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.

Senate Republican Leaders Applaud Federal Lawsuit

Senate Republican Leaders Applaud Federal Lawsuit Challenging Mandatory Waiting Period for Firearm Purchases

SANTA FE—The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) has announced the filing of a federal lawsuit challenging New Mexico's mandatory waiting period for firearm purchases. Details regarding the lawsuit are available here

Senate Republican Leader, Senator Greg Baca (R-Belen) and Senate Republican Whip, Senator Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho) today released the following statements in support of the lawsuit:

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State Law Prohibits Signs in the State Right-of-way

NMDOT will remove all signs posted on state road rights-of-way

DEMING – The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) informs New Mexicans, political candidates and vendors, state law prohibits any person from placing, maintaining, or displaying unauthorized signs upon any state right-of-way. 

New Mexico Criminal and Traffic Law 66-7-108, under the title “Display of Unauthorized Signs, Signals and Markings,” states specifically, no political sign postings are allowed on state-maintained rights-of-way, which are typically defined by fencing on rural routes and to the back of the curb on urban routes.

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IPANM Joins Lawsuit Against BLM Leasing Rule

IPANM (May 16, 2024) -- Yesterday, the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico (IPANM) joined a coalition of oil & gas trade associations across the country led by Western Energy Alliance in filing a lawsuit challenging the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process Rule that was pushed out last month. The new rule ignores extensive technical comments provided by IPANM and other industry groups that demonstrate how small, independent producers will be severely restricted in acquiring federal leases in the future. The coalition's lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in the District of Wyoming.

Regarding yesterday's filing, IPANM Executive Director Jim Winchester offered the following statement:

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Wildfire Awareness Month is reminder for New Mexicans to stay vigilant

Be prepared for wildfires year-round 

Haga clic aquí para en español.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexicans – including farmers and ranchers – are encouraged to be prepared and learn about reducing wildfire risks. May is National Wildfire Awareness Month, which sheds light on the importance of communities coming together to take action to raise awareness and reduce wildfire risks. Peak fire season in New Mexico typically begins in early May and runs through June, although the state can experience fire danger throughout the year. 

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Senator Greg Nibert Issues Statement on PED 180-Day Rule Injunction

SANTA FE—Monday, Judge Dustin Hunter granted a preliminary injunction on the Public Education Department’s rule mandating a 180-day school year. The lawsuit has 89 separate plaintiffs, including school districts and superintendents, who are all protesting the implementation of the rule. 

Senator Greg Nibert (R-Roswell), who has fiercely advocated against the rule since its inception, issued the following statement regarding the preliminary injunction:

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Metallic party balloons can cause power outages

(Albuquerque, NM) — Mylar balloons can be a fun way to celebrate a loved one’s graduation from high school or college. But it’s not fun to experience a power outage caused by one of these metallic balloons.

As graduation season approaches, PNM is reminding customers about some important safety tips if they choose to gift a graduate with a Mylar balloon.

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Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence Policy in the United States Senate

Following Historic AI Insight Forums Over the Past Year, Heinrich, Colleagues Reveal Bipartisan Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence Policy in the United States Senate

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, co-chair and co-founder of the Senate Artificial Intelligence (AI) Caucus, alongside the Bipartisan Senate AI Working Group comprised of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), released a roadmap for the development of legislation on artificial intelligence. A one-pager on the roadmap can be found here. The AI roadmap can be found here.

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