New Mexico ranks high for coronavirus diagnosis rates
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A rolling average of statewide deaths from the coronavirus has surpassed 25 as New Mexico nears the end of a two-week period of heightened restrictions. Virus-related deaths on Sunday included 60-year-old middle school teacher Sylvia Garcia of the Las Cruces area. The seven-day rolling average of daily deaths in New Mexico has risen over the past two weeks from 14.9 deaths per day on Nov. 14 to 25.3 deaths per day on Saturday. That's according to an analysis by The Associated Press of data collected by Johns Hopkins. State health officials on Sunday announced 1,443 newly confirmed virus cases and 13 related deaths.
FRACKING REPORTS
New Mexico to require details of water for oil well drilling
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Officials say New Mexico oil and gas operators will be required to report the amount and quality of water used to drill wells. The Albuquerque Journal reported the data collection is an attempt by state agencies to scrutinize water use across New Mexico's economic sectors. Adrienne Sandoval of the state Oil Conservation Division says the reports will help fill a data gap for industry water use. Operators previously reported the amount of produced water injected into storage wells but were not required to disclose water data for well completions. Companies must now submit water use data within 45 days of completion.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO APPOINTMENT
Navajo Nation health director named to Biden COVID-19 board
PHOENIX (AP) — The executive director of the Navajo Nation Department of Health has been named a member of President-elect Joe Biden's COVID-19 advisory board. KPHO-TV reported Dr. Jill Jim was among the board members announced as part of Biden's transition team preparing to implement the president-elect's coronavirus containment plans. The Navajo Nation member's work has focused on preventing chronic diseases and addressing healthcare and health disparities involving Native Americans and Alaska Natives. She most recently served as a cabinet member in the administration of Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer.
AIR FORCE-GUNSHIP RELOCATION
US Air Force gunship training unit to relocate to New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Air Force has selected a base in New Mexico as the future home for its AC-130J aircraft and training force. Officials say Kirtland Air Force Base is their preferred site for the relocation of the Ghostrider Formal Training Unit. The relocation from Hurlburt Field in Florida's Panhandle to Kirtland is expected to start in 2022 and will involve seven of the gunships and 372 positions. Officials say as with all such relocations, the move is subject to the results of an assessment of the environmental impact of moving the training unit to New Mexico.
DWI CHECKPOINTS
New Mexico authorities to crack down on drunken drivers
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico authorities say they will be cracking down on drunken drivers throughout the month of December. State police issued the warning this week, saying sobriety checkpoints will be set up around the state. Officers also will be asking for driver's licenses, vehicle registration cards and proof of insurance at the checkpoints. They say it's an effort to reduce alcohol-related fatalities on New Mexico roadways. State data shows there were 74 alcohol-related fatalities in the first 10 months of 2020. That's about half of what it was during the same period last year.
ARCHDIOCESE LAYOFFS
Archdiocese of Santa Fe in New Mexico cuts 20 positions
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Archdiocese of Santa Fe is cutting 20 positions and ending publication of its "People of God" magazine. Archbishop John C. Wester announced the layoffs in a letter to parishioners Monday. Wester wrote that the layoffs include six positions in the Pastoral Ministries Division, five in the General Services Division and three each in the Office of the Vicar General and Office of the Chancellor. Rev. Vincent Paul Chávez, pastor of the St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church, says the archdiocese's income has been adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, which has limited in-church attendance.
HEMP CERTIFICATE
New Mexico university to offer industrial hemp certificate
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — Regents at New Mexico Highlands University have approved a new program that will offer students a certificate in industrial hemp entrepreneurship. Approval came earlier this month, but school officials say the program must still go through any required state and accreditor reviews. The Higher Learning Commission must also sign off. Industrial hemp production was legalized in New Mexico in 2019. The university's program will have two tracks — one for students focused on the business of industrial hemp and another for students interested in the science of plant production. The certificate curriculum will include six courses for 18 credits.
DRY NEW MEXICO-PECOS RIVER
Pumping aims to boost Pecos River amid drought losses
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Managers are pumping water from state reservoirs into the Pecos River in southeastern New Mexico to account for drought losses. The move is meant to augment supplies for users and water rights holders along the river while maintaining deliveries to Texas required by a 2003 settlement. About one-third of New Mexico is dealing with exceptional drought — the highest designation under which fire danger increases, no surface water is available for agriculture and large rivers run dry. Most of Eddy, Lea and Chaves counties are in that category, while drought in the rest of the state is classified as either severe or extreme.