Rep. Leger Fernández, Senator Luján introduce bill to fund project

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project is one step closer to becoming  a reality.

Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández, D-N.M., introduced a bill on Nov. 30. The bill amends the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project’s authorization to ensure it has the resources it needs to reach completion and to lower costs for the communities it serves. Senator Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., introduced the legislation in the Senate.

The Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project was first authorized as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, which settled the Navajo Nation’s water rights in the San Juan...

Following the Nov. 8 election, New Mexico will now have a congressional delegation consisting of strong advocates of conservation and public lands.

Democrat Gabe Vasquez joins incumbent U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury and Teresa Leger Fernández representing New Mexicans in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mark Allison with New Mexico Wild and Greg Peters with Conservation Voters of New Mexico said Vasquez’s election was an important win for public lands.

Allison highlighted Vasquez’s resume, including working for New Mexico Wildlife Federation and the Wilderness Society.

“He’s an avid outdoorsman,” Allison said. “I think he is closely associated in the public’s mind...

The Indian Health Service announced an expansion of telehealth across IHS federal facilities to meet the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native patients on Oct. 31.

In July 2021, IHS awarded a clinical video telehealth contract to AA RingMD, a secure, cloud-based solution that enables patient-to-provider and provider-to-provider telehealth meetings. IHS has been working with AA RingMD staff and engineers to prepare for implementation. Beginning Oct. 31, IHS clinicians and support staff at federal facilities were able to use the secure system.

“This expansion of telehealth will increase access to care, patient safety, continuity of care, quality of care, and ultimately patient...

24th Navajo Nation Council to elect new Speaker

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Members of the 24th Navajo Nation Council convened in the Navajo Nation Council Chamber for a Special Session to place Speaker Seth Damon on administrative leave on Nov. 4. Legislation No. 0208-22 was introduced by Hon. Otto Tso to place the Speaker of the 24th Navajo Nation Council on administrative leave without pay and to establish Speaker Pro Tems for the remainder of the term.

The legislation noted the chairs of the four standing committees would rotate in increments of 15 days in the following order:

Chairman Daniel Tso - Health, Education, and Human Services Committee

Chairman Jamie Henio - Budget and...