Non-Local News Releases

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2025 – Olympia Provisions, a Portland, Ore., establishment, is recalling approximately 1,930 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) holiday kielbasa sausages that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The RTE holiday kielbasa was produced on Oct. 14, 2025. The following product is subject to recall [view labels]:

16-oz. vacuum-sealed plastic packages containing one, fully cooked "OLYMPIA PROVISIONS UNCURED HOLIDAY KIELBASA" with "BEST IF USED BY" date "02/19/26" printed on the side of the label.

Edgewood, New Mexico – The Strike It Rich Pack Burro Race Series has announced its 2026 event schedule, bringing one of New Mexico's most unique and heritage-rich outdoor sporting events to four historic communities across the state.

The 2026 series will include four Saturday races:

SANTA FE – New Mexico State Parks invites residents and visitors to welcome the new year with two outdoor traditions: Polar Plunges and First Day Hikes on New Year's Day, Jan. 1, 2026.

Families, outdoor enthusiasts, and first-time adventurers are encouraged to step into 2026 with fresh air, scenic trails, and maybe a cold splash.

America's State Parks First Day Hikes, have been celebrated across all U.S. state parks since 1992, encouraging people nationwide to begin the year with movement and time outdoors. New Mexico has embraced the tradition with its own distinct spirit — inviting families, hikers, and adventure seekers to start the year across landscapes found nowhere else in the country. 

In all construction zones, motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continuing 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: 

I-10 Bridge Repairs, Mile Marker 24, Lordsburg

32 health care organizations to strengthen services statewide

SANTA FE — Thirty-two rural health care organizations will share $20 million in Rural Health Care Delivery Fund awards to expand primary care services across New Mexico. 

The fiscal year 2026 awards support projects that strengthen local health care capacity and improve access to coordinated, person-centered care in underserved areas — from tribal communities in Cibola County to frontier clinics in Catron County. 

Memorandum of Understanding Establishes Stronger Relationship Between SNAP E&T and WIOA

(Washington, D.C., December 19, 2025) – Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (PDF, 258 KB) to fulfill common goals of helping low-income workers find sustainable employment.

"President Trump's entire cabinet is working everyday to ensure hardworking Americans can enter the workforce – and have the skills necessary to succeed in our booming economy," said Secretary Brooke Rollins. "Connecting low-income Americans, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, to education and employment opportunities is so important. This MOU signifies how our two agencies can further collaborate and use one another's resources to not only help individuals attain career and technical education, but secure and retain employment. This also complements President Trump's vision in the One Big Beautiful Bill, making certain work-capable individuals work, train, or volunteer for at least 80 hours per month. I thank Secretary Chavez-DeRemer for her commitment and partnership in moving more individuals from the sidelines to the workforce."

Albuquerque, N.M. – Dec. 16, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) established a national Jan. 15, 2026, batching deadline for the first funding round of key conservation programs. This national batching date ensures producers have a clear, consistent timeline for participating in Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program(ACEP). This includes NRCS' new Regenerative Pilot Program, which provides targeted Farmer First assistance through EQIP and CSP.

NRCS programs are continuous sign-up programs, but due to the government shutdown, the agency is implementing an initial national batching period to ensure producers have access to funding and support.

Updated NRCS Program Timelines

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES — The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is seeking public comment on the proposed Interstate 25 Nogal Canyon Bridge Replacement Project in Socorro County.

The project proposes replacing the existing I-25 truss bridge over Nogal Canyon at mile marker 107 with two new bridge structures. The new bridges and adjacent roadway improvements are designed to meet current safety and performance standards and to improve long-term reliability along this section of I-25.