New Mexico Allows More People In Businesses In Cold Weather –
Associated Press
New Mexico officials are amending the state s public health order on the coronavirus to allow more people inside grocery stores and other essential businesses.
The governor s office made the announcement Wednesday, citing the recent frigid temperatures as a reason for the slight increase in capacity levels.
Waiting lines have been forming outside grocery stores and other retailers since Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered capacity to be limited at establishments around the state as a way to curb the spread of COVID-19.
She has said the tough measures have helped to reduce new infections. However, deaths and hospitalizations related to the pandemic remain high.
By Cedar Attanasio Associated Press / Report For America
Lawyers representing Native American students say New Mexico is violating a 2018 court order in a landmark education case as attempts to boost internet access and provide learning devices are falling short.
The case covers 80% of the state s students, including Native Americans and those who are low-income or disabled.
Lawyers representing the students say educational opportunities would not have been as inadequate had the state complied with the court order and ensured access to technology for all students.
In a motion filed Tuesday, they asked a court to compel the state to provide laptops and internet to students who still lack them.
New Mexico Department of Health
Top New Mexico Health Official Hopeful About Vaccine Rollout
- By Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
The new state health chief says the arrival of vaccines in New Mexico marks a turning point and she s hopeful for a brighter day as people get vaccinated over the coming months.
Still, health Secretary Tracie Collins said Tuesday that while vaccination will prevent COVID-19 infection, there is more that needs to be learned about how effective inoculations will be in stemming transmission of the virus.
She says that means residents still need to wear masks, maintain social distancing, wash their hands often and keep up with other COVID-safe practices.
A District Court judge on Tuesday sentenced actor and Native American film producer Redwolf Pope to four years in prison for raping a Seattle woman in a Santa Fe hotel room in 2017.
Pope, 44, was convicted of rape and voyeurism by a jury in September. Prosecutors said he took photos and video of himself sexually assaulting an unconscious woman in a hotel room after the woman asked him to drive her home from a party.
The woman, an acquaintance of Popeâs, told prosecutors she was handed a drink when she got into Popeâs vehicle and woke up without any memory of what occurred that night.