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 local events please visit Local News Releases.
Three NMSU history professors publish books this year
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 23 August 2023 23 August 2023
Elizabeth Horodowich, Jamie Bronstein and Kenneth Hammond, history professors at New Mexico State University published books this year that range from China’s revolution to happiness in Britain to why early mapmakers thought America was Asia.
Horodowich, NMSU history professor and department head, is a historian of early modern Italy and global history and has published books in the past covering such topics. In her newest book, “Amerasia” Horodowich focuses on the historical, common thought that “America” and Asia were the same continent.
“I became interested in the idea of an imagined Amerasian continent when I was doing research for another book,” Horodowich said, “and I kept seeing the same pattern in the sources, which was European explorers and cartographers regularly “confused” the lands in the Western Atlantic with China and India.”
Dunn Solar Telescope tour gives visitors colorful experience
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 23 August 2023 23 August 2023
“Telescopes play with rainbows,” says volunteer Bill Wren to a dimly lit room packed with visitors of Sunspot Solar Observatory. The crowd is comprised of both young and old tourists who’ve flocked to the Observatory to tour one of the world’s greatest solar telescopes, the Richard B. Dunn Solar Telescope (DST), operated by New Mexico State University. Their eyes remain fixed on the slide show Wren has put together to illuminate the information he shares about the telescope, the Sun, and our long plight to fully understand its marvels.
Wren flips through screens depicting explosive coronal mass ejections, hot gas brimming on the Sun’s atmosphere, light spectrums, and the immensity of the Sun compared to the planets which orbit it, including ours. “It’s incredible, folks,” Wren says, explaining the connection between ancient solar science and modern technological innovations, like the DST.
Wren, who is recently retired from McDonald Telescope in Texas, worked a long career as a public information specialist—and eventually as special assistant to the superintendent—for over thirty years. He was responsible for leading educational outreach programs at the observatory, but his career offered him many other exciting opportunities, including working alongside astronomers, studying distant celestial objects, building telescopes, and promoting the value of dark skies to oil and gas companies. Even now, in his retirement, Wren finds himself drawn to supporting public education efforts, which is why he reached out to Sunspot Solar Observatory after moving to Cloudcroft, NM in 2021.
Seven Springs Kids' Pond closed due to McKinney Fire
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 21 August 2023 21 August 2023
The kids' pond at Seven Springs Hatchery, located four miles north of Fenton Lake State Park in Sandoval County, is closed because of firefighting efforts surrounding the McKinney Fire. The pond and surrounding roads are closed to allow for dipping of water and access for fire crews.
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish biologists and hatchery staff are putting together a plan to prioritize the relocation of fish inventories currently at the hatchery should that become necessary.
BLM seeks public comment on oil and gas lease sale in New Mexico, Kansas
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 21 August 2023 21 August 2023
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.
PNM and parties reach unanimous settlement agreement
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 18 August 2023 18 August 2023
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.”
Documentary about the life of NMSU's Clara Belle Williams to premiere Aug. 24
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 18 August 2023 18 August 2023
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."
Wildlife law violation checkpoints start for hunting, fishing seasons
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 18 August 2023 18 August 2023
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
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 17 August 2023 17 August 2023
L-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.”