EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso City Council voted 5-4 Tuesday, with Mayor Dee Margo breaking ties, to continue withholding information on the specific locations of Covid-19 clusters and to reject a plan for additional city virus testing sites.That means identities of businesses, nursing homes and other locations where significant outbreaks of the virus have occurred in the city won't be made public. It also means the city won't be opening any more testing sites despite long wait times reported at current locations, the majority of which are managed by a contractor hired by the state.The mayor...…EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso City Council voted 5-4 Tuesday, with Mayor Dee Margo breaking ties, to continue withholding information on the specific locations of Covid-19 clusters and to reject a plan for additional city virus testing sites.That means identities of businesses, nursing homes and other locations where significant outbreaks of the virus have occurred in the city won't be made public. It also means the city won't be opening any more testing sites despite long wait times reported at current locations, the majority of which are managed by a contractor hired by the state.The mayor...WW…

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- A former police officer in Las Curces had his initial court appearance Monday afternoon on a second-degree murder charge after prosecutors said he killed a detainee he had placed in a chokehold.Former officer Christopher Smelser's first appearance was conducted via teleconference amid Covid-19 court precautions. He had been free on bond and remained so after Monday's brief hearing.State Attorney General Hector Balderas last week upgraded the charge against Smelser in the death of Antonio Valenzuela.Police said Smelser applied the chokehold after a foot chase in...…LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- A former police officer in Las Curces had his initial court appearance Monday afternoon on a second-degree murder charge after prosecutors said he killed a detainee he had placed in a chokehold.Former officer Christopher Smelser's first appearance was conducted via teleconference amid Covid-19 court precautions. He had been free on bond and remained so after Monday's brief hearing.State Attorney General Hector Balderas last week upgraded the charge against Smelser in the death of Antonio Valenzuela.Police said Smelser applied the chokehold after a foot chase in...WW…