SANTA FE — U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, released the following statement of opposition Oct. 14 after the Supreme Court suspended a lower court order that extended the Census Count beyond Oct. 15, allowing the Trump administration to cut the 2020 Census count off one month short. The shortened timeline, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, risks an inaccurate count in Indian Country and in New Mexico, potentially cutting resources short for minority and rural communities. Just a one percent undercount in New Mexico would cost the state hundreds of millions in federal resources over the coming decade:

“The Trump administration’s...

Says more will come if alarming rise of COVID-19 continues

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Oct. 13 that the state of New Mexico will implement, and in some cases re-implement, several public health regulations later in the week to stem the alarming rise of COVID-19 illnesses statewide.

The governor also reiterated her stark warnings from recent weeks – as COVID-19 infections have spread rapidly throughout all regions of the state, including an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations – that New Mexico may in the near future be compelled to re-enact even more stringent public health controls to blunt the spread of the highly infectious and potentially...

seven staff members, eight students tested positive

SANTA FE — The Public Education Department on Oct. 15 announced 15 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. Rapid response has been initiated, and all pertinent information has been verified with the schools and school districts. The following new cases have been reported:

One case in McKinley County. The infected individual is a staff member who was last on school property Oct. 2.

Two cases in Bernalillo County.  Both of the infected individuals are students who were last on campus Oct. 1 and Oct. 13.

· Four cases in Chaves County.  The infected individuals are all students who were last on school property Oct...

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement Oct. 12 in commemoration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day:

“Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an important opportunity to honor the culture and traditions of New Mexico’s first citizens, our tribal brothers and sisters who make up such an important part of our state’s beautiful multicultural identity,” she said. “Tribal nations and their peoples have made incredible and unique contributions to not only our state but this country we all love.

“This year, the tribal nations of New Mexico have suffered and persevered amid the pandemic and economic crisis, showing incredible resilience and strength in the face of...