Non-Local News Releases

Supplemental analyses will resolve litigated leases in seven states

WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management is moving forward with supplemental environmental assessments for litigated oil and gas leases in seven states. These analyses will satisfy court orders and settlement agreements stemming from legal challenges brought by WildEarth Guardians and other plaintiffs between 2016-2021 to oil and gas leases in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. 

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Judicial Compensation Commission will meet virtually on Tuesday, Sept. 16, to consider recommendations to the 2026 Legislature for possible compensation changes for state court judges.

TIME: 1 p.m. (MDT).

DATE: Tuesday, Sept. 16.

PLACE: Live streamed on the New Mexico Courts YouTube channel and conducted virtually on the Google Meet platform.

Las Cruces office recognized for eliminating 150-foot cliff hazards at hiking spot

SANTA FE – The Las Cruces District Office of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management won a state reclamation award this week for transforming a dangerous rock quarry near Las Cruces into a safer destination for the hikers who frequently visited the site despite its 150-foot unstable cliffs. 

The New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division also recognized Chevron Mining, Inc. with a second 2025 Excellence in Reclamation award for restoring natural vegetation to an area where coal had been mined for nearly 50 years. 

 SANTA FE – Suicide deaths in New Mexico increased 9% in 2024 to 512 deaths, a jump of 42 more deaths than in 2023, according to new data from the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, making it an important time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and the resources available to help. 

"Suicide is preventable, but it requires all of us to act," said Clarie Miller, lead suicide prevention coordinator for NMDOH. "Whether it's learning the warning signs, knowing how to connect someone to 988, or simply checking in on friends and family - every action matters." 

[Editor's Note: Several comments on the Charlie Kirk shooting, posted in the order of receipt. If more come in, they will be added]

CHARLIE KIRK SHOT  1:16 p.m.
NEW MEXICO-SEPTEMBER 10, 2025,  - Statement from the Republican Party of New Mexico on the Shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University

The Republican Party of New Mexico is deeply saddened and outraged by the tragic events that took place today at Utah Valley University, where conservative leader Charlie Kirk was shot during a campus event hosted by Turning Point USA.

(Washington, September 9, 2025) – The Make America Healthy Again Commission today released the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, a sweeping plan with more than 120 initiatives to reverse the failed policies that fueled America's childhood chronic disease epidemic. The strategy outlines targeted executive actions to advance gold-standard science, realign incentives, increase public awareness, and strengthen private-sector collaboration.

Chaired by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Commission is tasked with investigating and addressing the root causes of America's escalating health crisis, with a focus on childhood chronic diseases.

Due to increased water levels use of motorboats now allowed

SANTA FE – Caballo Lake State Park has opened access to the boat ramp for use by motorized boats due to improved water levels. The elevation of Caballo Reservoir was reduced this summer as the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) removed excessive debris which began to impact the dam's intake structure. Reclamation began to proactively address the issue in July before additional storms occurred by using boats and personnel to skim the floating debris from the reservoir surface, successfully removing more than 17 tons of debris. In August, an additional 14,000 cubic feet of debris was removed using heavy machinery.

(Albuquerque, NM) – September is PNM's annual Copper Theft Awareness Month, a time to educate and warn customers about copper theft and ways to possibly prevent this crime. Throughout September, PNM is alerting residential and business customers about how to identify copper theft, what they can do if they become a victim, how to report it and what steps they can take to deter copper thieves.

Copper is a valuable metal widely used in electrical wiring due to its conductivity and durability. However, its high market value has made it a target for thieves at homes, businesses, scrap sites and utilities. Copper theft can lead to power outages, high repair costs, and dangerous situations for both the public, PNM employees and the thieves themselves.