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Zika Virus Confirmed In New Mexico, Flagstaff Kids Dub 'Finding Nemo' In Navajo

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New Mexico Health Officials Confirm First Case Of Zika Virus—Associated Press

New Mexico health officials say they have confirmed the state's first case of the Zika virus.

They announced Friday that a 46-year-old Bernalillo County man has tested positive for the infection.

The unidentified man acquired the virus while travelling to Central America.

Deputy Health Secretary Lynn Gallagher, state epidemiologist Michael Landen and other officials announced the test results at a news conference Friday evening in Santa Fe.

The rare tropical disease has become an epidemic in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The mosquito-borne Zika virus usually causes a mild illness but is now suspected in an unusual birth defect and other health issues.

Health officials say nearly 260 lab-confirmed Zika infections have been reported in the 50 states in the last year. That count includes 18 pregnant women.

Flagstaff Kids Among Cast 'Finding Nemo' In Navajo —Associated Press

A few Flagstaff children are among the voice cast bringing "Finding Nemo" to a Navajo-speaking audience.

For only the second time, a major motion picture has been dubbed in the Navajo language.

This version of "Finding Nemo" opened Friday in select theaters on the Navajo Nation.

Disney and Pixar officials say they chose the animated fish tale because there are only animal characters and few songs.

The movie follows the journey of Marlin, a clown fish, as he searches for his son, Nemo.

The children's parents tell the Arizona Daily Sun they believe the translation will help keep the Navajo language alive.

"Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" became the first Hollywood feature translated in Navajo in 2013.

That movie is also owned by Disney.

Another Woman Accused Of Aiding Escaped Convicts—Associated Press

New Mexico State Police have arrested a fourth woman accused of helping two state convicts who sparked a dayslong manhunt after escaping from a prison transport van.

Police announced Friday that 45-year-old Celeste Salcido of Albuquerque was being booked on charges of harboring or aiding a felon and assisting escape. It wasn't immediately clear if she had a lawyer.

Authorities say Salcido is the partner of Olivia Cruz, the sister of convicted murderer Joseph Cruz, who escaped last week along with fellow convict Lionel Clah.

Olivia Cruz is facing related charges along with two other women who authorities say helped the men.

Investigators have yet to say how the escaped convicts were able to slip by two guards while being transported to a state prison in southern New Mexico.

Investigators: Arson blamed for Carlsbad hotel fire—Associated Press

Federal and local investigators are blaming arson for the flames that destroyed a hotel under construction in Carlsbad.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives announced the finding Friday, saying enough evidence was recovered at the scene to determine that the fire was intentional.

The blaze destroyed the multimillion-dollar Quality Inn that was being built along one of Carlsbad's main streets. It was set to open in a few months.

Investigators say they followed up on more than 80 leads and interviews.

ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mark Murray says the investigation is not over and that authorities are still working to bring the person responsible for the fire to justice.

New Mexico College Seeks Immigrant Students In US Illegally—Associated Press

One of New Mexico's smaller colleges is using social media to recruit immigrant students from parts of Arizona and Texas.

Western New Mexico University recently launched its recruitment efforts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to attract high-achieving student immigrants who are living in the country illegally. The school also has placed billboards in Hispanic immigrant neighborhoods throughout the Southwest.

The school with an enrollment of 3,700 joins other colleges like City University of New York and Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine that are targeting similar immigrant students known as DREAMers. Schools are luring the students with scholarships and counseling.

Federal law does not forbid immigrants in the country illegally from attending universities and colleges in the U.S.

Ex-New Mexico Women's Coach Speaks On Firing—Associated Press

Former New Mexico women's basketball coach Yvonne Sanchez says she will address "in the future" if race or gender played a factor in her firing.

The veteran coach said at an emotional news conference Friday she believed male coaches may have more time to turn around struggling programs while female coaches don't.

New Mexico Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs fired Sanchez on Friday, saying he didn't see a trend toward a championship for the team after five seasons.

Sanchez says she found it "interesting" that some white male coaches at New Mexico have had more time and have even gotten pay raises.

Sanchez says despite her 77-81 record in five seasons as the Lobos' head coach she felt the program was headed in the right direction.