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.

Support Mimbres Desert Peaks National Monument

A Call to Action:
The proposal to designate the Mimbres Peaks National Monument in Luna County needs your support.

The Luna County Commission is set to vote on a resolution opposing the monument designation at its meeting Thurs., Jan. 11. Supporters of the monument proposal should attend the work session before the meeting and express support for the designation and opposition to the resolution.

Luna County Commissioner Ray Trejo is a strong proponent of the monument. He spoke last month at the ceremony that publicly launched the monument proposal. He has emphasized that it would conserve indigenous and cultural resources on nearly a quarter-million acres of federal lands administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

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New Mexico State Police Coordinated 2nd Gun Buyback

NMSP1New Mexico State Police Coordinated 2nd Gun Buyback to Promote Gun Safety and Reduce Gun Violence

Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Espanola, and Farmington NM – On Saturday, January 6, 2024, the New Mexico State Police coordinated a 2nd Gun Buyback event in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Espanola, and Farmington. 

People voluntarily and anonymously handed in unwanted firearms and received Visa gift cards in return. Buybacks are intended to prevent unwanted guns from causing harm or being used to commit acts of violence.

A total number of 1,289 guns were collected from all four locations.  1,256 guns were bought back from the four locations. Albuquerque collected 150 handguns and 422 rifles and/or shotguns.  Las Cruces collected 136 handguns and 307 rifles and/or shotguns.  Espanola collected 27 handguns and 64 rifles and/or shotguns. Farmington collected 42 handguns and 108 rifles and/or shotguns.  33 total donated guns were turned in for the entire event.

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Greg Nibert Appointed and Sworn In as Senator for District 27

SANTA FE—Yesterday afternoon, Senator Greg Nibert (R-Roswell) was appointed and sworn in to represent District 27 in the New Mexico Senate. He was selected from a list of names submitted to the Governor by each County Commission in the District.

"It is an honor to continue the legacy of leadership that Senator Ingle leaves behind in District 27," said Senator Greg Nibert (R-Roswell). "I am committed to continue to fight for our traditional family values, protecting and preserving our constitutional rights and preserving liberty and freedom. I have much work to do to bring our voices, concerns, and values to Santa Fe."

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RPNM Responds to AG Torrez's Letter Regarding 2020 Electors

January 1—The New Mexico Democratic Attorney General, Raúl Torrez issued a press release Friday afternoon exonerating the 2020 Republican electors while calling on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to change current New Mexico election law to make the elector's legal actions a crime in the future.

Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman and former Representative of New Mexico's Second Congressional District, Steve Pearce issued the following statement in response:

"AG Torrez is hypocritically trying to criminalize a process that famously allowed Democrats in Hawaii to cast their vote for John F. Kennedy despite the state being called for Richard Nixon during the 1960 Presidential election.

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NM House Republicans Demonstrate Commitment To Tackling Crime Head-on

SANTA FE, NM—Representative Bill Rehm (R-Bernalillo), who is a retired Bernalillo County Sheriff Captain, filed multiple bills today with the intention of curbing the out-of-control crime epidemic in New Mexico. The five anti-crime bills include ending the revolving door justice system, providing enhanced penalties for felons in possession of firearms, creating a new crime of carrying a gun while trafficking a controlled substance, stopping catalytic converter thefts, and clarifying the state’s embezzlement statute. 

Continued press release, all house bills and letter from Rehm to governor below:

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Caution advised as winter weather increases

Caution advised as winter weather increases cold related illness and safety concerns

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) reminds residents ongoing winter weather in some parts of the state over the next few days can pose health risks and cold related illnesses. From Oct. 1 to today there have been over 400 cold related emergency department visits statewide and five deaths reported.  

The National Weather Service forecasts in the days ahead blizzard-type conditions as possible in northern areas and higher elevations with snow and blowing snow, and high winds that will drop temperatures statewide.  

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Eastern New Mexico University Celebrates 90 Years of Student Success

Portales, NM – January 4, 2024 – From its humble beginnings as a one-building campus on the high plains of Eastern New Mexico in 1934 to today’s thriving campus as the largest regional comprehensive University in New Mexico, ENMU is proud to celebrate 90 years of student success.

Eastern New Mexico University was officially approved to be located in Portales, New Mexico, by the New Mexico Legislature in 1927. The New Mexico Legislature of 1929 approved the first appropriation for buildings on campus. Although the first building was constructed in 1930, ENMU’s doors were not opened to students until 1934.

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Traffic Report for week of January 7 to 14, 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.

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