U.S. Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling Thursday making it harder for the federal government to enforce clean water rules has New Mexico environmental groups urging Congress to take the lead. The five-to-four opinion by conservative justices, minus Bret Kavanaugh, is a blow to the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to regulate wetlands and waterways. And public buildings in Colorado will be required to include all-gender restrooms later this year. That’s thanks to a new law signed by Governor Jared Polis this week.

The Supreme Court ruled this week that Native Americans who are prosecuted in some tribal courts can also be prosecuted for the same incident in federal court. And the Pipeline Fire continues to burn about five miles north of downtown Flagstaff.

"Today we are asked whether the land these treaties promised remains an Indian reservation. ... Because Congress has not said otherwise, we hold the government to its word," wrote Justice Gorsuch.

The decision could directly affect the election, which will take place in November amid a pandemic and a partial economic collapse.

The decision is a dramatic victory for immigration advocates and gives a new lease on life for the so-called DREAMers, immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children.