Non-Local News Releases

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined Senate colleagues to introduce the Abortion Care Capacity Enhancement and Support Services (ACCESS) Act. This legislation would establish a federal grant program for health care organizations to expand their capacity to provide abortion services and additional reproductive care in New Mexico and other states where it remains legal. 

Following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, nearly half of all U.S. states have adopted or attempted to adopt severe restrictions or bans on abortion services. As a result, the number of patients traveling out of state to access reproductive health care has nearly doubled, overwhelming clinics in states like New Mexico where abortion services are legal. 

134 projects in New Mexico funded since the program's inception 

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD) of the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) announces the round 3 Trails+ Grant recipients. Projects awarded will expand equitable access to the outdoors and grow New Mexico's outdoor recreation economy. 

Round 3 awards total $1,611,743 for 12 projects, bringing in an additional $1,567,237 in matching funding. Of the awarded projects, 75% are supporting rural and Tribal communities with grants ranging from $38,700 to the Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance to $500,000 to the City of Las Cruces. 

At a special meeting Thursday, the New Mexico State University Board of Regents announced that Mónica Torres, chancellor of NMSU system community colleges, will serve as interim president of the NMSU system while a new search is conducted for the next permanent leader. Torres will succeed current Interim President Jay Gogue, who has served in that role since April 2023. She assumes her new role on May 1.

"Dr. Torres is an accomplished and visionary leader with a deep commitment to student success and a wealth of institutional knowledge of the NMSU system," said Regents Chair Ammu Devasthali in a message to the NMSU community following the meeting. "We're already working to ensure a smooth leadership transition for our community colleges, and will provide more details about that soon."

The Scale Up New Mexico program, funded in part by the United States Economic Development Administration and housed at New Mexico State University's Arrowhead Center, recently saw its first 2024 cohort complete a Business Model Sprint business acceleration program.

The accelerator initiative, aimed at equipping founders of tech startups in New Mexico with the essential knowledge and skills to establish a robust business framework, accomplished notable achievements. It enabled promising startups to advance significantly in comprehending their customer base, attaining product-market fit and formulating efficient sales tactics.

 Two students from New Mexico State University were among a select group of college students from across the nation awarded scholarships by the National Retail Federation.

Hai Chau Le and Natalia Ochoa, both undergraduate students in NMSU's Fashion Merchandising and Design program, earned competitive scholarships that included all-expense paid trips to New York City to attend the NRF's annual conference and participate in its student program. The NRF is the largest retail trade association in the world.

Chau Le and Ochoa were the first students from NMSU to receive NRF scholarships and attend the conference, dubbed Retail's Big Show, a multi-day event held every January.

March approved JTIP funding could assist 70 trainees, 2 interns 

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Job Training Incentive Program Board approved awards to five businesses in March to assist with the workforce training of 70 trainees and two interns, Acting Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Mark Roper announced today. 

The Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) is a powerful state tool to assist companies in hiring and training New Mexico residents. Funds become available on a reimbursement basis after the training is complete and the company has met the agreed-upon benchmarks of the program. The funding structure encourages participation in rural and frontier areas, as well as for companies hiring graduates of New Mexico higher education institutions. 

Traffic Alert   White Sands Missile Range

US 70 Roadblock

LAS CRUCES - The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office (NMDOT) along with White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) have posted an alert for Thursday, March 28, 2024. 

US 70 will be blocked two times beginning at 5:40 a.m., and again at 7:50 a.m., both lasting approximately 1 hour. These blocks will be located at ‘Blue Block' (2 miles east of the access road - Mile Marker 172) and ‘Brown Block' (located at Mile Marker 192).  Nike Ave will be affected by this block; however, San Augustin Pass and Las Cruces Gate are NOT affected.

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.

Spruce budworm activity has increased 

Santa Fe, NM – Last year, forests in New Mexico got a break from drought and insect-related damage. According to data collected by the Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department's Forestry Division and the USDA Forest Service, the effects of insects, disease, and drought-stress were down across the state from 2022, the last year the acres were surveyed.  

Improved drought conditions in 2022 from a very strong monsoon and continued moisture in early 2023 may have been a contributing factor. When moisture is available, conifer trees are able to produce and sustain resin flow that they use to ward off insects and invaders.