Non-Local News Releases

Santa Fe, NM — Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) is raising serious concerns following last week's organized release of the interim report from the "Survivors' Truth Commission." After a $750,000 legal services contract, 20 subpoenas, and access to more than 100,000 records, the committee's own report acknowledges that it offers "no final findings."

The taxpayer-funded "Truth" Commission's report was filed five days after its statutory deadline of July 31 and much of its content restates information already available to the public through FBI records, court filings, media reporting, and the federal Epstein Files Transparency Act. 

New Report and Update on Wildfires

Sandia Ranger District - Coyote Fire
Mountainair Ranger District - Sand Springs Fire 

Albuquerque, NM – August 9, 2026 — Fire resources continue to actively engage in suppression efforts on wildfires within the Cibola National Forest that resulted from lightning strikes.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should avoid the fire areas.

Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. The public is reminded that "If you fly, we can't!" 

Sandia Ranger District – Cedro Area: Coyote Fire (New Report)

Fsis Issues Public Health Alert for Various Meat and Poultry Products Containing Fda-regulated Jalapeños That Have Been Recalled Due to Possible Salmonella Contamination

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for meat and poultry products containing FDA-regulated jalapeños that may be contaminated with Salmonella. FSIS expects additional downstream products will be identified as this ingredient recall progresses. As more information becomes available, FSIS will update this public health alert. Consumers should check back frequently.

The list of products subject to the public health alert is available here, including information such as the product names, establishment numbers, states where the products were distributed, and contact information for media and consumers.

The problem was discovered when FDA notified FSIS that multiple FSIS-regulated establishments received an FDA-regulated ingredient that had been recalled. More information on the FDA recall and outbreak investigation is available on FDA's website.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2026 – City Foods, Inc., a Chicago, Ill., establishment, is recalling approximately 3,215 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) pastrami and corned beef products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The RTE pastrami and corned beef products were produced on July 16, 2026, and have a 60-day shelf life. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:

• 10-lb. cardboard boxes containing 2- to 5-lb. pieces of "Midamar Premium Beef Pastrami" with case code "19410" printed on the box label.
• Various weight 20- to 30-lb. cardboard boxes containing 2-3 pieces of "BEA'S BEST COOKED CORNED BEEF BRISKET" with case code "18919" printed on the box label.
• Various weight 20- to 30-lb. cardboard boxes containing 2-3 pieces of "KIRSCH DELICATESSEN STYLE COOKED CORNED BEEF BRISKET" with case code "19751" printed on the box label.

If you are interested in the New Mexico Forestry newsletter, which provides information  on topics from fire to conservation to what's taking place where to use of stormwater to job opportunities, please go to https://mailchi.mp/state/nmfd-august-2026-newsletter-5151329 to subscribe and the latest newsletter, as well as access to prior newsletters. 

[Editor's Note: Because it is in newsletter format, it is very difficult for me to post, and besides, NM Forestry prefers having its own subscribers, so they can access all the divisions and information regularly provided by the agency.]

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico's outdoor entrepreneurs will once again take center stage this fall as applications open for Adventure Pitch Fest, a statewide showcase and live pitch competition with $15,000 in cash prizes. 

The event returns to Albuquerque Rail Yards on Friday, November 6, bringing together outdoor businesses, nonprofits, investors, industry leaders and consumers for a statewide showcase. 

New Mexico-based outdoor businesses and organizations of all types and sizes are invited to apply for showcase booths where they can engage with investors, key industry stakeholders and consumers. 

(Truth or Consequences, NM, August 7, 2026) — Beginning Monday, Aug. 10, crews will replace cattleguards along Forest Service Road (FSR) 522 in the Tierra Blanca area, southeast of Kingston. The road will remain open. At the cattleguard replacement sites, motorists may open the livestock gates to pass through and continue along the road, closing the gates behind them. This work is expected to last through Friday.

There will be work crews and heavy equipment present along FSR 522 during the replacement process. Please slow down, drive carefully, and watch for workers and slow or stopped vehicles.

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is conducting checkpoints throughout the state this hunting and fishing season to collect biological data and detect wildlife law violations.

As a result, the public may encounter minor delays. Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff's offices.

Please report any wildlife crime or suspected crime that you may observe while enjoying New Mexico's great outdoors. To report a wildlife crime, please call Operation Game Thief toll-free at 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn cash rewards for information leading to charges being files. Violations can also be reported online at Operation Game Thief.