SANTA FE - The New Mexico Department of Health reported the state’s first probable case of monkeypox in New Mexico on July 11. The patient returned from out-of-state travel and was likely exposed through contact. Initial testing was completed the night of July 8 by the DOH Scientific Laboratory Division and confirmatory testing is being completed at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The individual is doing well and isolating at home.

“Monkeypox is a very rare disease in the United States, and it’s important to keep in perspective that monkeypox does not spread as easily among people,” Acting Department of Health Secretary, David R. Scrase, M.D., said. “While the...

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham spoke about her objection on July 13 after the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced it intends to issue a license to Holtec International for the construction and operation of an interim nuclear water storage facility in New Mexico.

“Despite my strong objections and concerns over public health, economic, scientific, natural resource and environmental justice – and those of tribal leaders, local governments, and the people of New Mexico – the NRC is effectively choosing profit over public interest,” Lujan Grisham said.

She voiced her concern about the health and safety of New Mexicans.

“The NRC has unilaterally decided to...

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer thank the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, for voting to support the confirmation of Roselyn Tso, a member of the Navajo Nation and the current director of the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, to serve as the next director of the Indian Health Service. Tso was nominated by U.S. President Joe Biden earlier this year. Final confirmation of her appointment now awaits approval from the full Senate.

“This is a historic nomination put forth by the Biden-Harris Administration and we commend the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for supporting the confirmation,” Nez said. “Over many...

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and the Office of the President and Vice President Chief of Staff Paulson Chaco met with the Navajo Nation Veterans Administration on July 6, to continue developing short-term and long-term solutions to resolve a shortfall for the Veterans Trust Fund funding allocation for the upcoming FY2023, which will begin on Oct. 1.

The Navajo Nation Veterans Trust Fund was created in 1998 with an initial investment of $6 million to fund services for Navajo veterans and to reinvest a portion of the Navajo Nation’s revenues into the trust fund to grow the principal. The principal has grown to over $200 million.

In 2017, the Navajo...