Non-Local News Releases
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.
SANTA FE, NM – The New Mexico State Forestry Division (NMSF) is once again answering the call for fire suppression assistance by sending additional wildland firefighting crews to western states affected by numerous large wildfires. At least 100 NMSF personnel from across New Mexico are supporting fire suppression efforts including 42 members of the Returning Heroes Wildland Firefighting Program (RHP).
"This year the West has seen one of the worst fire seasons on record with more than two million acres of land in flames," said State Forester Donald Griego. "Now that New Mexico's fire activity has slowed, the State Forestry Division is able to share its experienced resources with fellow states in their time of need."
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today urged State Foresters to join in calling on Congress to address the way the U.S. Forest Service is funded. Currently, the agency has to borrow money from prevention programs to combat ongoing wildfires. Secretary Perdue believes Congress should treat major fires the same as other disasters and be covered by emergency funds so prevention programs are not raided. Secretary Perdue made his remarks earlier today at the National Association of State Foresters' annual meeting in Charleston, West Virginia.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and U.S. Representatives John Sarbanes (D-Md.) and John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) led a coalition of Democratic House and Senate members in sending a letter to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) urging the agency to consider new rules that would prevent foreign nationals from using online advertising platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, to influence U.S. elections. Following the revelation that Russia purchased Facebook advertisements during the 2016 election to attempt to influence American voters, there has been increasing concern about the lack of transparency in political ads in online advertising platforms.
In the letter, Senator Heinrich, Rep. Sarbanes, and 18 of their colleagues, expressed their concern that no guidelines exist for advertising platforms to better prevent foreign nationals from illicitly spending in future U.S. elections.
SANTA FE, NM – Today, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics announces the launch today of a new, lower-cost option for New Mexicans to order birth and death certificates online or over the phone using a debit or credit card. The new service is available through an authorized third-party vendor called VitalChek.
"This is an important step in making government more effective and efficient," said Governor Susana Martinez. "This change will save taxpayer dollars and streamline our records services across the state, helping New Mexicans in communities large and small get the help they need."
A panel of experts discusses investment in agricultural technologies during the Ag Assembly event hosted Aug. 10 by AgSprint, an accelerator program launched this year at New Mexico State University's entrepreneurship hub, Arrowhead Center. AgSprint will be the only U.S. host site for the Future Agro Challenge, an international innovation and entrepreneurial competition for the agricultural technology sector and for all businesses that touch on agriculture. (NMSU photo)WRITER: Amanda Bradford, 575-646-1976, ambradfo@nmsu.edu
AgSprint, an accelerator program launched this year at New Mexico State University's entrepreneurship hub, Arrowhead Center, has been selected as the first and only U.S. host site for the global Future Agro Challenge, an international innovation and entrepreneurial competition for the agricultural technology sector and for all businesses that touch on agriculture.
Arrowhead Center's AgSprint is a five-month venture builder program funded by New Mexico Gas Co. and the U.S. Economic Development Administration designed to support innovation in agriculture. The inaugural cohort got underway early this spring and culminated in Ag Assembly, an event at which leaders and entrepreneurs in the world of agricultural technology presented and discussed ideas to help promote and develop agtech investments in New Mexico, as well as the global state of agriculture. The event took place Aug. 10 at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces.
As national Future Agro Challenge host, AgSprint will bring in promising "agripreneurs" for a startup battle competition, and sponsor airfare and hotel accommodates to fly a team leader overseas to compete in the global competition at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Turkey.
"AgSprint is thrilled to be the only U.S. site for this global event," said Zetdi Sloan, director of AgSprint and the Arrowhead Technology Incubator. "Our AgSprint program attracted an extremely high caliber of applicants, and this opportunity with Future Agro Challenge is one of the great partnerships that came from our work with these groundbreaking ag tech companies."
Applications for the Future Agro Challenge are being accepted from across the United States through Oct. 15, and the top 10 applicants will be notified on Oct. 20 that they are invited to participate in the national competition in Las Cruces on Nov. 16. The national winner will travel to the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Istanbul, Turkey, in April 2018 to compete in the Global Future Agro Challenge.
To be eligible to apply, startups should have been in existence no longer than five years, have an innovative or scalable business idea or model in the food, agtech and agriculture sector, and have a minimum viable product. Applicants will be judged on innovation, scalability, job creation, impact, pitching skills, design and demonstration.
Globally, the Future Agro Challenge aims to bring together food and agribusiness stakeholders to find solutions to local, regional and global challenges and to revolutionize the food value chain. The most promising ideas and ventures are selected to compete in the Global Championships for the title of "Agribusiness of the Year."
For more information or to apply, visit http://arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu/fac.
ROAD ADVISORY: LANE CLOSURE – Deming Area
I-10 (Akela) westbound at mile post 102 the driving (left) lane will closed due to bridge construction. Motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and be cautious of personnel and equipment in the area. The closure will last till September 21 and be removed by 7:00 pm.
Washington DC - YRNF Chairman Jason Emert issued the following statement following President Trump speech at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly:
"President Trump delivered a strong defense of the American created post-World War II international order. His speech exemplified the leadership needed in today's world. Foreign policy starts at home - in every nation. President Trump's America First policy is no different than all other nations' leaders who put their people first. Our obligation is to Americans, but American ideals and exceptionalism should continue to shine as the great beacon of hope to all those who live under the scourge of socialist and communist regimes. America First has never meant America alone and the President re-iterated America's commitment to our allies and the spread of American influence. But, he warned our enemies their belligerence will no longer be tolerated. President Trump has made clear that America is no longer leading from behind and we will once again take the lead in a world seeking 'security, prosperity, and peace'."
Santa Fe – Organizers of the Fourth Annual End Hunger in New Mexico Summit are rolling out the New Mexico Cares Foundation, Inc. New Mexico Action Plan to End Hunger at the summit this year. The Plan was driven by last year’s Summit of afternoon discussions of what were the most important issues surrounding hunger in New Mexico. The summit will take place this year Tuesday, Sept. 26th, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Embassy Suites, 1000 Woodward Pl. NE, in Albuquerque.
Governor Susana Martinez has proclaimed, September 25th Through the 29th, 2017, as “END HUNGER IN NEW MEXICO WEEK.”
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