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.

Traffic Report for week of June 18 to 25, 2023.

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.

Interstates:
Date St. Business Loop Roundabout Project, T or C CN1101231/32
La Calerita Construction LLC. (Contractor) construction, Phase 3 is expected to last about 4 (four) months, through September 2023, the following traffic impacts will be in place:
Traffic on North Date Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction (northbound and southbound) and will be shifted to the east (Northbound) lanes from north of New School Road to Ash Street. Motorists are encouraged to use extra caution in the construction zone, obey lower posted speed limits and allow extra time to reach their destinations. Regular work hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday although the contractor may work longer hours or on weekends as needed.

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New Mexico sees highest job numbers in history

New Mexico's economy delivered exceptionally strong job growth in May and, along with falling unemployment levels, the state is now seeing the highest number of jobs in its history.

New Mexico added 20,900 jobs over the year in May 2023, according to Department of Workforce Solutions, Economic Research & Analysis Bureau data released today. The increase brings the total number of jobs in New Mexico to 869,400, the highest ever, and follows four strong months of gains. New Mexico's unemployment rate is currently 3.5%, below the national average.

"The robust job growth in New Mexico is proof positive that we are enacting all the right policies to grow our economy," said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. "We are paying people a livable wage, providing child care for working parents, and making it easier for employers to find prepared candidates by putting more people through college and technical training."

Many of the job gains from the beginning of the Lujan Grisham administration are in key, higher-paying sectors including:

Transportation and Warehousing: 5,322 jobs (21% increase)

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services: 7,194 jobs (12% increase)

Construction: 3,022 jobs (5.9% increase)

Manufacturing: 1,541 jobs (5.6% increase)

Health Care and Social Assistance: 2,269 jobs (1.6% increase)

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Heinrich Statement on Juneteenth

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement on Juneteenth, which recognizes the moment, on June 19, 1865, when U.S. Army General Gordon Granger announced to formerly enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, that they were free under the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation.

VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich Statement on Juneteenth

"Juneteenth is a day to both celebrate freedom and remember the centuries of horrific treatment that African Americans endured under slavery. Just as news of emancipation was delayed in 1865, we need to acknowledge that full equality has yet to be delivered.

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New Mexico Businesses Receive Community Wood Innovation Grants

Over one million dollars invested in state restoration economy  

  Santa Fe – The Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Forestry Division is pleased to announce that over one million dollars in federal funding has been distributed to innovative businesses that provide sustainable-source wood products in New Mexico. Through utilizing wood products, these grant recipients have in turn helped the state build a restoration economy by adding jobs in rural communities.  

  • RC Forest Products, LLC (La Luz) received $113,958 for their project “Supporting Biomass Wood Products Manufacturing.”   
  • Mount Taylor Manufacturing (Milan) received $300,000 for their project “Enhanced Sawmill Volume, Value and Employment, Zuni Mountains, New Mexico.”  
  • Got Wood NM LLC (Tularosa) received $300,000 for their “Increased Biomass Timber Utilization” project.  
  • Architecture 2030 (Santa Fe) received $300,000 for their project “The Mass Timber Tipping Point: Engaging design industry leaders to unlock the potential for widespread low-carbon timber building system.”  

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Gov. Lujan Grisham priority legislation effective today

SANTA FE – Multiple laws championed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and passed by the Legislature went into effect today, the default date set 90 days following the end of the session.  

“Each and every one of these laws – many of which saw broad, bipartisan support – will make our state safer, healthier, more inclusive and more prosperous than ever,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “This year, we addressed many of the state’s most pressing issues, enacting laws that increase access to affordable health care, protect communities, and safeguard the right of every New Mexican to have autonomy over their bodies.”    

Laws going into effect today, June 16, include:  

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BLM extends comment period for proposed Public Lands Rule

Rule would protect healthy public lands, promote habitat conservation and restoration and further thoughtful development

WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Land Management is extending the public comment period for the Public Lands Rule by 15 days. This brings the time collecting public feedback on the proposed rule to a total of 90 days. The new deadline to provide input is July 5, 2023.


The proposed Public Lands Rule, announced in late March, would provide tools for BLM to:

  • Restore critical wildlife habitat and clean water
  • Protect healthy public lands in the face of increasing drought, wildfire, and climate impacts
  • Ensure responsible development backed by science and data


"The proposed Public Lands Rule is essential to our work, to ensuring we can respond to changes on the landscape," said BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning. "We appreciate the useful public input we've already received through five public meetings and the first 75 days of the comment period. This extension will allow us to continue to work with the public to make sure that the final rule is durable and effective."


Please visit the Public Lands Rule website on blm.gov for additional resources including a rule fact sheet, presentation slides used during virtual public meetings, Public Lands Rule Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) as well as FAQs discussing how the rule would affect Conservation Leasing, Renewable Energy, and Grazing on public lands managed by the BLM.


To learn more about this proposed rule, or to provide comment, please visit rule page on Regulations.gov.

Interior Department Proposes Rule to Bolster Solar and Wind Development

Interior Department Proposes Rule to Bolster Solar and Wind Development on Public Lands, Continue Progress on Efficient and Responsible Permitting

New renewable energy projects approved since 2021 expected to power more than 2.6 million homes with clean electricity

WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior today announced a proposed update of its renewable energy regulations to promote the development of solar and wind energy on public lands. The Bureau of Land Management's proposed Renewable Energy Rule would reduce fees for these projects by around 80%, facilitate development in priority areas by streamlining review of applications, and deliver greater certainty for the private sector.

"The Department of the Interior takes seriously our responsibility to manage the nation's public lands responsibly and with an eye toward the increasing impacts of the climate crisis. The power and potential of the clean energy future is an undeniable and critical part of that work," said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Laura Daniel-Davis. "Under President Biden and Secretary Haaland's leadership, this Administration is taking an all-hands-on-deck approach toward ambitious clean energy goals that will support families, boost local economies, and help increase climate resilience in communities across the West."

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Special military and veteran oryx and pronghorn hunts opening June 14

Special military and veteran oryx and pronghorn hunts opening June 14

Oryx

SANTA FE – Three special military and veteran drawing opportunities for oryx and pronghorn will open today, June 14.

Oryx hunts for injured military service members on White Sands Missile Range:

Injured military service members can apply online starting June 14 for one of up to 10 special oryx authorizations for hunts on White Sands Missile Range.

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