Non-Local News Releases

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management today announced an oil and gas lease sale scheduled for August 19, 2026, to offer 26 oil and gas parcels totaling 20,334 acres in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in March 2026 and held a public comment period that closed in May 2026 on the parcels and the related environmental analysis. A 30-day public protest period to receive additional public input opened today and will close July 20, 2026.

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, N.M. — State Senator Crystal Brantley (SD-35) is applauding the New Mexico Public School Capital Outlay Council's approval of a three-phase capital outlay award to replace Truth or Consequences Middle School and its associated JROTC facilities, calling the decision a long-overdue win for Sierra County students.

Senator Brantley has worked for several years to advance the project, including coordinating with the Legislative Finance Committee to evaluate the school's condition and advising the district on how to meet PSCOC funding requirements.

Big Rosa Fire Contained
on Magdalena Ranger District

Withington Wilderness – San Mateo Mountains  

(Albuquerque, NM – June 18, 2026) — Yesterday firefighters responded to an aviation detected wildfire in eastern Withington Wilderness within the San Mateo Mountains. Ground crews located 2 lightning-struck trees. Firefighters actively engaged the fire to stop fire spread using direct extinguishment strategy. Crews remained on scene through the night and will continue to monitor conditions today.

Reported start date / Time: June 17, 2026 / 1252

Cause: Lightning.

Size: Estimate 1/10 acre.

Containment: 100%

LAS CRUCES — White Sands Missile Range has scheduled a road closure on U.S. 70 for Thursday, June 18.

U.S. 70 will be blocked one time beginning at 8:05 a.m. This block will last approximately one hour, with the closure lifting by 9:05 a.m. The closure will be located at the Blue Block, 2 miles east of the access road at mile marker 172, and at the Brown Block at mile marker 192.

San Augustin Pass and the LC Gate will not be affected. However, Nike Avenue will be affected by the closure.
All roadblocks are subject to change without notice. For updates, call White Sands Missile Range at 575-678-2221 or 575-678-2222, visit the New Mexico Department of Transportation at www.nmroads.com or call 511.

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management accepted winning bids on 47 parcels in New Mexico totaling 152,381.49 acres for $16,581,926 in total receipts for a geothermal lease sale. The BLM may issue leases once review and payment are complete. The combined bonus bids, rentals, and subsequent royalties from the leases will be distributed between the U.S. Treasury, the State of New Mexico and the counties where the leases are located. 

Geothermal lease sales support domestic energy production and American energy independence, while contributing to the nation's economic and military security. Consistent with Executive Order 14154, "Unleashing American Energy," the BLM's geothermal lease sales help meet the energy needs of U.S. citizens, will solidify the nation as a global energy leader long into the future, and achieve American Energy Dominance. 

Santa Fe, NM — Today, Senator Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) announced he will vacate the position of Majority Floor Leader in the NM State Senate. In response to this development, Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) has provided the following statement: 

"I appreciate Leader Wirth's service to his constituents and the New Mexico State Senate. Senator Wirth and I have not always agreed, and we never pretended otherwise. But from my first day in this role, he treated me and our caucus with respect, and I hope I returned the same. That kind of relationship does not happen by accident. It takes two people who care more about doing the job right than scoring points, and Senator Wirth has always been that kind of leader.

Ruidoso, NM — A newly released Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) audit, secured by Republican legislators in both the House and Senate during last year's special session, confirms what taxpayers across New Mexico have known for years. New Mexico's food assistance system is broken, being exploited by bad actors, and the people responsible for ensuring accuracy are enabling this fraud. 

The audit found that New Mexico's SNAP payment error rate has climbed from a low of 3.7 percent in FY12 to approximately 16.6 percent in FY25, the fifth worst rate in the entire country. That is not a one-year problem. That is more than a decade of the error rate climbing every single year under this administration, while the people in charge of implementing the program seemingly took little or no action to remedy the problem. 

Audit below

Bilingual community engagement, partnerships with local voices, and new advertising will help residents learn more about Project Jupiter's economic, community, and environmental benefits

AUSTIN, TEXAS —June 16, 2026—Residents throughout New Mexico have new opportunities to learn more about the benefits of Project Jupiter through expanded community outreach efforts announced today. Building on its recently launched public awareness campaign, Project Jupiter is expanding its efforts to provide residents with information and answer their questions about the project 's expected economic impact, workforce opportunities, community investments, fuel cell-powered energy strategy, and innovative approach to water conservation.