ALBUQUERQUE — On Jan. 1, the New Mexico Environmental Public Health Network became a program of New Mexico Voices for Children. The NMEPHN, which was formed in 2018, is committed to advocating for environmental policies that positively impact public health. Its Advisory Board is comprised of medical, environmental, and public health professionals from throughout the state, including retired pediatrician Lance Chilton, MD, Anna Rondon of the New Mexico Social Justice Equity Institute, and Sharon Finarelli of the New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils.

“We are very excited to be welcoming NMEPHN into the NM Voices family,” James Jimenez, executive director of the child advocacy...

CHINLE, Ariz. — The Navajo Police Department started the new year by welcoming eight newly-commissioned officers from the Navajo Police Training Academy on Jan 2, during a graduation ceremony in Chinle, Ariz.

The new officers took their oath of office before Honorable Judge William Platero after a pinning ceremony Saturday afternoon. The department’s new officers are Aaron C. Brown, Klyton Belone, Ryan Draper, Vanecia Valenzuela, Arrow Dosela, Henry Antonio, Jr., Nathaniel K. Watson, and Jasmine Peaches.

Following their training at the academy, the officers will be assigned a field training officer who will provide guidance and further training in the field during their first...

Goal of Valinda Shirley to strengthen communication with Navajo people

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer announced the appointment of Valinda Shirley as the new Executive Director for the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency on Jan. 4. She replaces Oliver B. Whaley, who resigned in December to spend more time with his family.

Shirley resides in Rock Point, Ariz. with her husband and children. She is Táchiinii and born for Tł’ízÍ łání. Her maternal grandfather is Bit’ahnii and her paternal grandfather is Ta’neeszhahnii. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Senior Remedial Project Manager for the...

becomes first Hispanic senator from N. M. in more than 40 years

WASHINGTON,, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., was sworn in to serve as the next U.S. senator from New Mexico, taking the seat formerly held by Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M. who did not run in the latest election. Following his swearing-in ceremony, Luján highlighted his priorities to address the COVID-19 pandemic and put New Mexico’s economy on the path to recovery.

“I am humbled to serve as New Mexicans’ voice in the U.S. Senate, and I thank voters for entrusting me with this immense responsibility. I understand the importance of being responsive to my constituents, speaking directly and objectively, and...