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.

BLM seeks public comment on oil and gas lease sale in New Mexico, Kansas

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management New Mexico State Office today opened a 30-day public scoping period to receive public input on 27 oil and gas parcels totaling 6,282.06 acres that may be included in an upcoming lease sale in New Mexico and Kansas. The comment period ends Sept. 20, 2023.


The parcels we are analyzing, as well as maps and instructions on how to comment, are available on the BLM’s ePlanning website at   https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2025795/510    .


As authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, we will apply a 16.67 percent royalty rate for any new leases from this sale. More information about the Act is available on BLM's online fact sheet.

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PNM and parties reach unanimous settlement agreement

 
PNM and parties reach unanimous settlement agreement for customer rate credits to resolve remaining steps of San Juan coal plant retirement.


Rate credits add to existing benefits of coal plant retirement under Energy Transition Act for customers, environment, employees and impacted communities.

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) – PNM reached a unanimous agreement with the parties in New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) and New Mexico Supreme Court (Court) filings resolving all remaining steps involved in the retirement of the San Juan coal plant under the Energy Transition Act. These steps include bill credits issued to customers and the issuance of lower-cost securitization bonds to fund the energy transition.   

“We have been working towards this transition for many years and appreciate the collaborative effort from parties to reach a unanimous settlement to complete the final steps,” said Pat Vincent-Collawn, CEO of PNM. “As the solar and battery storage replacement power resources also begin to come online, we are seeing the full scope of the Energy Transition Act’s benefits for our customers, the environment, employees and the communities impacted by the plant’s closure.”

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Documentary about the life of NMSU's Clara Belle Williams to premiere Aug. 24

The life story of Clara Belle Williams, the first African American graduate of New Mexico State University, will be featured in a special program on public television this month. The documentary “Clara Belle Williams: New Mexico Pioneer in Education” will air at 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24 and rebroadcasted at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27 on KRWG television.



This half-hour documentary produced by KRWG Public Media features interviews with Williams' family and others who discuss her impact on education.



“Our viewers will learn about a woman ahead of her time," said Adrian Velarde, general maanger of NMSU's University Broadcasting."Despite the challenges she faced, Clara Belle Williams’ devotion to her family and the power of education is powerful lesson for us all."

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Wildlife law violation checkpoints start for hunting, fishing seasons

The Department of Game and Fish will conduct checkpoints throughout the state this hunting season to collect biological data and to detect wildlife law violations. As a result, the public may encounter minor delays. Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff’s offices.


As a reminder, the 2023-2024 hunting and fishing season began April 1. All hunters and anglers are required to purchase a new license before hunting and fishing. Guides and outfitters are also reminded that new registration is required. Big-game hunts begin this month. 


Please report any wildlife crime or suspected crime that you may observe while enjoying New Mexico’s great outdoors. To report a wildlife crime, please call Operation Game Thief toll free at 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn cash rewards for information leading to charges being filed. Violations also can be reported online at Operation Game Thief. 

NM House Republicans echo optimism for new state budget director

LFCHouseSenate GOPL-R Senator Pat Woods, Rep. Gail Armstrong, Rep. Jack Chatfield, and Rep. Brian Baca)Santa Fe- Today, members of the Legislative Finance Committee selected the replacement for outgoing Director, David Abbey, who held the position for the last 26 years.  After reviewing 13 applicants, members of the committee unanimously selected current Acting Director Charles Sallee, a member of the Legislative Finance Committee staff with 18 years of financial/budgeting experience. 


“Charles is undoubtedly the right choice,” said Ranking Member Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena) “I am confident he will approach this job as he always has while working with the LFC, in a nonpartisan, fiscally sound way that protects the taxpayers of this state.”

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Senate Republicans Applaud the Hiring of Charles Sallee as LFC Director

Senate Republicans Applaud the Hiring of Charles Sallee as LFC Director

SANTA FE — After a months-long process and national search, Charles Sallee was today hired as the new Director of the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC). Mr. Sallee served as the Interim Director of the agency following the retirement of former Director David Abbey earlier this year.

Senate Republican members of the Legislative Finance Committee and Senate Finance Committee, Senator Bill Sharer (R-Farmington), Senator Steven Neville (R-Farmington), Senator Pat Woods (R-Broadview), Senator William Burt (R-Alamogordo), and Senator Crystal Diamond Brantley (R-Elephant Butte) together issued the following joint statement:

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‘Aggie-Rita’ to debut in growing line of NMSU licensed products

As Aggie fans prepare for the fall athletic season at New Mexico State University, another Aggie-branded beverage has joined the mix and will make its official debut in late August.

In collaboration with Little Toad Creek Brewery and Distillery and Mixed Up Cocktail Co., the new “Aggie-Rita” will hit the shelves and officially be introduced to the public during a launch event from 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, at Little Toad Creek’s downtown Las Cruces location, 119 N. Main St.

The canned spirit is best described as a raspberry margarita that tastes like a freshly made lime margarita with real raspberry fruit blended in.

"The raspberry and lime provide a tangy complement to the earthy distilled agave spirits (tequila) with a touch of orange peel, just lightly sweetened with agave nectar,” said Teresa Dahl-Bredine, co-owner of Little Toad Creek and Mixed Up Cocktail Co. “We use all-natural ingredients with no preservatives, and the cocktails are 6% alcohol by volume. We were excited to tweak the classic margarita we already make by adding the raspberry puree, which is the perfect crimson color for the Aggies.

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NMDA seeks input on funding priorities for infrastructure grant

ManufacPlantThe New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) encourages those in the agriculture industry to complete a survey to help identify infrastructure priorities that may be addressed with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). New Mexico anticipates receiving $4.6 million in funding to assist the state’s agriculture industry with infrastructure needs through the USDA Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure grant program, including manufacturing. (Envato Elements photo)NMDA seeks input on funding priorities for $4.6 million USDA infrastructure grant
New Mexico agriculture industry encouraged to complete survey, attend Aug. 29 Zoom informational session

Haga clic aquí para español.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – If you work in the New Mexico agriculture sector, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) – in collaboration with the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Office (Governor’s Office) – encourages you to complete a survey to help identify infrastructure priorities that may be addressed with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In this case, infrastructure includes – but is not limited to – facilities, structures, equipment and storage needed to address the middle of the food supply chain for food crops.

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