FATAL TRAIN STATION SHOOTING
Man arrested in shooting death at New Mexico train station
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A 22-year-old man has been arrested in a fatal shooting at a train station in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Police say they're also looking for a person of interest in the case, a 20-year-old man who they say was near the scene of the shooting Tuesday.

Authorities say the victim was 24-year-old David Hernandez and a 38-year-old also was hospitalized. Police say a witness near the station overheard a disagreement over the price of drugs before shots were fired.

​HAALAND-NATIONAL MONUMENTS
Interior secretary steps into Utah public lands tug-of-war
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland will visit Utah this week before submitting a review on national monuments in the state. Residents there have both staunchly supported establishing and increasing the size of national monuments, and fiercely rallied against them. Haaland is the latest Interior secretary tasked with making recommendations on where the boundaries lie. Her input comes after President Donald Trump's administration decided to downsize two national monuments in southern Utah. She's expected to submit a report to President Joe Biden after she meets with tribes and elected leaders at Bears Ears National Monument on Thursday.

JURY DUTY-OLDER RESIDENTS
New state law helps older New Mexicans get out of jury duty
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A new state law will make it easier for  older residents in New Mexico to permanently excuse themselves from jury service. The law applies to state residents age 75 or older who have been summoned to jury duty. They no longer will be required to submit a sworn, notarized statement if they want to be excused from jury service. Starting June 18, qualifying New Mexicans can request an excusal online through the state court system's jury website. Another option is to call the local court for more information. Census Bureau population estimates say 7% of New Mexicans are 75 years or older. That's about 153,000 residents.  

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 16 more COVID-19 cases, but no deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Wednesday reported 16 more confirmed COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths. The latest figures bring the pandemic totals on the tribe's reservation, which includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, increased to 30,198 cases. The known death toll remains at 1,259. On Tuesday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 B.1.429 variant on the Navajo Nation, which came from a test sample obtained in the Chinle service unit area.  The variant was first identified in the state of California and has since been detected across the southwest U.S.  

AP-US-POLICING-REFORM-NEW-MEXICO
New Mexico eliminates police immunity from prosecution
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed civil rights reforms Wednesday that eliminate police immunity from prosecution in state courts, in response to protests and concerns about police brutality that swept the nation. The Democrat-sponsored legislation has implications for an array of state and local government agencies, from social services agencies to school districts. The bill was backed by an unusual coalition of advocates for policing reforms and social justice causes. They include the civic-minded founders of Ben & Jerry's ice cream and the conservative-backed nonprofit group Americans for Prosperity. Lujan Grisham signed the bill amid the trial of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on murder charges in the May 25, 2020, death of George Floyd.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico leads vaccine rollout with 50% getting 1st shot
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials are reporting more progress in getting residents vaccinated as the state continues to lead the U.S. in the vaccine rollout. State Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins says 50% of residents 16 and older have received their first shot and 31% are fully vaccinated. New Mexico on Monday expanded vaccine eligibility to all residents 16 and older. New Mexico National Guard soldiers are operating a vaccine distribution center in Albuquerque to help with the effort. In all, the National Guard has completed more than 1,230 missions during the pandemic and has logged more than 1.6 million miles along with the Civil Air Patrol.

NAVAJO NATION-SOLAR PLANTS
Navajo Nation finalizes solar plant leases on tribal land
CAMERON, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation is moving forward with more two solar plants on the reservation. The projects are expected to generate millions of dollars in revenue for the tribe over their lifetimes. One is in Cameron, about an hour north of Flagstaff, and the other is in Utah near the Arizona border. The power from the plants largely will go to utility providers outside the reservation. Hundreds of people will be employed during the construction phase. Tribal President Jonathan Nez says the solar plants are part of a move toward renewable energy for a tribe that long has depended on energy from fossil fuels.

FATAL TRAIN STATION SHOOTING
Police: Shootings at Santa Fe station 'isolated incident'
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A police official says two Santa Fe-area men shot, one fatally, at a commuter rail station were apparently known to the shooter or shooters and investigators were trying to locate a car seen in the area. Police Capt. Anthony Tapia said 24-year-old David Hernandez was the man killed Monday while the victim who remained hospitalized in critical condition was a 38-year-old man whose name was not released. Tapia said the vehicle of interest — a gray or silver small sedan, possibly a Nissan or Hyundai — was seen in the area with two occupants at about the time of the shootings.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
First confirmed case of COVID-19 variant on Navajo Nation
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Tuesday reported three more confirmed COVID-19 cases and one additional death. The latest figures bring the pandemic totals on the tribe's reservation, which includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, increased to 30,182 cases and 1,259 known deaths. On Tuesday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 B.1.429 variant on the Navajo Nation, which came from a test sample obtained in the Chinle Service Unit area.  The variant was first identified in the state of California and has since been detected across the southwest U.S. Nez says tribal members should continue to take all precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

GOVERNOR SIGNS BILLS
New Mexico signs family tax credit and 99 other bills
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed over 100 bills this week, inking changes in taxation, healthcare, education and voting. One tax bill being signed Tuesday expands rebates and tax credits for working families by increasing benefits and broadening eligibility. A healthcare bill prevents hospitals from suing broke patients. A round of education bill signings will reduce paperwork for home school and community college students pursuing a four-year degree. And when it comes to elections, voters can expect major changes in 2022. Like other states, New Mexico will draw new lines for voting districts. Lujan Grisham is signing a bill that sends redistricting to a non-partisan commission.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-INDIGENOUS RESPONSE
Tribes talk priorities with 'formidable guardian' Haaland
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Native American leaders in New Mexico say they see U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland as a "formidable guardian" and steward of their interests. The Laguna Pueblo woman is the first-ever Native American cabinet secretary. On Tuesday, she made her first official trip to her home state, where she met with tribal officials, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and members of New Mexico's congressional delegation. The round-table discussion highlighted federal coronavirus relief while underscoring the significance of Haaland's confirmation. Tribal leaders told the group their prayers were answered when Haaland was chosen to head the Interior Department, which has broad authority over Native Americans. 

AP-US-INDIAN-CHILD-WELFARE-ACT
Decision strikes key parts of Native American adoptions law
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A divided federal appeals court's has effectively struck down key parts of a law governing adoptions of Native American children. Tuesday's ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholds a lower court finding that the Indian Child Welfare Act's preferences for Native American families in adoption cases are unconstitutional. It also said some of the provisions of the law "unconstitutionally commandeer" state officials' duties in adoption matters. The 1978 law has long been championed by Native American leaders as a means of preserving Native American families and culture. Opponents of the law include non-Native families who have tried to adopt American Indian children in emotional legal cases. 

AP-US-CLIMATE-CHANGE-ERRATIC-RAIN
Study: Drought-breaking rains more rare, erratic in US West
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Rainstorms grew more erratic and droughts much longer across most of the U.S. West over the past half-century as climate change warmed the planet. That's the conclusion of a sweeping government study released Tuesday that finds the situation for the region is worsening. The most dramatic changes have been seen in the desert Southwest, where the average dry period between storms increased from 30 days to 45 days since the 1970s. The consequences of intense dry periods pummeling areas of the West in recent years have been severe: more intense and dangerous wildfires, parched croplands and not enough vegetation on the landscape to support livestock and wildlife.

MESA VERDE-DARK SKY PARK
Mesa Verde National Park designated as dark sky park
CORTEZ, Colo. (AP) — Park officials in Colorado say the Mesa Verde National Park has been designated the 100th International Dark Sky Park. The Cortez Journal reported the park said the certification would help foster astronomy-based recreation and tourism while improving energy efficiency and reducing operational costs in the park related to outdoor lighting. The designation also serves to highlight the spiritual and practical connections the Ancestral Puebloans had with night skies and stars. Mesa Verde National Park joins 169 International Dark Sky Places in 21 countries around the world.

CHILD SUPPORT CHANGES
New child support law brings New Mexico into compliance
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A measure signed into law Monday by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham modernizes New Mexico's child support law, bringing the state into compliance with federal regulations and national best practices. State officials say the changes will keep New Mexico from losing out on more than $147 million in federal money. The law updates the child support guideline statute to align with federal rules that are based on the combined parents' actual income and the non-custodial parents' ability to pay. It also allows the state to focus on providing employment opportunities and job security to help non-custodial parents meet their obligations.

CHILD SUPPORT CHANGES
New child support law brings New Mexico into compliance
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A measure signed into law Monday by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham modernizes New Mexico's child support law, bringing the state into compliance with federal regulations and national best practices. State officials say the changes will keep New Mexico from losing out on more than $147 million in federal money. The law updates the child support guideline statute to align with federal rules that are based on the combined parents' actual income and the non-custodial parents' ability to pay. It also allows the state to focus on providing employment opportunities and job security to help non-custodial parents meet their obligations.

EDUCATION FUNDING IMPACT AID
Indigenous leaders laud New Mexico's school funding measure
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed legislation reversing a decades-old practice of deducting local school district revenues from their share of state funding. The state used to credit 75% of local education revenues against districts' budgets as part of an effort to equalize funding across the state. That hurt school districts with large swaths of non-taxable federal land, like Native American reservations and military bases. Now those areas will be allowed to keep nearly $80 million in federal funds without a penalty on their state funding. Districts that tax local land can also keep more of what they raise.

CAR CRASH-GIRLS KILLED
Teen driver, 12-year-old girl killed in crash near Roswell
ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police say a teenage driver and a 12-year-old girl have died in a head-on crash south of Roswell. They say the crash occurred about 2:30 p.m. Sunday on state Highway 2. State Police say their initial investigation indicates an SUV driven by a 33-year-old Roswell man attempted to pass another vehicle and collided with a passenger car.  They say the car caught fire and the 17-year-old female driver and her 12-year-old passenger _ both from Dexter, N.M. _were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names haven't been released.  State Police say alcohol and-or drugs appear to have been a factor in the crash and charges could be pending for the SUV driver.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
Expanded vaccine eligibility begins in New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — All New Mexicans ages 16 or older who wish to be vaccinated against the coronavirus now have a chance to receive their shots. Monday marked the start of expanded eligibility under the state Department of Health's distribution plan. The timeline for getting more shots out to the general public was sped up under a directive by the Biden administration to make all adults in the U.S. eligible by May 1. Still, state health officials said those who were part of the earlier phases will be prioritized. That includes health care workers and older New Mexicans with health conditions that put them at greater risk. 

LEGISLATURE HAIR DISCRIMINATION
New Mexico adopts new law to fight hairstyle discrimination
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed into law legislation that prohibits discrimination based on traditional hairstyles and head coverings. It's known nationally as the "Crown Act" and was conceived as a measure to protect African Americans from discrimination based on natural or traditional hairstyles. In New Mexico, it won support from a broader coalition, including Native American and religious advocates. Traditional hairstyles and religious coverings under the new law cannot be prohibited in work or school dress codes or used as an excuse to turn someone down for a job.

EDUCATION IN PERSON
All New Mexico schools move to in-person learning this week
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's public schools are reopening for full-time, in-person learning this week. The shift to in-person learning is expected to relieve parent's year-long struggles with child care, unmet special needs and spotty home internet. Albuquerque Public Schools are opening Monday with limited bus routes due to a shortage of drivers. The district is asking parents to drive their children to school. Albuquerque Police said there were no significant traffic issues. Most other districts are opening Tuesday, with busses fully operational. Most New Mexico schools have around five weeks left in the semester before summer vacation begins.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation confirms 6 new COVID-19 cases, but no deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Monday reported six new confirmed COVID-19 cases, but no deaths. The latest figures bring the pandemic totals on the tribe's reservation, which includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, increased to 30,178 cases and 1,258 known deaths. Tribal President Jonathan Nez has reminded people that one virus variant has been confirmed to be on the Navajo Nation. In a statement, Nez says it's crucial to keep sticking to mitigation measures including wearing masks, social distancing and constant handwashing. Tribal leaders plan to hold a virtual townhall Tuesday to give more updates.

AEROSPACE COMPANY LEASE DEAL
City of Albuquerque, aerospace company agree to lease deal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The city of Albuquerque in New Mexico and an aerospace company that is planning a satellite manufacturing operation have come to terms on a lease for 114.5 acres of Aviation Department land. Documents sent this week from Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller to City Council say the pending development agreement requires Theia Group Inc. to develop the site in the next decade, including at least 48 acres by 2025. Representatives have said that the proposed project could host 1,000 workers when it opens and eventually grow to about 2,500 people.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 18 additional COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Saturday reported 18 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and four more deaths. The pandemic totals on the tribe's reservation that includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah increased to 30,164 cases and 1,257 deaths. Tribal President Jonathan Nez encouraged people to celebrate the Easter weekend safely while following COVID-19 protocols. Nez said those including staying home as much as possible, wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, avoiding large in-person gatherings, and washing hands often.

ETHICS COMPLAINT-HOUSE SPEAKER
Panel dismisses most of ethics complaint against legislator
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The State Ethics Commission has dismissed two allegations in an ethics complaint against House Speaker Brian Egolf and instead will refer them to a legislative ethics committee. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the commission did not announce a decision on the complaint's third allegation, that Egolf had failed to disclose a conflict of interest. The commission on Friday dismissed allegations that Egolf used his office's powers to obtain personal benefit and failed to ethically discharge his duties as a legislator. The Santa Fe Democrat has denied the allegations. They center on his work as a lawyer and his push to enact civil rights legislation.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico reports 218 more COVID-19 cases, 7 more deaths
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials reported 218 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday and seven additional deaths. The state's has reported a total of 192,152 known COVID-19 cases and 3,949 related deaths since the pandemic began. Bernalillo County, the state's largest that includes metro Albuquerque, had 70 of the new cases Friday—more than any other county. Doña Ana County reported 29 new cases and Sandoval County reported 22 new cases. 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. 

DRY SOUTHWEST
Western rivers face pinch as another dry year takes shape
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — As several states in the American West face intense drought, water managers say it's shaping up to be a very difficult year for New Mexico farmers because of limited irrigation supplies. Officials with major irrigation districts along the Rio Grande say snowpack and precipitation are below average, spring runoff is trailing and there's no extra water in the state's reservoirs. It's no different elsewhere in the West. The district that provides water to Indigenous communities and farmers on part of the Rio Grande says it hasn't been in a position like this since the 1950s. In southern New Mexico, growers are being told to prepare for a short irrigation season.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 17 virus cases, one additional death
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Friday reported 17 new COVID-19 cases and one additional death related to the disease. The Navajo Department of Health said that since the pandemic began, there have been 30,132 cases and 1,253 known 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 Navajo Nation covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez urged people who plan to celebrate Easter over the weekend to do so only with those in their immediate household. 

ETHICS COMPLAINT-HOUSE SPEAKER
Panel dismisses most of ethics complaint against legislator
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The State Ethics Commission has dismissed two allegations in an ethics complaint against House Speaker Brian Egolf and instead will refer them to a legislative ethics committee. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the commission did not announce a decision on the complaint's third allegation, that Egolf had failed to disclose a conflict of interest. The commission on Friday dismissed allegations that Egolf used his office's powers to obtain personal benefit and failed to ethically discharge his duties as a legislator. The Santa Fe Democrat has denied the allegations. They center on his work as a lawyer and his push to enact civil rights legislation.

​AEROSPACE COMPANY LEASE DEAL
City of Albuquerque, aerospace company agree to lease deal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The city of Albuquerque in New Mexico and an aerospace company that is planning a satellite manufacturing operation have come to terms on a lease for 114.5 acres of Aviation Department land. Documents sent this week from Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller to City Council say the pending development agreement requires Theia Group Inc. to develop the site in the next decade, including at least 48 acres by 2025. Representatives have said that the proposed project could host 1,000 workers when it opens and eventually grow to about 2,500 people.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 18 additional COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Saturday reported 18 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and four more deaths. The pandemic totals on the tribe's reservation that includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah increased to 30,164 cases and 1,257 deaths. Tribal President Jonathan Nez encouraged people to celebrate the Easter weekend safely while following COVID-19 protocols. Nez said those including staying home as much as possible, wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, avoiding large in-person gatherings, and washing hands often.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico reports 218 more COVID-19 cases, 7 more deaths
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials reported 218 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday and seven additional deaths. The state's has reported a total of 192,152 known COVID-19 cases and 3,949 related deaths since the pandemic began. Bernalillo County, the state's largest that includes metro Albuquerque, had 70 of the new cases Friday—more than any other county. Doña Ana County reported 29 new cases and Sandoval County reported 22 new cases. 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. 

DRY SOUTHWEST
Western rivers face pinch as another dry year takes shape
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — As several states in the American West face intense drought, water managers say it's shaping up to be a very difficult year for New Mexico farmers because of limited irrigation supplies. Officials with major irrigation districts along the Rio Grande say snowpack and precipitation are below average, spring runoff is trailing and there's no extra water in the state's reservoirs. It's no different elsewhere in the West. The district that provides water to Indigenous communities and farmers on part of the Rio Grande says it hasn't been in a position like this since the 1950s. In southern New Mexico, growers are being told to prepare for a short irrigation season.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 17 virus cases, one additional death
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Friday reported 17 new COVID-19 cases and one additional death related to the disease. The Navajo Department of Health said that since the pandemic began, there have been 30,132 cases and 1,253 known 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 Navajo Nation covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez urged people who plan to celebrate Easter over the weekend to do so only with those in their immediate household. 

MINNOW-GILA RIVER
Judge rejects agency's pullback of effort to protect minnow
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to consider anew whether a type of minnow that lives in the lower Colorado River's watershed should receive federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. District Court Judge Jennifer Zipps' ruling Wednesday overturned the agency's 2017 withdrawal of a proposed 2015 rule to designate the lower Colorado River basin roundtail chub as a threatened species. The minnow is found in Arizona and a small part of New Mexico in drainage basins of the Bill Williams, Gila, Little Colorado, Salt and Verde rivers. The Center for Biological Diversity had sued to challenge the 2017 withdrawal.

DEAD HORSES
New Mexico group offers $10K reward in case of dead horses
CLOUDCROFT, N.M. (AP) — An animal advocacy group is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the deaths of five horses found in southern New Mexico. Animal Protection New Mexico announced Friday that the horses appeared to be shot and their bodies left in March in and around the mountainous community of Cloudcroft. The New Mexico Livestock Board responded after getting reports about the dead animals and continues to investigate. Officer Skylar Davis is asking the public to contact the agency right away if they find any more dead horses in the area.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico reports 218 more COVID-19 cases, 7 more deaths
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials reported 218 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday and seven additional deaths. The state's has reported a total of 192,152 known COVID-19 cases and 3,949 related deaths since the pandemic began. Bernalillo County, the state's largest that includes metro Albuquerque, had 70 of the new cases Friday—more than any other county. Doña Ana County reported 29 new cases and Sandoval County reported 22 new cases. 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. 

DRY SOUTHWEST
Western rivers face pinch as another dry year takes shape
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — As several states in the American West face intense drought, water managers say it's shaping up to be a very difficult year for New Mexico farmers because of limited irrigation supplies. Officials with major irrigation districts along the Rio Grande say snowpack and precipitation are below average, spring runoff is trailing and there's no extra water in the state's reservoirs. It's no different elsewhere in the West. The district that provides water to Indigenous communities and farmers on part of the Rio Grande says it hasn't been in a position like this since the 1950s. In southern New Mexico, growers are being told to prepare for a short irrigation season.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 17 virus cases, one additional death
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Friday reported 17 new COVID-19 cases and one additional death related to the disease. The Navajo Department of Health said that since the pandemic began, there have been 30,132 cases and 1,253 known 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 Navajo Nation covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez urged people who plan to celebrate Easter over the weekend to do so only with those in their immediate household. 

MINNOW-GILA RIVER
Judge rejects agency's pullback of effort to protect minnow
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to consider anew whether a type of minnow that lives in the lower Colorado River's watershed should receive federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. District Court Judge Jennifer Zipps' ruling Wednesday overturned the agency's 2017 withdrawal of a proposed 2015 rule to designate the lower Colorado River basin roundtail chub as a threatened species. The minnow is found in Arizona and a small part of New Mexico in drainage basins of the Bill Williams, Gila, Little Colorado, Salt and Verde rivers. The Center for Biological Diversity had sued to challenge the 2017 withdrawal.

DEAD HORSES
New Mexico group offers $10K reward in case of dead horses
CLOUDCROFT, N.M. (AP) — An animal advocacy group is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the deaths of five horses found in southern New Mexico. Animal Protection New Mexico announced Friday that the horses appeared to be shot and their bodies left in March in and around the mountainous community of Cloudcroft. The New Mexico Livestock Board responded after getting reports about the dead animals and continues to investigate. Officer Skylar Davis is asking the public to contact the agency right away if they find any more dead horses in the area.

IMMIGRATION-TODDLER DROP-SNAPSHOT
In ghostly border video, dangers for migrant kids revealed
PHOENIX (AP) — A short, grainy video recently released by U.S. authorities captures the dangers for migrant children at the southern border. In it, a man straddles a 14-foot barrier near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. He dangles one toddler before letting her drop, then does the same to a second, slightly larger child. Then the smuggler and another man run off into the desert. Border authorities say the children are sisters, ages 3 and 5, and from Ecuador. They were found alert, taken to a hospital and cleared of any physical injuries. Thousands of children have come to the U.S. border in recent months. In February it was the largest number in nearly two years. 

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 5 more COVID-19 cases, 5 more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Thursday reported five new COVID-19 cases and five deaths. The tribe had reported no deaths in three of the previous four days and six of the last 11 days overall. Tribal health officials said the latest figures bring the total number of cases since the pandemic started to 30,108 with the known death toll at 1,252. 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 Navajo Nation covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

ROSWELL ALIEN EVENTS-CONFUSION
City, state to curb confusion over alien events in Roswell
ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — Tourism officials in New Mexico have raised concerns about people confusing a UFO Festival with downtown alien-related events because of similar domain names searched online. The Roswell Daily Record reported that the Roswell UFO Festival will get a marketing boost from a state pilot program intended to help cultural events recover from the pandemic. However, the state expressed concerns about the messaging since Roswell is also hosting its Alien Fest. City Manager Joe Neeb said the confusion is caused in part by online search results for the UFO Festival that frequently yield a website for Mainstreet Roswell's Alien Fest.

MARIJUANA-CITIZENS GUIDE
Things to know about recreational pot in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has promised to sign legislation that legalizes recreational marijuana use and sales in New Mexico for adults 21 and over. The changes approved Wednesday by the Legislature mean almost any adult can grow marijuana at home for personal use — or for profit under a micro-license agreement. The reforms also usher in a new era for marijuana as big business and make fundamental changes in law enforcement. Many past pot convictions will be wiped off the books, and the smell of weed is no longer grounds for police searches.

AP-US-IMMIGRATION-NEW-MEXICO
New Mexico camp pauses plan to house migrant children
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A private Christian camp in northern New Mexico says it won't be sheltering immigrant children for the foreseeable future. A spokesman for the camp's parent company says the federal government is putting a pause on contract negotiations to house up to 2,400 migrants. The camp had been looking for volunteers and staff to help host children from the U.S.-Mexico border as federal holding facilities become more crowded. The crowding is part of the latest uptick in unauthorized border crossings in which thousands of children and families have been arriving at the border. 

IMMIGRATION-TODDLER DROP-SNAPSHOT
A ghostly set of images, and a glimpse of border danger
PHOENIX (AP) — A short, grainy video recently released by U.S. authorities captures the dangers for migrant children at the southern border. In it, a man straddles a 14-foot barrier near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. He dangles one toddler before letting her drop, then does the same to a second, slightly larger child. Then the smuggler and another man run off into the desert. Border authorities say the children are sisters, ages 3 and 5, and from Ecuador. They were found alert, taken to a hospital and cleared or any physical injuries. Thousands of children have been coming to the U.S. border in recent months, in February the largest number in nearly two years. 

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 5 more COVID-19 cases, 5 more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Thursday reported five new COVID-19 cases and five deaths. The tribe had reported no deaths in three of the previous four days and six of the last 11 days overall. Tribal health officials said the latest figures bring the total number of cases since the pandemic started to 30,108 with the known death toll at 1,252. 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 Navajo Nation covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

ALBUQUERQUE CRASH-KIDS KILLED
Man says his 7-year-old daughter died in Albuquerque crash
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A grieving father has come forward to say his 7-year-old daughter was one of the two children killed in a crash along Interstate 25 on Tuesday morning. Friends and family gathered at a South Valley park Wednesday night to remember Amariah Moya. Joseph Moya told Albuquerque TV station KRQE that he was supposed to come into town from Utah this weekend to celebrate Easter with his daughter. He's now planning her funeral instead. Moya says his daughter was in a car with her mother, her mother's friend and three other children. Police say the driver was speeding when the car went airborne and crashed into a concrete barrier. Amariah Moya and an infant boy died.

AP-US-CLEAN-WATER-RULE-TRIBES
New Mexico tribes sue US over federal clean water rule
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Two Indigenous communities in New Mexico are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over a revised federal rule that lifts protections for many streams, creeks and wetlands across the nation. The pueblos of Jemez and Laguna are the latest to raise concerns over inadequate protections for local water sources in the desert Southwest. The challenge follows a similar case filed in 2020 by the Navajo Nation, the nation's largest Native American tribe, and several environmental groups. Like other Indigenous communities, Laguna and Jemez say waters that flow through their lands are used for domestic and agricultural uses and are essential for cultural and ceremonial practices.

MILITARY PENSION-DIVORCES
New Mexico court rules on military pensions in divorce cases
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled Thursday that state courts cannot order a veteran to reimburse a former spouse for a share of the veteran's military pension under a divorce agreement that ended when the veteran opted to receive disability benefits instead. However, the justices' unanimous decision said trial judges can consider other legal options for adjusting the financial support the veteran provides his or her former spouse. The New Mexico high court partly hinged its ruling on a 2017 U.S. Supreme Court decision. That decision prevented states from treating waived military retirement benefits as community property that can be divided in a divorce. 

OIL GAS PRODUCTION
New Mexico oil, gas production up by 10% despite pandemic
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has reported oil and gas production increased by more than 10% last year compared to the year before even as demands for fuel dropped during the pandemic. The Carlsbad Current-Argus reported Tuesday that data from the state's oil conservation division showed the state produced about 370 million barrels of oil in 2020 compared to about 330 million barrels the previous year. The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association said the industry generated $2.8 billion last year. Although the state produced the highest amount of oil since production tracking began in the 1970s, officials said growth was down from a 33% increase between 2018 and 2019.