Non-Local News Releases

Grant From Bridge Investment Program, established by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is excited to announce the successful application for the Large Bridge Grant for our I-25 Nogal Canyon Bridge Replacement Project in Socorro County, New Mexico. The NMDOT has been awarded $71 million in grant funding through the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) competitive Bridge Investment Program, established by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The project will replace two existing bridges that carry Interstate 25 over Nogal Canyon in Socorro County. The existing truss bridges contain nonredundant steel tension members, and the superstructures have experienced deterioration, which has accumulated over time. The bridges are approaching the end of their service life. The project also includes the reconstruction of the vertical geometry of the I-25 approaches to the new bridges and flattening the descent grade into Nogal Canyon to make it appropriate for current design speeds.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming $2,792,276 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to improve airports across New Mexico.

The FAA grants will fund airfield, safety, and other improvement projects at nine airports across New Mexico.

"These investments will help modernize our airports so we can keep New Mexico families connected and support local economies, particularly in our rural communities," said Heinrich. "As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I'm committed to continuing to deliver this type of funding, making air travel safer, easier, and more accessible."

Santa Fe, NM – Today, the New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) announced it will hold a Public Meeting for public and stakeholder engagement related to oversight of health care consolidation. The meeting will be held at 5:00 PM on Wednesday August 7, 2024 at the NMSU Alamogordo Campus Tays Center 2400 N. Scenic Drive Alamogordo, NM 88310.

Earlier this year, the State Legislature passed the Health Care Consolidation Oversight Act (SB 15), which gives OSI tools to provide oversight of certain hospital transactions that result in a change of control. The Act is intended to ensure that such transactions are in the public interest and will not drive up health care costs, reduce access to essential services, or diminish the quality of care. The Act will be in effect for approximately one year, during which time additional stakeholder engagement and research will be conducted to develop a more comprehensive approach to oversight of major health care transactions.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (August 1, 2024) – In conjunction with the 2024 Las Cruces Space Festival, and in partnership with Virgin Galactic, Spaceport America will be hosting a free Open House on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Open House is open to all members of the public.

There will be opportunities to see aircraft fly-ins, engage in STEM activities, listen to various guest speakers, and interact with space-related vendors and exhibitors. Food trucks will also be on site for snacks, drinks, and meals.

Santa Fe, NM - Today, House and Senate Leadership celebrated the signing of House Bill 1 into law. The legislation, which passed both chambers of the legislature with broad bipartisan support during the recent special session, dedicates $100 million in critical relief funding to statewide victims of recent wildfires and flooding, as well as $3 million to expand assisted outpatient treatment for behavioral health.

"We are proud to deliver urgent, vital relief to assist New Mexicans who have lost their homes and businesses, and continue to face extreme threats in the wake of fires and floods this summer," said House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque). "This funding will help our neighbors recover, rebuild, and improve their communities' resiliency to better weather natural disasters in the years ahead."

This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish in cooperation with Dustin Berg of www.gounlimited.org (“supporting disabled anglers”), has been generated from the best information available from area officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

Legislation provides $100 million for fire and flood recovery

SANTA FE – Today, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 1, appropriating $100 million to support recovery efforts following the South Fork and Salt fires, as well as ongoing flooding.

"The legislature's failure to prioritize public safety for New Mexicans during the special session is deeply disappointing," said Gov. Lujan Grisham. "However, I am relieved that we managed to secure aid for critical recovery efforts in communities damaged by fire and flooding."

Chaves County Economic Development Corporation presents award for Best Place to Take an Out-of-Towner  

SANTA FE, NM – The New Mexico State Parks Division is proud to announce that Bottomless Lakes State Park was recognized by citizens and the Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation (RCCEDC) as Chaves County's Best Place to Take an Out-of-Towner.

"We are excited that one of the very first New Mexico State Parks is being highlighted as the true gem that it is," said Parks Division Director Toby Velasquez. "It's a significant accomplishment because this award was chosen specifically by the people of Chaves County. We can't thank them and the RCCEDC enough for bestowing such a great honor on us and the amazing staff and volunteers at Bottomless Lakes State Park."