WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Leaders of the Navajo Nation expressed condolences on the passing of retired Navajo Nation Supreme Court Associate Justice Lorene B. Ferguson, who died March 1 from complications from COVID-19.

“The Navajo Nation mourns the loss of a loving mother and one of the first women justices to serve on the Navajo Nation Supreme Court … As we recognize National Women’s History Month, we take this opportunity to honor and remember all of Justice Ferguson’s contributions to the Navajo people. There is no doubt that she helped and empowered many throughout her lifetime.” Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said.

According to the Judicial Branch, Ferguson was...

SANTA FE – Statewide broadband internet in New Mexico is one step closer to reality with House Bill 10: the Connect New Mexico Act, which institutes a centralized plan for the state to build, manage and deliver broadband internet access to communities across the state.

It includes three main components:

Establishing a centralized Office of Broadband within the Department of Information Technology to coordinate state, local, and federal resources to build new infrastructure and connect every community in New Mexico.

Creating a comprehensive plan that maps out New Mexico’s current broadband infrastructure and assesses what it will take to finish the job and connect New...

Gallup Municipal Airport could reopen as a vehicle testing hub

Self-driving cars may soon be coming to Gallup.  Autonomous cars were on the agenda for the March 2 McKinley County Commission meeting.

Michael Sage, the deputy director of the Gallup Economic Development Corporation, made a presentation about autonomous cars. He talked about self-driving vehicles being tested in Gallup. He also mentioned the possibility of reopening the Gallup Municipal Airport to air passenger service and using it as a mobility hub for autonomous vehicle testing.

Tesla came to the EDC in 2013 thinking that Gallup would be a great strategic location for testing autonomous cars, because of its...

‘We have to be ready or they’ll pass us by’

Autonomous cars are becoming more popular thanks to people like Elon Musk and Tesla and the other car companies that will soon be competing with him in the field. In order to prepare for this future, more states are creating legislation addressing the subject of self-driving vehicles.

Michael Sage, the deputy director of the Economic Development Corporation, has been a leading force on this front in McKinley County. On March 2 he presented two bills – New Mexico House Bill 270 and New Mexico Senate Bill 133 - that would bring legislation to bring autonomous vehicles to Gallup in a special city council meeting on March 2. He also...