Non-Local News Releases

Santa Fe, NM — The New Mexico Senate Republican Caucus today congratulated Dr. Heidi Overton, a Gallup, New Mexico native, on her nomination by President Donald Trump to serve as Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

"Dr. Overton's nomination is a proud moment for New Mexico," said the Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington). "From Gallup to the University of New Mexico to the highest levels of federal health policy, her story reflects the talent our state produces. We wish her the very best through the confirmation process and in this new role heading up the FDA."

Overton holds degrees from the University of New Mexico and the UNM School of Medicine, and a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She currently serves as Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.

The Caucus extends its congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Overton and her family as she prepares for Senate confirmation.

(Washington, D.C., Aug. 18, 2026) – Today, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the U.S. Forest Service has filed a proposed rule to rescind in its entirety the national 2001 Roadless Area Conversation Rule, a one-size-fits-all restriction that has frustrated land managers and served as a barrier to wildfire risk reduction work across large swaths of America's national forests.

"Our forests can't afford another decade of inaction. Across the country, we've watched preventable conditions – overgrown stands, insect outbreaks and disease – turn healthy landscapes into tinderboxes," said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. "For too long, outdated restrictions have kept tens of millions of forested acres off-limits to the very treatments that improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk to our communities. Today, we filed a proposal to restore authority to local forest managers who know the land best, removing the barriers that have kept them from doing the work the land demands. It's time to turn the page on the failed roadless rule and return our forests to health and productivity."

Santa Fe, NM — In light of recent and unfortunate findings that indicate politically-motivated omissions from a report published by Chairwoman Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe) and the "Survivors' Truth Commission," Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) is publicly renewing his demands for the commission to immediately issue subpoenas for Deb Haaland and Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury. 

After it was revealed that Democrat members of the commission omitted damning information about Deb Haaland, these Democrats failed to acknowledge and correct their intentional deception of the New Mexico public. They have also failed to address the urgent nature of Senator Sharer's demands for accountability and transparency ahead of an upcoming statewide election that will determine our state's future. 

Legislative Finance Committee will be meeting. See agenda below

https://mailchi.mp/fe330eb4ba8d/all-about-pollinators-projects-staying-safe-and-big-catches-new-mexico-wildlife-julyaugust-2026?e=d3b8016cf1

Annual Parent Satisfaction Survey highlights strong confidence in student success at tuition-free online public school serving grades 4-12

Santa Fe, N.M. (Aug. 10, 2026) – New Mexico Connections Academy, a tuition free-online public school for grades 4-12, recently welcomed both new and returning students across New Mexico for the 2026-27 school year. Now celebrating its 14th school year, the school continues to provide a personalized virtual learning experience that combines rigorous academics, dedicated teacher support, and strong family engagement to help students reach their full potential.

SANTA FE, NM - On August 12, the U.S. Department of Energy announced it will not move forward with designating three proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETC). The proposed NIETC map had identified more than 2 million acres — 24% of the state of New Mexico — along with a corridor area in southeastern Colorado. Agricultural production alone in the affected areas contributes $1.9 billion annually in New Mexico and another $504 million annually across the three affected Colorado counties.

County leaders from Chaves, Curry, Eddy, Lea, Otero, Quay, Roosevelt, and Union, actively opposed the proposed NIETC designation, which would have relied on federal eminent domain to seize 1,841,000 acres from these counties. Over the past two years, they worked closely with the National Association of Counties, unanimously passing resolutions opposing the proposal and giving voice to the concerns of the landowners, ranchers, and farmers who would bear the cost. That sustained, unified advocacy ensured the Department of Energy heard directly from local governments, landowners, and the agricultural community about the designation's impact on working lands, ranching operations, agricultural production, and local planning authority.

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. 

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