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 those events please visit Local News Releases.

Technology Tested at Spaceport America

Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 Mission Features Technology Tested at Spaceport America

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024) – Over 50 years have passed since a United States-launched space vessel successfully completed a soft landing on the surface of the Moon. That could change this week, and in order to successfully touch down on the lunar surface, equipment tested at Spaceport America will be heavily relied upon.

SpaceX and Intuitive Machines are readying for the launch of the IM-1 mission lunar lander, Nova-C, which sees its launch window open Wednesday, February 14, 2024. Scheduled to launch from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 12:57 a.m. EST aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the IM-1 Moon mission features the first commercial lunar lander – “Odysseus” – which hopes to become the first spacecraft from the United States to set down on the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.

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NMSU receives $1.2 million award for climate change research collaboration

New Mexico State University has been awarded $1.2 million for a collaborative research project with Auburn University and the University of Delaware. This is a four-year climate change research collaboration, awarded by the National Science Foundation’s $56 million investment in climate change research.

The research teams will conduct collaborative research to develop agricultural practices that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil health and enhance crop resilience to climate extremes, such as droughts. The project will also train graduate and undergraduate students and research scientists in climate change research.

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Pulitzer Prize-winner Gretchen Morgenson to speak at NMSU College of Business Feb. 20

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Gretchen Morgenson will visit New Mexico State University next week to discuss and sign her latest book, “These are the Plunderers: How Private Equity Runs and Wrecks America,” which was published in April 2023 and is a Wall Street Journal bestseller.  
 
Hosted by NMSU’s College of Business and Center for Border Economics, the free event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, at the Yates Auditorium in Domenici Hall on NMSU’s Las Cruces campus.  
 
Morgenson explains that the book draws back the curtain on a small and elite group of billionaire financiers who enrich themselves at the expense of workers, pensioners and taxpayers.  
 
“I am honored to be coming to NMSU later this month to share my reporting on the damaging impact a small group of financial elites is having on the American economy today,” Morgenson said. “Right there in Las Cruces, as is the case across the nation, financial predators are enriching themselves while harming the community. Understanding their activities is a crucial first step toward stopping them.” “ 
 
The College of Business is delighted to host Gretchen Morgenson,” said Bryan Ashenbaum, dean of NMSU’s College of Business. “She has been a sharp critic of our most powerful institutions, and our students will benefit greatly from her insights derived from her long experience in journalism and business.”  
 
“Gretchen Morgenson’s visit to our campus is a marvelous opportunity for our students and for the public to hear from a nationally known and well-respected journalist,” said Chris Erickson, director of the Center for Border Economic Development.  
 
Since 2019, Morgenson has been a senior financial reporter in the investigations unit at NBC News. Previously, she spent two years as a senior special writer in the investigations unit at the Wall Street Journal and almost 20 years as an assistant business and financial editor and columnist at the New York Times.  
 
Morgenson won the Pulitzer Prize in 2002 for her “trenchant and incisive” coverage of Wall Street, in which she revealed deep conflicts of interest among powerful and respected brokerage firm analysts.  
 
She co-authored “Reckless Endangerment,” a 2011 New York Times bestseller about the mortgage crisis, and co-authored “These are the Plunderers: How Private Equity Runs and Wrecks America” with Joshua Rosner. 
 
For more information about her recent book, visit https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/These-Are-the-Plunderers/Gretchen-Morgenson/9781982191283

The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/pulitzer-prize-winner-gretchen-morgenson-to-speak-at-nmsu-college-of-business-feb.-20/s/a163e915-85c5-42e1-b88c-47622d7c717c

NMSU hosts open casting call for upcoming films

The Creative Media Institute at New Mexico State University is hosting an upcoming open casting call from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 in Milton Hall.

This casting call aims to expand the CMI actor database, providing an avenue for individuals interested in acting to showcase their talents. These auditions will play a pivotal role in supporting student-led film projects scheduled to begin in March and April.

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Public Meeting for the I-25 Safety &Capacity Study for Dona Ana

Wednesday February 28, 2024

See pdf flyer below

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Heinrich Introduces Legislation to Expand Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, introduced the Pre-Apprenticeships To Hardhats (PATH) Act, legislation to strengthen the pipeline for careers in New Mexico, address rising workforce shortages, and grow the state’s economy through quality pre-apprenticeship programs.  

“In New Mexico, we have already started to witness historic investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Chips and Science Act deliver for the people of our state,” said Heinrich. “Together, these landmark laws have helped create thousands of new union career opportunities in the building trades. By expanding access to quality pre-apprenticeship programs, the PATH Act will help connect New Mexicans to these new opportunities, address workforce shortages, build the middle class, grow our economy, and provide more New Mexicans with the careers they can build their families around.”  

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Governor appoints Michael Coleman Director of Communications

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday announced the appointment of her new Director of Communications, Michael Coleman.  

“I have known Michael professionally for more than 20 years, and I look forward to working with him in his new role to advance communications around the historic work of this administration,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “I want to thank outgoing Director of Communications Maddy Hayden for her years of service in my administration – I know she will be exceptional in her next endeavor.”  

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Bowie statement on death of Las Cruces Police Officer

SANTA FE – Cabinet Secretary Jason R. Bowie issued this statement on the tragic death of Las Cruces Police Officer Jonah Hernandez who was killed in the line of duty on February 11, 2024:

"The tragic news of Officer Jonah Hernandez's death, killed in the line of duty, has deeply saddened us all. His dedication to duty and ultimate sacrifice serves as a reminder of the inherent risks faced by law enforcement officers every day. Officer Hernandez's commitment to protecting and serving his community will be remembered and honored.

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