Fraction Of Schools' Relief Funds Budgeted For Learning Loss – Associated Press
New Mexico schools plan to spend the bulk of the federal coronavirus relief money they've received on technology and building upgrades rather than student learning loss.
A report this week before the New Mexico Legislature's budget committee showed school districts and charters plan to spend 38% of the $490 million they received thus far on technology and HVAC systems.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that schools plan to spend 9% of the funds on learning loss programs and 8% on interventions for at-risk students.
The budget committee's program evaluation manager Micaela Fischer told lawmakers those numbers were surprising because students likely missed out on learning because of the shift to remote classrooms during the pandemic.
Los Alamos Public Schools is an exception to the trend and plans to spend all of the money it received from a December coronavirus relief package to address learning loss with summer and after-school programs.
Albuquerque official: 3 dead in flash flood was worst ever – Associated Press
A flash flood warning was issued Friday in the south Albuquerque area, a day after a fire official called the apparent drownings of three men in rushing water following thunderstorms the deadliest such incident in the agency's history.
Albuquerque Fire and Rescue Lt. Tom Ruiz told the Albuquerque Journal the third body was found Thursday using a drone to scan a floodwater diversion channel not far from where would-be rescuers found two other bodies on Wednesday.
"This is what we expected to find in terms of … how many people were missing," Ruiz said.
The National Weather Service said Tuesday's storm dropped more than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of rain in some foothill areas in less than 15 minutes.
Ruiz said the swift floodwaters flowing 6 feet (1.8 meters) deep were some of the highest he'd seen in the region's North Diversion Channel.
Rescue units scrambled to the sides of the channel in northeast Albuquerque Tuesday afternoon after three people were seen in the water after the heavy rains.
Lawmaker Questions New Mexico AG's Handling Of Solar Case – Associated Press
New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas' handling of a now-settled case involving a large solar installation company has spurred a request from a state lawmaker for an investigation.
Rep. Daymon Ely is asking State Auditor Brian Colón, who is a friend of Balderas, to look into why the attorney general agreed to seal all documents in the case against Vivint Solar Inc. Ely also wants to know why Balderas didn't pursue any specific restitution for thousands of customers as part of the settlement reached last fall.
The request comes on the heels of a separate complaint against Balderas in a multibillion-dollar utility merger case involving a subsidiary of global energy giant Iberdrola and New Mexico's largest electric provider. State regulators have yet to approve the deal, which will affect a half-million customers and likely change the way electricity is generated and delivered in the state.
Ely, a Democrat from Corrales, says the Democratic attorney general agreed to a protective order requested by Vivint that obstructs the ability of consumers to gather critical evidence when pursuing individual complaints against Vivint.
The order also may violate the state's Inspection of Public Records Act, according to Ely and attorneys seeking restitution for defrauded clients.
"The AG's office appears to be complicit in hiding from public scrutiny what could be a million documents, including critical documents on the allegedly abusive practices employed by Vivint," Ely said in a letter to Colón that was obtained by the Albuquerque Journal.
Stephanie Telles, spokeswoman for the state auditor, said Colón's staff is looking into Ely's request.
Balderas initially filed the case against Vivint in 2018, accusing the company of deceptive marketing practices that resulted in consumer fraud and racketeering involving thousands of homeowners in central New Mexico.
Although Vivint denied the allegations, it agreed to modify its practices to ensure prospective customers are fully informed about the details of contracts. It also agreed to a $1.95 million settlement payment, most of which was for the AG's office and legal expenses and attorney fees for a private law firm that helped with the case.
The settlement included no restitution for individual consumers.
Balderas said earlier this year that the outcome can help shield potential customers from deceptive marketing going forward and that settlement funds will be reinvested in future AG consumer protection efforts.
Balderas said his office agreed to the confidentiality order because it protected private information about individuals gathered during discovery.
But lawyers representing individual consumers said the order sets a dangerous precedent for New Mexico's open records law.
"It's my belief that information and evidence gathered by the AG when investigating a case belongs to the people of New Mexico," said attorney Patrick Griebel, who has been unable to access documents for cases he's pursuing. "The victims in this case should have the tools to pick up where the AG left off. The AG's investigation was done on taxpayers' money, and if the settlement agreement means everyone is on their own to pursue restitution, then we should have access to the fruits of that investigation."
In the utility merger case, watchdog groups filed complaints last week with the state auditor, the state Ethics Commission and the disciplinary board of the New Mexico Supreme Court that highlight Balderas' relationship with a local law firm. They allege that Albuquerque-based attorney Marcus Rael Jr. used his influence to convince Balderas to sign off on the merger and that Balderas awarded numerous contracts to Rael and approved improper invoices.
Balderas and Rael both graduated from the University of New Mexico law school in 2001 and briefly worked together before Balderas ran for public office.
New Energy Economy Executive Director Mariel Nanasi said she became interested in the matter when Rael was hired at $400 an hour by Iberdrola, the Spanish company that is looking to increase its U.S. holdings by acquiring Public Service Co. of New Mexico through a subsidiary.
Balderas gave his support to the proposed merger, Nanasi said, after his own expert witnesses criticized it.
Balderas in a statement denied any claims of favoritism or conflict of interest. Rael said his firm adheres to the state's Rules of Professional Conduct.
Since taking office in 2015, Balderas has hired Rael or others at his firm to help represent the state in at least 19 cases, which is at least triple the number of cases farmed out to any other private law firm, according to a review by Searchlight New Mexico.
Invoices and contracts from the attorney general's office obtained by New Energy Economy show more than $3 million in direct payments of fees and expenses to the Robles, Rael & Anaya law firm.
New Mexico governor closely monitoring COVID-19 numbers – Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and top health officials are closely monitoring the increase in COVID-19 cases. But there was no indication Thursday of whether officials were considering reinstating any public health restrictions to curb spread.
The state Health Department reported Thursday that another 273 cases have been confirmed, marking one of the highest daily totals in months. That topped the 271 cases reported the day before.
"Certainly recent case numbers aren't where anyone wants them to be," said Nora Meyers Sackett, a spokeswoman for the governor. "It's more important than ever that New Mexicans get vaccinated."
She said the state Health Department and its partners will continue reaching out to people "in every way they can" to encourage them to protect themselves and their loved ones from death and serious illness caused by the virus.
After dealing with some of the toughest restrictions in the nation, New Mexico reopened July 1. Health officials have reported more than 2,700 additional cases since then as the 7-day average positivity rate has increased from just under 2% to 3.8% in recent weeks.
In all, there have been more than 208,000 cases in the state since the start of the pandemic. That includes just over 1,300 cases among people who were vaccinated, health officials said.
ABQ Biopark Welcomes New Baby Hippo – Associated Press
The ABQ BioPark has a new family member.
Zoo officials announced this week that Karen, a 19-year-old Nile hippopotamus, gave birth to a healthy baby on Monday.
The zoo did not say the sex of the baby. But the hippopotamus exhibit will be open on a limited basis so that mother and baby can bond.
According to the zoo, some guests actually got to see the birth as Karen delivered in the water in the exhibit.
The calf is her third with 47-year-old Moe.
Zoo managers said in a statement the pregnancy was a surprise because Karen was on birth control. Still, everyone is "delighted."
3rd Body Found In Wake Of Storms, Flooding In Albuquerque –Associated Press
Firefighters believe they have located a third person who went missing after being swept into an arroyo as a result of storms in Albuquerque.
Albuquerque Fire Department spokesman Tom Ruiz said Thursday that crews recovered a body in the washout area of a diversion channel.
Authorities recovered the bodies of two men were in the area Wednesday. Their names and ages were not immediately released by authorities.
Crews initially responded Tuesday afternoon when three people were seen floating down the diversion channel in northeast Albuquerque after the area was hit with heavy rains.
Swift water rescue units scrambled to the sides of the channel to attempt a rescue but didn't spot the trio over a two-hour period.
PNM Customers With Unpaid Bills May Face Shutoffs In August – Associated Press
New Mexico's largest utility is urging thousands of customers to contact them before they lose power when a pandemic moratorium on electricity payments ends.
PNM said Thursday more than 47,000 households have past-due bills that could lead to power shutoffs as soon as mid-August.
Officials with the electricity provider say there are millions of dollars in financial assistance available but customers must contact them.
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission recently voted to temporarily avoid disconnecting power over unpaid bills because of COVID-19. Shutting off power could start Aug. 12.
PNM estimates it is owed more than $21 million in past-due electricity bills. Customers are expected to eventually pay for the energy consumed.
New Mexico To Get Another $327M In Federal Recovery Aid – Associated Press
Federal education officials have approved New Mexico's spending plan for recovery aid, clearing the way for another $327 million to be distributed to the state.
The money is intended to help the state Education Department sustain safe operation of schools and boost learning opportunities, particularly for students who have been most affected by the pandemic.
"These funds will allow our schools to address learning loss and help our students and educators through the social and emotional toll of the pandemic," said U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, a New Mexico Democrat.
New Mexico already had received more than $650 million in emergency education funding. It's among 14 other states to have their plans approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
Some of the money will go toward grants for districts and other organizations to run summer programs focused on science and math. It will also pay for student internships to help reengage at-risk youth.
As much as $22 million will support accelerated learning through the creation of new tutoring programs and professional development for educators and administrators.
New Mexico Seeks Restoration Ideas After 2015 Mine Spill- Associated Press
New Mexico officials are looking for ideas for restoration projects to repair damage caused by a 2015 spill that fouled rivers in three western states with a bright-yellow plume of arsenic, lead and other heavy metals.
The state Office of the Natural Resources Trustee said Wednesday that the projects would be funded through a proposed $1 million settlement with the defendants — Sunnyside Gold Corp. and its parent companies.
The spill released 3 million gallons (11 million liters) of wastewater from the inactive Gold King Mine in southwestern Colorado. A crew hired by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency triggered the spill while trying to excavate the mine opening in preparation for a possible cleanup.
The trustee's office said the contamination flowed into the Animas and San Juan rivers and adversely affected New Mexico residents, the agricultural and recreational tourism industries, and natural resources along those waterways.
The state and the defendants in January reached a settlement that includes a payment of $1 million by the mining defendants to the trustee to implement natural resource restoration projects. Court approval of the settlement is pending.
Litigation against other parties — including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its contractors — is ongoing.
As for the restoration projects, they must benefit surface water, wildlife, agriculture, outdoor recreation or other industries that rely on a healthy river. The deadline for submitting ideas is Aug. 21.
The trustee's office plans to select the winning projects and publish a final restoration plan by January.
"Communities whose jobs, livelihoods and environment were directly affected by the Gold King Mine release will know best how this funding can be put to good use," Trustee Maggie Hart Stebbins said in a statement. "We recognize that this funding will not fully repair or restore all the injuries caused by the Gold King Mine release, but it represents a significant first step toward that goal."
After the spill, the EPA designated the Gold King and 47 other mining sites in the area a Superfund cleanup district. The agency still reviewing options for a broader cleanup.
Report Outlines Problems At New Mexico Veterans' Home – Associated Press
A lack of oversight within the New Mexico Department of Health likely was a factor in high COVID-19 infection and death rates among residents at the New Mexico State Veterans' Home, according to a review by legislative analysts.
Members of the Legislative Finance Committee discussed the report, which was made public this week, during its meeting Wednesday.
The report noted that multiple independent reviews found failure to follow proper infection control and personal protective equipment procedures at the nursing home despite early guidance from state health officials. Also, a pattern of deficiencies has cost the facility over $180,000 in federal penalties since 2015.
Lawmakers described the findings as discouraging.
Democratic Sen. Nancy Rodriguez of Santa Fe said the conditions at the Truth or Consequences veterans home — where 28 residents died of COVID-19, according to federal data — are "unacceptable." The facility houses four disabled veterans to a room, she said.
"It's unconscionable and we must change that," Rodriguez said.
The report recommended that the health department take immediate action to ensure staff follow best practices regarding use of protective equipment. That would include refresher training, real-time coaching and random auditing.
The analysts also recommended that the department develop a systemwide facilities master plan that includes an assessment of needs for all services currently offered. They said it should include options for replacing the Veterans' Home with federal support and consolidating substance abuse treatment centers.
Executives under Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said they largely agree with the recommendations and are taking steps to address the findings, the Albuquerque Journal reported. They said the facilities face particular challenges because they care for high-risk populations not served by the private sector and that some problems date back decades.
"We're dedicated to making things better for the people we serve," said Kathy Kunkel, a former health secretary who now works in the governor's office.
Human Services Secretary David Scrase told lawmakers that even the most well-funded private nursing homes in New Mexico faced difficulty limiting the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The veterans home, Scrase said, was particularly challenging, given the layout of the building, with four people to a room.
"What happened at the veterans home," he said, "is about the same as what happened throughout the entire state and, in my opinion, based on design issues, could have been much worse."
The 28 deaths at the veterans home – which occurred over several months late last year – equaled 19% of the facility's 145-bed capacity, according to the report. The percentage was higher than the state average, one analyst told lawmakers.
Building, designing and furnishing a new veterans home is expected to cost $90 million to $95 million, state officials said. Federal grants, however, could cover 65% of the cost.
Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, a Gallup Democrat and chairwoman of the Legislative Finance Committee, urged the Lujan Grisham administration to tap federal stimulus funding to build a new veterans home.
"With this high-risk population," Lundstrom said, "we need to do something, and we need to do it sooner than later."
Several legislators said New Mexico needs to focus on improving all seven facilities, not just the veterans home.
“What we’re paying for should be very good care, and we’re not getting it,” said committee Vice Chairman Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup.
New Mexico Seeks Restoration Ideas After 2015 Mine Spill - Associated Press
New Mexico officials are looking for ideas for restoration projects to repair damage caused by a 2015 spill that fouled rivers in three western states with a bright-yellow plume of arsenic, lead and other heavy metals.
The state Office of the Natural Resources Trustee said Wednesday that the projects would be funded through a proposed $1 million settlement with the defendants — Sunnyside Gold Corp. and its parent companies.
The spill released 3 million gallons of wastewater from the inactive Gold King Mine in southwestern Colorado. A crew hired by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency triggered the spill while trying to excavate the mine opening in preparation for a possible cleanup.
The trustee's office said the contamination flowed into the Animas and San Juan rivers and adversely affected New Mexico residents, the agricultural and recreational tourism industries, and natural resources along those waterways.
The state and the defendants in January reached a settlement that includes a payment of $1 million by the mining defendants to the trustee to implement natural resource restoration projects. Court approval of the settlement is pending.
Litigation against other parties — including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its contractors — is ongoing.
As for the restoration projects, they must benefit surface water, wildlife, agriculture, outdoor recreation or other industries that rely on a healthy river. The deadline for submitting ideas is Aug. 21.
The trustee's office plans to select the winning projects and publish a final restoration plan by January.
"Communities whose jobs, livelihoods and environment were directly affected by the Gold King Mine release will know best how this funding can be put to good use," Trustee Maggie Hart Stebbins said in a statement. "We recognize that this funding will not fully repair or restore all the injuries caused by the Gold King Mine release, but it represents a significant first step toward that goal."
After the spill, the EPA designated the Gold King and 47 other mining sites in the area a Superfund cleanup district. The agency is still reviewing options for a broader cleanup.
2 Bodies Recovered, 1 Person Missing In Albuquerque Flooding - Associated Press
Two bodies were recovered Wednesday and the search continued for one other person swept into an arroyo after storms hit Albuquerque, authorities said.
Firefighters pulled a man's body from the end of a diversion channel on Wednesday morning and a second man's body in the afternoon.
The names and ages of the two victims were not immediately released by authorities.
Crews initially responded Tuesday afternoon when three people were seen floating down the diversion channel in northeast Albuquerque after the area was hit with heavy rains.
Swift water rescue units scrambled to the sides of the channel to attempt a rescue but didn't spot the three people over a two-hour period.
Authorities said it can take days for bodies to surface and crews will continue searching for the last missing person until they have exhausted all efforts.
New Mexico Sees Rise In COVID-19 Cases - Associated Press
New Mexico is seeing a noticeable uptick in COVID-19 cases and vaccinations have slowed despite continued pressure by state health officials to get more people inoculated.
The New Mexico Health Department reported Wednesday that another 271 cases have been confirmed, marking one of the highest daily totals in months and certainly the highest since public health restrictions were lifted July 1.
New Mexico's seven-day rolling average has increased to about 160 cases per day. That's a jump of nearly 25% over the previous week.
Coronavirus cases have tripled in the U.S. over two weeks as many states have seen increases. Health officials blame the delta variant and flattening vaccination rates for the increase.
Santa Fe Hospital Reaches Settlement Over Fraudulent Billing - Associated Press
Federal prosecutors have reached a settlement with a Santa Fe hospital over claims of fraudulent billing.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Mexico announced Wednesday that Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center will pay nearly $564,000 as part of the agreement.
Prosecutors say a doctor at the hospital caused fraudulent claims for payment to be submitted to Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs during a seven-year period while he worked at the hospital.
Authorities said Christus St. Vincent came forward with the billing concerns in early 2020 and cooperated with investigators.
Prosecutors determined that the hospital billed government healthcare programs for services that the doctor did not provide or properly supervise.
The hospital did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Federal officials said the government spends more than $1 trillion dollars annually to provide health through Medicaid and the other programs. During the 2019 fiscal year, the government recovered more than $3.6 billion dollars from healthcare fraud judgments and settlements.
Mountain West Coaches Look Forward To Time With Players - By W.G. Ramirez Associated Press
Nevada coach Jay Norvell remembers being overcome by heartbreak last season on senior night, when each honored player was introduced with nobody but teammates, opponents and game officials to hear their names.
"I think (that was) one of the most disappointing things from last year, having no family or fans in the stands," Norvell said. "That was really hard. But I'm very grateful that we get this season. and that many of those kids can play this year and have another opportunity for their senior year."
The return of fans and in-person meetings were an overwhelmingly hot topic Wednesday as Mountain West coaches kicked off the conference's media days looking ahead to a more typical 2021 season after a pandemic-plagued 2020 campaign.
"I couldn't be more fired up for this city, our school, stadium," UNLV coach Marcus Arroyo said. "To have fans come in that stadium to see us, to have our guys come out to fans and their families — man we're fired up."
Norvell's Wolf Pack was chosen to win the conference's West Division, while perennial favorite Boise State was picked to win the Mountain Division for the eighth consecutive season.
Defending champion San Jose State was picked to finish second behind Nevada. The Spartans defeated Boise State in the conference championship last year after a tumultuous season during which they were displaced when their home county in California was locked down due to the pandemic.
They played a home game in Hawaii and two home contests in Las Vegas instead of San Jose and didn't get to spend Christmas with their families.
Nonetheless, San Jose coach Brent Brennan said players were told the team with the most stringent discipline in light of the coronavirus would win the league championship.
His Spartans answered every challenge.
"I think COVID, that time was really bad for everybody," Brennan said. "And I think the people that were impacted the worst were that high school- (and) college-aged kid. I have my own kids that struggled through that. I watched a bunch of guys on our team struggle through that. I think (mental health) is really challenging right now."
Mental health issues were another big topic Wednesday among the coaches, who have found themselves playing counselor while dealing with players struggling with the mental fallout of the pandemic.
"The No. 1 thing about being a coach is you're like a father," Norvell said. "You're like a father to your staff, you're like a father to your players, and it was a very difficult year for our kids last year. We have a whole class of players that have never been to campus. They've never been to class on campus."
Personal interaction is something the coaches said might have been undervalued prior to the pandemic and has been welcomed back with open arms.
San Diego State coach Brady Hoke said the biggest factor affecting the Aztecs' development was time lost with his players. There was a period during which his players were sent home and asked to do training on their own to stay in shape and keep their conditioning on track.
"I'd rather actual meet than virtual meet," Hoke said. "I think as much as you can be with them and they can be together, to me that's everything. I think our leadership, our guys who are coming back, it's kind of a really big senior class, they've done a really good job of leading and pushing guys. Half of that is being together, and that was real important."
Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson said seven of the 12 football programs have reached at least an 88% vaccination threshold, while the league-wide cumulative threshold is at 73%. Thompson said the league won't have mandatory vaccinations requirements, but if teams do not have the numbers to play due to COVID-19, the conference will not postpone or reschedule games and it will go down as a forfeit.
Chile Harvest Starts Early For Some New Mexico Farmers - Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
The aroma of fresh roasted green chiles is already wafting through southern New Mexico as some farmers are getting a jumpstart on the harvest.
The earlier start to the season is the result of some much needed rain, cooler temperatures and a change in the way some farmers are planting the state's most famous crop.
Instead of starting from seed, more farmers are planting seedlings that have sprouted in a greenhouse to get their fields going faster. For some it's a hedge against increasing labor costs, while others see the method as a way to save water as climate change adds to the uncertainty of irrigation supplies with every passing growing season.
This year, irrigation allotments around New Mexico are among historic lows as other Western states are grappling with their own water problems, drought and wildfires. Federal officials expect to make the first-ever water shortage declaration in the Colorado River basin next month, prompting cuts in Arizona, Nevada and Mexico.
In New Mexico, winter snowpack was close to average. But climate experts say the soil already was parched following a dismal summer monsoon season and warmer temperatures resulted in the snow melting earlier and more rapidly.
Add to that more evaporation, and less water makes its way into streams and reservoirs.
“We were really scared in the spring with the water situation we were having and those really high temperatures. There wasn't enough irrigation water," said Joram Robbs, executive director of the New Mexico Chile Association.
With transplants, Robbs said one benefit is that farmers don't have to water their seeds for four to six weeks in the spring.
Before 1940, transplanting chile seedlings was common. While most commercial chile acreage today is started from seed, industry experts say there could be a shift again as water and labor pressures mount.
Sergio Grajeda Jr. has been using transplants in some fields on his family farm in Hatch for about five years.
He was thankful for the recent rains, saying they could not have come at a better time.
“God willing, the crop is going to turn out good. Everyone’s crop is going to be really good,” he said.
The one thing he has concerns about is market demand and whether people have room in their freezers for fresh chile.
“I think everything has to do with COVID," he said. “The same thing that happened with toilet paper, that’s what happened with chile last year. They just stocked up and stocked up."
Processors and distributors took the hit last year. Commercial demand was reduced as restaurants and other venues were forced to close. Robbs said people got used to buying their chile from grocery store freezers and eating it at home.
With businesses reopening, the industry has a more optimistic outlook.
Lisa and Herb Hawkins of Tucson, Arizona, made a pitstop at a roadside stand in Hatch on a recent Monday, lured by painted wooden signs that read “Now Roasting.” They've been buying chile in Hatch — dubbed the “Chile Capital of the World” — for about three decades.
“It’s just better than buying it in the grocery store,” she said. “There’s nothing better than fresh green chile. Nothing.”
Walmart To Remove Sales Tax Assessment On Delivered Groceries - Associated Press
Walmart taxed the delivered groceries of at least two people in New Mexico even though a tax deduction governing such home deliveries took effect on July 1.
Walmart told the Las Cruces Sun-News that it was working to remove the assessment of sales tax on delivered groceries after receiving clarification from the state about the new tax exemption. “We apologize for the confusion,” Walmart said in a statement.
As delivered groceries became more popular during the pandemic, New Mexicans noticed gross receipts tax charges on their delivered groceries, which would normally be tax-free in grocery stores.
Previously, only food sold at retail stores could be deducted from gross tax receipts. But earlier this year, New Mexico lawmakers amended the policy so that the deduction would apply to food sold by retail stores, thereby making delivered groceries deductible.
Tax and Revenue Department spokesman Charlie Moore said that although the agency will make a grocer aware of the change in the food tax deduction, the department “can’t control what deductions a taxpayer chooses to claim.”
The grocer can decide whether to take the deduction, according to Moore, though most grocers take the deduction and choose not to charge the tax.
“It is up to each taxpayer to interpret their eligibility for deductions,” Moore said. “The gross receipts tax is an obligation of the business.”
Volunteer Firefighter In New Mexico Hit By Fire Truck, Dies - Associated Press
New Mexico State Police said Wednesday that they're investigating the death of a volunteer firefighter who was fatally struck by a fire truck.
They said 59-year-old Janet Tracy of Caballo was at a crash scene south of Truth or Consequences on Tuesday providing aid and support to a victim.
A fire truck driven by a 52-year-old-man was being repositioned and the driver said he didn’t see Tracy and backed over her, according to State Police.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
State Police said the fire truck was not equipped with a backup camera and they aren’t releasing the name of the driver, who's also a Caballo volunteer firefighter.
Navajo Nation: 21 New COVID Cases, No Deaths 4th Day In Row - Associated Press
The Navajo Nation on Wednesday reported 21 new COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths for the fourth consecutive day.
The latest numbers brought the total number of coronavirus-related cases on the vast reservation to 31,239 since the pandemic began more than a year ago.
The number of known deaths remained at 1,366.
The Navajo Nation recently relaxed restrictions to allow visitors to travel on the reservation and visit popular attractions like Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley.
The reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles and it covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
While cases are down, Navajo leaders are urging residents to continue wearing masks and get vaccinated.
"States and counties where a small percentage of people are vaccinated have rising numbers of new infections, hospitalizations and deaths," tribal President Jonathan Nez said in a statement Wednesday. "Here on the Navajo Nation, the mask mandate remains in place for all residents, visitors and tourists. We have to remain strong and keep pushing back on the virus."
New Mexico Governor Closely Monitoring COVID-19 Numbers - Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and top health officials are closely monitoring the increase in COVID-19 cases. But there was no indication Thursday of whether officials were considering reinstating any public health restrictions to curb spread.
The state Health Department reported Thursday that another 273 cases have been confirmed, marking one of the highest daily totals in months. That topped the 271 cases reported the day before.
"Certainly recent case numbers aren't where anyone wants them to be," said Nora Meyers Sackett, a spokeswoman for the governor. "It's more important than ever that New Mexicans get vaccinated."
She said the state Health Department and its partners will continue reaching out to people "in every way they can" to encourage them to protect themselves and their loved ones from death and serious illness caused by the virus.
After dealing with some of the toughest restrictions in the nation, New Mexico reopened July 1. Health officials have reported more than 2,700 additional cases since then as the 7-day average positivity rate has increased from just under 2% to 3.8% in recent weeks.
In all, there have been more than 208,000 cases in the state since the start of the pandemic. That includes just over 1,300 cases among people who were vaccinated, health officials said.
New Mexico To Get Another $327M In Federal Recovery Aid - Associated Press
Federal education officials have approved New Mexico's spending plan for recovery aid, clearing the way for another $327 million to be distributed to the state.
The money is intended to help the state Education Department sustain safe operation of schools and boost learning opportunities, particularly for students who have been most affected by the pandemic.
"These funds will allow our schools to address learning loss and help our students and educators through the social and emotional toll of the pandemic," said U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, a New Mexico Democrat.
New Mexico already had received more than $650 million in emergency education funding. It's among 14 other states to have their plans approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
Some of the money will go toward grants for districts and other organizations to run summer programs focused on science and math. It will also pay for student internships to help reengage at-risk youth.
As much as $22 million will support accelerated learning through the creation of new tutoring programs and professional development for educators and administrators.
3rd Body Found In Wake Of Storms, Flooding In Albuquerque - Associated Press
Firefighters believe they have located a third person who went missing after being swept into an arroyo as a result of storms in Albuquerque.
Albuquerque Fire Department spokesman Tom Ruiz said Thursday that crews recovered a body in the washout area of a diversion channel.
Authorities recovered the bodies of two people in the area Wednesday.
Their names and ages were not immediately released by authorities.
Crews initially responded Tuesday afternoon when three people were seen floating down the diversion channel in northeast Albuquerque after the area was hit with heavy rains.
Swift water rescue units scrambled to the sides of the channel to attempt a rescue but didn't spot the trio over a two-hour period.
PNM Customers With Unpaid Bills May Face Shutoffs In August - Associated Press
New Mexico's largest utility is urging thousands of customers to contact them before they lose power when a pandemic moratorium on electricity payments ends.
PNM said Thursday more than 47,000 households have past-due bills that could lead to power shutoffs as soon as mid-August.
Officials with the electricity provider say there are millions of dollars in financial assistance available but customers must contact them.
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission recently voted to temporarily avoid disconnecting power over unpaid bills because of COVID-19. Shutting off power could start Aug. 12.
PNM estimates it is owed more than $21 million in past-due electricity bills. Customers are expected to eventually pay for the energy consumed.
Report Outlines Problems At New Mexico Veterans' Home - Associated Press
A lack of oversight within the New Mexico Department of Health likely was a factor in high COVID-19 infection and death rates among residents at the New Mexico State Veterans' Home, according to a review by legislative analysts.
Members of the Legislative Finance Committee discussed the report, which was made public this week, during its meeting Wednesday.
The report noted that multiple independent reviews found failure to follow proper infection control and personal protective equipment procedures at the nursing home despite early guidance from state health officials. Also, a pattern of deficiencies has cost the facility over $180,000 in federal penalties since 2015.
Lawmakers described the findings as discouraging.
Democratic Sen. Nancy Rodriguez of Santa Fe said the conditions at the Truth or Consequences veterans home — where 28 residents died of COVID-19, according to federal data — are "unacceptable." The facility houses four disabled veterans to a room, she said.
"It's unconscionable and we must change that," Rodriguez said.
The report recommended that the health department take immediate action to ensure staff follow best practices regarding use of protective equipment. That would include refresher training, real-time coaching and random auditing.
The analysts also recommended that the department develop a systemwide facilities master plan that includes an assessment of needs for all services currently offered. They said it should include options for replacing the Veterans' Home with federal support and consolidating substance abuse treatment centers.
Executives under Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said they largely agree with the recommendations and are taking steps to address the findings, the Albuquerque Journal reported. They said the facilities face particular challenges because they care for high-risk populations not served by the private sector and that some problems date back decades.
"We're dedicated to making things better for the people we serve," said Kathy Kunkel, a former health secretary who now works in the governor's office.
Human Services Secretary David Scrase told lawmakers that even the most well-funded private nursing homes in New Mexico faced difficulty limiting the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The veterans home, Scrase said, was particularly challenging, given the layout of the building, with four people to a room.
"What happened at the veterans home," he said, "is about the same as what happened throughout the entire state and, in my opinion, based on design issues, could have been much worse."
The 28 deaths at the veterans home – which occurred over several months late last year – equaled 19% of the facility's 145-bed capacity, according to the report. The percentage was higher than the state average, one analyst told lawmakers.
Building, designing and furnishing a new veterans home is expected to cost $90 million to $95 million, state officials said. Federal grants, however, could cover 65% of the cost.
Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, a Gallup Democrat and chairwoman of the Legislative Finance Committee, urged the Lujan Grisham administration to tap federal stimulus funding to build a new veterans home.
"With this high-risk population," Lundstrom said, "we need to do something, and we need to do it sooner than later."
Several legislators said New Mexico needs to focus on improving all seven facilities, not just the veterans home.
"What we're paying for should be very good care, and we're not getting it," said committee Vice Chairman Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup.
ABQ BioPark Welcomes New Baby Hippo - Associated Press
The ABQ BioPark has a new family member.
Zoo officials announced this week that Karen, a 19-year-old Nile hippopotamus, gave birth to a healthy baby on Monday.
The zoo did not say the sex of the baby. But the hippopotamus exhibit will be open on a limited basis so that mother and baby can bond.
According to the zoo, some guests actually got to see the birth as Karen delivered in the water in the exhibit.
The calf is her third with 47-year-old Moe.
Zoo managers said in a statement the pregnancy was a surprise because Karen was on birth control. Still, everyone is "delighted."
