Non-Local News Releases

State Police Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols in Counties across the State in November 2026

Statewide, NM - State Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols; and registration, insurance, and driver's license checkpoints in all NewMexico counties during November 2026.

We are bringing awareness to these events to reduce impaired driving-related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising.

Southwest Climate Outlook - October 2026

Welcome to this month's edition of the Southwest Climate Outlook!
 
El Niño Highlight

In September, El Niño's sea surface temperatures crossed the threshold that qualifies El Niño events for Very Strong El Niño status, which is the highest of four categories of El Niño strength. It won't officially count as a Very Strong event until about another month of sufficiently elevated sea surface temperatures has passed, but based on forecasts, that is virtually certain to happen, and moreover, it's very likely to be the strongest El Niño event in observed history.

For the climate of the Southwest, El Niño conditions mean increased chances of above normal precipitation, fall–spring.

Haga clic aquí para español.

LAS CRUCES – Agriculture, food, friends, family and football all come together at the 13th Annual Ag Day, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, ahead of the New Mexico State Aggies' Homecoming football game against Liberty University.

Hosted by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) and New Mexico State University's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), the event runs from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Pan American Center south parking lot, just before the 6 p.m. kickoff inside Aggie Memorial Stadium.

Ag Day is a huge tailgate celebration highlighting the importance of agriculture in New Mexico while offering fun for the whole family. The event will feature:

Albuquerque, NM – The United States Marshals Service, Southwest Investigative Fugitive Taskforce was contacted by the United States Marshal Service- El Paso Lone Star Fugitive Task Force requesting assistance to locate and apprehend a man wanted out of El Paso, Texas. 

George Gilbert Marez, 25, wanted out of Texas for offenses of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

 On October 29, 2026, the Southwest Investigative Fugitive Taskforce was able to locate and apprehend Marez, near the intersection of Wyoming Blvd NE, and Candelaria Rd. in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Following his arrest, Marez was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center, where he awaits extradition back to Texas. "Ensuring the safety of our communities is imperative to the mission of the U.S. Marshals Service," said David O. Barnett, Jr., U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico. "New Mexico is not a safe haven for violent criminals. You are not welcome here. If you come here, we will find you and ensure you are held accountable." 

SANTA FE — The New Mexico State Wildlife Commission will hold a meeting starting at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, at the Red River Conference Center, 101 W. River St., Red River, NM 87558. 

The full agenda and other information will be available on the New Mexico Department of Wildlife website.

If you are interested in participating or providing comments, but cannot attend the meeting in person, you are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting on the Zoom Webinar platform. For those who wish only to view the meeting, there will be a live webcast on the Department's website.

If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Darren Vaughan at 505-476-8027 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.

In all construction zones, motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continuing to be cautious of heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area. PLEASE NOTE: Conditions are subject to change without notice. Double fines for speeding in work zones may be in effect.

White Sands Missile Range Notification

For information regarding closures, you may call WSMR at 678-1178 or 678-2222 for updates.

Interstates: 

I-25 Guardrail Replacement Project, Mile Marker 6 to 14.2, Las Cruces to Dona AnaLC00384

ALBUQUERQUE — Twenty New Mexico small businesses will have the opportunity to receive $4,000 in free financial consulting and coaching services through Capital Connect, a bilingual program opening applications on November 2. 

Now in its third year, the initiative, managed through Economic Development New Mexico's (EDNM) Infrastructure Program, is part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Technical Assistance Program, funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Capital Connect is delivered in collaboration with Revby, a national consulting firm specializing in small business growth and capital readiness. 

Albuquerque, NM – The United States Marshals Service Southwest Investigative Fugitive Taskforce through investigative efforts developed information on the location of a wanted fugitive who had been on the run for nearly 9 years. 

Ernest Madrid, 54, wanted since 2017 out of the District of New Mexico by the Drug Enforcement Administration for Conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and aiding and abetting, was located and arrest in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

The investigation led law enforcement to a meat packing plant in Colorado Springs where Madrid was working under an alias. 

The United States Marshal Service District of New Mexico, then contacted the District of Colorado requesting assistance to locate and apprehend Madrid.