Recap of New Mexico COVID-19 news (8/18/20 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. The drastic drop in COVID-19 cases hit a new milestone, as the state Department of Health reported just 95 new cases, but also four more deaths, on Monday. It […]

Recap of New Mexico COVID-19 news (8/18/20 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.

  • The drastic drop in COVID-19 cases hit a new milestone, as the state Department of Health reported just 95 new cases, but also four more deaths, on Monday. It was the single-day report of fewer than 100 cases since mid-June. Read more here.
  • Citing “eminent domain,” some businesses want the state to pay for lost business because of COVID-19 restrictions. Read more here on the lawsuit seemingly destined for the state Supreme Court.
  • As fears of postal delays after changes made by the Trump administration grow, elections officials in New Mexico say they were told the delays will not be a problem in New Mexico, KOB-TV reported.
  • The state of New Mexico is making preparations for a COVID-19 vaccine, which could happen near the end of this year but likely early in 2021, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
  • Rio Rancho Public Schools, which is not alone, could lose funding because of a drop in enrollment this year, the Rio Rancho Observer wrote.
  • The Albuquerque City Council approved $300,000 in funding for eviction prevention services, KOB-TV reported.
  • Las Vegas City Schools announced a positive COVID-19 test from someone on a campus, the Las Vegas Optic reported.
  • Charlie’s Sandbox in Albuquerque and the Lazy lizard Grill in Sandia Park were both cited for violating the state’s public health order, KRQE-TV reported.
  • Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez issued some line item vetoes on legislation passed by the Navajo Nation Council to spend the hundreds of millions of dollars the nation received through a federal COVID-19 recovery bill, the Farmington Daily Times reported. The Council approved $650.9 million in spending, but just $475 million made it through the vetoes.
  • KOB-TV reported on Navajo Nation isolation centers in Gallup, like the Howard Johnson Hotel, for those who tested positive for COVID-19 to recover in.
  • The Silver City Daily Press reported on a program from that same bill that allowed people in Grant County to receive produce, whether or not they receive food assistance.
  • Someone at a Starbucks in Albuquerque without a mask was enraged and began throwing items at the employees, KRQE-TV reported. Starbucks didn’t say if the temper tantrum came because they were asked to wear a mask, as is required by the state’s public health order.
  • An online course at Santa Fe Community College for workplace COVID-19 safety has had more than 2,200 students so far, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.
  • The Las Cruces Sun-News wrote about how truckers in the area are key to keeping things running.
  • People flocked to the BioPark, which includes the zoo in Albuquerque, KRQE-TV reported.
    • While zoos in Clovis and Albuquerque are open, the Spring RIver Zoo in Roswell remains closed, KRQE-TV reported.
  • Casa de Piñatas is being kept afloat by making a COVID-19-inspired piñata, KOB-TV reported.
  • The latest NMED rapid response data, where the state responds to a workplace positive COVID-19 test, included these workplaces, with all but Salt River Material Groups with one positive test.
    • A-Core Concrete Cutting
    • UNM Surgery Department
    • Enchanted Hills Home Healthcare
    • Petco
    • St. Anthony Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
    • Jacobs Technology
    • Schlotzsky’s
    • GH Las Uvas Valley Dairy
    • Floyd Municipal Schools
    • Smiling Faces
    • Salt River Material Groups (7 cases)
    • Valencia County Courthouse

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

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…
Equality New Mexico endorses 15 legislative candidates

Equality New Mexico endorses 15 legislative candidates

A New Mexico-based LGBTQ rights organization endorsed 15 candidates for state House and Senate seats for the 2024 elections.  Marshall Martinez, executive director of…
Lujan Grisham pocket vetoes two bills

Lujan Grisham pocket vetoes two bills

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham pocket vetoed two bills the legislature passed this legislative session: one changing the Cybersecurity Act and the other concerning law…
Economic Development Department announces Energy Transition Act funding awards

Economic Development Department announces Energy Transition Act funding awards

Funding to assist with economic development following the closure of the San Juan Generating Station will be distributed to four projects in San Juan,…
BLM increases what companies must pay to extract oil and gas 

BLM increases what companies must pay to extract oil and gas 

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced a new rule Friday governing onshore oil and gas production that advocacy groups say will help protect…
Court hears arguments in oil and gas pollution case

Court hears arguments in oil and gas pollution case

A district court judge heard arguments Friday about whether to dismiss a lawsuit that could have major implications for the oil and gas industry…
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…
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…
How the AZ Supreme Court decision on abortion impacts New Mexico

How the AZ Supreme Court decision on abortion impacts New Mexico

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that an 1864 abortion ban is enforceable, throwing another state bordering New Mexico into the situation of…
The status of the lawsuit New Mexico joined to remove FDA restrictions to mifepristone

The status of the lawsuit New Mexico joined to remove FDA restrictions to mifepristone

While the U.S. Supreme Court considers the future of access to the abortion medication, mifepristone, another lawsuit against the FDA that would expand access…
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…
How the AZ Supreme Court decision on abortion impacts New Mexico

How the AZ Supreme Court decision on abortion impacts New Mexico

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that an 1864 abortion ban is enforceable, throwing another state bordering New Mexico into the situation of…
The status of the lawsuit New Mexico joined to remove FDA restrictions to mifepristone

The status of the lawsuit New Mexico joined to remove FDA restrictions to mifepristone

While the U.S. Supreme Court considers the future of access to the abortion medication, mifepristone, another lawsuit against the FDA that would expand access…
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…
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…
Politics Newsletter: Early and absentee voting

Politics Newsletter: Early and absentee voting

Good morning fellow political junkies! Early and absentee voting for the June 4 New Mexico primary begins in about a month. The nonprofit election…

Can the Albuquerque Police Department ever be reformed?

by Joshua Bowling, Searchlight New Mexico In the past decade, reforming the Albuquerque Police Department has cost nearly $40 million and generated 5,600 pages…
Politics Newsletter: Uncommitted primary voting

Politics Newsletter: Uncommitted primary voting

Hello fellow political junkies! Early and absentee voting in the New Mexico Primary begin on May 7. With many voters readying their choice for…
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…

GET INVOLVED

© 2023 New Mexico Political Report