Recap of New Mexico COVID-19 news (8/4/20 edition)

This morning recap of COVID-19 news from New Mexico is available in a free email every weekday. Sign up here. See all of our COVID-19 coverage here. New Mexico health officials announced 117 cases of COVID-19, but it was only a partial tally because of a technical error. The state also reported only one death from […]

Recap of New Mexico COVID-19 news (8/4/20 edition)

This morning recap of COVID-19 news from New Mexico is available in a free email every weekday. Sign up here.

See all of our COVID-19 coverage here.

  • New Mexico health officials announced 117 cases of COVID-19, but it was only a partial tally because of a technical error. The state also reported only one death from COVID-19. Read more here.
  • A group wants more of those in juvenile detention to be released, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read our story here.
  • Navajo Nation health officials announced 36 new COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and one additional death. Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 9,139 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 6,743 recoveries and 462 deaths related to the disease.
  • Many people are worried about evictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when eviction bans are lifted, and the Santa Fe New Mexican wrote about the local angle.
  • The state relaxed some restrictions, including on visitations, for disalbled group home residents, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
  • A legislative interim committee heard the grim news about the state’s economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Santa Fe New Mexican wrote.
  • New Mexico PBS will livestream today’s Supreme Court hearing on the governor’s ability to levy fines to enforce the state’s public health order. The hearing starts at 9 a.m. and you can watch here.
  • Just 14 businesses received citations for breaking the state’s public health order in July, including nine restaurants, KOB-TV reported.
  • K-12 schools are looking at more drive-thru meal services as classes are set to begin online soon, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported.
  • Some students are moving into housing at New Mexico State University and the Las Cruces Sun-News wrote about the precautions being taken.
    • The university reminded out-of-state students to quarantine for 14 days, KRQE-TV reported.
  • Gyms that have fitness classes were surprised that they were able to open, at 25 percent capacity, under the state’s new public health order, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
  • KOB-TV spoke to a child psychiatrist about how to speak to teenagers about the impacts of COVID-19.
  • The Albuquerque City Council voted to approve $500,000 in funding to help local businesses expand their outdoor presence, KRQE-TV reported.
  • KRQE-TV reported on NMED’s rapid response data, which outlines which businesses and entities have had a positive COVID-19 test. The list is updated daily and has been online for a couple of weeks.
  • The state of New Mexico announced a 24/7 emotional support helpline for New Mexicans who are experiencing anxiety, stress or other challenges because of COVID-19.
    “With the pandemic creating chaos in the lives of so many people, it is especially important to let New Mexicans know that they are not alone and that it is normal to feel anxious and worried. We want them to know they can confidentially reach out to talk to someone anytime and anyplace. We want individuals to have the information and skills to help them not only during this time, but in the future,” said Behavioral Health Services Division director, Neal A. Bowen, PhD.
  • A NMSU defensive lineman opted out of the college football season, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported this weekend.
  • EMNRD and NMED will co-host a meeting for public input on methane and ozone rules this week, the Farmington Daily Times reported. The meeting will be held online.

We're ad free

That means that we rely on support from readers like you. Help us keep reporting on the most important New Mexico Stories by donating today.

Related

Effort to challenge six laws enacted last year comes to an end

Effort to challenge six laws enacted last year comes to an end

Earlier this month, the New Mexico Supreme Court denied and dismissed the effort to challenge six laws enacted in 2023. The New Mexico Supreme…
Governor to call special session for public safety legislation this summer

Governor to call special session for public safety legislation this summer

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that she will call the Legislature into a special session this summer to address public safety legislation that did…
Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List, a nonprofit that supports women candidates and reproductive rights, endorsed seven incumbents facing general election opponents in New Mexico legislative elections. All…
Ozone pollution continues to plague New Mexico

Ozone pollution continues to plague New Mexico

Four of the nine New Mexico counties evaluated in the annual State of the Air report received failing marks for ozone pollution. The counties…
NM receives $156M to boost access to solar

NM receives $156M to boost access to solar

New Mexico will receive millions in federal money to increase access to solar power. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced recipients of the $7…
Two PFAS chemicals designated hazardous substances under Superfund law

Two PFAS chemicals designated hazardous substances under Superfund law

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a final rule Friday to designate two types of PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances. Those two chemicals are perfluorooctanoic…
Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican The main things that bring Brayan Chavez to school every day: Seeing, talking to and engaging with…
Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican Brittany Behenna Griffith has a laundry list of adjectives to describe the ideal special education teacher:…
Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican A challenging task awaits New Mexico lawmakers in the next 30 days: Reconciling three very different…
Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Amy Maxmen, KFF Health News Four years after hospitals in New York City overflowed with covid-19 patients, emergency physician Sonya Stokes remains shaken by…
Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Friday $10 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act was awarded to six tribal nations and…
Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

The House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee discussed a potential constitutional amendment that seeks to limit the governor’s executive powers. The committee approved…
Latest SCOTUS abortion case uncertain and could impact New Mexico

Latest SCOTUS abortion case uncertain and could impact New Mexico

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday on an abortion-related case, this time over whether an Idaho anti-abortion law preempts a federal…
Abortion fund provider rebrands and holds open house

Abortion fund provider rebrands and holds open house

An abortion fund provider unveiled a rebrand and offered an open house in Las Cruces to celebrate the organization’s new name, mission and values. …
Stansbury introduces judicial ethics bill on U.S. Supreme Court steps

Stansbury introduces judicial ethics bill on U.S. Supreme Court steps

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury announced a bill on Thursday that would, if enacted, establish judicial ethics to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Judicial Ethics…
Latest SCOTUS abortion case uncertain and could impact New Mexico

Latest SCOTUS abortion case uncertain and could impact New Mexico

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday on an abortion-related case, this time over whether an Idaho anti-abortion law preempts a federal…
Abortion fund provider rebrands and holds open house

Abortion fund provider rebrands and holds open house

An abortion fund provider unveiled a rebrand and offered an open house in Las Cruces to celebrate the organization’s new name, mission and values. …
Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

Politics and abortion, how much will it matter?

At the national level, abortion is still a high-stakes issue with both major presidential candidates talking about it in their campaigns, but it may…
Progressives going after incumbents in hot Democratic primaries

Progressives going after incumbents in hot Democratic primaries

By Justin Horwath, NM In Depth It’s a safe bet Democrats will barrel into 2025 with their supremacy intact at the New Mexico Legislature.…
Effort to challenge six laws enacted last year comes to an end

Effort to challenge six laws enacted last year comes to an end

Earlier this month, the New Mexico Supreme Court denied and dismissed the effort to challenge six laws enacted in 2023. The New Mexico Supreme…
Vasquez calls out Republicans for ‘inaction’ on border policy

Vasquez calls out Republicans for ‘inaction’ on border policy

U.S. Rep. Gabriel “Gabe” Vasquez, a Democrat who represents the state’s 2nd Congressional District along the U.S.-Mexico border, cosponsored a resolution on Monday calling…
Latest SCOTUS abortion case uncertain and could impact New Mexico

Latest SCOTUS abortion case uncertain and could impact New Mexico

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday on an abortion-related case, this time over whether an Idaho anti-abortion law preempts a federal…
Ozone pollution continues to plague New Mexico

Ozone pollution continues to plague New Mexico

Four of the nine New Mexico counties evaluated in the annual State of the Air report received failing marks for ozone pollution. The counties…
Progressives going after incumbents in hot Democratic primaries

Progressives going after incumbents in hot Democratic primaries

By Justin Horwath, NM In Depth It’s a safe bet Democrats will barrel into 2025 with their supremacy intact at the New Mexico Legislature.…

GET INVOLVED

© 2023 New Mexico Political Report