuesday night incident. The identity of the person found dead in the vehicle was not immediately released. A shelter was opened at a Carlsbad elementary school for residents of a neighborhood evacuated because of rising water but most people chose to stay with family and friends. The National Weather Service extended a flood warning issued for the Carlsbad area through Wednesday night and said minor flooding was expected.
- OBIT-RUMSFELD-A LIFE
WASHINGTON (AP) — Calling Donald H. Rumsfeld energetic was like calling the Pacific wide. When others would rest, he would run. While others sat, he stood. But try as he might, at the pinnacle of his career as defense secretary he could not outmaneuver the ruinous politics of the Iraq war. Regarded by former colleagues as equally smart and combative, patriotic and politically cunning, Rumsfeld had a storied career in government under four presidents and nearly a quarter century in corporate America. The two-time defense secretary and one-time presidential candidate died Tuesday. He was 88.
- AP-US-MARIJUANA-NEW-MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — It's legal for people in New Mexico to possess recreational marijuana and grow those plants at home. The change Tuesday comes as regulators opened discussions on rules for the launch of pot sales next year. The milestone was celebrated by cannabis consumers and advocates for criminal justice reform who say poor and minority communities have been prosecuted disproportionately for using marijuana. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said it's a huge step forward for social justice and economic opportunity. Recreational marijuana is now legal in 16 states and Washington, D.C. Connecticut and Virginia are set to join the list Thursday. New Mexico is among those that did it through the legislative process rather than by voter-approved ballot initiative.
- BRANSON'S SPACEFLIGHT
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Virgin Galactic's Richard Branson won't say when he'll ride his rocket ship to space. In an interview after Wednesday's satellite launch by his separate company Virgin Orbit, Branson said he has to be "so circumspect" in what he says about Virgin Galactic, a publicly traded company. Branson says he's fit and ready to go when the engineers give him the go-ahead. Branson visited Virgin Galactic's New Mexico base before flying to California's Mojave Desert for Wednesday's plane-launched, multi-satellite mission. Virgin Galactic plans three more test flights to the edge of space before launching customers next year. Branson will be on one of them.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Tuesday reported three new cases of COVID-19 and no additional deaths for the third consecutive day. Tribal health officials say the sprawling reservation that stretches into New Mexico, Arizona and Utah now has seen 30,993 cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The known death toll remains at 1,352. Health officials said last week that the first case of the Delta variant has been identified on the reservation. The variant has become prevalent in the U.S. over the past few weeks and has been detected in many states, including the Four Corners states.
- NAVAJO OFFICER KILLED-SENTENCING
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A man who shot and killed a tribal police officer in a remote corner of the nation's largest American Indian reservation has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. Kirby Cleveland was sentenced Monday for the 2017 killing of Navajo Nation Officer Houston James Largo. Cleveland's attorneys had sought several delays over the last year because of the coronavirus pandemic and to find witnesses to testify on Cleveland's mental condition in hopes of receiving a reduced sentence. Cleveland had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and other charges. The case highlighted the dangers faced nationwide by tribal police officers who often must patrol vast jurisdictions alone.