Non-Local News Releases

ECO contributes $25,000 to Range Rider Program to reduce Mexican wolf depredations on livestock 

The Eastern Arizona Counties Organization (ECO) has made an important contribution of $25,000 to support the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s (AZGFD) Range Rider Program that is directed by the department’s Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team.

Created in 1993, ECO includes Apache, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee and Navajo counties. The ECO counties have developed a leading role in natural resources and public lands management issues in eastern Arizona, including forest and watershed restoration, travel management and public land access, threatened and endangered species management, rural economic development, and recreation issues. 

The New Mexico Association of Non-public Schools  (NMANS) announces an essay contest for middle school and high school students. Winners will have their essays published on the NMANS website and receive a small cash prize. Students will explore the impact of their schools on their lives and their community by choosing to answer one of the following questions:

How has your school's culture and community contributed to your success in school?

How has your school's culture or community influenced your sense of belonging and identity?

How has your school's philosophy or values impacted your own understanding of what's important in life?

(Washington, D.C., July 15, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the termination of the Regional Food Business Centers (RFBC) program. This pandemic-era, Biden program was created using one-time, temporary funding from Congress. The Department is terminating this program that should not have been established in this manner in the first place, but are doing so in a way to honor commitments made to farmers.

"The Biden Administration created multiple, massive programs without any long-term way to finance them. This is not sustainable for farmers who rely on these programs, and it flies in the face of Congressional intent," said Secretary Rollins. "USDA will honor existing commitments for over 450 grants to farmers and food businesses to ensure planning decisions on the farm can continue as normal, however stakeholders should not plan on this program continuing. Any remaining funds will be repurposed to better support American agriculture."

(St. Louis, MO, July 15, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today at the opening of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) new, modernized Midwestern Food Safety Laboratory, launched a  comprehensive plan to bolster USDA's efforts to combat foodborne illness. This plan better positions USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which is responsible for ensuring meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled, to protect the nation's food supply. FSIS will continue to work in close collaboration with partners like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure the safety of the entire food supply chain. 

"President Trump is committed to ensuring American consumers have the safest, most abundant, and affordable food supply in the world. When it comes to food safety, USDA is charting a bold new course in giving consumers confidence their meat, poultry, and egg products meet our best-in-class food safety standards," said Secretary Rollins. "I look forward to continued collaboration across the Trump administration, with states, and with food producers from farm to table, to reduce foodborne illness and protect public health."   

Legislative Finance Committee full agenda below

SANTA FE – A state employee can proceed with a whistleblower protection lawsuit against his governmental employer after deciding to arbitrate a job demotion allegedly in retaliation for his testifying about wrongdoing by state agency workers, the state Supreme Court ruled today.

The Court unanimously concluded that a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) did not preclude Frederick Garcia, who worked for what was formerly called the state Human Services Department, from separately filing a lawsuit under the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA). The lawsuit stems from the same disciplinary action being arbitrated.

"Here, the plain meaning of the CBA does not clearly and unmistakably waive Garcia's statutory right to bring his WPA claims in district court, and require him to bring these statutory claims to arbitration," the Court wrote in an opinion by Justice Julie J. Vargas.

SANTA FE – New Mexico's highest court ruled today that former state Taxation and Revenue Secretary Demesia Padilla's convictions for embezzlement were properly vacated because she was charged too long after the alleged crimes occurred.

The state Supreme Court unanimously rejected arguments by prosecutors for the State of New Mexico who sought to reinstate Padilla's convictions. The justices affirmed a decision of the Court of Appeals, which set aside her convictions on two second-degree felony counts of embezzlement.

In an opinion by Chief Justice David K. Thomson, the Court concluded that Padilla's case was not covered by a provision in state law that pauses or "tolls" the time limits on bringing charges after a crime occurred. Under certain circumstances, the tolling provision suspends the statute of limitations during the time between the dismissal of charges and later refiling.

Tourism Department issues record number of grant funding to 20 communities

SANTA FE – Now entering its fourth year, the New Mexico Tourism Department's (NMTD) Tourism Event Growth and Sustainability Program will support a record number of partner events through a record amount of grant funding in fiscal year 2026.

The Tourism Event Growth and Sustainability Program offers eligible New Mexico entities that host tourism-related events with technical assistance, marketing resources and sponsorship support for those events. For FY26, NMTD is awarding $551,702 in support to 44 events, both a record for the program.