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 those events please visit Local News Releases.

Department of Health reports death of man from plague

First human plague case in state since 2021

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) announces a Lincoln County man has died of plague after being hospitalized for the disease. The case is the first human case of plague in New Mexico since 2021 and the first death since 2020.   

“We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of the Lincoln County man who succumbed to plague,” said State Public Health Veterinarian Erin Phipps, DVM, MPH. “This tragic incident serves as a clear reminder of the threat posed by this ancient disease and emphasizes the need for heightened community awareness and proactive measures to prevent its spread.”  

Read more ...

Governor signs bill creating $959M trust fund guaranteeing tuition-free college in NM

New Mexico establishes largest higher education trust fund in the nation

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham this week signed Senate Bill 159, creating a nearly $1 billion trust fund and a scholarship program fund to ensure tuition-free college in New Mexico for decades to come. 

“By creating this fund, New Mexico is keeping our original promise of tuition-free college for residents and cementing our status as the nation’s leader for college equity and access” said Gov. Lujan Grisham after signing the bill on Tuesday “Our monumental investments from early childhood education to college and career are already making a life-changing difference for tens of thousands of New Mexicans and setting the example for every other state.”  

Read more ...

District One Invests $96.8M in 128 local and school roadway projects

Infrastructure investments pave the way for community and economic development

DEMING – The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) District one currently has 128 active projects with 28 local entities in the amount of $96,815,364.  In total, District one works with 24 local entities including 15 School Districts or Universities, the Alamo Navajo Chapter, El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization (EPMPO), Mesilla Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MVMPO), South Central Council of Governments (SCCOG) and Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments (SWNMCOG). 

Read more ...

Trifecta of tourism infrastructure grant programs

Trifecta of tourism infrastructure grant programs set to open for applications in March

SANTA FE, NM – Applications for the New Mexico Tourism Department’s three infrastructure and development grants for fiscal year 2025 are set to open during the month of March.

The New Mexico Clean and Beautiful Grant Program, Tourism Event Growth and Sustainability Program and Destination Forward are administered by NMTD to help municipal, county and tribal governments and other eligible tourism entities build and strengthen tourism infrastructure to meet the demand for travel to the Land of Enchantment.

Read more ...

IPANM Statement on State Land Office's Abrupt Decision To Suspend Future Premium Tract Leases

IPANM (March 7, 2024) - As a result of the decision by New Mexico State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard to abruptly suspend all future Oil & Gas premium tract leasing until her legislation calling for an increase of royalty rates to 25% is passed, IPANM's Jim Winchester has responded with following statement:

"The State Land Office has unilaterally decided to cut off future revenues to state beneficiaries and the general fund by suspending new leasing of premium tracts. IPANM strongly opposes this action especially considering the decision was abruptly announced without any consideration of the economic impact to all New Mexicans.”

--Jim Winchester, IPANM Executive Director

Yvette Herrell Statement on Gabe Vasquez's Vote Against the Laken Riley Act

"Laken Riley was murdered in cold blood by an illegal immigrant who was detained in El Paso and then released into our country because of Joe Biden's policies. In response, today the U.S. House passed the Laken Riley Act, which would require ICE to detain migrants who are arrested for committing a crime. Shockingly, Rep. Vasquez voted no on this bill. His disgraceful vote is a slap in the face to all American citizens who are rightly concerned about the invasion at our southern border and the violence that comes with it." –Yvette Herrell 

New Mexico Film Office and Stowe Story Labs announce

New Mexico Film Office and Stowe Story Labs announce 3rd Annual Training Fellowship for Emerging New Mexico Screenwriters.

Santa Fe, NM -  The New Mexico Film Office is partnering with Stowe Story Labs to launch the third annual “New Voices • New Mexico,” a professional development and skills training program for emerging New Mexican screenwriters. 

Through a grant from the New Mexico Film Office, there will be no programming costs for New Mexico resident screenwriters who are chosen to participate. New Voices • New Mexico helps emerging screenwriters develop their skills, work on individual scripts, learn approaches to navigating the film and TV industry, and reach new levels of confidence in their storytelling and potential career paths. 

Read more ...

Traffic Alert White Sands Missile Range March 8, 2024

US 380 Roadblock

SAN ANTONIO - The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office (NMDOT) along with White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) have posted an alert for Friday, March 8, 2024. 

US 380 will be blocked one time at 1 p.m. for approximately 2 hours and should be lifted at 3 p.m.  This block will be located at Gold Block (Mile Marker 3) and at Silver Block (Mile Marker 49).

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.

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.