A team of researchers from the College of Engineering at New Mexico State University have published a study that tests the effectiveness of face masks in close human interactions.

The study, “Can face masks offer protection from airborne sneeze and cough droplets in close-up, face-to-face human interactions? – A quantitative study,” was published in Physics of Fluids, an American Institute of Physics journal. Engineering graduate students Javed Akhtar, Abner Luna Garcia and Leonardo Saenz, and Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Associate Professors Sarada Kuravi, Fangjun Shu and Krishna Kota authored the study.

  SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Education accounts for about half of New Mexico's $7 billion general fund — the money that legislators can spend. This year the agenda ranges from emergency efforts to mitigate learning loss caused by the pandemic and reopen schools, to long-term funding changes that require a constitutional amendment. Most students have been learning remotely since March because of the pandemic. That has laid bare longstanding inequalities in education funding that have been dogging the state for years. Lawsuits are attacking existing funding, and lack of internet access is making legislators rethink in-person learning and the state's antiquated rural internet infrastructure.

  SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's energy and natural resources agency is putting its support behind legislation that it says would clear the way for more prescribed fires as the state deals with climate change. The measure would clarify liability for private landowners who conduct prescribed burns. Officials with the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department say that would make it easier and more affordable for landowners to get insurance. They say similar legislation in other states has resulted in increased prescribed burning. The bill's sponsor says the intensity of recent fire seasons underscores the need for action.

Las Cruces police are continuing to investigate a pair of motor vehicle crashes that critically injured pedestrians during the holiday weekend.

In both cases, the pedestrians were transported to University Medical Center of El Paso where they remain hospitalized on Tuesday.

  SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials on Tuesday announced 691 additional COVID-19 cases and 20 deaths. As of today, there are 643 individuals hospitalized in New Mexico for COVID-19. This number may include individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 out of state but are currently hospitalized in New Mexico. This number does not include New Mexicans who tested positive for COVID-19 and may have been transferred to a hospital out of state.

  Parents and guardians of students in Las Cruces Public Schools are invited to a live question-and-answer webinar on Thursday, Jan. 21 to address the current status of the 2020-2021 school year.  

The session, hosted by LCPS Superintendent Dr. Karen Trujillo, will be held from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom, https://lcps.zoom.us/j/85898129875.  Trujillo plans to address topics such as remote learning, equitable grading, ongoing preparations for returning students to the classroom and other questions parents have, time permitting.  

  Small pods of Special Education classes and Athletics training resumed Tuesday for students in Las Cruces Public Schools, while staff members lined up to receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Las Vegas, NM - On Monday, January 18, 2021, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was called to investigate an Officer Involved Shooting on Independence Avenue and River Road in Las Vegas, NM, involving a New Mexico State Police officer.  Officers were uninjured and the suspect fled on foot.

Investigators learned that on January 18, 2021, at around 9:30 p.m., a New Mexico State Police officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a gray 1993 Honda passenger car.  The vehicle fled and a short pursuit was initiated.

  ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico county official who runs the group Cowboys for Trump and was arrested in connection with the riot at the U.S. Capitol is facing calls to resign.Otero County Commissioners Gerald Matherly and Vickie Marquardt demanded in a statement Tuesday that fellow district commissioner Couy Griffin step down immediately. They say his arrest Sunday by the FBI is a culmination of an endless series of investigations and lawsuits stemming from his promotion of Cowboys for Trump. Griffin faces charges of illegally entering the U.S. Capitol. According to court documents, Griffin told investigators he never entered the building. Video, however, shows him in a restricted area.