Non-Local News Releases

Gila River: Brian Culligan caught two Gila trout using flies in the west fork on Dec. 16.

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced his nominees to the United States Service Academies. A nomination is required to attend the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; the U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination. Being nominated is a significant honor. The application process is rigorous, and only the most qualified and meritorious candidates receive a nomination.

"Our nation's service academies offer a rigorous education and hands-on training that develop future leaders for the armed forces while equipping graduates with skills that last beyond their time in uniform," said Heinrich. "I'm proud to announce and congratulate my nominees for 2025. These students represent the very best of New Mexico, showing incredible dedication and a strong commitment to service. I applaud their decision to step forward and serve our country."

Santa Fe, NM — Today, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has appointed Rex Wilson to serve as State Senator to represent New Mexico Senate District 33. Rex Wilson's district covers Lincoln, Otero, and Chaves Counties who will now have representation in the New Mexico State Senate heading into the 2026 Legislative Session. 

Rex Wilson brings a strong background in public service, healthcare, and rural New Mexico to the New Mexico State Senate. He previously served two terms as a Lincoln County commissioner and spent 18 years as a healthcare administrator, working to improve access to care for local families. A multigenerational rancher in Lincoln County, Wilson has deep roots in the community he hopes to represent.

Wilson also founded Camp Sierra Blanca at Fort Stanton, a nationally recognized alternative education program that gives at-risk youth a second chance through non-traditional learning pathways. His work with young people there, along with his leadership directing early childhood services at Presbyterian Health Services, has prepared him to serve New Mexico families in the State Senate.

Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) has issued the following statement: 

State to provide assistance for strategic investment that will create more than 340 jobs and generate over $200 million in economic impact, while supporting state's energy goals

SANTA FE, NM — Electric vehicle manufacturer GreenPower Motor Company (NASDAQ: GP) today announced they have reached an agreement with the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) to establish operations in Santa Teresa, NM. 

Internationally headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with current operational facilities in southern California and West Virginia, GreenPower is a leading manufacturer and distributor of all-electric, purpose-built, zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space, and school bus sector. 

Farmington, NM – On January 2, 2026, at approximately 1:47 a.m., New Mexico State Police responded to a report of a crash scene located on New Mexico Highway 371 near County Road 8501 in Farmington, New Mexico. A deceased female was discovered lying near the northbound shoulder of the roadway.

The investigation indicates the crash occurred between approximately 12:30 a.m. and 1:30 a.m.

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health will maintain its full childhood vaccination recommendations despite the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) decision to reduce the number of vaccines routinely recommended for all children. 

The HHS changes, announced by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., were not based on new scientific evidence or safety data. 

"New Mexico will not follow the federal government in walking away from decades of proven public health practice," said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. "Our recommendations remain unchanged." 

State health officials echoed the Governor's commitment. 

(Washington, D.C., January 7, 2026) – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins today released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030, marking the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in decades. The new Guidelines deliver a clear, common-sense message to the American people: eat real food.

The U.S. faces a national health emergency. Nearly 90% of health care spending goes toward treating chronic disease, much of it linked to diet and lifestyle. More than 70% of American adults are overweight or obese, and nearly 1 in 3 adolescents has prediabetes. Diet-driven chronic disease now disqualifies many young Americans from military service, threatening national readiness and limiting opportunity.

Albuquerque, NM - With the resignation of State Senator Nicholas Paul, SD-33 is currently vacant as we are now just days away from the start of the 2026 legislative session. It has now been over two months since Governor Lujan Grisham has had candidates to fill this vacancy. As it currently stands, whoever is nominated to fill this vacancy will be completely disadvantaged in their efforts to represent their constituents in southern New Mexico. This nomination, if the governor even makes it, will be just days, or hours, before legislative session begins which is completely unacceptable, especially in a Republican district like SD-33.

"There's really no excuse for the governor to stall this nomination," said RPNM Executive Director Leticia Muñoz. "This will hurt the people of SD-33 if they do not have representation by the capital outlay deadline. Governor Lujan Grisham is making this political with the intention of disadvantaging our caucus prior to the most important legislative session in our state's history."