Non-Local News Releases

 Santa Fe, NM — Last week, the New Mexico State Ethics Commission filed a suit claiming that the New Mexico Safety Over Profit organization violated state law by failing to disclose funding sources as well as expenditures in their lobbying efforts to stop legislation necessary to protect doctors and hospitals from frivolous lawsuits. The commission's legal action comes in response to the 2025 Legislative Session, during which Democrats killed multiple bills seeking to limit attorney's fees from lawsuits targeting doctors and other healthcare providers.

In response to the lawsuit, Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) has issued the following statement: 

Elephant Butte Lake: Brandon Hawkins, Gene España and Jon Thriller combined to catch 30 white bass using topwater lures, shad-pattern jerkbaits and grubs on June 7. “We arrived early right when the sun came up,” Brandon said. “I caught a smallmouth immediately, Then, white bass started chasing shad along the shoreline for an hour straight and it was no-holds-barred after that. We fished for hours and caught quality fish all day long.”

SOUTHWEST FISHING REPORT

 The New Mexico Departments of Health and Environment issue a continued smoke advisory for communities affected by the Trout Fire. The rapidly expanding Trout Fire in the Gila National Forest is sending smoke across greater distances, affecting air quality in a wider region. 

The fire, estimated at 38,708 acres, remains 0% contained at this time. The Trout Fire is north of Silver City, but winds Tuesday night pushed smoke southeast into the Rio Grande Valley towards Las Cruces and El Paso. 

Unhealthy air quality, including for sensitive groups, was reported in Las Cruces and El Paso this morning. However, conditions are expected to improve into the afternoon and evening, reaching the moderate range. 

Santa Fe, NM — Senate Republicans applauded the US Supreme Court's decision allowing Tennessee to prohibit health care providers from administering puberty blockers or hormone therapy to minors or from conducting gender-transition surgeries on minors. Now that the court's ruling permits states to ban these questionable "treatments" for young people, Senate Republicans are calling for New Mexico to enact similar protections for its children. 

Senator Nick Paul (R-Alamogordo) has issued the following accompanying statement: 

 WASHINGTON, June 17, 2025 – FreshRealm establishments in San Clemente, Calif., Montezuma, Ga., and Indianapolis, Ind., are recalling chicken fettuccine alfredo products that may be adulterated with an outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is voluntarily recalling all products produced prior to June 17, 2025, that are available in commerce under the following brand names.

The following ready-to-eat products were shipped to Kroger and Walmart retail locations nationwide [view labels]:    

32.8-oz. tray packages containing "MARKETSIDE GRILLED CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH FETTUCCINE Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken and Shaved Parmesan Cheese" with best-by date 06/27/25 or prior.

 Effective Wednesday June 18th

Termination of Stage 2 Fire Restriction Order Number: 03-03-00-25-07

Implementation of Stage 1 Fire Restriction Order Number: 03-03-00-25-12

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – June 18, 2025 – With increased live fuel moisture levels and green up, the Cibola NF & NGs leadership has lowered previously implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions to Stage 1 fire restrictions on the Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts effective June 18th. See maps attached.

(Washington, D.C., June 17, 2025) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced today that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will terminate more than 145 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) focused awards, totaling a maximum savings of $148.6 million.

"Putting American Farmers First means cutting the millions of dollars that are being wasted on woke DEI propaganda. Under President Trump's leadership, I am putting an end to the waste, fraud, and abuse that has diverted resources from American farmers and restoring sanity and fiscal stewardship to the U.S. Department of Agriculture," said Secretary Rollins.

 SANTA FE – The New Mexico Departments of Health and Environment today issued a smoke advisory for communities affected by the Trout Fire in the Silver City area and the Buck Fire near Aragon.

Pending further notice, the advisory is in effect in Grant and Catron counties until at least mid-afternoon Tuesday, June 17.

Smoke from the Buck Fire may be visible from Highway 12 southeast of the community of Aragon and southwest of Highway 60. The Trout Fire, north of Silver City, is expected to continue moving north and east, depending on wind direction and other weather conditions. Smoke can travel long distances and may harm air quality as far away as the Las Cruces area.