- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation: No COVID-19 related deaths 6th time in 7 days
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation has reported 12 new COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths for the sixth time in the last seven days. The latest numbers released Saturday brought the total number of coronavirus-related cases on the vast reservation to 31,291 since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The number of known deaths remained at 1,368. The Navajo Nation recently relaxed restrictions to allow visitors to travel on the reservation and visit popular attractions like Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley. The reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles (70,000 square kilometers) and it covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. While cases are down, Navajo leaders are urging residents to continue wearing masks and get vaccinated.
- POLICE OFFICER CONVICTED
Former state police officer convicted of drug charges
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A former New Mexico State Police Officer has been convicted of distributing marijuana intended for a 16-year-old girl he pulled over and a separate drugs-for-sex scheme. U.S. District Court records show 36-year-old Daniel Capehart of Bloomfield was convicted Thursday of two counts of distributing marijuana and a third count of distributing methamphetamine. The Albuquerque Journal reports that Capehart faces between five and 40 years in prison for a series of drug drops arranged by undercover officers and FBI agents in 2018, including two near schools.
- LAS CRUCES SHOOTING
Police: 2 injured in downtown Las Cruces shooting
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Lac Cruces police say two people were injured in a downtown shooting early Saturday. Both are expected to survive. Police told the Las Cruces Sun-News they received a call around 2 a.m. about a shooting near the Plaza de Las Cruces. Two people were taken to an area hospital. The gunman remained at large Saturday afternoon.
- ALBUQUERQUE STORM-BODIES RECOVERED
Albuquerque official: 3 dead in flash flood was worst ever
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A flash flood warning was issued Friday in the south Albuquerque area, a day after a fire official called the apparent drownings of three men in rushing water following thunderstorms the deadliest such incident in the agency's history. Fire and Rescue Lt. Tom Ruiz told the Albuquerque Journal the third body was found Thursday using a drone to scan a floodwater diversion channel not far from where would-be rescuers found two other bodies on Wednesday. The National Weather Service said Tuesday's storm dropped more than 1 inch of rain in some foothill areas in less than 15 minutes.
- ATTORNEY GENERAL-INVESTIGATION
Lawmaker questions New Mexico AG's handling of solar case
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas' handling of a now-settled case involving a large solar company is raising concerns. Democratic Rep. Daymon Ely is asking State Auditor Brian Colon, who is a friend of Balderas, to investigate why the attorney general agreed to seal all documents in the case against Vivint Solar Inc. The lawmaker also wants to know why Balderas didn't pursue any specific restitution for thousands of customers as part of the settlement reached last fall. Balderas also is facing a separate ethics complaint in a multibillion-dollar utility merger case that will affect half a million customers in New Mexico.
- WESTERN WILDFIRES
Western wildfires: Crews make progress on huge Oregon blaze
BLY, Ore. (AP) — As fires in California threaten homes, crews in Oregon are making progress against the nation's largest wildfire. The Bootleg Fire is 40% surrounded after burning some 70 homes. In Montana, five firefighters remained hospitalized Friday, a day after a thunderstorm and swirling winds blew a lightning-caused wildfire back on them. No details were released on the extent of their injuries, but federal officials say all five are still being evaluated and treated. Three are U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service firefighters from North Dakota, and two are USDA Forest Service crew members out of New Mexico. In California, blowing embers from a blaze south of Lake Tahoe ignited a fast-moving spot fire, prompting a new evacuation.
- VIRUS RELIEF-SCHOOLS BUDGET
Fraction of schools' relief funds budgeted for learning loss
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico schools plan to spend the bulk of the federal coronavirus relief money they've received on technology and building upgrades rather than student learning loss. A report this week before the New Mexico Legislature's budget committee showed school districts and charters plan to spend 38% of the $490 million they received thus far on technology and HVAC systems. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that schools plan to spend 9% of the funds on learning loss programs and 8% on interventions for at-risk students.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico governor closely monitoring COVID-19 numbers
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the state's top health officials are closely monitoring the increase in COVID-19 cases. The state Health Department reported Thursday that another 273 cases have been confirmed, marking one of the highest daily totals in months. That topped the 271 cases reported the day before. The governor's office said the numbers aren't where anyone wants them to be. Many states are seeing similar upticks. There are no indications yet whether any public health restriction could be reinstated in New Mexico. After dealing with some of the toughest restriction in the nation, New Mexico reopened July 1.