Non-Local News Releases

SANTA FE—Today, Senate Republican Leader, Senator Greg Baca (R-Belen), and Senator Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte) released a package of bills aimed at securing the border and increasing penalties for those who distribute fentanyl. The announcement comes on the heels of a recent letter from Senate Republicans to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham urging her to address the escalating crisis at New Mexico's southern border during the upcoming Special Session.

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Third Judicial District Attorney Gerald Byers, federal authorities reach agreement to apply state charges for criminal activity at the border

 LAS CRUCES—This week, it was reported that Third Judicial District Attorney Gerald Byers has reached an agreement with federal authorities to seek state charges for criminal activities encountered by border agents at New Mexico's southern border. According to a press release from the District Attorney's Office, the agreement between DA Byers and the El Paso Sector of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) "seeks to increase the safety and security of Doña Ana County" and "support local border communities to effectively target and address violent crime."

State celebrates the impact of older adult volunteers during Volunteer Appreciation Month Over 1.300 senior volunteers serve throughout New Mexico

SANTA FE – During the month of April, the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) proudly celebrates the contributions of senior volunteers across the state.  

Based on the national value of each volunteer hour in New Mexico, the financial impact of senior volunteers across the state is estimated at over $13 million. Over this last year, the 1,369 senior volunteers serving with initiatives that include Foster Grandparents, Senior Companion and the Retired Senior Volunteer Programs provided over 498,000 hours of service. 

BLM seeks comment on supplemental analysis of January 2021 oil and gas lease sale in New Mexico

SANTA FE, N.M. - The Bureau of Land Management New Mexico State Office is seeking public comment on the supplemental analysis for oil and gas lease parcels initially included in the January 2021 Carlsbad Field Office Oil and Gas Lease Sale.

On Jan. 29, 2021, the BLM issued a decision regarding the lease sale. BLM is now supplementing the analysis supporting that decision and will reassess the decision based on this new analysis.

N.M. Delegation Welcomes Over $9 Million for New Mexico's Schools, Roads, County Services, Wildfire Mitigation from Infrastructure Law

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 $9,309,362 to invest in New Mexico's public schools, roads, wildfire mitigation, and county services. The funds will be allocated from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Secure Rural Schools program, reauthorized through the Infrastructure Law, which New Mexico Democrats passed into law.  

SANTA FE — April is national Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and understanding of alcohol abuse. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious issues that affect your quality of life, both physically and mentally. 

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham approved $2 million for the New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth) to create the Office of Alcohol Misuse Prevention (OAMP) in her 2023 budget. This initiative aims to mitigate alcohol related harms through the coordination of prevention efforts across state agencies. It will promote FDA-approved treatments for alcohol use disorder, such as Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) in medical settings and evaluations of existing programs and interventions. Additionally, the OAMP will support communities and sovereignties (Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations) in their efforts to reduce excessive alcohol consumption by funding evidence-based prevention strategies. 

This evening marks the beginning of Passover, a holiday commemorating the miraculous story of the Hebrews' exodus from slavery and bondage in Egypt. It is a celebration of liberation, miracles, and the resilience of the Jewish people.