Non-Local News Releases

The CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, recently declared the risk of an impending "AI fraud crisis." Already, we have seen more sophisticated scams coming into play thanks to the evolution of AI, which has sparked a national sense of concern. 

This is why experts have issued an urgent warning over the AI voice scam that's causing people to lose thousands over the festive season. 

As families travel home after Christmas and prepare for New Year celebrations, experts are warning that the festive period is one of the riskiest times for AI voice scams. 

Secretary Rollins Announces AFIDA Modernization Comment Period and BioPreferred Eligibility Updates to Put American Producers First

(Washington, D.C., December 30, 2025) – As committed to under USDA's National Farm Security Action Plan (PDF, 1.2 MB) U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced a number of coordinated actions to continue to emphasize American agricultural research and innovation by ensuring ideas stay in America or among our allies, not with hostile nations and that we are putting American farmers and ranchers first in every USDA program, period.

Statewide, NM - State Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols; and registration, insurance, and driver's license checkpoints in all New Mexico counties during January 2026.

We are bringing awareness to these events to reduce impaired driving-related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising.

These checkpoints are helping to change society's attitude about driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

ALBUQUERQUE — A Texas man pleaded guilty last week to stealing more than $160,000 in federal unemployment relief funds issued by New Mexico during the pandemic. 

The U.S. Department of Justice announced the guilty plea by Marc Long — the result of continued work by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions to prosecute pandemic-era fraud.

The case underscores the Department of Workforce Solutions' continued commitment to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting fraud involving unemployment benefit programs. 

SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Game Commission will hold a meeting starting at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at the New Mexico State Library, 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, NM 87509. The full agenda, and other information, will be available on the Department of Game and Fish website.

If you are interested in participating or providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will be a live webcast on the Department's website.

Calling all birders: Join the 2026 New Mexico Birding Big Year Contest!

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish invites birders statewide to participate in the 2026 Birding Big Year Contest, a friendly competition to identify as many bird species as possible in New Mexico between January 1 and December 31.

"New Mexico has the fourth-highest bird diversity, in terms of overall species, in the nation," Curt Coffman, Assistant Chief of Education, said of the contest. "Bird watching has become very popular and is a great way to introduce people to the incredible natural areas found throughout New Mexico. We hope to see a wide variety of individuals participate in the Birding Big Year, including teens, beginners and the most seasoned bird watchers."

Final spending plan prioritizes child care, protects against federal uncertainty

SANTA FE — Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham today released a fiscal year 2027 executive budget recommendation that deploys $11.3 billion to protect New Mexico against federal spending cuts and to fully invest in universal child care while maintaining the state's historically strong financial position. 

The budget recommendation includes $11.33 billion in recurring spending — a 4.6% increase over current year spending. The recommendation keeps reserves strong at 30%, totaling $3.4 billion. 

Symposium held in late January will feature special Shroud of Turin discussion and debate 

Albuquerque, New Mexico – The School of Archaeology at Veritas International University (VIU) is pleased to present the International Symposium on Archaeology & the Bible IX (ISAB IX), a premier gathering for scholars, students, and anyone seeking to engage the world of the Bible through its material culture. The symposium will run January 28-31, 2026 in Albuquerque, New Mexico at The Courtyard by Marriott Journal Center.

This four-day symposium features leading voices in biblical studies and archaeology offering fresh research, field updates, and informed perspectives on Scripture, history, and geography. ISAB IX continues its tradition of providing a safe and respected academic forum, free from audio or video recording, allowing presenters to share new findings with honesty and candor.