Non-Local News Releases

NMDA joins statewide and global recognition of women's contributions

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has proclaimed 2026 as the "National Year of the Woman in Agriculture" throughout the state, underscoring the essential role women play in agriculture, food systems and rural communities in New Mexico.

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) also joins the global community in celebrating 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, as declared by the United Nations.

Survey will help shape five-year plan for investing in recreation sites 

SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Parks Division is conducting an online survey to gauge public opinion on how to improve the state's outdoor recreation landscape. 

The survey results will be incorporated into a new Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The SCORP must be updated every five years for the state to continue receiving funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a federal grant program that has helped pay for more than 1,200 outdoor recreation and conservation projects across New Mexico since 1968. New Mexico's next SCORP will cover years 2027 through 2031. 

SANTA FE —New Mexico small businesses developing clean energy technology have until March 17 to apply for state grants worth up to $1 million — funding that has already helped 12 companies commercialize their innovations.

The New Mexico Economic Development Department is now accepting applications for its third Advanced Energy Award grant cycle, offering up to $1 million grants to selected companies working on research and development or pilot demonstrations in the advanced energy sector. 

Since launching in 2024, the program has invested $6.7 million in 12 New Mexico companies.

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver had nothing to do with the Republican lack of Senate candidate. Christopher Vanden Heuval raised his hand in December, because he saw no Republican candidate and did not want Ben Ray Lujan to run without a challenger. Christopher called the Republican Party of New Mexico to tell them he was running. He was told RPNM had a candidate and was denied tools like GOP Data Center, a basic tool for reaching voters.

Christopher is a 73-year-old good guy from Sandoval County, with no political experience, no money, and no campaign or volunteer team, who did figure out how to get on the electronic petitions but not how to print a paper petitions. He believed that when Republicans saw there was no other candidate they would automatically sign his petition. He made an effort to show up at a majority of the county pre-primary conventions.

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate unanimously confirmed Anna Silva today as the cabinet secretary of the General Services Department. 

"Secretary Silva is a seasoned and talented leader with extensive experience in facilities management operations and procurement," said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. "I'm grateful for her contributions to this administration and I thank the Senate for confirming her as cabinet secretary today." 

At the General Services Department (GSD), Silva manages more than 6.8 million square feet of state property assets and continues to modernize the state's procurement system with responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources for the people of New Mexico. 

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 Lane Closure, Mile Marker 43, Hatch

352 Fire - Final Update

Feb. 10, 2026

Update: Yesterday, crews made good progress on stopping progression and securing the fire's perimeter, raising containment to 70%. Most resources have been released; local fire departments are continuing to mop up and monitor the area. This will be the final notification unless there are significant changes.

The 352 Fire was discovered Monday, Feb. 9 at 12:30 p.m. on state land in Quay County north of San Jon near Interstate 40.

Evacuations / Closures: State Road 469 north of San Jon has re-opened and evacuations have been lifted.

CWPP: A Plan to Save Your Property

The Spark: Wildfire Preparedness is Year Round

Howdy, neighbor!

Planning for wildfire takes a village. This month's edition of The Spark bulletin goes over a crucial step in that process: the Community Wildfire Protection Plan. 

Read The Spark and share it around!