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.

$11.2 Million in FY24 Funding for 20 N.M. Local Projects in Final Agriculture Appropriations Bill

Heinrich Successfully Secures Full Funding for WIC, Delivers $11.2 Million in FY24 Funding for 20 N.M. Local Projects in Final Agriculture Appropriations Bill 

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, announced that the Agriculture Appropriations bill he authored and led bipartisan negotiations has been signed into law by President Biden.  

Read more ...

I-10 to have overnight driving right lane closures this week mileposts 127-129

ROAD ADVISORY:

LANE CLOSURE - mile marker 127 to 129, west of Las Cruces

The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office will have overnight lane closures in place on I-10 from milepost 129 to 127 (Corralitos) in the driving right lane due to road maintenance, barrier wall will be place. This closure will be in place Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. being completed by Thursday, March 14, 2024.

$42 Million For NM Service Members, Veterans, & Military Installations

Heinrich Secures $42 Million For New Mexico’s Service Members, Veterans, & Military Installations

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and former Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on  Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, announced he has secured $42,210,000 in investments for New Mexico’s service members, veterans, and military installations with the Senate’s passage of the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Fiscal bill. 

This legislation was passed alongside five other bipartisan appropriations bills, including the Agriculture bill; the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill; the Commerce, Justice, and Science bill; the Interior and Environment bill; and the Energy and Water Development bill. The bills now head to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.  

Read more ...

Heinrich Delivers $114 Million in Funding for 82 N.M. Local Projects

Heinrich Delivers $114 Million in Funding for 82 N.M. Local Projects in Final FY24 Appropriations Bills 

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, announced he has secured $114 million in investments for 82 local projects across New Mexico with the Senate’s passage of six appropriations bills to fund the federal government. The bills now head to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.  

“As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have the opportunity to directly advocate for federal resources that deliver for working families in New Mexico — and that’s exactly what this legislation does,” said Heinrich.  

Read more ...

Senator William “Bill” Burt to Retire after 14 Years NM Senate

SANTA FE – Senator William “Bill” Burt (R-Alamogordo) today announced his retirement from the New Mexico Senate after 14 years of dedicated public service. Senator Burt will complete the remainder of his term through the end of 2024.

“After prayerful consideration and discussions with my family, I have made the difficult decision to retire from the New Mexico Senate at the end of this year,” said Senator Burt. “Representing the people of Otero, Chaves, and Lincoln counties has been the privilege of a lifetime, and I will always cherish the confidence and support of the voters in Senate District 33. I look forward to completing my term and supporting the next wave of leaders who will serve our communities and state well.”

Read more ...

Senator Steven McCutcheon II responds to State Land Office’s Halting of Leases

Senator Steven McCutcheon II responds to State Land Office’s Halting of Leases for Prime Land Tracts

CARLSBAD—In response to the Legislature’s rejection of an royalty rate increase on oil and gas, the New Mexico State Land Office (NMSLO) has halted the sale of leases for prime land tracts. For years, the NMSLO has sought legislative approval for an increase in the rate from 20 percent to 25 percent, and according to media reports, the NMSLO will now withhold prime land tract leases until the increase is approved.  

Senator Steven McCutcheon II (R-Carlsbad) issued the following statement criticizing the decision:

Read more ...

Traffic Report for the week of March 10 to 17, 2024

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:

Read more ...

NMSU climate change speaker series hosts discussion of oil and gas pollution in New Mexico

For years, Tim Davis advocated for the people of New Mexico on a variety of public interest legal issues including workers’ rights, public benefits and utility law. Today, he advocates for the protection and restoration of wildlife and the health of the American West as a staff attorney on the legal team at WildEarth Guardians, a non-profit environment organization. Davis focuses on litigation for the Climate and Energy Program and champions clean energy sources.

Davis will lead a panel discussion titled “The Pollution Control Clause of the NM Constitution: State Accountability for Oil and Gas Pollution Crisis in New Mexico” as part of the “Cambios Climate Change Speaker Series” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 26 at the Rio Grande Theatre. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Read more ...

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.