Senator Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., has announced his support of New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s call for a federal investigation into conditions at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in New Mexico.

In his statement Oct. 30, Heinrich said, “The deeply troubling reports of mistreatment and poor conditions at ICE detention facilities warrant a federal investigation. We need to get to the bottom of what’s taking place at these facilities and ensure anyone held in ICE’s custody is treated humanely and in accordance to the law.”

Staff Reports

HOUMA, La. - Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez was honored to be joined by the members of the 24th Navajo Nation Council, Speaker Seth Damon, Chief Justice JoAnn B. Jayne, former Speaker LoRenzo Bates, and Navajo Code Talker Peter McDonald on Oct. 30, during the U.S. Navy’s Authentication of the Keel Ceremony of the U.S. Navy’s first of class towing and salvage vessel, “USNS Navajo (T-ATS 6)” at the Civic Center in Houma, La.

The keel was said to be “truly and fairly laid” as it was authenticated by Nez, Damon, and Jocelyn Billy, who signed their initials into the keel plate that is the symbolic backbone of a ship. The keel plate will be fastened within the hull of the...

Drafting national beverage container deposit system

Washington, D. C. - In July, U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., and U.S. Representative Alan Lowenthal, D-Calif., circulated a draft outline of legislation to tackle the plastic waste pollution crisis, including a policy for a national beverage container deposit system. They received approximately 150 responses in comments and meeting requests.

Staff members have been revising the outline and working with legal counsel to draft the proposal into legislative language. The “discussion draft” will be circulated in the coming days with a process to provide feedback.

On Oct. 29, Udall and Lowenthall released the following joint...

High-risk residents encouraged to attend

SANTA FE - The New Mexico Department of Health’s Gallup Public Health Office and McKinley County Office of Emergency Management, will host a flu shot clinic Nov. 2 at the Miyamura High School Auxiliary Gym, 680 Boardman Dr., from 10 am‑2 pm. The annual flu vaccination is available at no charge for children over the age of 3 and uninsured adults, while supplies last.

Those with Medicaid or other insurance who go to public health offices are asked to bring their insurance cards with them.

Everyone six months of age and above should get a flu vaccine each flu season, especially people in the following groups because they are at high risk of...