Top New Mexico public heath official announces retirement

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico’s Health Secretary Kathyleen Kunkel on Friday announced her intention to retire once the current wave of coronavirus infections subsides. Kunkel, 69, an attorney and former pediatric social worker, cited the physical and mental demands of her work at the forefront on...

Fire destroys 2 squad cars in Iron Range city of Virginia

VIRGINIA, Minn. (AP) — Two police squad cars caught fire inside a police department garage in the Iron Range city of Virginia on Friday. Mayor Larry Cuffe Jr. told KBJR-TV that one squad car caught fire in the police garage shortly before 11:30 a.m. He said the fire then spread to another squad car,...

Arizona health club complies with order as cases skyrocket

PHOENIX (AP) — One of two health club chains in Arizona that had defied a state order to shut down and faced possible legal action said Friday it had closed. Life Time Fitness informed state officials of its decision after getting a letter on Thursday threatening legal action by the state. Mountainside...

Feds stop sending nursing homes gowns described as useless

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The federal government is no longer sending nursing homes disposable isolation gowns described in New Hampshire as useless garbage bags and instead is providing a different style, according to a spokesperson for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The New Hampshire Health Care...

Shooting reported at Alabama shopping mall

HOOVER, Ala. (AP) — Police in Hoover, Alabama, said they are investigating a report of a shooting inside a large shopping mall Friday afternoon. Officers are investigating a report of a shooting inside the Galleria mall, the Hoover Police Department said in a statement. Police said the scene is contained...

Voters may see just 4 initiatives on November ballot

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona voters are likely to see four voter initiatives on their November ballot, although all four must first survive a review of qualifying signatures turned into the Secretary of State's office this week and legal challenges that routinely are made. The four that turned in their...

Man who crashed gate where Trudeau lives facing 22 charges

TORONTO (AP) — A man who allegedly crashed his truck through a gate on the grounds where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lives was charged with 22 crimes on Friday, including weapons offenses and uttering threats. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Duheme said Corey Hurren had several...

Trump plans fiery speech for Mount Rushmore fireworks

KEYSTONE, S.D. (AP) — President Donald Trump planned a fiery Mount Rushmore speech Friday night including denunciations of protesters he says are trying to “tear down” the nation's history. He's adding condemnation of those who pull down statues to a big fireworks show and his more...

Police: 1 of the officers who stopped Elijah McClain is fired over photos reenacting chokehold used before his death

DENVER (AP) — Police: 1 of the officers who stopped Elijah McClain is fired over photos reenacting chokehold used before his death.

Religious leaders to invoke Frederick Douglass on July 4th

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — About 150 preachers, rabbis and imams are promising to invoke Black abolitionist Frederick Douglass on July 4th as they call for the U.S. to tackle racism and poverty. The religious leaders are scheduled this weekend to frame their sermons around “What to the Slave is the...