The New Mexico Department of Health reported Jan. 3, additional flu-related deaths in the state, bringing the total so far this 2018-2019 flu season to four.

The deaths are all among people over the age of 50 from Lincoln, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, and Mora Counties.

Since our report on Dec. 17, of the “First Flu Death in New Mexico This Flu Season,” flu activity has sharply increased and is now widespread in New Mexico. Nationally, influenza activity is also on the rise.

Flu season peaks annually between December and February, and NMDOH encourages residents who haven’t gotten their flu shot yet to get one, especially if they are among those most at risk for flu-related...

Begaye issues $250k check

WINDOW ROCK—President Russell Begaye on Jan. 8 presented a $250,000 check to Big Navajo Energy to cover the installation of solar power units at 40 Navajo homes.

The check is the latest installment of funds stemming from a partnership between the Navajo Nation and Big Navajo Energy that provides alternative energy sources to homes that are off the grid, especially in places like the Former Bennett Freeze Area. Big Navajo Energy, a 100-percent Navajo-owned company, has been working for the past year to install solar panels and generators in Navajo homes.

“Many families that need electricity are way off the grid,” Begaye said. “Some of those people...

1. Capturing the essence of ‘Nightly Indian Dances’

Run Date: June 1

2. Transcribing heart and spirit onto paper — and through the lens

Run date: Oct. 20

3. The living beauty of earth and hands

Run date: Aug. 31

4. The spirit of tradition flows through the generations

Run date: Aug. 10

5. For the love of the game — with sweat and heart

Run date: Oct. 19

Rank FALLS from second highest to 17th

SANTA FE — New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and the New Mexico Department of Health report that for the third consecutive year, the state’s drug-overdose death rank among states has improved.

Based on a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New Mexico’s national ranking has improved from the second highest death drug overdose death rate in the United States in 2014 to 17th highest in 2017, the most current available data nationwide.

This is the first time New Mexico has ranked outside the top 15 rankings since the CDC started reporting drug overdose death data in 1999. This comes as drug overdose death rates...