Non-Local News Releases

Highlights: Containment lines on the Unified Fire held up to tests from higher winds yesterday, raising containment to 50%. Today, fire crews will continue suppression activities as well as rehabilitation efforts within the affected area. This will be the final notification on the Unified Fire unless significant changes occur. 

Update: Today, fire suppression crews will continue to search for interior heat to extinguish within the Unified Fire footprint and build depth to containment lines along the fire's edge. Crews will continue to remove hazardous trees for the safety of firefighters and the public. Resource advisors are conducting surveys within the fire area and along the perimeter to assess for suppression repair needs. Weather forecasts predict increased east-southeast wind gusts of 25-40 mph and the potential for blowing dust. Threats to nearby homes have passed, however the public should continue to avoid the bosque area while crews continue suppression activities through the weekend 

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-10 Bridge Deck Repairs, Mile Marker 102 to 105, Deming/AkelaHW2M700118

Elephant Butte Lake: Andrew Luna, Bryant Michael Tafoya, Rodney Morton and Nathan Jones caught an abundance of white bass while trolling diving Rapala crankbaits on March 22. "The fishing was non-stop action," Andrew said. "This day, we weren't fishermen — we were catchermen!"

Elephant Butte Lake: Aaron Brewer caught this largemouth bass using a creature bait on March 22.

Highlights: Yesterday, fire crews were able to extinguish interior smoke and widen and improve control lines across the four divisions of the Unified Fire, raising containment to 25%. More accurate mapping downsized the fire's acreage to 300 acres. 

Update: Hand crews, engines, dozers and air resources operated successfully yesterday to widen and improve control lines on the Unified Fire, increasing containment to 25%. Winds were low, and minimal smoke was present. Fellers were able to remove hazard trees within burned portions on the south division of the fire. A type-1 helicopter performed successful rounds of bucket drops to deliver water into the tree canopy in areas where interior heat was present. 

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for various raw beef and pork products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection and may bear a false mark of inspection. Food produced without inspection may contain undeclared allergens, harmful bacteria, or other contaminants that put consumer health and safety at risk. FSIS is continuing to investigate and may add additional products to this alert as more information is obtained.

The beef and pork items were produced from April 2024 through March 2026. The following products subject to the public health alert are [view labels]:

Santa Fe, NM — This week, the Republican members of the Senate Finance Committee (SFC) sent a letter to the chairmen of the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC), urging that committee to "dedicate time in its 2026 work plan to study" fraud, waste, and abuse, as well as to "design legislative solutions to prevent further losses."

"We've seen rampant abuse involving taxpayer funds in Minnesota, California, and elsewhere," observed Senator Craig Brandt, the SFC Ranking Member. "We must root out such misuse of taxpayer dollars here in New Mexico and erect guardrails to ensure that public programs are managed responsibly and accountably."

March 25, 2026 

Highlights: Fire suppression crews worked throughout the night to continue establishing containment lines on the Unified Fire which is still active within the bosque area south of Rio Communities. This morning at 0700 command of the fire transitioned to a Type- 3 Team led by New Mexico Forestry Division. No structures have been impacted by the fire. Evacuations and road closures have been lifted across the area and power has been re-energized. The fire is approximately 500 acres and is 0% contained.    

Update: The Unified Fire held within its initial control lines from last night's operational shift. Late afternoon winds caused spotting across the river and increased the fire's perimeter. Night operations included using dozers and hand crews to establish line along the fire's edges. Fire behavior this morning is creeping and smoldering and fire activity will be expected to increase as the day's temperature warms. 

Lawyers Fight and Win for Kids to be Protected From Meta

New Mexico Jurors Are the Heroes

Santa Fe, NM — In a major victory for consumers and families, a jury has awarded a $375 million verdict against Meta, finding the social media giant failed to disclose the potential mental health harms its platforms pose to minors.

The case, brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez in partnership with nationally recognized trial firm Motley Rice LLC, resulted in $187.5 million in damages for each of two claims - unfair practices and unconscionable conduct. Jurors imposed the maximum civil penalty of $5,000 per violation, identifying approximately 37,500 violations tied to teen users of Facebook and Instagram in New Mexico.