Top Navajo Leaders Quarantine As Tribe Prepares For Curfew -Associated Press

Two leaders of the largest Native American reservation in the U.S. are in self-quarantine as the coronavirus outbreak sweeps across the Navajo Nation.

The tribe has recorded nearly 600 cases of the new coronavirus and 22 deaths among Navajos who live on the reservation that spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

Navajo President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer quarantined themselves as a precaution after being in close proximity with a first responder who later tested positive.

The tribe is imposing a weekend-long curfew that begins Friday evening.

Violations could result in a fine up to $1,000 or jail time.

New Mexico Officials Say Going Outdoors OK But Avoid Gatherings -Associated Press

New Mexico officials say it's OK during the coronavirus outbreak to go outdoors but the closer to home the better.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration Friday issued guidelines saying people going outdoors should practice social distancing and be cautious about potential crowding at places like parks, trailheads and parking lots, particularly during the Easter weekend.

The governor's office said social distancing will help stop the spread of the virus.

Authorities will be stationed at trailheads in Albuquerque to ensure people are following the rules.

Las Cruces is closing parks and placing barricades at entrances to discourage gatherings during the Easter weekend.

Drums, Dancers Livestream As Virus Moves Powwows Online

The largest powwows in the country have been canceled and postponed amid the spread of the coronavirus.

Tribal members have found a new outlet online with the Social Distance Powwow. They're sharing videos of colorful displays of culture and tradition that are at their essence meant to uplift people during difficult times.

The posts have become a nearly daily dose of medicine, songs, dances, well wishes, humor and happy birthdays.

The site also hosts a live powwow on the weekend where an emcee patches in drum groups, singers and dancers from across the country.

New Mexico High Court Rules Against Nursing Home Arbitration – Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press

The New Mexico Supreme Court has ruled against a nursing home agreement requiring residents to settle their most likely claims, setting a precedent for consumers to dispute arbitration agreements.

The Albuquerque Journal reported that the ruling stems from a case against multiple defendants, including the Rehabilitation Center of Albuquerque for requiring all legal claims to go to mediation and then move on to arbitration rather than to court.

The agreement still allowed the facility to file lawsuits over its most likely claims against patients.

The Supreme Court affirmed Monday that there was not enough evidence to show that the one-sidedness of the agreement was justified.

GAO: Border Patrol Needlessly Spent $12M At Texas Facility -Associated Press

A congressional watchdog says the Border Patrol needlessly spent millions on a little-used immigration detention center in Texas.

The adult detention center in Tornillo has been closed since January.

A Government Accountability Office report says immigration officials paid $5.3 million for meals that were never needed as part of a fixed contract for 2,500 detainees. The office says the facility never had more than 68 at one time.

On average, each detainee had eight guards.

The Department of Homeland Security defending the spending, saying that it would have been worse to close the facility too early and force immigrants into inadequate locations.

Virus Infections Surpass 1,000 In New Mexico, Deaths Climb -Associated Press

Confirmed COVID-19 infections surpassed 1,000 across New Mexico as the pandemic claimed two more lives and tightened its grip over the Navajo Nation in the northwest of the state.

New infections Friday brought the statewide tally to 1,091 cases, with 19 related deaths.

The National Rifle Association has sued New Mexico for leaving gun shops and shooting ranges off its list of businesses that can remain open during the coronavirus public health emergency.

The lawsuit says the right to bear arms must be protected.

Holy Week: New Mexico Faithful Find God Beyond Church Walls -Associated Press

While it pains him, the head of one of the oldest Catholic dioceses in the United States says this Holy Week will be different for tens of thousands of parishioners in New Mexico.

It has to be. There will be no pilgrimages and no crowds packing the pews to celebrate Mass.

The Archdiocese of Santa Fe has been pleading with the faithful to heed public health orders and stay home.

Despite the rich traditions that culminate with Easter weekend, Archbishop John Wester says the new coronavirus is nothing to play around with. He says: "It doesn't take a day off for Good Friday or Easter Sunday."

New Mexico Gets 3rd Surge In A Row On Unemployment Claims -Associated Press

Federal numbers show that nearly 73,000 people in New Mexico have lost their jobs over that last three weeks.

The U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday 26,606 people in the state applied for unemployment benefits last week compared to a revised record of 27,849 the week before.

The ongoing swell in applications in one of the poorest U.S. states represent more evidence that the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the economy.

The Labor Department said 6.6 million Americans overall applied for unemployment benefits last week.