This category will feature news releases from out-of-area government agencies and representatives, as well as events that are not taking place in the four-county area of Grant, Catron, Hidalgo or Luna. For local events please visit Local News Releases.

Traffic Report for week of June 11 to 18, 2023.

In all construction zones, motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continue to be cautious of heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area. PLEASE NOTE: Conditions are subject to change without notice. Double fines for speeding in work zones may be in effect.

White Sands Missile Range Notification
For information regarding closures, you may call WSMR at 678-1178 or 678-2222 for updates.

Interstates:
Date St. Business Loop Roundabout Project, T or C CN1101231/32
La Calerita Construction LLC. (Contractor) construction, Phase 3 is expected to last about 4 (four) months, through September 2023, the following traffic impacts will be in place:
Traffic on North Date Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction (northbound and southbound) and will be shifted to the east (Northbound) lanes from north of New School Road to Ash Street. Motorists are encouraged to use extra caution in the construction zone, obey lower posted speed limits and allow extra time to reach their destinations. Regular work hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday although the contractor may work longer hours or on weekends as needed.

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NMSU doctoral student's book shares insights about famed musician, producer

"Thunder only happens when it's raining" are lyrics from a song of the iconic British/American band Fleetwood Mac. However, lightning struck Tyler Martin Sehnal, a doctoral candidate at New Mexico State University, and resulted in a book "Playing in the Rain: Lindsey Buckingham & Fleetwood Mac."

Sehnal describes his book as "Lindsey Buckingham's journey from aspiring rock and roller to solo star, legendary producer and chief architect of Fleetwood Mac's legacy and global superstardom."

A book signing for "Playing in the rain" is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 17, at the COAS Bookstore, 317 N. Main St.

A longtime fan of Fleetwood Mac, Sehnal's book explores Buckingham's role as much more than songwriter, lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the band in the 70s and 80s.

"I decided to focus on this topic because I've loved Fleetwood Mac since high school," Sehnal said. "I also wanted to write about Lindsey Buckingham in particular because there are so many books about Stevie Nicks and the band itself, but there aren't any that focus on his role in making Fleetwood Mac global superstars."

Sehnal plans to complete his Ph.D. in English at NMSU in May 2026. He grew up in North Carolina, earning his bachelor's degree from Guilford College and his master's degree from East Carolina University. His journey took him to Las Cruces for his wedding at the home of a faculty member, who encouraged the couple to study at NMSU.

His studies and his love of Fleetwood Mac led Sehnal to write "Playing in the Rain."

"The book is a unique look at Lindsey Buckingham's life, solo career and role in making Fleetwood Mac a household name," Sehnal said. "It's also exceptionally well edited and provides an in-depth look at some of the band's and Buckingham's most beloved songs."

Reviews of the book, which is available online, include comments such as "Well written, incredibly entertaining… an easy read with lots of amazing insights and added humor," and "…there's nothing like this out there, that focuses so much on Lindsey Buckingham's influence and contribution."

"Thunder only happens when it's raining" is a line from the song "Dreams," said to be written by Nicks after her breakup with Buckingham. Sehnal's book takes the analogy to the next level.

Full article can be viewed at: https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-doctoral-student-s-book-shares-insights-about-famed-musician--producer/s/a2c179d3-8d76-48f7-bf82-8a9ed4144b13

World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) 

World Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimates (WASDE) 

June 9, 2023

View the WASDE

BLM and State of New Mexico warn of hazardous conditions on the Rio Grande 

TAOS, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and New Mexico State Parks Division are warning the public about hazardous conditions on the Rio Grande.   

“The world-class Rio Grande in northern New Mexico attracts a high number of both private and commercial rafters from all over the country,” said BLM New Mexico State Director Melanie Barnes. “However, spring rainfall, rising temperatures, and record amounts of runoff from melting snow are filling our lakes, rivers, streams and reservoirs. River conditions can be dangerous if you are swimming or boating. Federal law requires that life jackets are worn at all times by all users while on rivers managed by the BLM. We urge all recreationists to keep safety as their number one priority.” 

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NMSU Art Museum opens summer exhibitions June 22

Three new art exhibitions will have opening receptions at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22 at New Mexico State University's Art Museum. The events are free and open to the public and will run through Sept. 16, 2023.

"Cara Despain: Specter,"on view in the UAM's Contemporary Gallery, is an immersive multimedia exhibition featuring work by Miami-based artist Cara Despain. Using sculptural and video-based installations created with found objects and archival film from the 1940s-60s, Despain explores the irreversible environmental consequences and hidden psychological and microscopic health effects left in the wake of nuclear weapons development and testing across the Southwest.

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Governor's Special Hunt Auction Online for 2023

Proceeds to benefit Game Protection Fund and NMDGF mission-related projects and programs.

New Mexico – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, pursuant to 2007 legislation, has authorized the auctioning of eight big-game hunts to benefit the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF). NMDGF has partnered with New Mexico Ducks Unlimited (DU) to offer the New Mexico Governor’s Special Hunt Auction 2023 Online. Funds from the public auction support the Game Protection Fund and are used solely for NMDGF mission-related projects and programs.

The eight packages offered this year are up for auction now and will close on June 30 at 8 p.m. The hunts this year include:

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Heinrich, Luján, Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Bill to Invest in America’s Forests and Watersheds

The Headwaters Protection Act Expands Support for Forest Service Programs Authorized in 2018 Farm Bill, Championed by Heinrich 

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined their bipartisan colleagues U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and others to introduce the Headwaters Protection Act. This bipartisan legislation would expand support for two U.S. Forest Service (USFS) programs created by Heinrich in the 2018 Farm Bill. The two programs together prevent water pollution at the source, improve the health of our watersheds, and ensure investments benefit downstream communities.

“Nearly a decade ago, I was proud to lead the bipartisan effort with Senator Jeff Flake to establish these programs within the U.S. Forest Service. While our work helped improve the management of watersheds in our national forests and reduce the risks of catastrophic wildfires, last year’s historic wildfires made clear: there’s more work to do,” said Heinrich. “As we continue to confront the reality of drier forests and more extreme wildfire seasons, we must extend and strengthen these programs to support the long-term sustainable use of our land and water.”

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New Mexico State Police Participate in the National Click it or Ticket Campaign.

Statewide, NM - From May 22, 2023, through June 4, 2023, the New Mexico State Police participated in the National Occupant Protection Mobilization, Click it or Ticket (CIOT) Campaign. The CIOT Campaign was conducted on all roadways within the state with an emphasis on seat belt use for both drivers and passengers.

During the two-week CIOT Campaign, New Mexico State Police officers issued a total of 751 traffic citations (216 citations were for lack of seat belt usage and 24 citations were for no child restraint). Officers also issued 511 other traffic citations for various traffic violations and made a total of 23 arrests (3 DWI arrests, 14 Misdemeanor arrests, and 6 Felony arrests).

The safety of motorists is a top priority of the New Mexico State Police and officers will continue to conduct operations throughout the year. We encourage the public to drive safely and obey all laws while traveling the highways of New Mexico

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