Bill lauded by health advocates

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Members of the 24th Navajo Nation Council passed Legislation No. 0174-21 by a vote of 20 in favor and 3 opposed, which enacts the Niłch’ éí Bee Ííńá - Air is Life Act of 2021, Oct. 19.

The bill prohibits the use of commercial tobacco products in enclosed, indoor workplaces or public places, and within 25 feet of any indoor area across the Navajo Nation.

“The Air is Life Act is important to the livelihood of our families. Now more than ever, we need to protect the quality of our sacred, life-giving force, our air,” said Delegate Carl Slater (Round Rock, Rock Point, Tséch’izí, Lukachukai, Tsaile-Wheatfields)...

A newly launched initiative seeks to reform wildlife management not only in New Mexico, but across the nation.

Wildlife for All is a campaign from the Southwest Environmental Center, which is based in Las Cruces. The advocates behind the effort say the current system of managing wildlife places too much emphasis on hunting and fishing and not enough emphasis on conserving biodiversity.

While Wildlife for All emphasizes that it is not anti-hunting, it maintains that wildlife is a public trust for everyone, including people who don’t hunt or fish, and that it should be managed as such.

The idea of wildlife management reform is not new. During this year’s legislative session, Sen...

Department of Health urges safe celebration for Halloween 2021

Staff Reports

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Department of Health continues to caution schools and the general public and provide public health guidance to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 infections at all times, including the upcoming Halloween weekend.

With the realization that new daily cases continue to fluctuate on the Navajo Nation, and with New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah continuing to report large numbers of new infections, the Navajo Department of Health is suggesting Navajo Nation residents choose virtual events such as virtual costume contests, outdoor trunk-or-treating, and  activities at home with...

Still looking for suspect(s) in death of Isiah Terrell Billy

Staff Reports

A little over a year ago 30-year-old Isiah Terrell Billy was found dead in a wash in Shiprock on the Navajo Nation.

The cause of death was determined to be strangulation.

Now the FBI has doubled the reward for identification, arrest and conviction of those responsible for Billy’s death to $10,000.

"The FBI and our partners on the Navajo Nation are committed to holding accountable those responsible for violent crime," Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of the Albuquerque FBI Division said. "Victims like Isiah Billy deserve justice, and we're hoping the publicity that comes with this higher reward will...