Non-Local News Releases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M) are reintroducing the bipartisan, bicameral Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act to honor the heroic veterans who defended Bataan and Corregidor in the Philippines and Midway, Wake, Guam, Java, Mindanao, and the Aleutian Islands against Imperial Japanese forces during World War II.

The legislation would bestow a collective Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest and most distinguished civilian honor, to the troops from the United States who bravely fought in the Pacific Theater, as well as to the Saskinax people on Attu during World War II. After the fall of Bataan and Corregidor, many of these Americans endured one of the most harrowing prisoners of war experiences in history, known today as the Bataan Death March, and years of captivity in prisoner of war camps. Bestowing them with a Congressional Gold Medal would recognize their personal service and sacrifice.

SANTA FE – Calling all teachers! Apply now for Kids 'n Parks Transportation Grants to take full advantage of outdoor educational opportunities at YOUR New Mexico State Parks. The deadline to apply for 2024-25 school year grants is September 24, 2024.  

"State Parks strongly supports meaningful, hands-on outdoor classroom experiences," said State Park Director Toby Velasquez. "2024 is the 17th year that we have supported the Kids 'n Parks Transportation Grants, a component of the New Mexico Outdoor Classroom Program, which has funded more than 170,000 student visits to New Mexico State Parks!" 

ALBUQUERQUE, SEPTEMBER 10—The second presidential debate of 2024 was held tonight in Philadelphia, PA, albeit with a different Democratic candidate than the first debate. This debate was the first time former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have met face to face. The questions addressed their stances on the economy, abortion, immigration, foreign policy and healthcare but at times seemed to devolve into questions focused around President Trump. The issues that are most pressing to New Mexicans are the economy, immigration, and crime.

"Tonight, New Mexicans wanted to know which candidate is going to make their groceries cheaper, their border secure, and their communities safe," said Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce.

SANTA FE—Following the presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Greg Baca (R-Belen) has issued the following statement in response:

"Tonight President Trump delivered a vision to reform our country to its former greatness. against vice President Harris, who was unable to explain the failures of the past 3.5 years and instead denied, deflected, and distracted.

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas adopted an ancient conservation practice to solve a modern-day problem. Tribal members teamed up with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Southern Plains Climate Hub (SPCH) and the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to learn a unique way to address extreme drought that placed extra strain on area lakes and groundwater levels. The intergovernmental union demonstrates the positive outcomes of a successful partnership that benefited members of the tribe.

Learn more about this rainwater harvesting project.

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today announced the appointment of Mariana Padilla as Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Public Education Department.

Padilla has served as the Director of the New Mexico Children's Cabinet since the start of the administration, leading the Governor's child and family well-being agenda. She also serves as the Governor's senior education policy advisor, overseeing early childhood, K-12, and higher education. In this role, Padilla has shaped program, policy, and budget priorities, and worked across state agencies to implement key initiatives and system-wide improvements. Her accomplishments include establishing the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department, launching a statewide literacy initiative, and driving the Governor's Cradle to Career education agenda supporting students from birth through college and career readiness.

Albuquerque, N.M. - Hungry fairgoers crowded Main Street yesterday for the New Mexico State Fair Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge, hoping to get a taste of the 10 best green chile cheeseburgers in the state. The competitors did not disappoint with 10 delicious, chile-topped burgers to satiate the crowd, but only two would prevail as champions.

The highly-anticipated event turned out some of the best restauranteurs from throughout New Mexico. In the end, the fair crowned two new champions with Isleta Grill of Isleta Pueblo taking home the crown for the blind judging award and Craft Republic of Albuquerque beating out the field for the people's choice award.

PNM provides prevention and safety tips during PNM Copper Theft Awareness Month

(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 excellent 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.