Government employees on the Navajo Nation are now required to have COVID-19 vaccinations.

The 24th Navajo Nation Council has passed Legislation No. 0178-21 which requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all Navajo Nation government employees. By a vote of 12 in favor and 6 opposed, the bill also urges all Navajo-owned enterprises, authorities, corporations, businesses, schools, and entities operating within Navajo Nation boundaries to promptly adopt COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

“This law moves us forward as a stronger Navajo Nation. We are in this together,” Speaker Seth Damon (Bááhaalí, Chichiltah, Manuelito, Red Rock, Rock Springs, Tséyatoh), said Sept. 29.

In August...

Kurt Steinhaus is the new Secretary of Education for New Mexico’s Public Education Department and this month he made his first visit to Gallup McKinley County Schools District.

Steinhaus is not new to the world of education. He’s seen the inside of a school district office before.

Prior to his new post, he was the superintendent at Los Alamos Public Schools. According to the NMPED’s website, he has previous experience with the NMPED as the department’s deputy secretary and it’s pre-kindergarten czar and education policy advisor to Gov. Bill Richardson.

In his new role, Steinhaus is touring New Mexico school districts to meet with students and staff. On Sept. 23 Thoreau...

Gallup firefighters, city councilors and the mayor gather around their Gallup Fire Department mascot Sparky Sept. 28 to prepare for Fire Safety Week (Oct. 3-9). On the screen, Councilor Yogash Kumar (Dist. 3). Back row from left: Councilors Fran Palochak (Dist. 4) and Michael Schaaf (Dist. 2), Gallup Mayor Louis Bonaguidi and Councilor Linda Garcia (Dist. 1). In the semicircle around Sparky are firefighter Paul Morris, Fire Marshal Jon Pairett, Fire Chief Jesus Morales, Fire Inspector Andrew Laweka and firefighter Michael Morris. Also in the picture, but not visible are: Battalion Chief Andres Campos, Lieutenant Jeremy Padilla and Fire Inspector Arlita Pablo. Photo Credit: Courtesy of...

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer honored and congratulated the Navajo Nation Police Training Academy Class 56, comprised of 12 young and determined Navajo Police Officer recruits, who received their Navajo Nation police badges during a graduation ceremony Sept. 24, at Navajo Nation Veterans Memorial Park in Window Rock, Ariz. Each of the 12 officers successfully completed the 25-week police academy training.

The Navajo Police Academy, located in Chinle, Ariz. has prepared five recruit classes that uphold respect, self-discipline, accountability, academic achievement, integrity, and professionalism. Class 56 completed...