Navajo Nation

Arizona on Wednesday reported more than 3,200 additional COVID-19 cases and 10 more virus-related deaths as rolling averages for cases and deaths continued to climb during the current surge. Johns Hopkins University data shows that Arizona’s seven-day rolling average of daily new cases rose over the past two weeks by more than 600. The rolling average of daily deaths rose from about 17 deaths to more than 24 during the same period.  A judge has scheduled a Sept.

All Navajo Nation executive branch employees will need to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus by the end of September or face regular testing. Tribal President Jonathan Nez announced the new rules on Sunday. They apply to full, part-time and temporary employees, including those working for tribal enterprises like utilities, shopping centers and casinos. The tribe reported just 30 news cases on Sunday and no new deaths.

U.S Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm met with Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and other tribal leaders at a power plant in northwest New Mexico to discuss renewable energy initiatives. Nez says Thursday's meeting at the Four Corners Power Plant included discussions about a solar project and a battery energy storage system. Sen. Martin Heinrich, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez and U.S. Office of Indian Energy Director Wahleah Johns also participated. Granholm and Nez said they share a commitment to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy.

A return to in-person classes at a Navajo Nation school will be on hold indefinitely because of unknown radiation levels, likely caused by decades of uranium mining. A Navajo Nation education official said Monday the presence of radioactive hotspots inside Cove Day School in Red Valley near the Arizona-Utah border recently came to their attention. It’s one of dozens of schools operated by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Education. The tribe’s Health, Education, and Human Services Committee met with other agencies to discuss why they were not discovered earlier.

Navajo Nation officials have called for all flags on the vast reservation be flown at half-staff to honor former tribal President Kelsey Begaye.

They said Begaye, who served as Navajo Nation president from 1999 to 2003, died of natural causes Friday in Flagstaff. He was 70.

The Navajo Nation is preparing to return to more stringent COVID-19 prevention measures Monday, including revised recommendations for schools. 

The Navajo Dept. of Health announced a return to Orange Status, effective Aug. 16. The new public health order scales some gatherings, including youth events and religious activities, down to a maximum of 15 people. In-person training sessions and meetings can continue to hold a maximum of 25 participants. 

The Navajo Nation will return to “Orange Status” beginning Monday, August 16th, as COVID-19 cases rise across the state. Tribal leaders are still finalizing the new order, but changes will include limited capacity for businesses operating on the Navajo Nation. Health officials say they’re seeing cluster cases in some communities. Residents and visitors are advised to wear face coverings and use caution when attending social gatherings. In a press release today from President Nez’s office, he says many new cases have been traced back to in-person family functions.

Diné College on the Navajo Nation is offering free tuition for the spring 2022 semester to all students who are enrolled full-time this fall and receive at least a 2.0 grade point average. Classes begin Aug. 16 at the four-year tribal college, which is offering hundreds of online courses and dozens of in-person classes. The school is also offering a 50% tuition discount and a 50% residential discount for student housing for the fall semester. Technology, student activity and admission application fees will be waived, as well.