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.
Traffic Alert: White Sands Missile Range - US 70 & US 380 Roadblocks
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 13 April 2023 13 April 2023
LAS CRUCES & SAN ANTONIO - The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office (NMDOT) along with White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) posted an alert for Friday, April 14, 2023.
US 70 will be blocked two times, beginning at 5:20 a.m., and again at 7:30 a.m. being lifted by 8:30 a.m. Each block lasting approximately 1 hour each. This block will be located at Red Block (top of San. Augustin Pass) and Yellow Block (White Sands National Park). LC Gate, Nike Ave., Aguirre Springs, and Owen Road will also be impacted by this block.
US 380 will be blocked two times, beginning at 5:10 a.m. and again at 7:20 a.m. being lifted by 9:20 a.m. Each block lasting approximately 2 hours each. This block will affect Hwy 380 in the northern portion of the range at Gold Block (mile marker 3) and Silver Block (mile marker 49).
All roadblocks are subject to change without notice, please call WSMR at 575-678-2221/2222 for updates or go to New Mexico Department of Transportation: www.nmroads.com or call 511.
Panel of Zuni elders to discuss "Humanhood" at University Museum April 14
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 13 April 2023 13 April 2023
WHO: Zuni elders and University Museum Director Fumi Arakawa
WHAT: The University Museum will host a panel of Zuni elders as they discuss the “Humanhood in the Organ Mountains: Prehistory” exhibit.
For the development of the exhibition, Director and Anthropology Professor Fumi Arakawa, museum staff and the anthropology department at NMSU invited the Zuni Cultural Resources Advisory Team to visit two cave sites within the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, as well as to review hundreds of artifacts from one of the cave sites – Chavez Cave. The result of the conversations led to showcase narratives by six Zuni elders pertaining to the cultural landscape and artifacts of Chavez Cave in the “Humanhood” exhibit. A number of these elders will join the panel to discuss them.
Migratory game bird rule topic of public meeting
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 13 April 2023 13 April 2023
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled a public meeting to discuss proposed revisions to the Migratory Game Bird Rule (19.31.6 NMAC). Members of the public are invited to attend this hybrid public meeting to learn about proposed revisions and provide comments:
- April 26, 2023, Albuquerque, 6:30 p.m.
- Attend in person at 7816 Alamo Rd, NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Register in advance to attend virtually
The proposed revisions were opened for consideration at the Jan. 27, 2023, State Game Commission meeting. Proposed revisions can be found at: https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/commission/proposals-under-consideration/.
In addition to the meeting above, comments on the proposed revisions can be provided by mail:
NMSU College of Engineering research leads to international recognition
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 13 April 2023 13 April 2023
Recent investigations on data-driven interventions employed by the College of Engineering at New Mexico State University have revealed positive impacts on student success. They build upon a century-old tradition of this land-grant institution’s student-centric approach.
The findings are even more poignant due to increased challenge for students pursuing engineering degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic and need for new alternatives to traditional classroom teaching methods.
Studies conducted by Senior Data Analyst Sashidhar Chintalapati and Dean Lakshmi N. Reddi and Assistant Dean Gabe Garcia yielded data supporting the use of several strategies that improve student performance and retention: instructor changes in transition and key courses, course sequencing changes and the establishment of learning communities and leadership training. The effectiveness of these strategies was measured with D/W/F grades.
Department of Health reports hantavirus in Four Corners region
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 13 April 2023 13 April 2023
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) Scientific Laboratory Division reports three people with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) discovered within the last two weeks, bringing the 2023 case total to five.
All of the people are unrelated, occurring in different locations in the Four Corners region. One person died from the virus. The four surviving patients all required hospitalization, including time in intensive care units, before being able to return home.
HPS is a severe respiratory illness is caused by the Sin Nombre virus. In New Mexico, deer mice are the main carriers of hantavirus. The virus is found in mice droppings and urine.
A person may get HPS by breathing in the virus. This can happen when droppings or urine containing the virus are stirred up and the virus is put into the air as mist or dust.
House GOP Statement on CYFD leadership changes
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 13 April 2023 13 April 2023
STATEMENT on CYFD leadership changes from House Republican Leader Ryan Lane (Aztec): "While New Mexicans are frustrated that more meaningful reforms did not take place under Justice Vigil's leadership of CYFD, we will continue to hold accountable the next CYFD leader. House Republicans remain resolute that the children and families within CYFD need better support and more accountability, and we will continue to lead on presenting reforms that benefit the families and not the broken system."
Senator Crystal Diamond Releases Statement in Response to Resignation of CYFD Secretary
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 13 April 2023 13 April 2023
SANTA FE — Today, Barbara Vigil announced her resignation as Cabinet Secretary of the Children, Youth and Families Department effective May 1, 2023.
Senator Crystal Diamond (R-Elephant Butte) issued the following stateament regarding Secretary Vigil's resignation:
"I am heartbroken to see the vulnerable children of our state failed by this administration yet again. We had a chance to force structural change in the department that would have created stability and accountability. Instead, certain legislators were bullied by the Governor into rejecting viable, bipartisan solutions with the empty promise that Secretary Vigil would be a steady hand of change. This is truly a sad day for New Mexico."
CYFD Secretary Barbara Vigil to transition to new role on Policy Advisory Council
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 13 April 2023 13 April 2023
Governor's Chief Operating Officer, Teresa Casados, to lead bold transition of CYFD in interim
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced today that Children, Youth and Families Department Secretary (CYFD) Barbara J. Vigil will transition from heading the Children, Youth and Family Services Department to serving on the newly created Policy Advisory Council, effective May 1. As the administration launches a national search to find Secretary Vigil's replacement, Teresa Casados, Chief Operating Officer of the Office of the Governor, will serve as interim leadership at the agency.
Vigil has served as cabinet secretary of CYFD since August 2021, bringing a steady hand to the organization and resetting vital relationships with staff, stakeholders and tribes.
"I am profoundly grateful to Barbara Vigil for her legacy of service to the children of our state, especially for being such a stabilizing force for the Children, Youth and Family Services Department. I'm looking forward to continuing to benefit from her expertise in her new role on the Policy Advisory Council," said Gov. Lujan Grisham. "Chief Casados has hit the ground running and is already making significant strides to meaningfully transform CYFD."