Non-Local News Releases

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Economic Development Department, through its Office of Strategy, Science & Technology, has awarded $100,000 in competitive non-dilutive grant funding to Mesa Quantum Systems, Inc. in the inaugural round of the Quantum Technologies Award Pilot Program.

Launched in December 2024, the program is a competitive, state-funded grant awarding non-dilutive funds to early-stage companies working in quantum technologies located in New Mexico or establishing a presence with employees in New Mexico. Non-dilutive funding allows recipients to retain all equity in their company, which is particularly important for startups. 

 (Little Rock, AR, April 15, 2025) – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke L. Rollins joined Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today as the Governor submitted a waiver to USDA to ban soda and candy from and include hot rotisserie chicken in Arkansas's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

"Governor Sanders is confronting childhood disease head on, and it starts with what families consume. Today's waiver announcement is a welcome one, and I look forward to moving through the approval process swiftly. I encourage more states across the nation to follow the bold lead of states like Arkansas as we Make America Healthy Again," said Secretary Rollins.

 SANTA FE — Today, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham joined four other Democratic governors in sending a letter to the director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 

 The letter opposes the Trump administration's Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Proposed Rule, which would restrict states' ability to regulate their health insurance marketplaces.

 The joint press release is below. 

Albuquerque Man Charged in Connection with Arson Attacks on Tesla Dealership and Republican Party of New Mexico Office

WASHINGTON — Federal charges have been filed against Jamison Wagner, 40, an Albuquerque resident, in connection with recent arson attacks targeting the Tesla Albuquerque Showroom and the Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) headquarters. Investigators linked Wagner to both incidents through surveillance footage and scene evidence.

“Let this be the final lesson to those taking part in this ongoing wave of political violence,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will not negotiate. Crimes have consequences.”

Santa Fe, NM — Today, the United States Department of Justice announced the filing of several federal criminal charges against 40-year-old Jamison Wagner in connection to the Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters firebombing as well as other acts of domestic terrorism involving the Tesla Albuquerque Showroom.  In response, the Senate Republican Leadership team have issued the following joint statement: 

Santa Fe, NM — Over the weekend, Senate Republican Leadership, after consulting with several Albuquerque City Council members, issued a letter to United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi requesting the immediate discontinuation of the 2014 court-approved settlement or Consent Decree between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the City of Albuquerque. This request comes not only as a response to the recent deployment of the New Mexico National Guard to assist the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) but also, as the stated requirements of the Decree have been fulfilled. This fulfilled agreement now serves only to exhaust vital law enforcement and city resources. With Albuquerque's ongoing crime crisis, this is an unsustainable path forward in terms of improving public safety. Should this ongoing agreement be dissolved, Albuquerque law enforcement personnel, time, and resources would be made available to serve the community as intended and ideally improve public safety in our state's largest and most dangerous city. 

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, APRIL 14, 2025—The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) commends the swift and thorough action of federal and local law enforcement agencies in the arrest of Jamison R. Wagner, who has been charged in connection with the recent arson attacks on a Tesla dealership in Bernalillo and the RPNM headquarters in Albuquerque.

RPNM Chairwoman Amy Barela issued the following statement:

(Washington, D.C., April 14, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the cancellation of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC). Following a thorough line by line review of each of these Biden era partnerships, it became clear that the majority of these projects had sky-high administration fees which in many instances provided less than half of the federal funding directly to farmers. Select projects may continue if it is demonstrated that a significant amount of the federal funds awarded will go to farmers. We continue to support farmers and encourage partners to ensure their projects are farmer focused or re-apply to continue work that is aligned with the priorities of this Administration. With this action, USDA is cutting bureaucratic red tape, streamlining reporting, lowering the paperwork burden on producers and putting farmers first.