- 23 homes on the Navajo Nation finally getting electricity
TONALEA, Ariz. (AP) — Tribal President Jonathan Nez has finalized a subgrant agreement between the Navajo Nation and Navajo Tribal Utility Authority to extend power lines to homes in the community of Tonalea, providing long-awaited electricity to at least 23 families. Several Tonalea residents scheduled to receive electricity attended Saturday's signing of the agreement for the 23 homes that are located in the former Bennett Freeze area. Selena Slim said she has lived in Tonalea her entire life without electricity and spends $75 on a regular basis to purchase gasoline for her generator to provide electric power for her home. The tribe's 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.
- Navajo Nation reports 53 new COVID-19 cases, 7 more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation has reported 53 new COVID-19 cases and seven additional deaths. The latest numbers released Saturday pushed the Navajo Nation's total to 32,907 cases since the pandemic began more than a year ago and 1,414 known deaths. Tribal President Jonathan Nez is pleading for residents not to leave the reservation over the Labor Day weekend. Nez previously said all Navajo Nation executive branch employees will need to be fully vaccinated against the virus by the end of September or submit to regular testing. The new rules apply to full, part-time and temporary employees, including those working for tribal enterprises like utilities, shopping centers and casinos.
- State Police chief 'beyond disgusted' by recent violence
LOS LUNAS, N.M. (AP) — A pair of shootouts between a suspect and law enforcement officers left the suspect dead and two sheriff's deputies injured. State Police Chief Tim Johnson says Friday he's "beyond disgusted" by recent violence and hopes New Mexico legislators act during their 2022 session to combat violent crime. A suspect and a sheriff's deputy got into a shootout in Valencia County Friday before a chase, crash and second shootout involving the suspect, deputies and a State Police officer. According to the State Police, the two deputies' injuries weren't life-threatening. The State Police identified the man killed as 28-year-old Jose Angel Baca of Los Lunas.
- Man found dead after exchanging gunfire with deputies
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office says a man who had shot at a Dona Ana County sheriff's deputy was found dead in a residence Friday after briefly exchanging gunfire with law enforcement officers hours into a barricade situation. The office said the deputy who first went to the residence Friday in response to a report of gunshots was treated at the scene for "very minor injuries to his face and neck" after he apparently was struck by fragments of at least one bullet fired from the residence. Sheriff Kim Stewart said it wasn't immediately known whether the man was killed by deputies or himself. No identities were released.
- Kirtland Air Force Base to break ground on new laboratory
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AP) — Kirtland Air Force Base will be home to a state-of-the-art laboratory for development of space technology. Officials there will break ground next week on the Wargaming and Advanced Research Simulation Laboratory. The $6 million, 10,685-square-foot facility will be used for simulations and analysis involving space technology research and development. This includes creating a virtual terrain where warfighters can act out scenarios using energy and space technology. It all falls under the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate. The groundbreaking event is scheduled for Sept. 8 at 10 a.m.
- New Mexico monument project seeks input on air tour plan
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (AP) — The public will have a chance to weigh in on a plan to allow air tours over Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico. The National Park Service and the Federal Aviation Administration are asking for public comment on the draft of the proposed Air Tour Management Plan. Under the plan up to 101 air tours would be allowed each year across nine defined routes. That number is based on the average number that were reported over the monument between 2017 and 2019. Comments can be submitted through the Park Service's planning, environment and public comment website now through Oct. 3.
- Health official: New Mexico children need more virus testing
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — School-aged children in New Mexico represent an increasing share of COVID-19 cases but are rarely tested for the disease. That means case rates among children are likely an undercount. This week health and education officials called for more testing of children. New Mexico Department of Health secretary David Scrace says more testing is needed for officials to confidently monitor outbreaks in schools. Children account for around 20% of cases, but the number is likely higher because 10% of those who get a test are positive. The rate is half that among adults, who are tested more frequently. Volunteer testing programs in schools have little buy-in, with less than 1% of students tested weekly.
- New Mexico House Democrats outline criminal justice efforts
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A group of New Mexico House Democrats outlined a package of criminal justice bills intended to combat crime, including penalties for failing to safely store guns, enhanced pay for police and changes in the pretrial supervision and bail system. A record-setting number of homicides in Albuquerque this year is spurring concerns about violent crime and shortcomings of the police and justice system. Seventeen House Democrats including majority floor leader Javier Martinez and Rep. Antonio Maestas of Albuquerque announced in a Thursday statement a lengthy list of goals for next regular legislative session in January.