WINDOW ROCK, Ariz.— Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer offer their condolences and prayers for the family of Henry Wallace, the longtime department manager for the Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Medical Services.  He passed away Sept. 28 at the age of 71.

“To his wife, children and colleagues, we offer our prayers and condolences for the loss of one of our Nation’s frontline warriers,” Nez said. “In his 48 years of service to the Navajo Nation, he served our Navajo people with great honor and made a difference in so many lives.

“By all accounts, he was a loving and compassionate family man who always put others before himself. We...

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Oct. 5 she is temporarily self-quarantined in Santa Fe after a possible exposure to COVID-19 in accordance with state Department of Health guidelines.

A custodial staff member of the governor’s residence reported feeling unwell in the afternoon Oct. 1, and was immediately sent for a COVID-19 test. The staff member – who wore a facemask at all times, had worked on the personal side of the governor’s residence but did not come into personal contact with the governor.

Lujan Grisham received a COVID-19 test Oct. 2. The result was negative. The governor showed no symptoms of COVID-19.

The governor’s fiancé, Manny Cordova, also...

Nine staff members, two students tested positive

SANTA FE – The Public Education Department on Oct. 8 announced 11 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. Rapid response has been initiated, and all pertinent information has been verified. 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.  All staff members and parents and guardians of all students in the affected school have been notified of the positive case.

Two cases in Bernalillo County. The infected individuals are staff members who were last on school property Sept. 23 and Oct. 5. All staff members and...

State leaders from the attorney general’s office, the state auditor and state ombudsman are working together across the state to protect seniors and people who need specialized care.

The governor’s office announced the partnership between the agencies on Sept. 16 in a news release which focuses on poor treatment, abuse and fraud at nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

The state has over 370 long-term facilities with over 11,000 residents.

“The overarching goal is to make sure we elevate the care in long-term care facilities across the state of New Mexico, that we make sure residents are safe, that their rights are protected, that these facilities know that when it...