ELECTORAL COLLEGE-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico's Herrell to object to Electoral College results
ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — U.S. Rep.-elect Yvette Herrell of New Mexico says she'll be among Republican members of Congress who will formally object on Wednesday to the certification of the Electoral College tally of votes. The Roswell Daily Record reports that Herrell said Thursday on her Facebook page that she would vote against certifying the Electoral College results in which President-elect Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump. Herrell is set to be sworn into office on Sunday, three days before House and Senate hold a joint session to certify the vote results. Trump has attributed his defeat to widespread voter fraud, despite nonpartisan election officials saying there wasn't any.
MURAL GRAFFITI SPURS CONVERSATION
Graffiti-damaged pandemic mural spurs Santa Fe conversation
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Two Santa Fe art groups say they'll complete and debut a mural designed to bring people together during the pandemic, despite graffiti damage found on it just before Christmas. KRQE-TV reports the mural features animals, color, hints of New Mexico and a central figure homage to the Tewa people. All Aboard Earth co-founder Jonathon Meade says creators were saddened to find graffiti on a work that aims to convey togetherness, happiness and "upliftment." Playful Passages founder Hannah Rapp says the muralists would rather talk with the taggers so everyone feels heard. The work was commissioned with coronavirus relief funds and a mini-grant from the City of Santa Fe.
ARMED MAIL ROBBERIES
USPS reports spate of armed mail thefts in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities in New Mexico are investigating a spate of recent armed mail robberies in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas. U.S. Postal Inspector Brook Robinson tells KOB-TV in Albuquerque that officials usually investigate mail and parcel thefts during the holidays, but that armed robberies are unusual. He says robbers could face 25 years in prison if they're caught. Robinson says agents are investigating eight cases since mid-October, including one last week and three in November in northeast Albuquerque. In Santa Fe, a letter carrier reported a robbery in late November.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
About half of applicants get New Mexico virus relief grants
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — More than 6,500 New Mexico businesses and nonprofits will receive up to $50,000 under a state program created to help companies cope with economic fallout from the pandemic. The Albuquerque Journal reports that's about half of the companies that applied. The program is using $100 million in federal coronavirus relief funds allocated to the state. The state on Saturday reported 1,252 additional known COVID-19 cases and 32 additional deaths, increasing the state's totals since the pandemic began to 145,379 cases and 2,534 deaths.
INSULIN PRICES-CAP
New Washington law sets $100 cap on copayments for insulin
SEATTLE (AP) — Many Washington residents with diabetes will have an easier time affording insulin this year, as a law imposes a $100 cap on patient copayments. The law applies to any health-care plan issued or renewed after Jan. 1 that covers insulin drugs. It includes language to protect people who have "high deductible" insurance from paying more than $100 per 30-day supply. The law was approved by the Washington Legislature in March to ease a crisis that can lead to medical complications. Studies show an estimated-one quarter of patients ration the medication because of cost or difficulty obtaining steady supplies.
DRY SOUTHWEST
National Weather Service: Dryness defined 2020 in Southwest
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — National Weather Service forecasters say they're still looking at the data for 2020 but that it's clear that there was record or near-record dryness in much of the Southwest last year. In Arizona, Flagstaff had only 9.59 inches of rain in 2020, compared with the normal amount of 21.86 inches. Flagstaff's previous record low of 9.90 inches in 1942. In New Mexico, the weather service office in Albuquerque reported that the statewide average precipitation through November was only 5.22 inches. That was 8.03 inches below normal and put the state on track to make 2020 the fourth driest year on record.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRIBES-VACCINE TRIALS
Fast rollout of virus vaccine trials reveals tribal distrust
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Few Native American tribes have signed up to participate in clinical trials as coronavirus vaccines are developed. The reasons range from suspicion and distrust tied to unethical practices of the past to the quick nature of the studies, which typically may need several layers of approval from tribes. Researchers say that without participation from Native Americans, tribes won't know which vaccine might best be suited for their citizens. About a handful of tribes have agreed to allow researchers to enroll their citizens in vaccine trials, including in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. They point to a need to slow the virus among a population that's been disproportionately affected.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 266 additional virus cases, 7 deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation has reported 266 additional known cases of COVID-19 and seven more deaths. The figures reported late Friday increased the tribe's totals since the pandemic began to 23,429 cases and 813 deaths. The number of infections is thought to be far higher than reported because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick. The tribe's reservation was under a 57-hour weekend lockdown that began Friday evening and will end Monday at 5 a.m. The reservation includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
New Mexico's Herrell to object to Electoral College results
ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — U.S. Rep.-elect Yvette Herrell of New Mexico says she'll be among Republican members of Congress who will formally object on Wednesday to the certification of the Electoral College tally of votes. The Roswell Daily Record reports that Herrell said Thursday on her Facebook page that she would vote against certifying the Electoral College results in which President-elect Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump. Herrell is set to be sworn into office on Sunday, three days before House and Senate hold a joint session to certify the vote results. Trump has attributed his defeat to widespread voter fraud, despite nonpartisan election officials saying there wasn't any.
MURAL GRAFFITI SPURS CONVERSATION
Graffiti-damaged pandemic mural spurs Santa Fe conversation
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Two Santa Fe art groups say they'll complete and debut a mural designed to bring people together during the pandemic, despite graffiti damage found on it just before Christmas. KRQE-TV reports the mural features animals, color, hints of New Mexico and a central figure homage to the Tewa people. All Aboard Earth co-founder Jonathon Meade says creators were saddened to find graffiti on a work that aims to convey togetherness, happiness and "upliftment." Playful Passages founder Hannah Rapp says the muralists would rather talk with the taggers so everyone feels heard. The work was commissioned with coronavirus relief funds and a mini-grant from the City of Santa Fe.
ARMED MAIL ROBBERIES
USPS reports spate of armed mail thefts in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities in New Mexico are investigating a spate of recent armed mail robberies in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas. U.S. Postal Inspector Brook Robinson tells KOB-TV in Albuquerque that officials usually investigate mail and parcel thefts during the holidays, but that armed robberies are unusual. He says robbers could face 25 years in prison if they're caught. Robinson says agents are investigating eight cases since mid-October, including one last week and three in November in northeast Albuquerque. In Santa Fe, a letter carrier reported a robbery in late November.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
About half of applicants get New Mexico virus relief grants
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — More than 6,500 New Mexico businesses and nonprofits will receive up to $50,000 under a state program created to help companies cope with economic fallout from the pandemic. The Albuquerque Journal reports that's about half of the companies that applied. The program is using $100 million in federal coronavirus relief funds allocated to the state. The state on Saturday reported 1,252 additional known COVID-19 cases and 32 additional deaths, increasing the state's totals since the pandemic began to 145,379 cases and 2,534 deaths.
INSULIN PRICES-CAP
New Washington law sets $100 cap on copayments for insulin
SEATTLE (AP) — Many Washington residents with diabetes will have an easier time affording insulin this year, as a law imposes a $100 cap on patient copayments. The law applies to any health-care plan issued or renewed after Jan. 1 that covers insulin drugs. It includes language to protect people who have "high deductible" insurance from paying more than $100 per 30-day supply. The law was approved by the Washington Legislature in March to ease a crisis that can lead to medical complications. Studies show an estimated-one quarter of patients ration the medication because of cost or difficulty obtaining steady supplies.
DRY SOUTHWEST
National Weather Service: Dryness defined 2020 in Southwest
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — National Weather Service forecasters say they're still looking at the data for 2020 but that it's clear that there was record or near-record dryness in much of the Southwest last year. In Arizona, Flagstaff had only 9.59 inches of rain in 2020, compared with the normal amount of 21.86 inches. Flagstaff's previous record low of 9.90 inches in 1942. In New Mexico, the weather service office in Albuquerque reported that the statewide average precipitation through November was only 5.22 inches. That was 8.03 inches below normal and put the state on track to make 2020 the fourth driest year on record.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRIBES-VACCINE TRIALS
Fast rollout of virus vaccine trials reveals tribal distrust
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Few Native American tribes have signed up to participate in clinical trials as coronavirus vaccines are developed. The reasons range from suspicion and distrust tied to unethical practices of the past to the quick nature of the studies, which typically may need several layers of approval from tribes. Researchers say that without participation from Native Americans, tribes won't know which vaccine might best be suited for their citizens. About a handful of tribes have agreed to allow researchers to enroll their citizens in vaccine trials, including in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. They point to a need to slow the virus among a population that's been disproportionately affected.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 266 additional virus cases, 7 deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation has reported 266 additional known cases of COVID-19 and seven more deaths. The figures reported late Friday increased the tribe's totals since the pandemic began to 23,429 cases and 813 deaths. The number of infections is thought to be far higher than reported because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick. The tribe's reservation was under a 57-hour weekend lockdown that began Friday evening and will end Monday at 5 a.m. The reservation includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
RSS Feed