Non-Local News Releases

ALBUQUERQUE, FEBRUARY 12—On Tuesday, the Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution instructing blatant defiance against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in an effort to protect against federal illegal immigration enforcement. This decision not only shields illegal immigrants from federal enforcement but also emboldens criminal elements at the expense of the county's safety.

The resolution instructs the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility and Sheriff's Office to not cooperate with ICE by not honoring administrative warrants, not keeping illegal immigrants detained for civil immigration violations, and not participating in ICE's 287(g) program that works with local police or sheriffs to help enforce immigration laws. Additionally, it insists on providing county services to illegal immigrants, among other protections.

ALBUQUERQUE, FEBRUARY 12—Today, the Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution instructing blatant defiance against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in an effort to protect against federal illegal immigration enforcement. This decision not only shields illegal immigrants from federal enforcement but also emboldens criminal elements at the expense of the county's safety.

The resolution instructs the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility and Sheriff's Office to not cooperate with ICE by not honoring administrative warrants, not keeping illegal immigrants detained for civil immigration violations, and not participating in ICE's 287(g) program that works with local police or sheriffs to help enforce immigration laws. Additionally, it insists on providing county services to illegal immigrants, among other protections.

Santa Fe, NM – February 12, 2025 – New Mexico Family Action Movement is proud to stand with the Independent Women's Forum, who will host a press conference on the Protection of Women's Sports on February 13 at 12:30 PM in Room 318 of the New Mexico State Capitol. This event will bring together advocates, lawmakers, and community leaders to discuss the importance of preserving fairness and integrity in women's athletics and defending opportunities for young female athletes in New Mexico.

The press conference will highlight New Mexico State Representative Andrea Reeb's introduction of the Protection of Women's Sports Act, legislation aimed at preserving fairness in female athletics by ensuring that teams designated for women remain exclusive to biological females. Unlike federal efforts to blur the distinctions in Title IX, this bill stands as a clear commitment to upholding the original intent of protecting female athletes. This legislative push comes at a time when national policy is shifting, with President Trump's executive order reinforcing sex-based protections in sports and the NCAA maintaining competitive fairness at the collegiate level.

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 12, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released the following statement regarding the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) review of former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack's choice to modify the longstanding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) obligation practice.

"Make no mistake, Secretary Vilsack and Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean put politics over commonsense, ignoring scores of USDA financial analysts and policy experts. Using a memorandum from the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities as their guide, Vilsack and Dean compromised the integrity of SNAP, the financial standing of USDA, and further eroded public trust," said Kailee Buller, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "The Trump Administration will immediately correct this egregious action, making certain material weaknesses like this do not happen again."

LAS CRUCES - The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office (NMDOT) along with White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) have posted an alert for Thursday, February 13, 2025.

US 70 will be blocked four times beginning at 2:55 a.m., 4:25 a.m., 6:10 a.m. and again at 7:55 a.m., each closure lasting approximately 1 hour. The blocks will be located at 'Red Block' (top of San Augustin Pass/Mile Marker 164) and at 'Yellow Block' (near the WSNP/Mile Marker 200). The Las Cruces Gate, Owen Road, and Nike Avenue will also be affected by these blocks.

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.

28 projects will stimulate local economies and create 300 jobs
SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico Economic Development Department's Outdoor Recreation Division announced today that more than $4 million has been awarded to 28 recipients in 13 counties in the third round of FY25 Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant program.

The Trails+ Grant program supports trail and outdoor recreation infrastructure projects that connect New Mexicans to nature, promote equitable access to the outdoors, and drive sustainable economic growth.

Grant recipients will amplify the investment's impact by contributing $3.3 million in matching funds. The selected projects will boost New Mexico's $3.2 billion outdoor recreation industry by creating an estimated 298 jobs.

World Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimates (WASDE)

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Las Cruces, NM | February 10, 2025 – Dillon Alexander Waller, 31, was sentenced to Life in Prison by Third Judicial District Court Judge Richard Jacquez for the first-degree murder of his mother, Cynthia Berendzen. Waller was also sentenced to an additional three years for the charge of tampering with evidence.

State prosecutors had urged the court to impose consecutive sentences for both charges, and Judge Jacquez agreed.

The tragic case unfolded in November 2022 when Las Cruces police conducted a welfare check on Berendzen after concerned neighbors reported not seeing her for weeks. Officers discovered a strong odor of bleach and found Berendzen's decomposed body in the shower.